Having a dog can be so much fun. They bring companionship, love, and joy into our lives. But as any dog owner knows, dogs also have a habit of peeing – and that urine can cause major damage to concrete surfaces like a basement floor, patios and porches. So naturally, you really need to know how to remove dog urine stains from concrete floor and the garage floor when necessary.
This article is gonna be a big one; in it, you’ll learn why pet urine stains cause damage, and discover how to eliminate not only dog urine but cat smell and other pet urine odors as well. Let’s break out the rubber gloves and dive in!
Pets Are Amazing, Aren’t They?
Our adorable puppy makes downtime more pleasurable and memorable. But the delight fades when the dog urinates and its foul odor spreads throughout the house. Dog urine contains odor molecules like ammonia, which gives it a foul odor. Because the concrete floor is porous, urine may readily soak in and cause a foul odor. I’ll show you how to remove dog urine stains from concrete.
Is dog pee toxic?
While dog urine may not be the most pleasant thing to come into contact with, it is generally not harmful to humans. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, dog urine can contain bacteria that can cause infections, so it’s important to clean any areas that have been peed on thoroughly.
Second, if a dog has a urinary tract infection, their urine may contain toxins that can be harmful to humans. If you suspect that your dog has an infection, it’s important to take them to the vet for treatment.
Finally, if you have any open cuts or wounds, you should avoid contact with dog urine until they have healed. While dog urine is not typically harmful to humans, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
Is cat pee toxic?
While cat urine may not be the most pleasant smell, it is generally not harmful to humans. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If a cat has a urinary tract infection, their urine may contain bacteria that can cause health problems if it comes into contact with human skin.
In addition, cats who are on certain medications may produce urine that is toxic to humans. If you have any concerns about your cat’s urine, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian.
Another thing to keep in mind is that cat urine can be very difficult to clean up. If you find yourself dealing with a lot of cat urine, you may want to consider using a professional cleaning service. Otherwise, you may just be stuck dealing with the smell for a while.
Why Urine Is So Bad for Concrete
In concrete areas such as a concrete basement floor, patios and driveways, urine odors can be very strong and difficult to eliminate. Porosity is a characteristic of concrete. The urine dries tightly to the porous concrete and penetrates deeply into its pores as it dries. It can be particularly challenging to remove urine odors in this situation due to the odor causing molecules within pet urine stains.
As long as the stench is not treated correctly, it can linger for months in the concrete surface after the liquid has been absorbed. If you want that pee smell odor completely gone, you’ll need to clean thoroughly.
Getting the Smell Out of Concrete
To get rid of foul odors in your house, follow these steps. In this article, we’ll discuss two cleaning methods:
By using a process called positive ionization, pet urine odors can be effectively removed. Using an enzymatic cleaner is another option for removing odors. The following methods are both natural and really work. Don’t worry if it sounds like some chemistry experiment: they’re both effective and natural.
Regardless of which approach you use, you begin by determining where your pet has peed – whether it’s in your basement, patio, or under the floor. To find the culprit stains, use a black light to “light up” the area. You will need to treat beyond the places you see, since liquid can spread.
The science behind removing urine stains from concrete
Traditional concrete floor cleaning methods can not effectively remove dog urine stains and odors. Removing dog urine stains requires extra attention or a vacuum. A dog urine-damaged concrete floor needs a two-stage cleaning procedure. Otherwise, will not be able to get the desired cleaning results. This is true for any urine smell if we want to get serious here.
Your well-known carpet cleaners may sometimes efficiently remove dog urine stains from concrete. According to the majority of pet owners, conventional cleaners only remove a small amount of dog stain from the carpet, but the urine stench remains.
As a result, it is critical to understand the correct cleaning method. It saves you time and money while providing the desired cleaning results.
Uric crystals can form when there is an imbalance of uric acid in the body. The most common cause of this is excess purine intake, which can be found in certain foods and drinks. Uric acid is a waste product that is normally excreted in the urine.
However, when there is too much uric acid, it can build up and form crystals. These crystals can cause joint pain and inflammation. There are several cleaning agents that can be used to combat uric crystals. Citric acid and baking soda are both effective at dissolving crystals.
Vinegar has also been shown to be effective at reducing the formation of new crystals. For best results, it is important to use a cleaning agent that is specifically designed to target uric acid. These agents can be found at most pharmacies or online.
Is Pet Pee Different Than Human Pee?
When it comes to urine, there are many different types. Pet urine, for example, is slightly different than human urine. The main difference is in the composition.
Pet urine contains more nitrogen and less potassium and sodium than human urine. This is due to the fact that pet food generally contains more protein than human food. As a result, pet pee is usually darker and has a stronger smell than human pee.
Another difference is that pet urine is often acidic, while human urine is more alkaline. This can be a problem if your pet urinates on your lawn, as the acidity can damage the grass.
However, if you have ever wondered whether or not pet pee is different than human pee, now you know!
Can I wash rugs soaked in animal urine in the washing machine?
Urine can cause permanent damage to your carpets and upholstery, and it can be difficult to remove the stains and odor. However, if you act quickly, you may be able to remove the urine before it causes irreversible damage.
If the area is still wet, start by blotting up as much of the urine as possible with a clean cloth. Once you have removed as much liquid as possible, mix one part white vinegar with two parts water and spritz the solution onto the stain.
Allow the vinegar to soak in for a few minutes, then blot it dry with a clean cloth. You can also try using a commercial pet Stain and Odor remover. Just be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it won’t damage your carpet or upholstery.
If the stain is already dry, you can try using a blacklight to locate it, then treat it with the vinegar solution. Once you have treated the area, be sure to vacuum it thoroughly to remove any lingering odor.
What happens if I don’t clean urine stains on concrete?
Over time, urine stains on concrete will cause the concrete to discolor and may even lead to the deterioration of the concrete. The best way to clean urine stains is to remove them as soon as possible.
If the stains are already set, you can try using a power washer or a strong cleaner designed for removing stains from concrete. However, it’s important to note that powerful cleaners can also damage concrete, so be sure to test the cleaner on a small area first.
If the cleaner doesn’t remove the stain, you may need to resort to sandblasting or other more extreme measures. In any case, it’s always best to consult with a professional before taking any action if the stains are truly that bad and have been left behind for years..
Identify Urine Stain On Concrete
It’s not always simple to pinpoint the source of an odor; typically, pets urinate near where they spend most of their time. If you can’t readily identify a region, you’ll need to use certain techniques. You don’t know where the stink is coming from because you just moved into a new house.
In this circumstance, instruments that can quickly determine the source of the odor are required. To identify pet stains and odors, use a UV or black light.
Before investigating, shut the door and windows since it produces the greatest results in the dark and in closed-off areas. Keep the light at least three feet away from the concrete floor, and the stain will appear as a blue, green, or yellow hue on the concrete.
While using the light, examine the wall because occasionally pets urinate on the wall joint, which is not apparent if the wall is not scanned with a U.V. or black light. If the stain cannot be removed with a cleaning solution, remove the wall or cover it with wall coating.
2 Best Ways To Neutralize and Clean The Stain
Chemists and cleaning enthusiasts have developed two effective methods that remove pet urine odor from unsealed concrete. In either case, ions or enzymes are used.
Using positive ions, the first type cancels out the negative ones that cause odors. Live bacteria are used in enzyme treatments to digest odor-causing molecules left behind by uric acid. The work of both types is molecular in nature.
Do household cleaners not work?
You can’t simply wash away pet urine with soap and hot water, no matter what concrete cleaner you use.
But you can eliminate the urine smell from concrete with a few steps and a little patience. Keep reading for a natural cleaning solution that doesn’t involve harsh chemicals.
Oxidizing Agents
A pet urine smell can be treated instantly with oxidizers. A counterproductive reason causes the odor to disappear immediately. Pet urine contains many nitrogen-containing substances, such as creatinine, urea, and uric acid.
Nitrogen-rich wastes are broken down into gaseous ammonia by specially adapted ammonifying bacteria. Ammonification is a stage of the nitrogen cycle. Due to its light weight, ammonia gas wafts upwards in a home and becomes an unpleasant odor.
Ionic Cleaners
If you’ve tried to “wash” the pee smell away with another cleaner but haven’t succeeded in getting rid of the smell completely, an odor remover with ion technology is the solution. As an additional note, I have found that the enzyme process must be repeated up to three times over a period of several days to remove urine odor with stubborn urine accidents (especially cat urine smell).
Over time, however, the smell will gradually dissipate after several months or so, even if the smell is only mostly gone.
Enzymatic Cleaners
When it comes to cleaning up dog urine, an enzyme cleaner is an excellent choice. Proteins and bacteria that cause stains and odors are specifically broken down by these products. These substances are broken down by the enzymatic cleaner, making their removal much easier. Furthermore, a enzymatic cleaner usually contains compounds that neutralize odors as well.
To prevent a urine stain and pee smell odors from lingering, it is critical to clean up any accidents your dog has on the affected area with hot water as soon as possible.
Use An Oxidizing Agent if:
An oxidization cleaner should be used when cleaning up pet urine because it will effectively break down the molecules that make up the stain and odor, resulting in a more thorough clean. It is important to use an oxidization cleaner as soon as possible after the accident occurs, as the longer the urine sits, the harder it will be to remove.
This method works best for fresh stains, but can still be effective on older stains. If you are using an oxidization cleaner on an old stain, you may need to repeat the process a few times to fully remove the odor.
To use an oxidization cleaner, simply follow the instructions on the packaging. Most cleaners will require you to mix the solution with water before applying it to the affected area. Once the solution has been applied, allow it to sit for several minutes before blotting it up with a clean cloth.
Use an Ionic cleaner if:
- Even after cleaning the area with another product (household cleaner or enzymatic cleaner), a urine smell still persists.
- The process of removing the contaminant cannot be repeated because you don’t have the time to wait and check for days. Stains rebalance instantly when ions rebalance, which eliminates odor immediately.
- If a fragrance temporarily cover or masks a smell you may have missed, you don’t like it. You can truly smell (know) that the ion-cleaner has worked when it is odorless
- You need a product that is 100% safe (e.g. food grade)
- There is a need for items that can be kept for a long time and that have a long shelf-life, unlike enzymes, which lose their potency after 6 months or so.
Use an enzymatic cleaner if:
- Saving money is important to you. It costs between $25 and $50 to clean a gallon of pet urine with enzyme cleaners. In the same size, ions-based cleaners are more expensive; however, enzyme cleaners cost about the same if you need two gallons.
- As long as it takes more time and effort on your part to complete the cleaning process, and you are fine with it. It takes time for enzymes to work because bacteria eat enzymes before the odor begins to disappear. In order to thoroughly “eat away” odors, you may need to reapply several times.
3 Quick Steps to Get Urine Smell Out of Concrete
1: Prepare The Stain
When identifying stains, it is important to use a black-light to help pinpoint uric acid crystals on the entire affected area. You can detect any uric acid crystals and urine spots on porous concrete with this device that is designed exclusively for pet urine detection.
To find uric acid crystals that are further out, but under the concrete surface you cannot see, use the black light as a guide and plan to treat 50% beyond the identified area. Those uric acid crystals are no joke!
2: Prepare Concrete Surface
Using an ionic cleaner:
The method you use to remove odors with ion-based products depends on whether you’re in Situation 1 or Situation 2.
Situation 1:
With a wet-vac or carpet cleaning machine, you can suction up old or new spots that may have dried. Simply soak the area with warm water and suction it up.
Afterwards, apply the ion-cleaner and let it dry.
In reality, however, many of us find ourselves in the following situation:
Situation 2:
It’s tempting to clean a dried, old spot that you may have tried cleaning before, but it doesn’t seem to be working. A long time has passed since the offending area was urinated on or it has been urinated on repeatedly.
Cleaning with enzymes:
Use one of the cleaners listed below to thoroughly clean concrete surfaces. All of these should be allowed to sit for several minutes. Let surfaces air-dry naturally.
The purpose of this step is to prepare the concrete for Step 2, so that the enzymatic treatment will be as effective as possible.
Using Vinegar
Two parts vinegar and one part hot water mixture will suffice, since vinegar is strong. There is no better neutralizer than this.
Using TSP
When compared to tiles, marble, and wood floors, concrete floors are more permeable. If a liquid is allowed to stay on the concrete surface for an extended period of time, it is difficult to remove stains from concrete.
When urine is exposed to air for an extended period of time, it forms a strong connection with the concrete.
This relationship became stronger and deeper with each passing day. This bonding procedure can sometimes last for days or even months. It’s somewhat broken down bonding when cleaning solution is applied. However, after a specific period of time, moisture is added and the prior connection is broken.
Determine the damaged area before attempting to remove a dog urine stain. Fill a bucket halfway with boiling water and add half a spoonful of TSP (Trisodium Phosphate). Mix them together and apply the TSP mixture to the afflicted region.
Allow at least 15 minutes for the trisodium phosphate (TSP mixture) to take effect. To achieve a more precise cleaning outcome, combine trisodium phosphate and enzyme urine cleaner with a firm brush and scrub the stained area or concrete area. Don’t worry if the odor returns; simply reapply pure hot water and use a vacuum.
Repeat this cleaning process for best results; in high traffic areas, this cleaning step may need to be repeated a third time. Trisodium Phosphate efficiently destroys dangerous germs and eliminates odors from surfaces.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Adding hydrogen peroxide with two tbsp of baking soda and two drops of dish soap to your recipe is a good first-pass cleaning solution, and is great to remove bacteria and odor. Let the hydrogen peroxide mixture soak over the affected areas once it has been mixed.
Baking Soda
The natural properties of baking soda neutralize pee smell odors from urine residue. If you have a damp spot or even an older stains, sprinkle the powder liberally on the area and work it into the fibers gently. Baking soda should be left overnight to ensure odors are completely removed, then vacuumed up the next day.
3: Treat the Area
Enzymatic cleaners
Dog urine odor, odor, and germs are all combated by a pet enzymatic cleaner. Its chemical composition breaks down urine into tiny pieces. Also, make the entire surface sanitary and visually appealing.
Pet enzyme cleaners are more effective in cleaning concrete than carpet and area rugs. Because this solution is not available in a spray container, mix it with a gallon of water.
It is the afflicted area with water to prevent evaporation when needing this cleaner for a better outcome.
Rocco and Roxie are professional odor removers that also perform well on concrete. There are several types of pet enzyme cleaners on the market; avoid cleaners that require you to combine carpet shampoo with them. Then, you can wet vac the enzymatic solution as an efficient method.
4: Seal and Protect
Following proper cleaning and sanitization of your concrete areas, and after allowing everything to dry completely, you can apply concrete sealer.
The concrete flooring will be encapsulated and sealed against moisture that can leak in and cause urine stains to be released.
In addition to sealing missed stains, sealing also prevents odors from recurring.
As well as protecting your floors from future accidents, sealing will also make them look much nicer as well. Paint will not be as effective as this.
Sealing The Concrete
Sealing the concrete floor prevents the stench of pet pee from returning to the surface. Most pet owners use concrete sealing to reduce odor. Concrete sealing ensures that the stench is completely removed.
There are several types of sealers on the market, but only the garage floor coating is the best for concrete floors. This layer prevents odor molecules from passing through the system indefinitely. So that stink does not pass through the covering and the dog has an odor-free existence.
Coating The Floor
You may use garage floor covering to keep your floor free of dog urine stains and odors. It’s a simple and efficient method for eliminating odors. Before putting the coating on the floor, it needs to be ground or acid-etched. If you’re having trouble figuring out how to perform garage floor coating, check out YouTube or a flooring blog.
Concrete floors are durable and long-lasting, but they can be susceptible to wear and tear over time. One way to help protect your concrete floors is to coat them with epoxy.
Epoxy is a type of resin that forms a hard, durable surface when it dries. It can resist scratches, stains, and other types of damage, and it also helps to prevent dirt and dust from collecting on the floor. Applying an epoxy coating to your concrete floors is an easy way to keep them looking like new for years to come.
There are many benefits to using epoxy to finish concrete floors. In addition to being easy to clean, epoxy can also be used to create any color scheme. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses that want to create a professional look.
Epoxy is also very durable, meaning it will withstand heavy foot traffic and the occasional spill. Best of all, epoxy is a fairly easy DIY project. With just a little time and effort, anyone can transform their concrete floor into a work of art.
Cleaning solution for concrete garages at home
Your concrete garage floor will stay cleaner if you regularly clean it with a solution of baking soda and water. As an all-purpose cleaner, mix half a cup of baking soda with a gallon of warm water.
To remove light stains, you can also mix baking soda with liquid soap to make a paste.
Warm, soapy water is a powerful tool for keeping your floors clean and removing minor stains. A nylon-bristle brush should be used to scrub a gallon of warm water with one-third cup of powdered laundry detergent on the treated area. Always rinse your garage floor after cleaning with a pressure jet wand. This job is best done with the pressure jet since the powerful stream makes rinsing quick and easy.
Concrete garages are hardworking rooms where spills are inevitable. Effortlessly clean up existing stains, and respond immediately to new spills. Cleaning your concrete garage floor is easy if you do it a little at a time.
Cleaning Hacks To Remove Dog Urine Stains From Concrete Bottom Line
Concrete’s porous layer makes it easy to set many sorts of liquids. Using pet enzymatic cleaners that quickly absorb concrete, you can keep the concrete floor free of tough stains and odors. Concrete also allows for air transmission, therefore moistening the damaged area before applying any sort of liquid cleaning, otherwise, it will absorb the solution. In all, enzyme cleaner is your best friend for combating pee.
Final thoughts
Many people are not aware of the proper way to maintain a litter box for an elderly cat. When cats get old, they often miss the litter box when they pee and end up going on the floor. This wreaks havoc on carpet adhesive and the carpet pad, and can be very difficult to clean up.
In order to avoid this, you should always include cleaning litter boxes and surrounding areas with an enzyme cleaner when you smell pee. This will help to keep your cat from going to the bathroom on the floor, and will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
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