Pet urine can be a nightmare to clean up, especially if it's on your wood floors. The ammonia in urine can damage the finish on your floors, and the smell can be difficult to remove. But don't despair! There are a few simple steps you can take to clean pet urine from wood floors and prevent any lasting damage.

How to Clean Pet Urine from Wood Floors

Blot up the urine as soon as possible

The sooner you clean up the urine, the less damage it will do to your floors. Blot up the urine with a clean cloth or paper towels. Be sure to press down hard to absorb as much of the urine as possible.

Rinse the area with water

Once you've blotted up the urine, rinse the area with clean water. Use a sponge or cloth to apply the water, and be sure to rinse thoroughly. This will help to remove any remaining urine and prevent it from damaging your floors.

Apply a cleaning solution

There are a variety of cleaning solutions that you can use to clean pet urine from wood floors. Some popular options include:

  • White vinegar
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Baking soda
  • Commercial pet urine cleaner

To use any of these cleaning solutions, simply apply it to the affected area and let it sit for the amount of time specified on the product label. Then, rinse the area with clean water and dry it thoroughly.

Prevent future accidents

The best way to prevent pet urine accidents on your wood floors is to train your pet to use a designated potty area. You can also keep your pet off of your floors when you're not home by closing doors or using baby gates.

Additional tips

  • If the urine has caused a stain on your floors, you may need to sand the area and refinish it.
  • If the smell of pet urine is particularly strong, you can try using an enzymatic cleaner. These cleaners contain enzymes that break down the uric acid in urine, which is what causes the smell.
  • If you have a pet that is prone to accidents, you may want to consider using a waterproof floor covering, such as vinyl or laminate.