Asked on Nov 15, 2015

How can I remove the smell of old dog pee from my wool kilim rug?

Jennifer
by Jennifer
I loaned a friend my 100% wool Kilim area rug a while back and she just returned it. Apparently her dog had urinated on it a few times and rather than clean it up immediately she rolled it up and stored it in the basement!! She tried to clean it with a carpet cleaner before returning it, however it is still very pungent. Anyone have any ideas? Professional cleaning is not in my budget, and she has dropped off of the planet. :-P
  14 answers
  • Sheila Wald Sheila Wald on Nov 16, 2015
    I found this online. Test a small area first to make sure it doesn't damage/change cold of rug. When done, I would steam clean the rug if you have a steamer. http://www.dogchatforum.com/dog_urine_odor.htm
  • Sheila Wald Sheila Wald on Nov 16, 2015
    Color of rug, not cold.
  • Collier Austin Collier Austin on Nov 16, 2015
    Nature's Miracle. You can buy it at most pet stores.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 16, 2015
    I would use natures miracle and then steam the carpet out. Then sprinkle baking soda and leave on for awhile then vacuum.
  • Patti Nicholas Patti Nicholas on Nov 16, 2015
    These are all great answers, and I can tell you from experience it takes time and patience and probably more than one product. The important thing is to test every product on a small area first, it's shocking how one color on the rug won't react to something and another will so be careful. The advantage professionals have is space to allow the rug to lay out and dry. I've found one of the best places to use for cleaning and drying is the attic, the air tends to be dry there and there's not a lot of traffic. If the stained area is small, try using a mild Castile soap and water, put a towel under the spot and saturate the area, put a towel on top and let sit, apply pressure every now and then so the towels absorb the moisture. After an hour or so, change the towels and resaturate if necessary. You may have to do this several times. When most of the scent is gone replace the towels again, but sprinkle baking soda on the area, you can brush it into the spot with a soft toothbrush. Let sit until completely dry. Vacuum. Sprinkle with more baking soda, brushing in again. Leave sit at least 24 hours. Like I said earlier this takes a lot of time and patience. I spent a week doing this the last time, most of it was drying time. I then left the rug laying flat on the attic floor with baking soda on it for about a month. Good news is the rug is clean and smell free and laying in my clients dining room.
  • Connie Mar Connie Mar on Nov 16, 2015
    Nature's Miracle or some other enzymatic cleaner made specifically for pet urine. Make sure to test on a small spot first. If no color changes, then fully saturate the area and use a rag to rub it in. Let it dry and then vacuum. Don't use any soap before using the enzymatic cleaner, or the enzymes won't work. If the smell is still there after the enzymatic cleaner, then try what Patti Nicholas suggested.
  • Lisa B Huey Lisa B Huey on Nov 16, 2015
    I would try vinegar first.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Nov 17, 2015
    Some friend! Be very careful as this is a valuable rug. It may have natural dyes which might run. Is there a cleaner in your area which specializes in cleaning these rugs. Perhaps you could arrange a deal where you can pay off in stages. I would only go with pro who specializes.
  • Creativeme Creativeme on Nov 17, 2015
    She had to know about this. Rolling it up and storing doesn't hide anything. I would go to a rug cleaner too. Although my thing is killim rugs and have never had an issue with colors running. Once a year I hang them between two ladders outside, spray the entire rug and then use the hose on them. They dry rather quickly outdoors. All the products mentioned will work, but my go to has been Restore in the last couple of years for spotting and it does not affect the colors at all. It eludes me people would do this to something borrowed and not even tell you, much less offer to restore it.
  • Felicity Woodruffe Felicity Woodruffe on Nov 17, 2015
    Bicarbonate of soda shake all over liberally leave overnight then vacuum off next day then mix zoflora disinfectant with water in a fine misting spray bottle and apply all over rug leave to dry .
  • Janice James Janice James on Nov 17, 2015
    If you can lay it out somewhere like a garage spray it with distilled vinegar let it stay on 10 to 15 minutes go over it with a wet/dry vacuum or a carpet cleaner to suction the vinegar out. If you can place several layers of newspapers under it they help to draw out the liquids.
  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 15, 2022

    Ask at the Pet store or maybe at a Vets?

  • Mogie Mogie on Feb 06, 2024

    You can use a solution of dishwashing detergent and vinegar for stubborn stains. The cleaning action is more powerful with this method. It works well for a wool handmade area rug with hard to remove stains.

    How To Apply

    1. Mix water, dishwashing liquid, and vinegar in a bowl. Wet a cloth rag in this solution. Blot the rag on the stain and use a small circular scrubbing movement. Avoid harsh scrubbing as it can spoil the smooth and neat look.
    2. Once you remove the stain, apply cold water to the area using a cloth rag. Dry the spot using a clean cloth rag. Gentle pressure on the area is enough to dry it.
    3. Allow the rug to dry by propping it on a nearby sofa or table. Make sure you dry the wet areas under the rug. You can also use a heater or fan to dry the rug.


  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Mar 13, 2024

    Nature's Miracle is what to use, found at any pet store.