How to remove pet odor from carpet

Tess
by Tess
I've tried everything from baking soda to vinegar, even shampooed twice. Everything seems good until it dries, then the smell is back. Any suggestions would be helpful, maybe something I haven't tried yet? Thanks all.....

  13 answers
  • Sharon Sharon on Jul 21, 2017

    What kind of pet odor? doggy smell or urine? cat or dog? They make pet enzyme cleaners and I have put them in my carpet cleaner to do clients rugs that have urine ophs and spraying. I like the tablets or powder best as you mix it fresh and works 100% better than the wet stuff.... why pay for water. Jackson Galaxy has one on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Galaxy-Stain-Eliminator-Fizzion/dp/B019YMYNR0/ref=pd_sim_199_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B019YMYNR0&pd_rd_r=0R28743S671ANT64C8N4&pd_rd_w=itGqq&pd_rd_wg=06ns0&psc=1&refRID=0R28743S671ANT64C8N4

    To periodically deodorize carpet I use 20 Mule Team Laundry Borax, put in a jar, and poke lots of holes in the lid. Sprinkle liberally on carpets. leave 3 hours. Then vacuum up. Kills fleas too. Won't hurt pets while on carpet either, vet recommended.

  • Sharon Sharon on Jul 21, 2017

    Oh and buy the blacklight flashlight, cause urine glows under it and you can see where its coming from. Sometimes folks think its on the rug, and its on the wall from spraying. Just put same cleaner in a spray bottle with water and then squirt it on, wipe off, when it doesn't glow, its gone.

  • Debra Debra on Jul 21, 2017

    If the padding underneath hasn't been replaced, YOU WILL NEVER GET RID OF THE SMELL.

  • Tess Tess on Jul 21, 2017

    Sharon, thanks for answering so promptly..The odor is dog urine. I've tried Natures Miracle, an enzyme cleaner, which seems to make it smell worse. Don't really want to try another enzyme cleaner, since the one I used really didn't remove the odor, Thanks for the suggestion.

  • Dianacirce70 Dianacirce70 on Jul 21, 2017

    if its coming back the urine has probably soaked into the padding, and even into the sub flooring. You need to treat that area, not just the carpet. If its in a corner this is easy, you can simply pull the carpet back, replace that area of padding and scrub/treat the subflooring underneath. If its not in the corner, or along the edge, you might want to consult a professional.

  • Amy Amy on Jul 21, 2017

    Unfortunately, you have to be able to clean the carpet pad too. You would need to lift the carpet to the stain area, replace that area of carpet pat and put carpet back. You can also see on the back of the carpet if you really got everything out of it. Doesn't matter what you do, even the pet odor product, if you don't get it out of the pad the smell won't leave

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Jul 21, 2017

    Depending on the pet (cat or dog) get the correct solution of Nature's Miracle at your pet store. Follow the directions. POUR it on the area and let it soak clear through to the pad. Leave it there for at least 8 hours, preferably over night. If you have a wet/dry vac, use that to suck out any leftover liquid. If not, you'll need towels to absorb the excess. Don't rinse. The odor should be gone and the pet should not be drawn there to re-mark their territory.

  • Molly Anmar Molly Anmar on Jul 21, 2017

    See if you don't find this advice from the SPCA to be helpful:

    https://www.spca.org/file/downloads/SPCA-Guide-to-Removing-Pet-Stains-and-Odors.pdf



  • DesertRose DesertRose on Jul 21, 2017

    we use Simple Green from Walmart or Menards. It is a disinfectant as well as deodorizer. Scrub the carpet with a stronger mix than the 1 part cleaner /8 parts water formula. We use half and half for stubborn pet stains. For color try Oxyclean to remove the coloring. You may need to also lift the carpet to clean the mat under the carpet or it will continue to soak up through the carpet.


  • Sue25278845 Sue25278845 on Jul 23, 2017

    You could try putting oxyclean with odor fresh in with your carpet shampoo. If it's urine odor, it has probably gone through the carpet into the flooring underneath. You either have to replace that or clean with bleach and seal it before replacing carpet.


  • Kim Kim on Jul 23, 2017

    "Nature's Miracle" is a product recommended by our vet, and it works GREAT!!! Even on cat urine!

  • Kim Kim on Jul 23, 2017

    And YES, it got rid of the odor even in the carpet padding!

  • Elizabeth Dion Elizabeth Dion on Aug 02, 2017

    Try Nature's Miracle from Amazon.com. It is guaranteed to work (and it does!)