Pets bring joy. But sometimes, this joy is often short-lived and leads to unexpected challenges. One of those challenges comes in the form of pet stains. Pet stains can affect the beauty of your wooden floors and, if left to clean on time, can further signify the damage.
In this blog post, we will explore three simple steps to remove pet stains from your hardwood floor using a handful of household items so that you can tackle the issue and keep your floors looking pristine.
Removing Pet Stains From Your Hardwood Floor: Three Easy-To-Follow Steps
1. Blot Quickly
First of all, take a clean cloth and blot up the stain (urine) quickly. This is because the more you delay, the more the liquid (along with the odour) can seep deep into the wood. As a result, this can make it much harder to remove.
Moreover, urine and other pet accidents contain some substances that can severely stain the wood if left to clean on time. By cleaning up the liquid immediately, you reduce the risk of these problems.
2. Apply A Solution
Once you’ve blotted up the spill, it’s time to apply some solutions. Whichever option you choose, always make sure to test it on a hidden part of the floor first to protect your hardwood from damage.
This is because different types of hardwood finishes react differently to cleaning products. Some solutions can strip or damage the finish and leave an unsightly spot.
White Vinegar And Baking Soda
Vinegar is an acidic solution with a pH of around 2.5. It works by breaking down the basic components of the stain. Meanwhile, baking soda is a mild alkaline with a pH of about 8.3. It reacts with acidic substances and removes odours.
So, add one tablespoon of white vinegar with one cup of water in a spray bottle. Mix it well and spray it onto the stain. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Then, use a clean cloth and gently scrub the area. (Be careful not to scrub too hard)
After that, sprinkle baking soda over the treated area and let it sit on the stain for some 15 minutes. Lastly, use a vacuum cleaner or broom to remove the baking soda residue.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another popular choice to remove pet stains from your hardwood floor. When hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with organic stains, such as those from pet urine, it breaks down into water and oxygen.
The oxygen reacts with the molecules in the stain and breaks down the chemical bonds. This, in turn, helps lift and remove the stain from the surface. Hence, combine 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle (this dilutes hydrogen peroxide to a safe concentration for hardwood floors) and sprinkle it over the stain.
Allow it to sit for an hour and then, blot the area to remove the lifted stain and hydrogen peroxide residue as well.
Enzymatic Cleaner
Enzymatic cleaners contain various enzymes that break down the complex molecules in the stain into smaller, simpler molecules. This process makes it easier to remove the stain and odour.
Thus, buy an enzymatic cleaner (made for use on hardwood floors) and apply it to the stain. Allow it to sit for the time as written on the product label (this might typically take 10-15 minutes).
Once the wait is over, use a clean, dry cloth to blot up the cleaner and the stain. Finally, wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any residue, then dry the area completely with a towel.
You can also read: How To Remove Stubborn Stains From Hardwood Floors?
3. Dry The Area Thoroughly
Moisture, as you may know, is the enemy of hardwood floors. So even after removing the stain, certain residual moisture (from hydrogen peroxide or enzymatic cleaners) can remain trapped within the wood. This, in turn, can cause new stains, discoloration, or even warping of the wood.
Therefore, open all windows and doors to improve air circulation. You can also use a table fan and place it near the affected area to speed up the drying process.
Note: At times, pet stains can seep deep into the wood, which can make the stain and odour persist even after you clean it. So, in such cases, all you have to do is reapply solutions, sand the hardwood, and apply a new stain or finish as needed.
Closing It!
Pets enrich our lives beyond a doubt. But sometimes, they often end up creating a mess on the floor that pet owners always want to avoid. This mess, especially the urine, feces, or vomit, can damage the hardwood floor if not cleaned on time.
But luckily, with the help of the right tools and solutions, you can easily remove pet stains from your hardwood floor for the good and help maintain it for years to come.
