Families that have pets have to deal with pet stains and odors at some point in their lives.
It is also no secret just how bad the pungent smell of pet urine can get. Dog/cat pee odors become increasingly potent if you don’t clean them off.
Most people are unaware that a pet is likely to come back to pee in the same spot if the odor is not removed completely. That is why you must detect the stains and clean them thoroughly.
Unfortunately, removing pet stains and odors from concrete can be difficult if done using conventional cleaning methods.
To effectively remove odor from a concrete floor, we must understand why conventional cleaning methods like bleach will not eliminate the dog urined smell on concrete.
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Why is it hard to get the urine smell off of concrete?
Basic detergents and cleaning tools are not enough to remove stains from concrete. Concrete has porous characteristics that absorb liquids like urine.
As soon as the pee seeps in, ammonia gets trapped in the concrete, leaving a potent odor that will not go away. This makes cleaning up considerably harder.
Some tried and tested methods of effectively removing pet stains and odor from concrete involve cleaning agents like hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. However, an enzymatic cleaner is the best option for removing odor from a concrete floor.
How can you locate pee-stained spots?
Finding the exact pee spot is not often easy unless you catch your pet in the act. Dog or cat urine odors may not be hard to sniff out, but it can be difficult if the stain is not recent.
For instance, moving into a house to discover a foul smell from the garage or basement.
A recommended tool for identifying pet stains in such cases is a U.V. light or blacklight.
Make sure to close all doors and windows when using a blacklight for the best results. Pee stains should appear in yellow, blue, or green markings.
To effectively remove pet stains and odors from concrete, you will need the following protective gear:
- Eye Protection
- Heavy-duty disposable gloves
- Long-sleeved shirt/pants
Once you have identified and mapped out the identified pee stains, put on the protective gear before you begin.
Tools you’ll need:
- Scrub brush/ deck brush
- Chalk
- Paper towels to soak up the urine if found fresh
- Water hose with a sprayer attached
- Water bucket
How to remove pet stains and odor from concrete
Follow the steps below for stain and odor-free concrete floors:
- Thoroughly clean the area with the deck/scrub brush
- Put a gallon of water into the bucket and mix in 1/8 of a cup liquid dishwashing detergent and ½ cup of baking soda
- Pour the mixture over the stain
- Use a brush (preferably one with soft bristles) to scrub off the stain
- Rinse
- Use oxygenated enzyme pet stain cleaner to remove the odor.
- Rinse off with water
- Leave overnight and clean
Leaving the cleaning solution on the concrete for a minimum of 4 hours is best for the best results.
However, leaving the solution overnight will help the product absorb the last of the ammonia. Also, ensure the area is well-protected to keep children and pets out.
You can clean the area again with warm water after this period and then let it dry. This should be enough to remove the odor from any concrete floor. If not, you can repeat the cleaning process.
Alternative methods for removing pet stains and odors from concrete
Some alternatives can be used to remove odor from a concrete floor:
Vinegar
The tried and tested agent for dealing with bad odors, using vinegar for pet urine, will help neutralize the odor.
Food-grade vinegar is good enough to treat urine. However, white vinegar is more powerful and effective.
Unfortunately, vinegar is not as effective when removing older pet stain odors from concrete.
Hydrogen Peroxide
As an acid, hydrogen peroxide is ideal for removing pee stains. Mix two drops of dish soap with two cups of hydrogen peroxide to remove cat urine from concrete.
Pour over the affected area and let it sit. This chemical might be cheap but requires multiple applications because it takes longer to react than other cleaning agents.
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
TSP works wonders for dog stains. However, this chemical is not advisable because of its toxic fumes.
In addition, the application of TSP requires the user to be fully clad in protective gear. Mix a gallon of hot water with a teaspoon of TSP and pour over the stain. This should sit for 5 minutes to dry.
Ion-based solution
An ion-based solution is one of the most efficient and simplest methods for removing odor.
First, the stained area should be wet before application; then, after pouring the solution, let it dry. Once dry, the smell should be gone.
What NOT to do
Contrary to popular belief, bleach is not a good cleaning option to remove dog urine from concrete. The ammonia in dog urine can be harmful once it comes into contact with bleach.
In addition, bleach releases toxic fumes when it mixes with ammonia. The best bleach will sanitize the area, but the odor will still be there.
However, if you have no alternative, ensure that the area is aired before application. You should also keep away from the space until the bleach has evaporated.
How to keep pet stains off concrete
Now that you have removed pet stains and odors from your concrete floors, it is best to prevent a repeat occurrence.
A good preventive measure is waterproofing by applying a concrete sealant to the floor. Sealed concrete floors are much easier and faster to clean; the stains can be dealt with using soap and water.
The sealant creates a water-resistant layer on the concrete surface. You can get a contractor to do the waterproofing or apply it yourself to save money.