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Many pet owners, especially those with canines and felines, have to deal with the smell of urine. Vinyl plank flooring in particular is vulnerable to damage from pet pee, despite the fact that dogs are a great source of company and happiness. Urine’s acidic pH and enzymatic components may eat away at the flooring’s protective layer, leading to discolouration, stains, and a foul stench. Pet urine may seep into the floorboards and create more damage if not handled.
To avoid stains and unpleasant odors, pet pee must be thoroughly cleaned. If you want to keep your vinyl plank flooring in good condition after a pet has an accident, you need to act quickly. Vinyl plank flooring may be severely damaged if pet owners don’t know how to properly remove pee stains.
We’ll show you how to remove the pet urine from vinyl plank flooring in this detailed blog post. We’ll go through what supplies you’ll need, how to be safe while cleaning, and what to do afterward to make sure no mishaps happen again. In addition, we will discuss care for vinyl plank flooring and how to avoid damage and stains in the future. By adhering to these recommendations, pet owners may keep their homes clean and safe for their dogs and their families.
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Materials Needed
To successfully remove stains and odor from vinyl plank flooring caused by pet pee, special cleaning supplies are required. Here is a list of things you’ll need to clean:
White vinegar – Vinegar’s inherent disinfectant and deodorizing properties make it useful for eliminating the smell of pet pee.
Baking soda – Baking soda is a safe and efficient natural cleanser that may be used to remove smells and excess moisture.
Hydrogen peroxide – The antimicrobial properties of hydrogen peroxide make it an effective disinfectant.
Dish soap – Dish soap is a mild cleanser that works well on vinyl plank flooring.
Microfiber cloths – To clean and dry up pet pee, nothing beats the softness and absorbency of a microfiber towel.
Rubber gloves – To prevent urine and cleaning solutions from damaging your hands, rubber gloves are a must.
Spray bottle – The cleaning solution should be mixed in a spray bottle and applied to the damaged area.
Scrub brush – Any pet pee stains or residue may be scrubbed away using a scrub brush.
A ventilator or fan – After cleaning, the space must be dried and ventilated using a fan or other ventilation device.
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Pre-Cleaning Process
If you have the right tools on hand, you can remove pet pee from vinyl plank flooring fast and easily, avoiding costly repairs and unpleasant smells. It’s worth noting that you could already have some of these things lying around the house, but you might need to go out and get others first.
Preventing additional damage and ensuring a safe and successful cleaning procedure from cleaning pet pee from vinyl plank flooring requires proper preparation of the region. Here are some things to do to get ready for cleaning and to keep yourself safe:
Get rid of all the trash:
Remove any solid trash from the area by hand using gloves and paper towels. Avoid pressing the pee additionally into the floor or spreading it.
Remove any moisture by blotting:
Remove excess moisture from the skin by dabbing it with clean paper towels or a microfiber cloth. This must be done before any cleaning solution is used to prevent diluting the cleaning solution and spreading the urine.
Ventilate the area:
Ventilate the space by opening windows or turning up fans. This should help get rid of any lingering smells and speed up the drying process.
Combine cleaning agents:
Put together a cleaning solution in a spray bottle using white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap. Make sure you have the correct component ratio by following the cleaning solution’s directions to the letter.
Put on your safety glasses and gloves:
Wear rubber gloves and old clothes or an apron to prevent urine and cleaning solutions from damaging your skin and clothing.
Test a small area:
Before applying the cleaning solution to the whole afflicted area, test it on a tiny, hidden section of the vinyl plank flooring. This is how you can tell whether the solution discolors or damages the floor.
Cleaning pet pee from vinyl plank flooring may be done successfully and safely if you follow certain from before-cleaning preparations and safety procedures. In order to avoid more damage and have a good cleaning, it is crucial to carefully prepare the region.
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Cleaning Process
Once you have the space and supplies ready, you may begin removing pet pee from vinyl plank flooring. To eliminate smells and stains permanently, do as directed below:
Put on the cleaning agent:
Cover the whole stained area with the cleaning solution and spray it onto the vinyl plank flooring. Give the solution 5-10 minutes to soak into the stain and eliminate the stench.
Clean up the mess:
Scrub the spot with a scrub brush, taking careful not to scratch the vinyl plank flooring. The pet urine stain may be removed by scrubbing it in a circular manner to assist lift the stain.
Blot the area:
Blot up any remaining wetness and cleaning solution with a dry microfiber cloth or paper towels. Keep doing this until the spot is completely dry.
Do a quick rinse:
Remove any residual cleaner by rinsing the affected area with clean water. Use a dry microfiber cloth or some paper towels to soak up any remaining wetness.
Apply some baking soda:
The damaged area should be dusted with baking soda and left undisturbed for at least 24 hours, preferably 48. Baking soda may help absorb any lingering odors since it acts as a natural deodorizer.
Vacuum the area:
The baking soda should be vacuumed away from the affected area after 24 to 48 hours.
Repeat the process (if necessary):
If the stain or odor persists, do the same things over again until the area is clean and fresh.
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Post-Cleaning Process:
The following post-cleaning considerations should be made after removing pet pee from vinyl plank flooring:
Allow the area to dry out and ventilate properly:
To speed up the drying process, you may increase ventilation by turning on fans or opening windows. Before letting dogs or humans walk on the affected area, make sure it has dried fully. As a result, the vinyl plank flooring will last longer and be safer for pedestrian traffic.
Clean any lingering stains:
Contact a professional flooring firm for help if any stains persist after washing with a commercial pet stain and odor remover.
Follow these safety measures to reduce the likelihood of future incidents:
- Teach your dog or cat to use a potty as a bathroom.
- Make sure your pet has lots of opportunity to use the toilet outdoors.
- Make sure your pet’s water dish doesn’t get wet by placing it on a waterproof mat or cushion.
- Urine may penetrate into vinyl flooring, therefore accidents should be cleaned up very once.
Maintain a regular cleaning schedule:
If you want to keep your vinyl plank flooring looking great and smelling fresh, you should give it a good clean on a regular basis.
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs
How long does it take for the vinyl plank flooring to dry?
Once the vinyl plank flooring has dried completely, it can be used by people and pets. To speed up the drying process, you may use fans or open windows to let in more air circulation.
If I want to clean the spot, how long should I let the solution sit?
Wait 5-10 minutes to see whether the cleaning solution has penetrated the stain and removed the odor.
Would a steam mop be effective in removing pet pee from vinyl flooring?
The use of a steam mop to remove the odor of pet urine from vinyl plank flooring is not recommended.
What should I do if the stain or odor persists after cleaning?
In the event that the stain or odor lingers, you may seek the services of a professional flooring firm or try utilizing a commercial pet stain and odor remover.
How often should I do a thorough cleaning on my vinyl plank flooring?
Vinyl plank flooring should undergo periodic thorough cleanings to eliminate lingering smells and stains and preserve its quality. How often you should do a thorough cleaning will be determined by how often people and animals use the space.
Final Words
Pet pee on vinyl plank flooring might be difficult to remove, but it must be done to avoid permanent damage and unpleasant smells. Using the correct products and methods, you can clean your floors thoroughly and get rid of any lingering odors or stains. When cleaning, it’s crucial to first ensure everyone’s safety and get the place ready.
You can extend the life of your vinyl plank flooring by following some simple care and maintenance guidelines after you’ve cleaned it. Don’t forget to hire a professional cleaner once in a while and set up a regular maintenance routine. You and your pets will appreciate the results of your efforts to maintain clean vinyl plank flooring by following these guidelines.
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Written By: Trisha Mae Raymundo
