How to Get Dog Pee Out of an Area Rug

A loose area rug has two things wall-to-wall carpet does not: a care label and a floor you can get to underneath. This guide walks through fresh and dried dog pee on a rug, using what the Carpet and Rug Institute, the AKC and Humane World for Animals say.

Act quickly

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) keeps it short: "The key is to act quickly!" It also says rugs need the same attention as carpet:

"Rugs deserve the same care as wall-to-wall carpet and, in some cases, require special attention."

For vomit or hairballs on a rug, see our guide to how to clean cat vomit and hairballs out of carpet.

Source: Carpet and Rug Institute, Cleaning and Maintenance.

Fresh pee: blot, do not scrub

Start by soaking up as much as you can. The CRI says:

"Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or plain white paper towels (no prints or colors). Using a printed or colored material may transfer ink or dye to your damp carpet. Continue blotting until the area is nearly dry."

"Warning: do not scrub or use a brush. Bristles and scrubbing can damage carpet."

Humane World for Animals describes a method that also covers the underside of the spot:

"Place a thick layer of paper towels on the wet spot and cover that with a thick layer of newspaper. If possible, put newspaper under the soiled area as well. Stand on this padding for about a minute and repeat until the area is barely damp."

Then rinse. Humane World for Animals says: "Rinse the "accident zone" thoroughly with clean, cool water and blot dry."

Sources: Carpet and Rug Institute; Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors.

Check the label or care tag first

Before you put any cleaner on the rug, look at its label. The CRI's rug care advice depends on what the label says:

"If your rug is small and the label says “machine washable,” shake the rug outside first and then put it in the washing machine at the recommended temperature."

"If the label says dry clean only, your best bet may be to roll up your rug and take it to a dry cleaner."

For imported and valuable rugs, the CRI says:

"Clean imported rugs according to the carpet manufacturer’s specifications or use a professional cleaning service. Be gentle with fringe. For heirloom-type rugs, hire professionals."

Source: Carpet and Rug Institute, Basic Rug Care.

Treat the spot

If the label allows spot cleaning, test first. The CRI says "you should still pretest any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of your carpet." Then apply the cleaner the way the CRI describes:

"Follow the product’s directions carefully. More is not better. Apply a small amount of the cleaner to a white cloth and work in gently, from the edges to the center. Blot; don’t scrub."

"After the spot is gone, blot the area with clear water once or more to remove any remaining product."

Keep heat away from urine. The CRI warns:

"Don’t use a steam cleaner when dealing with urine spots because the heat will set the stain and the smell. Instead, extract the spill with a wet vacuum and rinse with cool water to reduce the odor."

Our guide to enzyme cleaner for pet urine covers how it works and how to use it. For wool, see how to clean pet urine from a wool rug, and for sisal, jute or seagrass, see how to clean pet urine from a sisal, jute or seagrass rug.

Source: Carpet and Rug Institute, Cleaning Spots and Spills.

Dried pee spots

Old spots take more work. The AKC says: "While it’s harder to remove the smell from dried urine stains, there are several effective methods to try." If you are not sure where the spot is, Humane World for Animals says: "If you have a black light, use it to identify soiled areas and lightly outline the areas with chalk."

The AKC's method for dried urine on fabric and carpets is: "Start by rehydrating and extracting the stain."

"Rinse the area with water"
"Use a wet-dry vacuum to extract moisture"
"Repeat until the area is as clean as possible"

For more on dried spots, see our guide to how to get old, dried pet urine stains out.

Sources: AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells; Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors.

Check the floor and pad underneath

Lift the rug and look at what is below it. The AKC answers why a smell can stay after cleaning:

"Urine may have soaked into padding, upholstery, or wood. Repeated treatments or professional cleaning may be necessary."

If the rug sits on hardwood, the AKC says "Hardwood requires quick action to prevent absorption into the wood." Its steps for a wet floor are:

"Press paper towels or cloths onto the puddle"
"Replace with fresh towels until the area feels dry"
"Use a cleaner designed for hardwood surfaces if needed"

If the rug sits on laminate or vinyl plank, see how to clean pet urine from laminate and vinyl plank floors.

For wall-to-wall carpet, see our guide to pet urine in carpet padding.

Sources: AKC; Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors.

When to call a professional

If the smell keeps coming back, the CRI says: "If necessary, call in a certified carpet cleaning firm that knows how to remove pet stains and odors permanently." The AKC agrees: "If odors linger despite repeated cleaning, or if there are multiple or deep stains, professional cleaning may be the best option."

Sources: Carpet and Rug Institute; AKC.

Using P-Cleaner

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Our rinse-free, water-based formula tackles the toughest stains and odors from urine, feces, vomit, and other organic messes on carpets, rugs, upholstery, and hard surfaces." It also says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." and "No scrubbing necessary". Check your rug's care label and test a hidden area first, as the CRI advises above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.