Pet Urine on a Bath Mat or Bathroom Rug: How to Clean It

This guide covers what to do when a dog or cat pees on a bath mat or bathroom rug: blotting, reading the care label, washing the mat the way its maker says, checking the floor underneath, and what cat welfare groups say about why a cat may choose a soft spot.

Blot first

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) says "The key is to act quickly!" Its first step for any spill is:

"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."

Ruggable's bath mat care page starts its stain steps the same way: "Use a clean paper towel or cloth to lightly absorb any excess liquid." If the rug is a large area rug rather than a bath mat, see our guide to getting dog pee out of an area rug.

Sources: Carpet and Rug Institute, Cleaning and Maintenance; Ruggable, Bath Mat Wash & Care Guide.

Check the care label

For small rugs, the CRI's advice depends on the label:

"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. Use warm water (90 to 105 degrees) and a mild detergent. Tumble your rug dry at the lowest heat setting."

If you spot clean the mat instead of washing it, 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." The bath mat makers below give different water and drying settings from the CRI's general rug advice, so the label on your own mat is the one to follow.

Source: Carpet and Rug Institute, Basic Rug Care.

Washing the mat: what the makers say

For its cotton Bath Rug, Parachute's care details say: "Machine wash cool using mild, liquid Laundry Detergent", then "Do not bleach. Tumble dry low." and "Remove promptly."

Ruggable's bath mat has a washable cover on a separate pad. For a stain, it says: "Blot the stained area with the cloth, then rinse with cool, clean water." For the wash itself:

"Peel the Bath Mat Cover away from the Bath Mat Pad, then machine-wash the Cover in cold water using a mild, liquid, non-bleach detergent. Tumble dry on air fluff mode or lay flat to air-dry."

"Important: Do not use fabric softener or chlorine bleach. Fabric softener can reduce absorbency, while bleach can weaken the fibers and cause fading."

Sources: Parachute, Details: Bath Rug; Ruggable, Bath Mat Wash & Care Guide.

Rubber, latex or non-slip backing

Ruggable's non-slip pad gets different care from its cover. It says to "Clean the Bath Mat Pad every 2 to 4 weeks, or immediately after major spills, to help keep the non-slip backing effective." Its deeper clean is:

"Saturate the Bath Mat Pad with soapy water, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Hang to dry until completely moisture-free. Do not dry in direct sunlight."

"Important: Do not iron, bleach, machine-wash, or tumble-dry the Bath Mat Pad. Only the Bath Mat Cover is machine-washable."

No other source we checked gives general washing rules for rubber or latex backed bath mats, so check your own mat's care label before it goes in the washer or dryer.

Source: Ruggable, Bath Mat Wash & Care Guide.

Laundering a urine-soaked mat

For machine-washable items, Humane World for Animals says: "Add a one pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent and wash as usual, air drying if possible." Its page then gives a second wash step for when you can still see or smell the soiling. Our guide to getting pet pee smell out of clothes, bedding and towels covers that step.

Source: Humane World for Animals, Get urine smell and pet stains out of carpet.

The floor underneath

Ruggable's care page says: "Periodically wipe down the underside of the Bath Mat Pad and the floor beneath it."

If urine reached the floor, see our guide to cleaning dog pee from tile and grout. If a cat has also used the tub, shower or sink, see cat peeing in the bathtub or sink. If the smell returns after the mat is washed, see pet urine smell came back after cleaning.

Source: Ruggable, Bath Mat Wash & Care Guide.

Why a cat may pick the bath mat

None of the cat welfare sources we checked names bath mats. What they do say is about surfaces. The ASPCA says: "Some cats develop preferences for eliminating on certain surfaces or textures like carpet, potting soil or bedding." The Cornell Feline Health Center says:

"A cat with an aversion to her litter box will usually eliminate on a variety of surfaces. You may find puddles of urine or feces on soft surfaces like carpets, beds, or clothing, or on hard surfaces like tile floors or bathtubs."

Cats Protection says: "It's always best to take your cat to the vet first if there's a sudden change in their behaviour, such as peeing and pooing where they shouldn't, in case there's a medical reason for the change."

See also cat peeing outside the litter box and multi-cat litter accidents. None of the sources we checked explains why a dog would choose a bath mat; our guide on why dogs and cats keep peeing in the same spot covers repeat spots.

Sources: ASPCA, Litter Box Problems; Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling; Cats Protection, Cats and toileting.

What helps keep a cat off the mat

Cleaning matters because of smell. International Cat Care says:

"Whether an accident or not, once your cat has passed urine or faeces in a particular area, its sensitive nose will encourage it to use that place as a regular toilet. The best way to break the habit of soiling indoors outside of the litter tray is to keep your cat away from the area as long as possible and remove any smell that your cat can detect."

Cornell says: "Cleaning is most effective when it's done soon after an item was soiled, and odors must be neutralized, not just deodorized, to escape a cat's keen sense of smell." It also warns: "Avoid cleaning products containing ammonia or vinegar as they smell like urine and can be irritating."

On the surface itself, the ASPCA says: "If your cat seems to prefer eliminating on a certain kind of surface or in a certain location, you'll need to make that surface or its location less appealing." None of the sources we checked says to pick up the bath mat itself.

On the litter box, the ASPCA says: "Scoop at least once a day."

Sources: International Cat Care, Soiling indoors; Cornell Feline Health Center; ASPCA.

Do not punish

Cats Protection says: "Never punish your cat for going to the toilet in the 'wrong' place as this will make the problem worse." Cornell says:

"House soiling can be a frustrating problem, but you should never hit, kick, or scream at a cat. Punishments like these are not only ineffective, the anxiety they cause may actually worsen the house soiling problem."

Sources: Cats Protection; Cornell Feline Health Center.

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.