What should I do first when my dog pees on a car floor mat?

The AKC says: Regardless of what your dog has peed on, your best course of action is to act fast. Humane World for Animals says: For pet urine removal, soak up as much of the urine as possible.

Should I take the floor mat out of the car to clean it?

Polestar's owner's manual says: Remove the mats for separate cleaning and access to the floor. It also says: Let the mat dry fully before putting it back.

Pet Urine on Car Floor Mats and Trunk Carpet

Q: How do I clean rubber or all-weather floor liners?

Follow your liner maker's care page. Husky Liners says: If dirt is stubborn, gently scrub the liners with a brush using water or a mild soap solution. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the material. It also says: Allow the liners to air dry completely in a shaded, ventilated area.

Q: Can I steam clean urine out of car carpet?

Humane World for Animals says: Avoid using steam cleaners to clean urine odors from carpet or upholstery. The heat will permanently set the stain and the odor by bonding the protein into any man-made fibers.

Q: What if the urine smell stays after cleaning the mat?

The AKC says: Urine may have soaked into padding, upholstery, or wood. Repeated treatments or professional cleaning may be necessary. It adds: If odors linger despite repeated cleaning, or if there are multiple or deep stains, professional cleaning may be the best option. This is especially useful for carpets, upholstery, and car interiors.

Your dog or cat peed on a car floor mat or the carpet in the trunk. This guide covers blotting, carpet mats versus rubber liners, drying, refitting and the next trip, using what the AKC, Humane World for Animals, the Carpet and Rug Institute, Husky Liners, Polestar, Kia, Toyota and the ASPCA say. If the seats got wet too, start with our main guide to getting pet urine out of a car seat.

Step 1: Act fast and blot

The AKC says: "Regardless of what your dog has peed on, your best course of action is to act fast. The sooner you get to it, the more likely you'll be able to remove all traces of urine odor." For carpet, Humane World for Animals says: "For pet urine removal, soak up as much of the urine as possible." The AKC's method for carpet or fabric starts: "Place a thick layer of paper towels over the wet spot (and underneath if possible)". Humane World for Animals adds: "Stand on this padding for about a minute and repeat until the area is barely damp."

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

Step 2: Take removable mats out

Polestar's owner's manual says: "Remove the mats for separate cleaning and access to the floor. Grasp the mat by the fastening pins and lift it straight up." It also warns: "Do not shake or beat the mats to remove dust and dirt, as they can crack." Check your owner's manual or the mat maker's care page before you start.

Source: Polestar 3 owner's manual, Cleaning mats.

Carpet mats and trunk carpet

The advice below comes from carpet and carmaker sources. The Carpet and Rug Institute's bulletin on pet urine is written for carpet in general, not car carpet. It says: "To treat urine spot damaged areas, blot damp areas as soon as the urine is detected with plain white paper toweling." Its next step:

"Apply a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent (nonbleach and non-lanolin) with one cup of lukewarm water, by saturating paper towels and blotting. Do not use automatic dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent."

The full bulletin (PDF) adds: "Use caution and do not over wet." To dry the spot: "Apply a half-inch layer of paper towels to the affected area and weight down with a flat, heavy, non-fading object. Continue to change the paper towels frequently until the carpet is completely dry." The bulletin lists more steps than we quote here, so read the full version before you start. It is also honest about limits: "Because of these variations, some urine stains may not be removable."

For fabric in the cabin, Kia's manual says: "Clean with a mild soap solution recommended for upholstery or carpets." Polestar's method for mats is: "Clean the area with a neutral-colored, clean microfiber cloth that is lightly dampened with water or a colorless, mild cleaning agent. Use gentle circular motions."

Keep heat away. Humane World for Animals says: "Avoid using steam cleaners to clean urine odors from carpet or upholstery. The heat will permanently set the stain and the odor by bonding the protein into any man-made fibers." The AKC agrees: "Avoid heat or steam, which can lock in urine odors".

Sources: Carpet and Rug Institute, Technical Bulletin: Pet Urine and Carpet and full bulletin (PDF); Kia owner's manual, Interior care; Polestar 3 owner's manual, Cleaning mats; Humane World for Animals; AKC.

Rubber and all-weather liners

Follow your liner maker's care page. Husky Liners' cleaning guide for its Weatherbeater floor liners does not mention pets or urine, but its steps are: "Take the Husky Floor Liners out of your vehicle and give them a firm shake to get rid of loose dirt and debris." Then, if needed: "If dirt is stubborn, gently scrub the liners with a brush using water or a mild soap solution. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the material."

Its list of what not to do:

"Don't use bleach, harsh solvents, or petroleum-based cleaners"
"Never use household floor waxes or tire shine products. These can create slippery surfaces"

It also says: "Clean up spills as soon as they happen. The longer you wait, the harder they are to remove." If your liners come from another maker, use that maker's instructions.

Source: Husky Liners, How to Clean Husky Weatherbeater Floor Liners.

Step 3: Dry fully, then refit properly

Polestar says: "Let the mat dry fully before putting it back." For liners, Husky Liners says: "Allow the liners to air dry completely in a shaded, ventilated area. This helps avoid streaking and moisture getting trapped underneath."

Then put the mat back correctly. Polestar warns:

"Only use one mat for each seat and make sure the mats are properly fastened using all pins. If the driver's mat is not properly attached, it can move around and hinder driving by getting caught near or under the pedals."

Toyota's floor mat safety page says: "If your floor mats aren't fitted correctly, they can impede the accelerator, brake or clutch pedal, causing a danger to you and other people". Its checklist includes "Floor mats are not stacked" and "Securely fastened with retainers".

Sources: Polestar 3 owner's manual, Cleaning mats; Husky Liners; Toyota UK, Floor Mat Safety.

When urine went under the mat or into the trunk floor

No source we checked covers urine in the padding under car carpet or in the spare tire well. The closest advice is about carpet at home. Humane World for Animals says: "Your job will be more difficult if urine has soaked down into the padding underneath your carpet. In some cases, you may need to replace portions of carpet and padding."

The AKC, asked why a smell remains after cleaning, says: "Urine may have soaked into padding, upholstery, or wood. Repeated treatments or professional cleaning may be necessary." It adds: "If odors linger despite repeated cleaning, or if there are multiple or deep stains, professional cleaning may be the best option. This is especially useful for carpets, upholstery, and car interiors."

See our guides to pet urine in carpet padding, old, dried pet urine stains and why urine smell can come back after cleaning, and check any method against your owner's manual.

Sources: Humane World for Animals; AKC.

Keep the next trip dry

The AKC says: "Lingering scent can draw your dog back to the same area, reinforcing accidents."

Crates and carriers. The ASPCA says: "Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier." Humane World for Animals says: "The safest way for your dog to travel in the car is in a crate that has been anchored to the vehicle using a seat belt or other secure means." For cats: "Most cats aren't comfortable traveling in cars, so for their safety as well as yours, keep them in a carrier." If the crate itself gets wet, see how to clean dog pee in a crate or kennel. No source we checked recommends cargo liners for pet accidents specifically.

Breaks. The AKC says: "But if your dog is drinking, they'll need potty breaks too. Stop every few hours to give your dog a chance to go." Humane World for Animals says: "Stop frequently to allow your pet to exercise and eliminate".

If accidents keep happening, Humane World for Animals says: "If your pet is having regular accidents, have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes."

Pet Cleanup Kit has a guide to cleaning a pet accident in the car; it focuses on car seats.

Sources: ASPCA, Travel Safety Tips; Humane World for Animals, Travel safely with your pet; AKC, How to Keep Your Dog Comfortable During Car Rides; AKC, dog urine stains; Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors.

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.", "No scrubbing necessary" and "Odor-Free & Residue-Free". Check your vehicle owner's manual first. Test it on a hidden spot first. For rubber or all-weather liners, follow the liner maker's care guidance above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Still hunting for spots? The full kit includes a black light.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.