How to Clean Pet Urine From Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles are carpet squares that are laid side by side. This guide covers dog and cat urine on carpet tiles in a home office, basement or playroom, using what the Carpet and Rug Institute, carpet tile makers FLOR and Interface, the AKC and Humane World for Animals say.

Blot it right away

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) says: "The key is to act quickly!" and:

"Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or plain white paper towels (no prints or colors)."

"Continue blotting until the area is nearly dry."

Interface's carpet tile maintenance guide says: "For liquid spills, start by blotting up as much of the liquid as possible with a clean white cloth." It adds: "Always work from the edge of the spot towards the center. Never rub across a wet spill in a manner that causes the stain or contamination to be spread from the original area."

The AKC's steps for fresh urine on carpet are:

"Place a thick layer of paper towels over the wet spot (and underneath if possible)"
"Cover with newspaper and press down for several minutes"
"Remove the paper and rinse the area with cool water"
"Blot thoroughly with clean towels or use a wet vacuum"

Sources: Carpet and Rug Institute, Cleaning and Maintenance; Interface, Carpet Tile Maintenance Guidelines (PDF); AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells.

Clean the tile in place

FLOR's care guide has a spot removal guide. For urine, it lists: "First try for fresh stain: cold water" and "Second try or old stain: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains".

Before any cleaner goes on the tile, 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:

"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."

The CRI also warns: "Warning: do not scrub or use a brush. Bristles and scrubbing can damage carpet." Humane World for Animals says: "Rinse the "accident zone" thoroughly with clean, cool water and blot dry." For a light-colored tile, see our guide to yellow pet urine stains on light carpet.

Sources: FLOR, Caring for Your FLOR; Carpet and Rug Institute, Cleaning Spots and Spills; Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors.

Keep heat and harsh smells 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. Avoid cleaning chemicals such as ammonia or vinegar. Strong chemical odors may encourage your pet to reinforce the urine scent mark in that area."

The CRI says the same about steam: "Don't use a steam cleaner when dealing with urine spots because the heat will set the stain and the smell." FLOR says its tiles "are not machine washable and should never be placed in a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, or near direct heat sources."

Sources: Humane World for Animals; Carpet and Rug Institute; FLOR, Frequently Asked Questions.

Lift the tile if urine reached a seam

FLOR says its tiles "under normal use will not allow moisture through the face to the surface below." But it goes on:

"However, if the spill occurs at the seam, it can wick under the tile, in which case, the tile(s) affected should be removed to clean."

FLOR's FAQ adds that its tiles "are not waterproof" and says:

"If water becomes trapped underneath the tiles due to flooding, oversaturation, or spills that seep through seams, the affected tiles should be removed and allowed to dry completely before reinstalling."

To lift a FLOR tile, its care guide says: "Do not try to pull or rip the squares apart using your hands or force. Doing so could result in damage or tears to the square itself." Instead, its FAQ lists: "Carefully cut through the FLORdots™ using scissors or a carpet knife". These steps are for FLOR tiles joined with FLORdots. For glued tiles, Interface's guide says a tile "can be removed by slipping a knife edge under one corner and peeling it from the floor, if they have been installed using traditional glues or tackifiers." For other peel-and-stick tiles, look for your own tile maker's instructions.

Sources: FLOR, Caring for Your FLOR; FLOR, Frequently Asked Questions; Interface, Carpet Tile Maintenance Instructions (PDF).

Rinse a lifted tile

Once a FLOR tile is out, FLOR says:

"FLOR tiles may be rinsed in a sink. Use a mild detergent and agitate the pile of the carpet with your fingers. Re-rinse the tile to make sure all soap residue are removed."

Before it goes back down, FLOR's FAQ says: "Before reinstalling, ensure the tile backing is fully clean and dry." And: "New FLORdots should be applied each time a tile is removed." Interface's guide, for spot cleaning, says: "Protect the freshly cleaned area until the carpet is completely dry."

Sources: FLOR, Caring for Your FLOR; FLOR, Frequently Asked Questions; Interface (PDF).

The floor under the tile

FLOR says: "Prolonged exposure to excessive moisture may cause some discoloration to the adjacent floor surface, as well as some mildew/ mold growth (typically underneath the surface)." That line is about moisture in general, not urine. The AKC says: "Urine can penetrate hardwood, making odor removal more challenging." No source we checked explains how to clean the floor under a carpet tile after urine. If the tiles sit on a basement floor, see our guide to pet urine smell in a basement. If tiles sit over padding, see pet urine in carpet padding; FLOR says its tiles "should NOT be installed over carpeting or padding".

Sources: FLOR, Caring for Your FLOR; AKC.

Swap a tile that will not come clean

FLOR says: "Tiles that become badly stained or damaged can be replaced." Its FAQ says "individual carpet tiles can be removed and replaced if accidents, stains, or damage occur in one area." Interface's guide says: "Carpet tiles that have become badly stained or damaged can be replaced from attic/spare stock." It adds: "Carpet tiles taken from attic/spare stock are likely to have a newer appearance than the ones being replaced." FLOR says:

"Replacement carpet tiles will likely have a newer appearance than the ones being replaced. If new tiles stand out in sharp contrast to surrounding existing tiles, you may want to shuffle them around."

For spots found after they dried, see old, dried pet urine stains. If the smell returns, see why pet urine smell comes back after cleaning and Pet Cleanup Kit's guide to urine smell in carpet.

Sources: FLOR, Caring for Your FLOR; FLOR, Frequently Asked Questions; Interface, Carpet Tile Maintenance Instructions (PDF).

Why pets go back to the same tile

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

"As long as your pet can smell their personal scent, they may continue to return to the "accident zone."

"Once the area is clean, make it unattractive and/or unavailable to your pet and make the appropriate bathroom area attractive."

It also says: "If your pet is having regular accidents, have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes." See why dogs and cats keep peeing in the same spot. If a puppy pad sits on the tiles, see puppy pads leaking onto the floor.

Sources: AKC; Humane World for Animals, Prevent future incidents.

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: "No scrubbing necessary". Test it on a hidden spot first, as the CRI advises above. If the tile maker gives care instructions, follow those too. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.