What should I avoid on wood cabinets?

Never use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads or powdered cleansers.

How to Clean Pet Urine From Wood Furniture Legs and Cabinets

This guide covers pet urine on finished wood furniture and cabinets: table and chair legs, dresser and bed bases, and the doors and toe kicks of kitchen and bathroom cabinets. It covers wiping it up fast, using a damp cloth rather than a wet one, drying, when soap is allowed, testing first, white marks and discolored finish, repair, unfinished wood, the floor below and repeat marking. It uses what Ethan Allen, Stickley, Bassett, KraftMaid, the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Humane World for Animals say.

Wipe it up fast

The AKC's urine cleanup guide 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. Lingering scent can draw your dog back to the same area, reinforcing accidents."

Ethan Allen's Use & Care guide says of spills on wood furniture: "Some spills may be blotted up quickly and easily; others may penetrate the wood in seconds. For most spills, quick action can reduce the likelihood of damage."

Blot the urine off the leg, base or cabinet door with paper towels or a soft cloth first. Then check the floor under it, the back of the leg and any joint or groove where urine can sit.

Sources: AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells; Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF).

Use a damp cloth, not a wet one, then dry it

Bassett's wood care guide says:

"Simply wipe down your furniture with a dampened cloth. Then wipe away any remaining moisture with a dry cloth. Use cotton, as synthetic fibers can cause surface scratches."

For cabinets, KraftMaid says: "All it takes is a damp cloth for cleaning and a thorough drying to remove everyday spills and splatters, prevent stains, and avoid moisture damage." Its care page adds: "As with all wood products, avoid excessive moisture."

Stickley explains why drying matters:

"Water will not harm the finish when it is properly dried with a cloth. It's only when water sits on a finish for a long time, or if it is very hot or very cold, that it will create a white spot."

It also says: "Always wipe in the direction of the wood grain not in a circular motion." On wood parts of upholstered pieces, Ethan Allen says: "Exposed wood components, such as arms and ball-and-claw feet, can be dusted using a clean, white cloth slightly dampened with water."

Sources: Bassett, How to Care for Wood Furniture; KraftMaid, Dos and Don'ts of Kitchen Cabinet Cleaning and Care; KraftMaid, Care and Cleaning; Stickley, Furniture Care Guide; Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF).

Mild soap only if your maker says so

Furniture makers differ on soap, so check the care guide for your own piece. Ethan Allen's cleaning step says:

"Use a soft white cloth that has been dampened with a solution of mild soap and water. Wipe the surface again with a soft cloth dampened only with water to remove all soap residue, and use a soft, dry cotton cloth to completely remove all moisture."

Stickley's guide instead says: "Use a clean, water-dampened soft cloth (never use soap or a sponge) for weekly dusting or cleanup." For cabinets, KraftMaid's care page says:

"Use a damp cloth when cleaning normal household spills. After wiping thoroughly, dry the surface with a lint-free cotton cloth. For stubborn stains, it may be necessary to use a mild detergent with warm water. Always dry the surface immediately."

Sources: Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF); Stickley, Furniture Care Guide; KraftMaid, Care and Cleaning.

Test first and skip harsh or abrasive cleaners

Ethan Allen says: "Always test your remedy on an inconspicuous area to make sure it does not damage the finish." On what to avoid, KraftMaid says:

"Never use abrasive cleaners, scouring pads or powdered cleansers."
"For best results, steer clear of harsh detergents, abrasive formulas, and powdered cleaners, which can diminish the integrity of your cabinets' finish over time."

Pick a test spot on the inside of a leg or the back edge of a cabinet door, and wait for it to dry before you judge the result.

Sources: Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF); KraftMaid, Care and Cleaning; KraftMaid, Dos and Don'ts of Kitchen Cabinet Cleaning and Care.

Cabinet doors and toe kicks

When urine reaches a kitchen or bathroom cabinet, wipe the lower door edges and the recessed toe kick at floor level as well as the door face. KraftMaid says: "It is important to wipe up spills and water marks as they occur. Give special attention to areas around the sink and dishwasher." It adds that "it's important to clean up spills right away and dry thoroughly with a lint-free cotton cloth."

Sources: KraftMaid, Care and Cleaning; KraftMaid, Dos and Don'ts of Kitchen Cabinet Cleaning and Care.

White marks and discolored finish

On white marks, Bassett says: "Watermarks, or white rings, are a result of moisture from a glass or bottle migrating into the outer surface of the furniture's coating." Ethan Allen says: "Water marks will often dissipate over time."

For wood that looks discolored, Humane World for Animals says:

"If the wood on your furniture, walls, baseboard or floor is discolored, the varnish or paint has reacted to the acid in the urine. You may need to remove and replace the layer of varnish or paint."

Sources: Bassett, How to Care for Wood Furniture; Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF); Humane World for Animals, How to Remove Pet Stains and Odors.

Refinishing and professional repair

Ethan Allen says: "Although some repairs are simple, please do not hesitate to contact a professional for even minor repairs." If the smell stays after cleaning, the AKC says: "Urine may have soaked into padding, upholstery, or wood. Repeated treatments or professional cleaning may be necessary."

If your furniture or cabinets are under warranty or a protection plan, check its terms before you clean or refinish. Bassett tells its protection plan holders: "Only blot stains before calling. Do not attempt to clean until given specific cleaning instructions."

Sources: Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF); AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells; Bassett, How to Care for Wood Furniture.

Unfinished or worn wood

Bare wood, worn edges and the raw underside of a cabinet need more caution. The ACI's surface guide says for wood cabinets:

"Be sure wood is properly finished. Any substance, even water, used on unfinished or improperly finished wood can damage the surface."

Blot unfinished wood dry and ask the maker or a furniture repair professional before you wet it.

Source: American Cleaning Institute, Cleaning Hard Surfaces.

Clean the floor below

Check the floor at the base of each leg and cabinet. For wood floors, the ACI says: "Wipe up spills with a clean, damp sponge or cloth as soon as they occur. If using a water solution, wipe up any excess liquid. Liquids left standing on wood can damage the surface." The AKC says: "Hardwood requires quick action to prevent absorption into the wood." Use the guide that matches your floor:

Hardwood: How to clean pet urine from hardwood floors.
Laminate and vinyl plank: How to Clean Pet Urine From Laminate and Vinyl Plank Floors.
Tile and grout: How to Clean Dog Pee From Tile and Grout.
Baseboards and walls next to the furniture: How to Clean Dog Pee Off Baseboards and Walls.

Sources: American Cleaning Institute, Cleaning Hard Surfaces; AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells.

Stop the repeat marking

If you smell urine but cannot see it, see Why Does My House Smell Like Dog Pee? Finding the Source. Humane World for Animals says:

"Make previously soiled areas inaccessible or unattractive. If this isn't possible, try to change the significance of those areas to your pet. Feed, treat and play with your pet in the areas where they mark."

It also says: "Before doing anything else, take your dog to the veterinarian to rule out any medical causes for the behavior."

For the full plan, see Dog Marking Indoors: Cleanup That Discourages Repeat Marking and Why Do Dogs and Cats Keep Peeing in the Same Spot? Dealing with a cat instead? See this guide for cats.

Source: Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house.

Accident on the carpet or couch too?

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." It is not described for wood furniture or cabinets; for those, follow the furniture or cabinet maker's care guidance above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.