Dog urine is not only smelly but it can also be hazardous. It’s important to get rid of dog urine smell outside so that you and your family are safe from the harmful bacteria in dog pee. There are a few different methods for getting rid of dog urine smell outside, such as using vinegar or baking soda.
Step One: Locate and Clear the Area Where the Smell Originates
To successfully remove dog urine smell outside, you must know where the smell is coming from. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and can locate their scent even after something has been cleaned or removed. When attempting to find the source of a specific odor, there are several methods one can use:
- Smelling for odors themselves (i.e., sniffing around)
- Using other animals such as cats, rats, mice, etc…to help track the location; these animals will be able to pick up on smells much more easily than humans due to having better senses of smell
- Utilizing chemical agents which react with different types of chemicals to create certain reactions depending upon the type of smell
- Using a black light to find urine stains that are invisible to the human eye. The use of a UV or “black” light will cause dried dog urine stains to glow, which makes them much easier for you to see and clean up.
The source is often not as important as actually removing the odor from your home since it doesn’t matter where the smell originates from if there is still an unpleasant scent left behind. However, knowing why the area smells can help determine how best to eliminate this problem.
Step Two: Spray It With Water
Spray the dog’s urine with water. This helps dilute and erase any traces of urine you may not have otherwise gotten rid of during step one.
You can also use this time to clean your pet’s bed or other areas that they like to urinate on if it is allowed by your landlord (you should always check before doing this). When spraying, be sure to get good coverage at all angles so you can spot where exactly the smell is originating from. It will take multiple sprays for complete removal, but it does work very well when done correctly.
It will take multiple sprays for complete and total odor removal though it does work quite well if executed properly.
Step Three: Apply Vinegar, Baking Soda or Enzymatic Cleaner
Now that you’ve covered up dog urine smell with something like water, it’s time to tackle the source of the problem. If your dog is still using an area where they previously urinated, then we’re going to use one of three things: vinegar (acetic acid), baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), or enzymatic cleaner.
Let’s start by talking about enzymes – these are natural proteins that break down matter and decompose odors into non-odorous molecules. Enzymes can be purchased as cleaners at pet stores such as Petco and Petsmart, but I recommend buying cat litter deodorizers that already have those enzymes in them so there isn’t any concern over whether or not you’re cleaning it properly.
If you can’t find cat litter deodorizers in your local pet store, then simply pick up some enzymatic cleaner (again available at Petco or Petsmart). You’ll want to follow the directions on the bottle when using either of these products. Make sure you don’t use too much because this could prove unhelpful and irritating for your dog’s nose! Use just enough so that there is a little bit of liquid left over after the area has dried completely – usually about an inch or two in diameter. For vinegar, baking soda, or an enzymatic spotter; pour enough onto the surface until there is a small puddle with no dry spots remaining once everything has been soaked into fibers.
After you’ve applied one of these three substances, grab your towel and soak up as much liquid as possible. The more urine that we’re able to remove from the fibers at this point will mean less smell for us later on! If there is any remaining moisture after blotting with a towel, go back over it again with dry paper towels until all wetness has been absorbed. Make sure to be careful not to spread an enzymatic cleaner or vinegar around – use just enough so that there’s still some dampness left behind without actually spreading either substance into other areas. You don’t want both liquids mixing because then they’ll neutralize each other and won’t work properly anymore – doing nothing but wasting your time and money.
Step Four: Leave For Two Hours Then Rinse
After the pre-treatment has been completed, you will need to let dry completely. This should take about two hours for most treatments.
Then it’s time to rinse! Your machine should come with a hose attachment that allows you to attach the shampooer to any standard water faucet or showerhead (if you don’t already have one). Once attached, turn on the cold tap and adjust until tepid water flows through. Make sure not to use hot water as this could harm your dog if he steps into the stream of urine cleaner while still damp from rinsing his paws off after coming in from outside (or worse – sit down) which would cause skin irritation because of heat exposure combined with moisture.
When you feel that the area has been rinsed enough, remove the hose and use a towel to dry the area thoroughly (or allow time for it to air-dry). You can also take care of this step while your dog is outside after he’s gone potty so he doesn’t have access to his urine again until your new cleaner treatment is complete.
Step Five: Let Dry Completely And Deodorize
Finally, it’s time to let everything completely dry! In most cases, allowing an hour or two should be sufficient but if humidity levels are high in your home you may want to wait longer just don’t rush things as wetness combined with heat can lead to mold and mildew issues. And of course, if you have a dog that has been known to go potty in the same spot over and over again (ahem) then it’s not a bad idea for him or her to stay outside until outside of the house is bone dry so he doesn’t come into contact with his urine outside which would just set things back even further.
