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You scrubbed, you sprayed, and you lit a candle. And somehow… your living room still smells like hot dog pee in a rainstorm.
Table of Contents
If your carpet is losing the battle (and your dog keeps grinning about it), here’s how to actually kill the stink, even if it’s dried, soaked, or haunting your soul.
| Best Enzyme Spray | Best UV Light | Best Dry & Wet Vac |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Rocco & Roxie | Vanksy | Armor |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
How To Get Dog Wet Dog Pee Smell Out Of Carpet: 7-Steps
Fresh puddle? Act fast, because this is your best chance to stop the stench before it sets in. Here’s exactly what to do (and what not to do) if your dog just made a mess.
1. Blot it, Don’t Rub
Scrubbing just pushes the pee deeper, like massaging it into your carpet’s soul. Grab paper towels or an old towel you don’t care about. Press down hard. Stand on it if you have to. Soak up as much as you can.
2. Blot Again
Yep, seriously. Use fresh towels and continue blotting until no more liquid comes up. You might think you’ve got it all the first time round, but you didn’t – trust me. It’s gross but necessary.
3. Spray an Enzymatic Cleaner
Skip the vinegar, because your dog’s nose will still smell the “pee-mail.” Use something that breaks down uric acid crystals. More on my top three options later.
4. Let it Soak
Give it 10–15 minutes to work. Read the label. Let the enzymes do their thing.
5. Blot Again or Vacuum it up
Use dry towels or a small wet vac (trust me, they’re a game-changer).
6. Rinse With Cool Water
Once the urine is soaked up, rinse the area with cool water and be sure to absorb the water with towels or a wet vac. Do not use warm water, as it can set the stain.
If you use a towel, ensure it has been washed multiple times to prevent the dye from the towel from transferring to the carpet.
7. Sniff Test
Still a little funky? You’re not done yet, but you’ve started strong. More on what to do soon.
Tip: The Humane Society urges you NOT to use heavy cleaning chemicals, like ammonia or vinegar. They actually don’t remove the odor, and the strong scent of the chemicals may entice your dog to mark their area again (learn more about why dogs mark their territory).
How To Get Dog Urine Smell Out Of Carpet (Even If It’s Old & Dried)
Old, dried pee is way worse. It soaks deep, crystallizes, and basically sets up a timeshare in your carpet padding. Here’s how to evict it permanently.
1. Find The Pee. All Of It.
Even if you can’t see it, your nose (and your dog’s) can. Use a UV flashlight in a dark room; it’ll light up like a crime scene.
2. Soak The Area With an Enzymatic Cleaner
Spray generously. Dried pee needs to be fully rehydrated so the enzymes can break down the uric acid crystals. Let it sit for at least 15–30 minutes. More if it’s an older stain.
3. Cover It To Keep It Wet
Throw a damp towel over the spot to stop it from drying too fast. Enzymes require moisture and time to work; don’t rush this process.
4. Blot Or Vacuum It Up
Once the cleaner has soaked in, blot thoroughly or use a wet vac to suck it all up.
5. Repeat If Necessary
Yep, you might need to hit the same spot twice (or more), depending on how ancient the stain is. Better that than living with mystery stink forever.
6. Deodorize Only After You’ve Fully Cleaned
Once you’re sure the pee’s gone, then you can use a pet-safe odor neutralizer, not before. Otherwise, you’re just masking the funk.
The 5 Mistakes That Make Dog Pee Smell Stick Forever
Most people make these mistakes without even realizing it, and they’re the reason their carpets smell worse after cleaning.
1. Using Steam Cleaners
Heat + urine = disaster.
Steam sets the stain and literally bakes the uric acid crystals deeper into the carpet fibers and padding. Once that happens, not even a pro can get it all out.
2. Scrubbing Instead Of Blotting
Rubbing spreads the stain, frays the carpet fibers, and forces pee deeper into the pad. Blotting pulls it out. Scrubbing shoves it in. Big difference.
3. Not Using Enzymatic Cleaners
Regular household cleaners or vinegar won’t break down uric acid crystals. They might make it smell better for a day, but the source is still there, and your dog knows it.
4. Cleaning Too Late
The longer you wait, the deeper it sinks. Fresh pee is a surface problem. Old pee is a carpet archaeology project.
5. Masking The Smell Instead Of Removing It
Air fresheners, scented sprays, and essential oils might fool you (for a little while), but not your dog. If the source isn’t gone, they’ll keep peeing there like it’s their personal bathroom.
DIY Dog Pee Cleaner: 6-Steps
Don’t have a store-bought enzyme cleaner on hand? You can make a decent temporary fix with stuff in your kitchen, but it has to be done in the right order. Plus, you need to follow up with the real enzyme cleaners for a thorough clean.
1. Blot The Area First
Always start by soaking up as much pee as possible. Blot with paper towels or rags until they come up dry. Never skip this step, as it keeps the DIY cleaner from just watering down the stain.
2. Mix A Simple Vinegar Solution
Use a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and cool or room-temperature water. Pour or spray it over the stain and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
Vinegar helps neutralize ammonia but doesn’t fully remove uric acid.
3. Blot Again Until Damp
After soaking, blot again to lift the vinegar and loosened residue. This keeps the next step from turning into a fizzy mess.
4. Sprinkle Baking Soda On Top
Lightly cover the area with baking soda. It’ll absorb odor and fizz away leftover acid. You may hear some bubbling, which is perfectly normal.
5. Let It Dry Completely
Give it several hours, or overnight if possible. Once dry, vacuum up the powder.
6. Go Over It With The Real-Deal
Once you have a dog pee enzyme cleaner, use it according to the steps above.
Quick Tip: Never mix vinegar and baking soda together in a bottle. It may be satisfying to watch them foam, but pre-mixing neutralizes both ingredients, making them useless. Use them in sequence, and never as a combined spray.
Best Carpet Cleaner For Dog Urine
Not all pet cleaners are created equal. Some smell worse than the pee. I’ve tested many top-rated products, and only three made the cut.
All of my top picks are dual-action, so they work as both a pet odor neutralizer and a pet stain remover. Plus, they’re all affordable and highly rated.
Winner: Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator Review
- Contains natural enzymatic bacteria that are activated on contact with odors and stains
- Pet and child-safe (no chlorine or hazardous propellants)
- Safe for any surface (carpet, floor, pet bedding, furniture, etc.)
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- 32 fl oz
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In-Depth Rocco & Roxie Review
Rocco & Roxie is one of our favorite brands. Learn more about their range of products in our Full Rocco & Roxie Review, with personal experience. Plus, you can learn more in our interview with Rocco & Roxie’s Co-Founders.
Runner-Up: Nature’s Miracle Advanced Formula Pet Trigger Sprayer Review
- Oxygen-infused, bio-enzymatic formula
- Fast drying
- For use on carpets, furniture, floors, clothing, and more
- Guaranteed to permanently eliminate stains and odors
- 35 fl oz
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Price
Our Personal Experience With Nature’s Miracle Advanced Formula
I have used Nature’s Miracle for many years. This product is easy to find and it also works well. When used on my carpets, when pee is fresh, I get very good results.
It helps with both odor and appearance. I also like that I can use it on my carpet, but also on my couch and laundry. I have used this product for both dog and cat urine and have been very satisfied with the results.
– Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Dog Mom, Canine Journal Research & Writing
Third Place: Sunny & Honey Professional Pet Stain And Odor Eliminator Review
- Natural bio-enzymatic formula
- Children and pet-safe
- Multi-surface formula for carpet, rugs, furniture, hardwood, leather, pet beds, crates, and car upholstery
- Made in the USA
- 10% of profits donated to animal rescues and shelters
- 100% full refund if not satisfied
- 32 fl oz
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Other Items You’ll Need
As I mentioned above, there are some other items you’ll want to have on hand if you’re working on dog urine stains.
Armor All Wet Vac Review
A small wet/dry vac, like the kind used for car detailing, is a total game-changer. These little machines are built to suck up car puke and spilled lattes, so dog pee is nothing.
Unlike regular carpet cleaners that can push moisture deeper, this tool pulls it straight out – no padding flood, no smell trap. Just spray your enzymatic cleaner, let it sit, and vacuum it all up.
It’s faster, cleaner, and way more satisfying than blotting endlessly. Bonus: it works on poop, vomit, and whatever mysterious goo your dog left behind. You’ll wonder how you lived without one.
This 2-1/2 gallon dry and wet vacuum is great at saturating your carpet and sucking up dirty water. It’s even powerful enough to suck up solid materials (like pet vomit!). It is easy to use and small enough to store in a closet. It also makes a great car or workshop vacuum.
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Vansky UV Flashlight Review
To use a UV light for dog pee, here are some tips:
- Turn off the lights. Wait until nighttime or darken the room. Pee glows yellowish-green under UV, and it’s usually in more places than you expect.
- Mark the spots. Use sticky notes or tape so you can find them again when the lights are back on.
- Check weird places. Pee can show up on furniture legs, rug edges, corners, and even walls. Don’t skip the odd spots.
This Amazon-bestselling ultraviolet black light can help you spot hard-to-see pet urine stains on carpets, curtains, furniture, rugs, or any type of fabric. It takes three AA batteries, which aren’t included.
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Shampooed Your Carpet And Now It Smells Worse? Here Are 4 Reasons Why
You did everything right. Vacuumed. Shampooed. Dried it out. And now your house smells like… hot pee and fake flowers?
Here’s why that happens and how to fix it.
1. The Stain Was Still There (Just Wet Again)
Carpet shampoo doesn’t break down uric acid. It might lift surface gunk, but old urine crystals stay behind until you get them wet again. That “cleaning” just reactivated the stink.
2. You Spread It Around
Many carpet cleaners push moisture deep into the padding without fully extracting it. Congrats, now the pee is everywhere.
3. No Enzymes = No Real Clean
If your shampoo didn’t have enzymes, it didn’t touch the source. It just masked the smell with a heavy scent that fades while the pee smell stays.
4. You Didn’t Let It Dry All The Way
Lingering dampness in carpet or padding is a mildew magnet. That musty-urine combo? Straight-up nightmare fuel.
How To Fix It
- Hit the area again with a true enzymatic cleaner
- Use a wet vac or towel-weighted blot to pull moisture out
- Place fans or open windows to fully dry it out
- If it’s still bad after that, go to the next section: Is It Time to Call a Pro?
Is It Time To Call A Pro (Or Rip Up The Carpet)?
Sometimes, no matter how many enzyme sprays, wet vacs, or sacrifices to the dog gods you’ve made… the smell just won’t quit. Here’s how to know when it’s beyond DIY.
1. The Smell Comes Back Every Time
If you’ve cleaned the same spot three or more times and the odor still returns with humidity or heat, it’s probably soaked into the padding or subfloor.
2. You Can Smell It, But Can’t Find It
If the whole room smells vaguely like dog pee but there’s no visible stain, it might be deep, widespread, or coming from underneath.
3. The Area Feels Damp Or Musty
Lingering moisture = mold risk. And mold + pee = a scent you will never forget (no matter how much Febreze you use).
4. When To Call A Pro
Professional carpet cleaners with enzyme injection tools can treat below the surface and save your carpet if it’s not too far gone. Be sure to ask if they specialize in pet odor removal, not just basic carpet cleaning.
5. When To Replace The Carpet
If the subfloor is saturated or the odor is in the padding and has been sitting for months (or years), replacement might be the only permanent solution. Especially if it’s a rental, resale, or you’re just emotionally exhausted.
How To Stop Your Dog From Peeing There Again: 6 Ways
You cleaned it, you neutralized it, you lit three candles, and burned sage. And then… your dog peed there again anyway. Here’s how to break the cycle for good:
1. Remove Every Trace Of Scent
Even the tiniest leftover pee scent is a giant neon sign to your dog that says, “Bathroom’s open!” Make sure you’ve used a proper enzymatic cleaner and let it fully dry before moving on.
2. Block The Area (Temporarily)
Physically block access with a baby or dog gate, laundry basket, or upside-down chair for at least a few days. Dogs are creatures of habit, and breaking the routine helps break the behavior.
3. Change The Association
Feed your dog near the former pee spot. Lay down a bed or favorite toy. Dogs rarely eliminate where they eat or rest, and this resets the brain.
4. Rule Out Medical Issues
If it’s happening frequently or suddenly, check with your vet. UTIs, anxiety, or age-related issues can cause accidents, and no cleaner will fix that.
5. Retrain Like It’s Day One
Go back to basics with house training: frequent potty breaks, praise for outdoor pees, crate time if needed, and use pee pads and potty sprays to redirect them elsewhere. It’s not punishment, it’s structure. Dogs love structure.
6. Consider Belly Bands Or Diapers (For Repeat Offenders)
Not forever, just while you work on retraining. Dog diapers can help stop marking behaviors and save your sanity in the meantime.
Our Personal Experience With Dog Pee Smell In Carpet
Dog pee smell in carpet is a problem I know well. My dog Cookie, a Chihuahua, would pee on the carpet without fail. We tried training her not to do this, but it was a challenge. She just got sneakier and would pee in hidden spots we would not find until much later.
Eventually, I ended up replacing our carpeting and crate-training her at night and when we were not home. This helped stop the problem, and I was able to keep my floor looking and smelling nice.
One of the biggest issues I had was the odor. Even when the carpet was cleaned professionally, that smell would creep back a few days later. So, crating her at night and taking her outside regularly every two hours was really the only way to get this problem under control.
– Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Dog Mom
FAQs: How to Get Dog Urine Smell Out of Carpet
I know there are plenty of questions about cleaning pet smells out of carpets. I’ve answered a few below. If I missed yours or if you have any helpful tips, please share them in the comments.
Can I Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Get Dog Pee Smell Out Of Carpet?
Hydrogen peroxide is not the best choice for a dog urine remover. Though it may appear to remove the smell or discoloration, it does not work long-term. Peroxide kills the bacteria but does not remove the uric salt left behind.
It also has the potential for a chemical reaction due to the chemicals in dog pee. It can also cause discoloration to fabric and carpet, so it’s best to avoid using it unless you have no other option.
I Shampooed My Carpet, And Now It Smells Like Urine. What Can I Do?
This can sometimes happen with old, dried urine stains that you didn’t even know were there and didn’t smell before shampooing.
When the water and carpet shampoo solution comes into contact with the stains, it can reactivate the ammonia in the old urine stain and spread the urine around. And if the shampoo you were using doesn’t contain a pet odor neutralizer, you end up in a frustrating situation.
You can use ultraviolet light to find where the old urine is located on your carpet and then treat it with one of the products reviewed above. However, if your carpet cleaning has spread the urine too far over a wide area, you may want to seek the help of a professional carpet cleaning service.
How Can I Get Dog Poop Out Of Carpet?
Pee accidents are not the only kind you will encounter with your pup. Poop accidents happen, too, and they can smell awful. If your dog poops on your carpet, follow these steps to remove all the poop and poop stains.
- Try to remove the poop as soon as possible.
- Using a moist paper towel, pinch the carpet fibers to pick up as much excess poop as you can.
- Mix two cups of cool water, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and one tablespoon of liquid non-bleach dish soap.
- Spray or pour a small amount of the solution into the stain.
- Blot the stain with a rag until the carpet absorbs the solution, and repeat until the stain has disappeared. Tip: Blotting, not rubbing, is key. Rubbing the stain can make it worse.
- Once the stain is gone, spray or pour a small amount of cold water onto the area and soak it up with a new rag. This helps remove any excess cleaning solution from your carpet.
- When it’s dry, sprinkle baking soda over the area and let it sit for 10 minutes or so. Then, vacuum.
More Solutions For Pet Odors
As pet parents, we all know that pet odor can go far beyond your carpets. Dogs can get stinky in between baths and make your home smell funky. See our reviews of the best pet odor neutralizers that you can use on your pet and throughout your home.
If you’re having a dog urine odor problem in your yard, see our experts’ tips on how to get rid of pee smells outside. That article also has handy information about how to keep your dog’s urine from killing your grass. And if you have a problem with dog hair, we cover the best pet hair remover for laundry, too.
Got A Pee-mergency Story? Did your dog unleash a full-bladder horror show at the worst possible moment? Did you scrub for hours only to make it smell worse? Tell us in the comments, because misery loves company, and so do we.
