How to Clean Pet Urine from Vinyl Plank Flooring? (Best Way!)
Vinyl plank flooring is designed to mimic hardwood floors but is more delicate than hardwood and laminate flooring.
Pet urine smells unpleasant, lingers on, and may stain the floor if it is not attended to immediately and thoroughly cleaned and removed. Due to these effects on the floor, you should not get too rough or too gentle when cleaning the delicate vinyl plank floor.
Getting too rough will harm the floor, and getting too gentle, the smell and stain will last longer.
According to qualitycleanohio, pet urine can cause permanent damage to your floors. When urine is first deposited onto a floor, it has a pH of about 5 or 6, which is on the acid side of the pH Scale. It is easier to remove right than when it is fresh. Once it dries it turns “alkaline” or to a high pH between 10 to 12 on the scale and becomes more difficult to remove.
Nonetheless, your furry friend is likely to mess up on the same spot if you don’t thoroughly clean the urine pet because it identifies as its littering spot.
Don’t worry, you have landed on the right page as we will help and take you through our step-by-step guide on how to clean pet urine from vinyl plank flooring.
Table of Contents
How to Clean Pet Urine from Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Supplies Needed:
- Enzyme cleaner
- Rubber gloves
- Broom
- Paper towel
- Vacuum
Pick Up the Feces
Pick up the feces while still fresh by using rubber gloves to protect yourself against germs and bacteria.
Dry Out the Urine
Use a paper towel to dry the pet’s urine as much as possible. Ensure you dispose of the paper towels immediately after you have finished blotting up.
Clean the Surface Thoroughly
Clear out the space by removing anything from the surface and sweep the space with a broom before you start cleaning.
Apply Enzyme Cleaner
Then, apply enzyme cleaner directly on the spot and allow it to sit on the spot for at least 10 minutes to soak and neutralize the smell. We strongly recommend you use enzymatic cleaner because it’s effective in breaking down pet urine molecules to neutralize the odor.
It’s Done
Vacuum the floor, but do not use a steam mop on the vinyl plank flooring because it will harm it.
If the pet urine seeps underneath the plank, it would be advisable to take out the planks and underlayment, clean the planks, and sundry them. Then, clean the entire space and let it dry out before installing the new underlayment and putting back the planks in place.
How to Clean Pet Urine from the Vinyl Plank Flooring? (Naturally!)
If you do not have enzyme cleaner, you can try a DIY homemade method to help you clean pet urine ASAP before it soaks using vinegar and baking soda powder. Follow the steps below to guide you through the cleaning process.
Supplies Needed:
- Rubber gloves
- Paper towel
- Clean washcloths/rugs
- Vacuum
- Baking soda
- Vinegar (Either white or apple cider vinegar can do)
- Water Spray bottle
Lift Up the Feces
Pick up the feces while still fresh by using rubber gloves to protect yourself against germs and bacteria.
Soak the Spot
Soak the spot with paper towels and dispose of them immediately after you are done.
Spray Vinegar on the Surface
Fill the spray bottle with Vinegar and then spray the entire spot with it and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes.
Wipe Clean and Dry Up the Floor
Wipe clean the spot with a damp paper towel after ten minutes times is up, and dry up the floor using a clean dry paper towel.
Sprinkle Baking Powder
Sprinkle the baking powder over the surface and let it rest for 10 minutes to neutralize the smell.
It’s Done
Finally, vacuum the surface to clean the baking powder.
How to Clean Pet Urine Stains from Vinyl Flooring?
Cleaning pet urine stains from vinyl flooring is more difficult than the fresh spot, and thus you will improve the method to remove the stain and odor. For this method, you will utilize the materials and tools mentioned above that were necessary, as mentioned in the steps below.
Supplies Needed:
- Rubber gloves
- Broom
- Water
- Clean washcloths/rugs
- Vinegar (Either white or apple cider vinegar can do)
- Mild dishwashing detergent
- Abrasive Sponge/Brush
Take Up the Feces
Pick up the feces using a paper towel, but ensure you wear rubber gloves to protect you against germs and bacteria.
Clean the Entire Floor
Sweep the entire floor with a broom to remove dust and dirt and make the stain directly visible.
Warm Water
Warm a gallon of water.
Mix Well the Ingredients
Mix the mild dishwashing detergent well with warm water and a cup of vinegar into the bucket using a long spoon.
Gently Scrub the Stain Spot
Immerse the brush into the bucket and scrub the stain spot gently until the stain is eliminated.
Rinse the Spot with Water and Wipe Clean It
Rinse the spot with clean water and wipe clean it with a clean rug or washcloth.
If the stain is tough it is advisable to eliminate it by mixing equal parts of water and baking soda to make a paste. Then, smear the paste over the stain spot and allow it to sit for at least 10-15 minutes.
After the period has lapsed, brush the spot using the abrasive brush and wipe clean it with a dry clean washcloth. Finally, soak a clean washcloth with alcohol and scrub the area to thoroughly remove the stain.
Precautions to Take Before Cleaning Vinyl Flooring
As mentioned before that vinyl plank flooring is delicate. Therefore, it is necessary to know precautions to take before or while cleaning to avoid damaging the floor. They include;
- Clean the Mess Immediately: When your pet messes on the floor, spill the liquid over the mess and clean it immediately before it seeps through to the underlayment.
- Only Use Advised Chemical Cleaners: If you intend to use chemical cleaners, we strongly advise you to use the ones that are particularly meant for cleaning vinyl plank floors.
- Don’t Use Vinegar and Bleach Solutions: Never clean vinyl plank floors with vinegar and bleach because they react to produce poisonous chlorine gas. Inhaling chlorine gas can cause acute damage to the upper and lower respiratory tract.
- Never Use Steam Mops: Vacuum cleaning, dusting, or sweeping is friendly on the vinyl plank flooring. However, you should refrain from using steam mops as they can be too harsh and cause damage.
- Read manufacturer’s instructions: Thoroughly read and strictly adhere to provided manufacturer’s instructions. Doing anything out of instruction can cause damage, thereby making the warranty to be void. In case of any query or further clarification, it is advisable to call customer support.
FAQs: How to Clean Pet Urine from Vinyl Flooring?
Will Dog Pee ruin Vinyl plank Flooring?
Yes. Pet urine can cause permanent damage to your floors unless you are quick enough to clean the spot. When urine is first deposited on the floor, it has a pH of about 5 or 6, which is on the acid side of the pH scale. Once it dries it turns “alkaline” or at a higher pH between 10 and 12 on the pH scale and becomes more difficult to remove.
How do I Protect my Floor from Dog Urine?
First, try to get your pet used to peeing outside. Trust me it will help you a lot. And secondly, you can use waterproof rug pads, this will help you a lot because pets tend to pee a lot on carpets, and using waterproof rug pads will ensure your floor is protected. Apart from these tips, there is nothing you can do.
How to Clean Pet Urine from Vinyl Plank Flooring?
First, soak the spot with paper towels and dispose of them immediately after you are done. Then, wipe clean and dry up the floor thoroughly. And lastly, sprinkle some baking powder over the surface to neutralize the smell.
To Conclude
Employing the methods we have mentioned above will help you to care for and maintain your vinyl plank flooring to even last longer.
Foremost, it would be best to attend to the floor immediately after the pet messes or urinate to avoid staining and have an easy time cleaning the mess. Nonetheless, don’t brush too hard and overclean the vinyl plank flooring.
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