Having pets can be one of the most loving feelings in the world until they decide to pee on your floor. It can be tough to clean pet urine and get rid of the stains and stench.
You do not need to be bothered regarding nasty pet urine stains because you have come to the right place. In this article, we have provided step-by-step instructions on cleaning pet urine from vinyl plank flooring. Keep reading to fix the mess that your pets made.
3 DIY Methods To Clean Pet Urine From Vinyl Plank Flooring
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There are tons of chemical floor cleaners that you can purchase to clean vinyl flooring, but you might not have one available at all times. You can try these three do-it-yourself methods to clean pet urine from your vinyl plank floor.
First Method – Vinegar and Baking Soda
Here is the first step-by-step method to clean pet urine from vinyl plank flooring:
Step 1 – Use Paper Towels
Place paper towels over the urine and blot it. Soak up the paper towel as much as possible to prevent stains and dispose of the paper towels right away to get rid of the smell. You can wear rubber gloves to protect yourself from germs and bacteria.
Step 2 – Spray Distilled White Vinegar
Spill a generous amount of distilled white vinegar over the area. Let the vinegar sit for 10-15 minutes. You can transfer the white vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it as well.
Step 3 – Wipe With Damp Paper Towel
After letting the vinegar sit there for a while, use a damp paper towel to wipe it away. Then, use a fresh paper towel to dry it.
Step 4 – Sprinkle Baking Soda
Sprinkle some baking soda over all the area and wait for 15 minutes. Take another paper towel and clean the baking soda. You might have to repeat this step a few times a week.
Second Method – Baking Soda, Water and Alcohol
Here is another method that cleans pet urine stains from your floor.
Step 1 – Use Paper Towel
Like method 1, use paper towels to remove excess urine from the floor.
Step 2 – Sweep With Broom
Sweep the area with a mop or broom to prevent stains and remove excess dirt.
Step 3 – Make Baking Soda and Water Mixture
Make a mixture consisting of equal parts of baking soda and water. The mixture should have the texture of a paste.
Step 4 – Apply The Paste 15 Min
Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes. Then, apply it over the area and scrub it using an abrasive brush.
Step 5 – Soak With Alcohol
Use a dry cloth or a paper towel to clean the area. Lastly, soak a cloth with alcohol and scrub the area. You should carry out this procedure carefully as This is a harsh method of cleaning vinyl plank flooring.
Third Method – Vinegar and Dishwashing Detergent
If you are looking for more methods to clean your vinyl floors, here is the third method that you can use.
Step 1 – Use Paper Towel
Repeat the first step of the first two methods mentioned and clean the urine as much as possible.
Step 2 – Make Vinegar, Dishwashing Detergent and Warm Water Mixture
Mix a cup of vinegar, dishwashing detergent, and a cup of warm water. Combine the mixture and avoid creating too many suds. You should also ensure that the dishwashing detergent does not contain bleach.
Step 3 – Scrub With Soft Bristles Brush
Dip a brush with soft bristles into the mixture and scrub the stain.
Step 4 – Final Cleaning
Clean the area by using clean water or a damp paper towel.
How To Get Rid Of The Smell And Stain From Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Cleaning fresh urine stains is a lot easier than cleaning old ones. You can hire a professional to deep cleanse your flooring.
Professional cleaners will use their equipment and advanced machines specifically designed to clean floors. Although it is not a DIY method, it makes your job easier.
If you want to take matters into your own hands, you can use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner. Rinse the area with plain water and keep saturating and vacuuming the floor until clean.
A substitute for this method would be wetting a paper towel and blotting the spot repeatedly.
Another technique of getting rid of the smell is mixing two teaspoons of baking soda, one cup of distilled white vinegar, and water. Shift the mixture to a spray bottle and spray it over the stain.
Leave it on for a few minutes and wipe it away with a towel or soft cloth. Repeat it for a few days every week to eliminate the smell. Vinegar and baking soda will help in reducing the stain as well.
You can skip mixing all the ingredients and sprinkle baking soda over the stain. Leave it overnight and clean it with soap water the next day. Repeat the process for 2-3 days to get the best result.
Hydrogen peroxide is another effective ingredient that can help clean urine stains and smell from vinyl plank flooring.
Are Vinyl Plank Floors Damage Resistant?
Vinyl planks are usually thick enough to resist damage. If your pets urinate on the floor or you spill any liquid over it, immediately mop away the mess.
Liquids will not cause stains on your vinyl flooring if you clean them immediately. Leaving it on for too long can cause your flooring to develop mold.
Precautions For Cleaning Vinyl Plank Flooring
You might ruin your vinyl flooring while cleaning pet urine or any other form of liquid. Here are some necessary precautions you should consider before moving forward with the cleanup process.
- Clean any form of liquid from your floor immediately.
- Avoid using bleach on vinyl floors as it can produce chlorine gas.
- If you are using chemical cleaners, it is best to use one specifically made for vinyl plank flooring. Otherwise, you might be at risk of ruining your floor with harsh cleaners.
- Avoid using steam mops on your floor to clean it. Vacuuming and sweeping are enough to clean the floor properly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Which flooring is the best for pets that pee?
Ceramic and Porcelain flooring are the best options for you if you have pets. They are also scratch-resistant. Pet urine or any other liquid will not cause as much damage as it would on hardwood floors.
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Does cat urine ruin vinyl plank floors?
Cat urine will not damage your vinyl plank flooring as long as you wipe away the urine immediately. Delaying the cleanup will increase the chance of the floor getting stained and producing stench.
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Can you use vinegar on vinyl plank flooring?
Distilled white vinegar is one of the prime ingredients to clean vinyl plank floors. Mixing it with apple cider helps remove stains and specks of dirt and does not leave behind foamy or waxy streaks. If you are concerned about the effects of vinegar on your vinyl flooring, you can dilute it by mixing the vinegar with warm water.
Conclusion
We hope this article can provide helpful information about cleaning pet urine from vinyl plank flooring. Water, baking soda, and vinegar are enough to help you clean up.
These ingredients are usually available at everyone’s home, making the DIY cleanup procedures easier.
Cleaning up the urine right away is ideal for preventing stains and a foul smell. You should also train your pets to use the litter box or go outside the house whenever nature calls them.