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How to Get Dog Poop Smell Out of Hardwood Floor: 4 Practical Options
Kristin Hitchcock
Last updated:
If you have a dog, it is bound to happen—they are going to have an accident eventually. When they do, it is up to you to remove the smell and stain so that repeat accidents don’t happen. If dogs smell urine inside, they are likely to repeatedly mark that sport. Therefore, it is vital that you clean up the spot completely and thoroughly.
Luckily, this isn’t nearly as complicated as you might imagine. With a few simple steps, you can easily remove the smell without much of a problem. Cleaning up the mess can be as easy as making a few easy cleaning solutions out of common household products.
You don’t necessarily have to do all of these steps, but it is the best way to ensure that all the smells are gone.
The 4 Practical Ways to Get Rid of Dog Poop Smell from Hardwood Floors
1. Remove as Much Solid Matter as Possible
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Your best bet to remove much if not all of the smell is to remove as much of the solid matter as you can upfront. The less that is there, the less there is to smell. Plus, by removing as much of the solid matter as possible, you help these other cleaning solutions work as well as possible. In many cases, you should easily be able to remove it. You can use water, if necessary, but this usually isn’t needed.
No matter what solution you try next for removing the smell, this step should be your first.
2. Vinegar and Dish Soap
Surprisingly, dish soap and vinegar can get just about anything clean. First, fill up a spray bottle halfway with dish soap. It doesn’t particularly matter what kind you use, as long as you use some gentle dish soap. Generally, you’ll want to use Dawn or a similar brand. As long as it is suitable for cleaning the dishes you eat off of, it will be suitable for this purpose.
Next, you’ll want to use vinegar. To make it work as well as possible, we highly recommend that you warm up the vinegar first. It doesn’t necessarily need to be boiling, but this often works the best, as it ensures that the soap mixes evenly into the vinegar. If it is cold, this doesn’t always work.
Finally, give the spray bottle a nice shake to mix everything together. Spray it onto the spot and let it sit for a few minutes. Finally, wipe it up. You may need to rinse the spot if you greatly oppose the scent of vinegar. However, this isn’t always necessary. Often, you can simply let the smell wear off on its own, as it usually isn’t terribly strong.
3. Baking Soda
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Baking soda can work very quickly as a deodorant. You can use it for fixing the smell of just about anything. For instance, if you have a smelly fridge, a bowl of baking soda can help remove the smell. Similarly, you can use baking soda to remove the bad smell of dog stool as well. Simply sprinkle it over the spot and let it sit.
You don’t want to pile it on there. Instead, you simply need to spread out an even layer. The spot should be covered, but that’s all you really need.
Then, let it sit there for a few hours. It is best to do it overnight, as this allows it to sit without being disturbed. After it has been left to sit, you can vacuum it up pretty simply.
4. Enzymatic Cleaner
If none of this works, then you may need to use a commercial cleaner. The best options are enzymatic cleaners, as these include enzymes that physically break down the bacteria that cause smells. Therefore, they are the most effective. After you have applied the enzymatic cleaner, you often have to let it sit for a little bit. Read the directions on the package, as each cleaner is made just a little bit different.
There are all sorts of different cleaners available on the market today. You can find them online and at many pet food stores. Of course, read reviews before you purchase anything, but most of these are pretty similar. They all include the same enzymes, so they all work basically in the same way.
Are you looking for an enzyme cleaner that can keep your house clean and your pet happy? We recommend the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray, which permanently gets rid of the most stubborn stains and smells. There’s even a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can try this cleaner risk-free! Click here to order your first bottle.
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You can use commercial products that are designed to be more natural. However, it is often just as easy to make your own natural product, and it usually works just as well. For instance, vinegar works just as well as most natural products out there, and most people have their vinegar in their homes.
While natural products do sometimes work, they aren’t necessarily the best option. You’ll likely save money by purchasing some vinegar if you don’t have some already.
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Does Vinegar Ruin Hardwood?
Over time, vinegar can ruin hardwood floors. However, that is only if you leave it on the floor for an extended period. It is an acidic substance, so it will damage just about any type of floor if you leave it on there for long enough. Furthermore, most acidic substances will damage the flooring if you leave them on it.
However, hot water can speed up the deterioration process. For this reason, you should be relatively careful about applying it to hardwood floors for an extended period. You only need to leave it on there for a second to work on the smell of the dog stool. Don’t leave the vinegar on your floor overnight or for longer than a few minutes, or it might result in cloudy, dull, or white patches on the floor.
If you use it properly, hydrogen peroxide shouldn’t damage the hardwood floor. It is a great cleaner, but you have to dilute it as necessary. For this reason, we highly recommend that you carefully read how to use hydrogen peroxide before you decide to use it on your floors. We like vinegar and baking soda better as a solution. However, hydrogen peroxide can help in a pinch.
The hydrogen peroxide you use really matters, so we recommend that you’re cautious when picking the right kind. Just because you have some in a drawer doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the right kind.
There are lots of options out there when you need to remove the dog poop smell from your hardwood floor. Generally, your best option is to clean the floor as well as you possibly can with water and paper towels. Then, you can use vinegar and dish soap to clean it even more. Vinegar is very good at removing scents, so it is a great option for this circumstance. Plus, the dish soap helps you actually clean the floor—not just get rid of the smell.
You should try baking soda if the vinegar doesn’t work. This is a great neutralizer for odors. Therefore, it is a great option for removing any sort of scents. Plus, most people have baking soda in their house, so you won’t have to buy anything extra. In some cases, you will need to use a commercial cleaner as well.
In these cases, we do recommend using it alongside these other natural options. It works best when used alongside vinegar and baking soda, instead of just using a commercial cleaner.
Featured Image Credit: Tikhonova Yana, Shutterstock
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Kristin Hitchcock
Kristin Hitchcock is passionate about an array of DIY topics - from blacksmithing to making children's toys. She understands the importance of choosing the right tool for the right job and enjoys informing others on the options currently available on the market. She is a stronger believer that you can do practically anything yourself with the right tools and knowledge.
Kristin Hitchcock
