Pet urine can cause permanent damage to your carpets, upholstery and floors. It also can create an unhealthy indoor air environment. Fresh urine has a pH of between 5 and 6, which is on the acid side of the pH scale. This is the time when it is easiest to remove, when it is still fresh. Once it dries, it turns alkaline, or to a high pH between 10 and 12 on the scale and it now becomes more difficult to remove. Fresh urine becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which start to multiply almost immediately. Fresh urine begins to oxide and react with the carpet to create color change, which may become permanent if the urine is not removed while still wet. The color change is because of the strong ammonia that forms from the urine as it changes its chemical composition. If it dries and is left untreated, it will change the dye sites causing permanent staining.
There are 2 sources of odors associated with urine, bacterial and chemical. Bacteria grow immensely in dark warm areas where a pet may frequent. The bacteria growth creates amino acids. The waste material and gases from the decomposing urine cause the unpleasant odor. When dried urine is rewet, it emits an ammonia gas.
The second source of odor is chemical when the bacteria have been killed. When urine dries, it leaves uric salt that holds moisture.
Cleaning Agents for Urine
Enzymes work best on urine, vomit and feces. Enzymes eat up the bad bacteria. You may apply the enzymes to the carpet, allow time to work then rinse the carpet and reapply the enzyme to the affected areas. Always read the label for specific directions before you use it.
Products to Avoid
Stay away from products that have a high pH, such as Resolve, ammonia and oxygen bleaches. These products will leave a high pH residue that will attract soil and may cause the urine stain to become permanent.
