Dog urine smell in furniture

What to do straight away

1. Blot Use a clean, absorbent cloth or paper to blot gently, without rubbing.
2. A little cool water Blot gently with a damp cloth, then with a dry one. Never use hot water and do not soak the spot.
3. Air the room Open a window if the weather allows and switch on a fan.
4. Do not let the dog sleep there Keep the spot free until it has dried.

Before using any product, read the label and test it in a hidden spot. Chlorine bleach and strong substances change the colour. The ASPCA recommends enzyme products designed for pet odours. That does not mean the smell will disappear from foam either.

What we know and what we do not

The practical fact is simple: the smell may stay even when the surface looks clean.

What can be learned from sources on cats

There are more sources on cats, and two principles apply to any urine in furniture. First, the smell area may be larger than the visible stain. Vets who specialise in cats mention an area up to three times larger. Second, it is sometimes wiser to throw away heavily stained fabric than to clean it. We do not derive figures for dogs from this.

More detail on cats: cat urine smell in furniture.

If the dog does it repeatedly

This is no longer a cleaning question. If a dog starts urinating indoors or on furniture, talk to a vet. While it continues, the effect of cleaning will be short-lived, because the spot will get soaked again.

If there are also fleas on the furniture, that is a separate matter. The animal has to be treated, the upholstery, gaps and areas under the cushions have to be vacuumed, and the affected spots need pest treatment. Fleas may keep appearing for up to two weeks. That is pest control work, not furniture cleaning.

If the dog sleeps on the bed

If the urine is on a mattress, the rules are set by the mattress, not the dog. Foam is sensitive to moisture, moisture can cause rust in springs, and a mattress must not be soaked. Blot with towels, dampen only the stained spot and leave it uncovered until it dries. Wash a cover only if the label allows it. More detail: urine smell in a mattress.

The material changes the answer

For fabric, the label decides: W allows water-based foam, S only solvent, X no liquid at all. Stains soak into leather, and direct water harms most leathers. There is no checked rule for faux leather and microfibre, so the label is what counts. A dog's bed on a sofa usually means hair as well: pet hair on a sofa.

What you can expect and how to order

The service: sofa cleaning after a cat or dog. If the stain is on a mattress: urine mattress cleaning. Two-seater sofa from €35, three-seater from €45, corner from €50, armchair from €20, smell treatment extra from €15. The minimum order is €45: if the total is lower, you pay €45. Travel is included in Riga and up to about 15 km outside Riga; further out it is from €10.