Last weekend, after visiting my friends, I was met with an unpleasant surprise: a strong odor of dog urine lingering in a corner of their backyard. The heat of the sunny day only amplified the pungency of the smell, making it quite unbearable. When I asked them about it, they mentioned that they believed the dog urine had seeped deep into the concrete, and their only solution was to pour a new layer of concrete over the old one. However, I knew that such a solution could be quite expensive!
After doing a bit of research, I discovered that removing the odor from concrete doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. With a few household items, you can effectively tackle this problem without needing to replace the entire concrete layer. So, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, don’t hesitate to call your friends; they might just have the solutions you need for small household dilemmas.
Now, let’s delve into the process of eliminating dog urine odor from concrete using some simple and accessible household tricks. First things first, it’s time to head to the store to gather your supplies, as you will need a substantial amount for a larger area.
You Will Need:
- A generous amount of baking soda to thoroughly cover the affected area.
- A good supply of white vinegar.
Let’s Get Started!
- Begin by rinsing the affected area well with cold water. They found that using a hose worked perfectly for this task!
- Once you’ve rinsed away the excess water from the concrete using a broom, sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the area. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes to absorb the odors.
- Next, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spray it evenly over the baking soda. You’ll witness a fizzy reaction reminiscent of a fun 7th-grade science experiment! Let this mixture sit for a couple of minutes, then grab your broom and start scrubbing the area thoroughly to eliminate that stubborn dog urine odor.
Tip 1: If the odor lingers after the initial cleaning, apply more vinegar to the area and scrub it again with your broom or a patio brush for a deeper clean.
Tip 2: In cases where the enzymes in dog urine are particularly potent (often the case with male dogs), consider using Tri Sodium Phosphate. This powerful cleaner is highly effective at removing pet odors. Unlike vinegar and baking soda, it’s crucial to apply this solution over the entire concrete surface. Use a scrub brush to thoroughly clean the concrete. Once you’ve scrubbed away the odor, ensure that you rinse the floor completely to wash away any residue of the cleaner.