Tackling Pet Accidents On Hardwood Floors

Pets can bring immense joy into our lives. However, they can also wreak havoc on hardwood floors if accidents occur. Thankfully, there are many effective ways to tackle pet stains and odors to keep your floors looking beautiful.

This comprehensive guide will provide pet owners with simple, practical solutions to effectively deal with pet mishaps on hardwoods.

Hardwood floors undoubtedly add style and value to any home. However, they require proper care and maintenance, especially when you have pets. Accidents are inevitable with pets, and their urine can damage floor finishes and seep into the wood over time. Left untreated, pet stains and odors on hardwood can be extremely difficult to remove.

Thankfully, by learning proper cleaning methods and being vigilant, pet owners can keep their hardwood floors stain-free and odor-free for years to come. This guide will provide easy DIY solutions using common household items to lift stains, eliminate odors, and prevent future accidents.

Properly tackling accidents quickly is key to avoiding permanent damage or lingering odors. So knowing what to do when your pet has an accident is critical for hardwood floor owners. With the right approach, products, and techniques, you can get your floors looking clean and pristine again.

Common Causes of Pet Accidents on Hardwood

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand why pets have accidents indoors in the first place. Here are some of the most common reasons:

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, diabetes, or incontinence can cause pets to urinate or defecate unexpectedly. Getting your pet checked by a vet can rule out underlying medical issues.

Inadequate Potty Training

For younger pets or newly adopted adult pets, accidents can happen during the potty training process. Be patient, stick to a schedule, and use positive reinforcement to get them house trained.

Anxiety or Stress

Major changes, loud noises, unfamiliar guests or lack of exercise can trigger anxious pets to have accidents. Helping them feel secure and relaxed can prevent anxiety-related incidents.

Changes in Routine

Pets are creatures of habit. Changes in feeding times, people’s work schedules or environments can disrupt their routine and lead to accidents. Stick to regular routines when possible.

Submissive Urination

Some dogs, especially young ones, may leak urine when excited, afraid or trying to appease more dominant pets or people. Building their confidence is key.

Aging Issues

Senior pets may begin having more frequent accidents due to declining mobility, health or cognitive issues. Speaking to your vet can help determine causes and solutions.

Solutions For Cleaning Up Pet Accidents

When your pet does have an accident on your hardwood floors, prompt and thorough cleanup is crucial for removing stains and odor. Here are helpful solutions for cleaning up various types of pet mishaps.

Cleaning Up Pet Urine

Cat and dog urine can be tricky to tackle as the uric acid can quickly seep into wood and cause stains and smells. Here is a simple clean-up process:

Step 1: Blot up any excess urine immediately with paper towels or a clean rag. Avoid rubbing, which can spread the urine further into the wood.

Step 2: Liberally spray the area with an enzyme cleaner formulated for pet stains. These break down the uric acid in urine. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.

Step 3: Use paper towels to blot the area again and soak up the cleaner. Allow the floors to fully air dry. No need to rinse.

Step 4: Check for any remaining stains or odor once dry. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as needed until fully removed. Avoid using steam cleaners as heat can set urine stains.

Step 5: Once stain and odor free, consider applying a pet-safe sealant to help protect the floors from future accidents seeping in.

Cleaning Up Pet Feces

Solid pet waste stains should be tackled a bit differently. Here are the simple clean-up steps:

Step 1: Use a plastic bag over your hand to pick up the solid waste immediately. Flush it or dispose of it properly outside.

Step 2: Wipe the area thoroughly with paper towels and an enzyme cleaner meant for pet stains. This will also eliminate traces of odor.

Step 3: Rinse the spot with clean water and allow to fully dry. Check for stains or smell once dry.

Step 4: If any lingering stains or foul odor remains, make a baking soda paste with just enough water to form a spreadable consistency.

Step 5: Use a clean cloth to apply the paste to the stain. Let sit for 4-5 hours or even overnight if stain is heavy.

Step 6: Wipe and rinse away paste. Dry fully. Reapply paste if needed. The baking soda paste trick can also work well for set-in urine stains along with enzyme cleaners.

Cleaning Up Pet Vomit

Vomit stains also require a specific approach:

Step 1: Remove any solid chunks quickly with a plastic bag over your hand or paper towels.

Step 2: Rinse the area well with cool water and blot dry with clean towels. This helps prevent stains setting in.

Step 3: Mix a non-sudsing ammonia-based cleaner (1 tbsp cleaner to 1 cup water) and wipe the area thoroughly with a damp cloth. This helps eliminate odor.

Step 4: Rinse again with clean water. Dry completely with fans or air circulation. Repeat rinsing and drying until vomit is not detectable by smell.

Step 5: Once fully dry, apply a few drops of hydrogen peroxide followed by a sprinkle of baking soda. Lightly work it into the floor using a soft-bristled cleaning brush. Let bubble for 5 minutes.

Step 6: Wipe and rinse away all residue. Allow to fully dry once more. This oxygen-based cleaner will further remove traces of stains and odor.

Tips to Prevent Future Pet Accidents

While knowing how to clean up after the fact is useful, prevention is the best medicine when owning pets. Here are helpful tips pet owners can follow to avoid unpleasant surprises and keep hardwood floors pristine long-term:

Proper Potty Training

Diligently potty train pets when young and newly adopted. Stick to schedules, use positive reinforcement and confine them when unsupervised. Senior pets may need retraining too.

Designate a Potty Spot

Choose an optimal outdoor spot you’d like your pet to use and stick to it. Take them to it regularly, especially first thing in the morning, after meals and before bedtime.

Limit Access Initially

When house training pets, only allow them access to small spaces until fully potty trained to avoid regular accidents. Slowly expand their access to other rooms over time. Use baby gates as needed.

Confine When Unattended

Even trained pets may have accidents if left to roam unsupervised for too long. Use crates, pens or safe rooms to confine them when you are away.

Stick to Schedules

Feed pets and walk them at consistent times every day rather than leaving food out 24/7. This regulates their bathroom needs.

Note Behavioral Cues

Learn your pet’s pre-potty behaviors like circling, sniffing or squatting so you can quickly usher them outside. Always praise successful outdoor potties.

Address Medical Issues

Any sudden accidents by previously trained pets should be evaluated by a vet to identify underlying illness and treatment plans.

Reduce Anxiety Triggers

Help anxious pets feel secure by keeping loud noises, changes and stress to a minimum. Use calming aids like pheromone diffusers or calming treats if needed.

Improve Accessibility

Ensure pets, especially seniors, can easily access outdoor relief areas. Install pet doors, doggy doors, potty patches and litter boxes on each floor. Place water bowls near exits.

Protect Floors

Apply water-resistant wood floor sealants to minimize liquid accidents from seeping into floors. Place washable area rugs in high traffic areas for easier clean-up.

Common Hardwood Flooring Issues Caused by Pets

When pet accidents aren’t properly and promptly cleaned, it can lead to various issues with hardwood floors over time including:

Discoloration and Dark Stains

Pet urine that soaks into hardwood can cause unsightly dark stains as the wood absorbs the uric acid. Left untreated, these become more pronounced and harder to remove.

Foul, Lingering Odors

The pungent smell of pet urine comes from ammonia crystals in the urine evaporating. This odor can linger for weeks if the floor isn’t adequately cleaned and deodorized after accidents.

Cloudy Residue Build-up

Repeated accidents in the same spot can cause a cloudy haze on the floor’s finish. This is from the minerals in urine evaporating and leaving behind deposits that dull and damage the shine.

Warping and Cupping

If enough moisture seeps through the floor over time, it can lead to warping and cupping damage. The boards swell and lift up at the edges due to repeated exposure to moisture underneath.

Rotting Subfloor/Underlayment

Not only can finishes be damaged by pet stains, but if left untreated for years, the acids can eat away at the wood itself leading to rotting sublayers under the floor. This causes destabilization and decomposition.

Mold Growth

In damp, humid areas, the bacteria and moisture in pet urine can ultimately cause mold colonies to develop under the floors. This leads to potential health hazards for pets and humans along with structural damage.As evident, not properly handling pet accidents promptly can lead to extensive issues long-term. By tackling stains immediately and taking preventative measures, pet owners can avoid expensive repairs down the road.

Best Hardwood Flooring Types for Pets

While all hardwood is prone to some extent to pet damage, some perform better than others when owning pets. Here are the best flooring types for homes with pets:

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered wood is constructed with plywood or fiberboard cores topped by a real hardwood surface layer. This makes it more resistant to moisture damage overall. It doesn’t cup or warp as easily as solid wood when exposed to urine. Opt for thicker wear layers for durability.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

LVP mimics the look of real wood minus the maintenance. The vinyl surface simply needs to be wiped clean and is highly scratch-resistant. Just ensure the planks are 100% waterproof with sealed edges to prevent moisture seeping underneath. LVP wears well in high traffic areas.

Bamboo Flooring

Often mistaken for wood, bamboo is actually durable grass that makes great flooring. It has a resilient outer fiber that can better withstand pet scratches, urine and water exposure without impacting structure or finish. Opt for carbonized horizontal bamboo which is hardest.

Pre-Finished Hardwood

Prefinished hardwood comes with several factory-applied layers of ultraviolet-cured urethane that better repel topical moisture. This allows time to wipe away urine before it penetrates the wood. Refinishing prefinished floors also tends to be easier than site-finished planks.

When choosing wood floors, also consider darker tones like walnut that can hide pet scuffs better than light maple or birch. Simple design choices can make maintenance easier long-term.

Tips for Protecting Hardwood Floors from Pets

Beyond prompt accident clean-up and smart material choices, there are also several helpful tips owners can employ to protect precious hardwoods from pet damage:

Use Mats and Runners

Place absorbent, washable runner rugs in high traffic areas around food bowls, doors and common potty paths. These take the brunt of scratching and stains.

Add Area Rugs

Fluffy area rugs over hardwoods serve as a cushy surface for pets to lay on. They are also easier to clean, replace and protect floors underneath.

Trim Nails Regularly

Blunt nails are less likely to gouge into floor coatings. Ask your groomer to keep them neatly trimmed above the quick. Apply temporary caps if need be.

Clean Paws

Wipe muddy or snow-covered paws before letting pets inside. Dirt and debris can scratch floors. Consider installing a pet washing station outside.

Apply Protectants

Use slip-resistant wax or urethane coatings made specifically for hardwood floors with pets. These create a barrier against stains, moisture and topical scratches.

Rotate Toys/Chewies

Provide pets with a variety of toys and chew sticks to satisfy boredom and distraction chewing urges on shoes and furniture. Rotate frequently to keep them interested.

Control Humidity

Use dehumidifiers, air conditioners and fans to regulate indoor moisture, especially in basements. Excess humidity can damage floors over time.

Inspect Often

Routinely inspect under area rugs and furniture for early signs of accidents, chewing or claw scratches before they escalate into costlier repairs. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.