Cleaning up after your furry friend can be a pain, especially when it comes to pesky accidents on the hardwood floor.

Whether your dog is sick or just hasn’t been properly trained yet, there are bound to be accidents. And if those accidents happen on your hardwood floors, you need to know how to clean them up quickly and efficiently.
Although at first glance, it may seem a bit daunting, with the right materials and method, you can have your floor shining like new in no time.
How to Effectively Clean Hardwood Floors of Dog Urine
Cleaning Up the Accident
First things first, it’s important that you act quickly. The longer dog urine sits on hardwood floors, the more difficult it becomes to remove. If you can, try and catch your pup in the act and clean up the mess immediately.
If you don’t have that luxury, do your best to blot up as much liquid as possible with a clean towel.
If the urine has already dried, you may need to use a damp cloth to help loosen it. Once you’ve soaked up as much urine as possible, it’s time to start cleaning.
Neutralizing the Odor
To remove the odor and bacteria that comes along with dog urine, you’ll need to use a cleaner that contains enzymes.
Enzyme cleaners work by breaking down the organic matter in the urine, which eliminates the Odor-Causing Bacteria (OCB) that is typically left behind with traditional cleaning methods.
Once you have your enzyme cleaner, begin by wetting a cloth or mop with cool water and wringing it out until it’s only damp. Then, apply the enzyme cleaner to the hardwood floor following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once you’ve applied the cleaner, allow it to sit on the floor for 3-5 minutes before taking another damp cloth or mop and lightly scrubbing the area in a circular motion. After scrubbing, be sure to rinse the area thoroughly with cool water to remove any residue from the cleaner.
Alternatively, you can use a solution of half white vinegar and half water. You will just need to spray this solution on the affected area or dab it on with a clean cloth. Let the solution sit for a few minutes before wiping it up with another clean cloth.
Buffing the Floor
If you have a powerful floor buffer or scrubber, you may also use this instead of a cloth or mop for easier cleanup. However, if you opt for this method, take care not to damage your hardwood floors by using too much pressure when scrubbing or buffing.
It may be best to test a small hidden area first before thoroughly cleaning your entire floor this way.
When you’re finished cleaning up the urine, be sure to rinse out your clothes or mop them with cool water and allow them to dry completely before using them again.
Preventing Future Accidents
Of course, the best way to deal with accidents is to prevent them from happening in the first place. The best way to do this is through proper training and obedience commands.
If your dog is still in the process of being trained, make sure you confine him to an area where accidents are less likely to happen – like a crate or a puppy-proofed room. And always make sure you let him out regularly so he doesn’t have an accident in his confined space.
Preventing Dog Urine Stains and Odors in the First Place
The best way to deal with dog urine stains and odors is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Of course, that’s not always possible – sometimes accidents happen. But there are a few things you can do to minimize the chances of your dog having an accident indoors.
- Invest in high-quality food and water bowls that won’t spill or cause your dog to spill his food or water. Not only will this minimize the chances of accidents happening indoors, but it can also help reduce excess energy that may lead to your dog having an accident outside.
- Train your dog to go to the bathroom in a specific spot in your yard. This will help reduce the amount of excess energy your dog has, which can make accidents less likely to happen. And as soon as he goes outside, reward him with praise, treats, or toys.
- Give your dog plenty of exercise and playtime every day. A tired dog is less likely to have accidents indoors, and regular exercise can also help reduce excess energy that may lead to accidents outside.
- Wipe their paws off after they come inside from playing outside. This will help reduce the amount of dirt and debris that can potentially cause accidents indoors.
- Invest in a good-quality dog bed that’s not too big or too small. A comfortable bed will help reduce stress and anxiety, which may also make accidents less likely to occur.
- Groom them regularly to keep their fur clean and dry. This will help keep their skin healthy and prevent excess dirt and moisture from accumulating, which is less likely to cause accidents indoors.
- If they have accidents inside, clean them up immediately. Use a damp cloth or mop to clean the area thoroughly, and make sure you rinse out your cleaning cloths or mop completely each time to prevent any lingering odors.
- Keep an eye on them when they drink so they don’t make a puddle of water on the floor. This may help minimize accidents indoors, especially if they have a tendency to drink a lot of water while they’re indoors.
- Invest in some good-quality pee pads for those rainy days or emergent situations. This will help you avoid any potential accidents indoors, and it may also reduce anxiety for your dog if he needs to spend the night indoors.
- House train them well so they understand where they are supposed to relieve themselves. This will help minimize accidents both indoors and out, and it may also help reduce anxiety for your dog if he’s not sure where to go.
- Schedule regular checkups with your vet to catch any potential health issues early on. This will help keep your dog healthy and prevent any accidents from happening in the first place.
No matter how hard you try to prevent accidents, sometimes they happen. But if you take the time to properly train your dog and take steps to reduce accidents, you can help keep your home clean and free of urine stains and odors. With proper care and maintenance, your dog can have a happy, healthy life indoors.
Conclusion
Pet accidents are inevitable, but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating. If you have a young or untrained dog, be prepared for the occasional mishap.
If your hardwood floors become damaged, don’t worry – just use these easy steps to clean and repair them.