How To Clean Cowhide Rug Dog Urine

We all love our furry friends, but dealing with their accidents on the carpet can be a hassle. Cowhide rugs add a stylish, natural touch to any room – that is, until your pup decides to christen it like their own personal fire hydrant! Have no fear, with the right techniques you can get even old, set-in stains and odors out of your cowhide rug, restoring it to its former glory.

In this handy guide, you’ll learn how to remove new and old dog urine stains from cowhide rugs, banish pesky odors, and even tackle run-of-the-mill poop mishaps. Arm yourself with the right supplies and follow these steps, and you can wave goodbye to those unsightly marks and smells for good!

Stop Accidents Before They Happen

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – and that’s especially true when it comes to your beautiful cowhide rug. Stop dogs accidents before they happen with these handy tips:

• Take your pooch outside for regular potty breaks to keep their bladder happy. Most adult dogs can hold it for 8-10 hours, but puppies need to go out every 1-2 hours.
• For senior or ill dogs who can’t hold it, use belly bands, doggie diapers, or install a dog door so they can easily get outside when nature calls.
• Watch for circling, sniffing, and other signs your dog is looking for a place to pee. When you see these behaviors, hustle them outside immediately.
• Confine your dog in a crate or gated area when you can’t supervise them, so they don’t wander off and have an accident.
• Use a stain repellent spray designed for rugs to make your cowhide less tempting as a toilet.

Ounce of prevention, pound of cure! Keeping accidents to a minimum will save you hours of scrubbing and frustration down the line.

Gather Your Cleaning Supplies

Before you start tackling stains, gather the right cleaners and supplies so you can act fast when accidents strike:

• Paper towels or rags to blot up wet urine
• White vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to mix cleaning solutions
• Warm water to dilute cleaners
• A dash of mild dish soap can help cut through grime
• Old toothbrushes or soft sponges to gently scrub stains
• Vacuum cleaner and stiff-bristled brush to restore the rug’s texture
• Baking soda to deodorize once stains are removed
• Enzymatic cleaners or pet odor eliminators to destroy stubborn smells

Arm yourself with these supplies, and you’ll be ready to spring into action as soon as Fido makes a mess. No more scrambling to grab what you need while the stain sets in.

Lift New or Wet Stains ASAP

When you discover a fresh accident on your cowhide, every second counts. Here’s how to clean up new or wet dog urine fast:

• Blot the wet area immediately with paper towels or an absorbent rag. Press gently to soak up as much liquid as you can without rubbing it deeper into the rug.
• In a spray bottle or bucket, mix 1 part white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide with 3 parts warm water. This solution will help cut through the urine and lift stains.
• Liberally dab and soak the vinegar solution into the affected area of the rug using a sponge or rag. Let it fully saturate the stain.
• Once the solution has had time to work, rinse the area with clean water and blot dry with fresh paper towels or rags.
• Allow the spot to completely dry before letting your dog back onto the rug. Their foot traffic can re-wet the area and undo your hard work!

Catching fresh stains quickly is key. If left to dry, urine chemically bonds to fibers and becomes much tougher to remove.

Bust Through Old, Set-In Stains

So what if you discover an accident long after it happened? Don’t lose hope – even old, dried urine stains can be tackled with a little extra elbow grease.

• Carefully scrape off any dried urine crystals from the rug’s surface using a dull knife or spoon. Go with the grain of the fur to avoid damage.
• Mix your cleaning solution as directed above. For extra power on set-in stains, use straight hydrogen peroxide.
• Using a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush, scrub the solution thoroughly into the stain. Apply more solution and let it soak if needed to fully saturate the area.
• Once the stain is softened, go over it with clean water and blot until dry.
• After drying, sprinkle baking soda generously over the area and let sit overnight. The baking soda will help deodorize and neutralize any lingering odors.
• The next day, vacuum up the baking soda. This will remove any last traces of the accident.

Repeat this process as needed for stubborn, older stains. It may take a few rounds, but you can eventually restore your cowhide’s former freshness. Just be patient and persistent!

Banish Pesky Urine Odors

So the stain is gone – but a stubborn urine odor still lingers. Don’t resign yourself to living with a smelly rug! Here are some tips to banish those unpleasant dog pee smells for good:

• After cleaning, open the windows and point a fan directly at the cowhide. This will help air out any lingering odors trapped in the fibers.
• Once the rug is fully dry, lightly spritz the back of it with your diluted vinegar cleaning solution. This will help neutralize and deodorize.
• Sprinkle baking soda generously over the areas your dog likes to target, let sit overnight, and vacuum up the next day. The baking soda will absorb odors like a charm.
• Try an enzymatic cleaner or pet odor eliminator formulated specifically for eliminating urine smells rather than just masking them. Spray as directed.
• Hydrogen peroxide is a natural odor eliminator. Spray it on stubborn smell spots and let it dry fully.

With patience and repeated applications of these deodorizing tricks, you can get rid of even the strongest urine odors from your cowhide rug.

Deal With Doggie Doo-Doo

Pee isn’t the only mess dogs can make on the rug. While less common than urine accidents, you may also need to tackle poop stains on occasion. Here’s the scoop on cleaning up the scoops:

• As soon as possible, pick up any solid poop carefully with paper towels or a plastic bag. Try not to smoosh it into the rug fibers.
• Spray the area thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner or pet odor eliminator to start neutralizing odors.
• In a bucket or spray bottle, mix your trusty vinegar solution – 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts warm water.
• Blot and soak the vinegar solution into the stained area and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to penetrate deeply.
• Once time is up, rinse the area with clean water and blot dry with towels.
• Allow the spot to fully dry before letting your dog back onto the rug.

Accidents happen, but with the right stain-fighting techniques you can erase the evidence and keep your cowhide looking and smelling fresh!

Avoid These Common Cleaning Mistakes

As you battle stains, be sure to avoid these all-too-common cowhide cleaning blunders:

• Don’t reach for bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals – they can discolor, damage, or even dissolve natural fibers.
• Before cleaning the whole rug, test any solution on a small, hidden area to check for discoloration or damage.
• Never soak or saturate the entire rug with water – cowhides can shrink or become misshapen if oversaturated.
• Avoid the temptation to aggressively rub or scrub stains – this forces them deeper into the intricate fibers.
• Don’t apply fabric softener or dryer sheets to “freshen up” your cowhide. The perfumes and chemicals can leave residue that actually attracts dirt over time.

By avoiding these common missteps as you clean, you’ll keep your cowhide looking fabulous for years to come. Gentle does it!

Call In The Pros For Tough Stains

If you just can’t get rid of a stain or odor despite your best efforts, don’t despair – call in a professional rug cleaning service for backup! Pros have industrial-strength tools and products to tackle even the trickiest dried or set-in stains.

Definitely call the experts for:

• Large or stubborn stains that cover a big area of the rug. Professionals have experience getting them out.
• Accidents that soaked through to the rug’s padding. Urine can collect under the rug and create ongoing odors if not cleaned thoroughly.
• Lingering smells that you just can’t completely eliminate, no matter what you try at home.
• Delicate or antique cowhides where harsh chemicals could cause harm. Pros know gentle cleaning methods.
• Extra large rugs that are unwieldy to handle on your own. Professionals have the equipment to get the job done right.

Next time Fido has an accident that you just can’t tackle, ring up the cleaning pros. Their expertise can revive even the most hopeless cases!

Don’t Stress Those Pet Messes!

Dealing with pet stains is never fun, but arming yourself with the right techniques makes it much easier. Now you know how to lift both fresh and old dog urine stains from your cowhide rug and banish stubborn odors for good.

• Act immediately as soon as you discover an accident
• Use gentle, natural cleaning solutions like vinegar and hydrogen peroxide
• Blot, don’t rub, those stains
• Rinse and dry thoroughly after cleaning
• Bust odors with baking soda and enzymatic deodorizers
• Call in professional cleaners for extra tough messes

Follow these steps, and you can keep your stylish cowhide rug looking fabulous between regular professional cleanings. Who said you can’t have nice things with dogs around?