Pet urine can cause permanent damage to your floors and fabrics. It can also create an unhealthy indoor environment. When urine is first deposited onto a floor or fabric, it has a pH of about 5 or 6, which is on the acid side of the pH Scale. It is easier to remove right then when it is fresh. Once it dries it turns “alkaline” or to a high pH between 10 to 12 on the scale and becomes more difficult to remove. The warm acid state of the urine offers a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which begin to flourish almost immediately. In this original acid state the urine begins to oxidize and react with the carpet to create a color change, which will become permanent if the urine is not removed immediately. Some of this color change can be attributed to the strong ammonia that forms as the urine passes through bacterial and chemical change. If left for days or weeks, depending on the fabric or floor type, it will change the dye structure, therefore causing permanent staining. Even if the soluble deposits are removed, the damage to the dye structure may already be done.
There are two sources of odors associated with urine:
The first comes from bacteria that grow abundantly in dark warm places with a never-ending food source. A pet can feed the bacteria daily! This bacteria growth and breakdown of the urine creates amino acids. These complex organic compounds will often work deep into the fibers to a point of becoming part of the fiber. This can present a challenging situation. The waste materials and gases from the decomposing urine create an unpleasant odor. When dried urine is re-moistened, it gives off an ammonia gas. If smelled once it is seldom forgotten.
The second source of odor is chemical odor that is present even when the bacteria have been killed. This explains the reason that more than sanitizing is necessary to neutralize odors from urine. Urine also presents additional odor problems when the relative humidity is high. The salts and crystals that are left behind as the urine dries are hydrophilic and draw water to them. Dried urine is often easy to smell in the humid months because the salts attract the moisture, the moisture evaporates putting out a greater proportion of odorous ammonia gas. You must get rid of the urine salts in and under the carpet to get rid of the odor. That’s why cleaning existing urine spots WILL NOT remove any associated odor. In fact, it could INCREASE the odor in the air space for a temporary period of time.
Certified technicians are trained in detecting the sources and location of noxious smells, and are proficient in the application of chemical solutions. Let one of our certified technicians remove the stain or odor for you. Green Steam Carpet Cleaners offers packages as low as $15.00/Affected Area
How Professionals Remove Odor
Remember, in order to remove the odor, all of the alkaline salt deposits the urine leaves behind must be completely removed. This can be quite extensive and time consuming. In the worst cases, all of the following steps will need to be done. When damage is not so bad a few steps are left out. Not one pet stain/odor is the same; therefore each pet issue is treated with unique care.
The technician will assess the area with a:
If the technician detects severe damage, on the carpet surface he will:
Pull back the carpet in the effected area to determine the level of damage to sub flooring or backing of carpet and padding
After assessing the affected area the technician will provide you with several options that will include one or all of the following:
All options and recommendations the technician provides are effective, however, Damage Restoration is the most effective aside from replacement.
Disclaimer: If Green Steam Carpet Cleaners treats the affected areas in your home you understand that no one method listed is 100% guarantee to remove pet urine. To guarantee 100% removal you will need to replace the carpet, padding, tack strip and seal the floor. If treating upholstery or bedding, replacement is necessary for 100% guarantee of removal. Green Steam will follow all the guidelines and standards provided by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certificate) while treating your upholstery, bedding or carpets for pet urine removal.
Products to Avoid!
Try to stay away from products with high pH such as ammonia, Resolve and oxygen bleaches. These products will leave the carpet with a residue and in a high pH state, which will enable the carpet to attract dirt like a magnet. In some instances the use of the wrong product can cause the urine stain to be permanent or have a bleaching effect.
The Best Cleaning Agents For Urine
Enzymes are the best cleaning agent for urine, vomit and feces. An enzyme is the only cleaning agent that actually eats up the bad bacteria. We recommend Nature’s Miracle, which can be purchased at any local pet store. Always read the directions before use!
Although these products may provide temporary relief from unpleasant smells and unattractive splotches on carpet, this solution is rarely permanent and the problem tends to return shortly thereafter. Liquid substances penetrate carpet quickly and tend to fester deep in the padding, even when the surface appears to be clean. In order to achieve complete neutralization of urine odor and pet stains, the services of a professional carpet cleaning firm and a certified Odor Control Technician are indispensable.
Disclaimer: Use these techniques at your own risk. Always read directions on any spotter before using. Pre-test each spotter in an inconspicuous area before using. If the stain or odor persists, call Green Steam Carpet Cleaners
Non Pet Urine
Human accidents happen also. Green Steam Carpet Cleaners provides the same process for non animal vomit, urine and feces.