If you’re a dog owner, chances are you’ve had to deal with the occasional accident. Whether it’s on the carpet, furniture, or in the car, cleaning up after your pup can be a pain.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get dog pee out of car seat.
How to Get Dog Pee out of Car Seat?
In general, cleaning the car seat as soon as possible is key to getting the dog pee out. Vacuum pet hair and dirt off of the seat, then clean thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner formulated to remove pet urine.
Allow the seat to dry thoroughly by ensuring full ventilation inside the car. Don’t let the dog sit on the seat until it is fully dry, to avoid sour smells or mildew on the seat.
How to Clean Pee from a Car Seat: Essential Precautions
Dogs are great for bringing along when you need some extra company, but they can make your car smell like an animal shelter.
When your dog has difficulty with motion sickness, traveling can be very difficult for both of you.
When taking them on long drives or even short trips to the vet, it’s important to clean up immediately if they have left a mess in the car.
Once dog urine has dried it is much more difficult to remove lingering odors.
Follow these essential precautions to ensure success when cleaning dog pee from a car seat.
- Vacuum the seat to remove any dog hair or dust that might interfere with a cleaning machine or brush used to work the cleaner into the seat fibers.
- To ensure that the air in your vehicle is flowing freely, make sure that all windows are open. Consider running a small fan in the car to dry the seat quickly and ventilate odors.
- If you are sensitive to the cleaner, pet dander, dust, or urine, wear a mask to avoid inhaling particles and allergens.
- Wear gloves to keep cleaners and allergens off of your skin while cleaning dog pee off of the car seat.
Once these measures have been followed, it’s time to get started!
1. Use a Carpet Cleaner or Upholstery Cleaner
The best way to get rid of urine-soaked car seats is by using an upholstery or carpet cleaner. If you don’t own one, you can rent one, but make sure it has a detachable wand for cleaning furniture.
A carpet cleaner with an upholstery wand uses an odor-neutralizing and stain-removing cleanser to thoroughly clean the dog pee from the seat.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, use the upholstery wand to apply the cleaner to the dog pee spot on the seat. Apply the cleaner and use the wand to suck the dirty cleaner and water back out of the seat padding.
It may take a lot of cleaning to be sure the seat is clean. Always rinse with clear water once the seat is clean, and suck as much water back out of the padding as possible to speed drying.
Leave the car open and run a fan inside if possible to speed drying and help prevent mold and mildew growth in the fabric.
2. Use Baking Soda to Neutralize Dog Pee Odor
Baking soda is efficient in neutralizing ammonia molecules and any other dog odor that may be present, so we recommend using it to remove dog pee smells from your car seats.
- Vacuum the seat to remove pet hair and dirt
- Prepare a paste by mixing three parts baking soda and one part water
- The paste should be thick once it has been mixed
- Apply a generous amount of the baking soda mixture to the damaged area of the automobile seat while wearing gloves
- Allow it to rest for at least one night, and then will vacuum it up in the morning to get rid of it
If this method leaves some aroma behind, it can be used repeatedly until all the smell is gone.
3. Use Professional Sprays For Removing Stain And Smell
There are a variety of solutions for removing pet urine smells, including those formulated just to tackle this particular problem.
It may be wise to keep a cleanser in your car to quickly address any renewing odors or fresh messes. These products usually require a quick spray and scrub to release dog pee stain and odors.
4. Use White Vinegar
When it comes to removing ammonia odors from a vehicle seat, white vinegar is one of the best.
- Vinegar must be clearly identified as white vinegar, not apple vinegar or fermented vinegar. The fragrance of fruit and pee can be left behind from using apple or fermented vinegar.
- Mix white vinegar and water in equal amounts
- Spray or pour the mixture directly on the dog pee stain
- Allow the vinegar to sit for 25-40 minutes
- Remove as much of the solution as possible by blotting it with a clean towel
5. Cat Litter
Pouring cat litter on the car seat is a rarely used procedure, yet it produces excellent results. Cat litter granules neutralize and absorb the odor of dog pee.
- Spray the granules with water and spread a thin coating on the dirty seat area
- Leave all car doors open (if the vehicle is parked in a sheltered place) and let the litter sit overnight
- The next day, vacuum out all the litter and absorb excess moisture using paper towels
Why Do Dogs Pee on Car Seats?
These are some of the most common reasons dogs pee on car seats and how to stop them from doing it.
One of the most common reasons dogs pee on car seats is that they’re anxious or stressed.
When your dog is in the car, they may feel like they’re trapped and unable to escape. It can lead to anxiety, which can cause your dog to pee.
If your dog is anxious or stressed in the car, you can do a few things to help them feel more comfortable.
- Try playing some calming music in the car
- Give them a puzzle toy or treat toy to keep them occupied
- You can also try feeding them small meals throughout the day, so they don’t have to go as often
Another common reason dogs pee on car seats is that they’re not used to being in the car.
If your dog isn’t used to riding in the car, they may not know how to hold their bladder. It’s especially true if you only take them on short trips.
To help your dog get used to being in the car, start taking them on short rides around the block. Gradually increase the length of the rides until they’re comfortable with being in the car for long periods of time.
Always take your dog for a walk to pee and poop before putting him in the car. Many dogs are excited to hop in the car, but don’t let them in until their bladders are empty.
We always use a waterproof car seat cover to protect our car seats and floor when we take our dogs on trips. While accidents can’t always be avoided, these seat covers make it much easier to clean up.
Final Thoughts
Many dog owners use crates to keep their dogs safe and secure in the car. This helps the dog to remain stationary and feel protected in the car.
Finally, keep an eye on your dog and pull over when he shows signs of needing to pee or poop. Many dogs need more frequent breaks to do their business.
This may add travel time to your trip, but it saves a lot of headaches later.
