If there's one surface you want your dog to urinate on if he's not going to use the great outdoors, it's sealed concrete. Kennel operators use sealed concrete almost exclusively, because it is easily cleaned and disinfected. If your concrete is not sealed, that's a different story. Urine can be absorbed by unsealed concrete as if it were a sponge, creating a foul odor that can be hard to eliminate. What's worse, the odor will return to aggravate you every time the area gets wet, and your dog will be attracted by the smell, creating a vicious cycle.
Unsealed Concrete
Step 1
Squeegee the urine from the concrete. The rubber strip of the squeegee will wipe away most of the urine, leaving a much smaller residual to deal with, according to cleaning expert Don Aslett.
Step 2
Apply a disinfectant solution to the floor. HealthyPet.com suggests purchasing a specialized disinfectant from your veterinarian. Veterinary offices generally use cleaners made to keep kennel runs sanitary and odor-free.
Step 3
Allow the disinfectant to sit on the surface until it is soaked into the unsealed concrete. Scrub the concrete with a stiff brush or broom, then use a wet-dry vacuum to remove the liquid.
Step 4
Rinse all traces of the cleaning solution away with fresh water, then vacuum up the rinse water. Cleaning expert Aslett says a wet-dry vacuum is a better option than hosing off concrete, which can leave the surface clammy and slimy.
Step 5
Seal your concrete floor when it is completely dry. This will prevent future spills from penetrating the concrete. Concrete sealer can be found at any hardware store.
Sealed Concrete
Step 1
Rinse away the urine with warm, clean water, or absorb the puddle with paper towels or a clean cloth.
Step 2
Apply a water-based cleaning solution or deodorizer to the stain with a paper towel or clean cloth. Alternatively, try a greener approach using equal parts vinegar and liquid soap.
Step 3
Leave the cloth or towel on the stain for 15 minutes. Hose off the concrete, or wipe it with a clean, damp towel.
Tips
Treat stains immediately for the best results.
Items You Will Need
- Squeegee
- Disinfectant solution
- Water
- Hose
- Wet-dry vacuum
- Concrete sealer
- Paper towel or clean cloth
- Water-based cleanser or deodorizer
- Equal parts vinegar and liquid soap
References
- HealthyPet.com: Remove Urine Smells
- Pet Clean-up Made Easy; Don Aslett
- Michigan State University Extension: Homemade Cleaners
Photo Credits
- naughty dog image by MichMac from Fotolia.com