Sharing your living space with dogs and cats will at some point affect your hardwood floors. Stains on your floors caused by pets can be embarrassing and unsightly when visitors arrive. ServiceMaster Clean by LoveJoy of Atlanta has some tips for pet stain removal on hardwood floors below.
How to Remove Pet Stains on Wood Floors
- Pet urine contains acid which often leaves dark, ugly stains on hardwood floors. These stains will get darker with repeated urination. Scrubbing the stain with household cleaners will not be able to remove it.
- Do not use cleaning solutions or chemicals containing ammonia or vinegar, as these won't mask the urine smell. An oxidizing agent like hydrogen peroxide is needed.
- Clean the stain by pouring hydrogen peroxide directly onto it and covering it with a hydrogen peroxide-soaked cloth. Place a plastic bag over the peroxide-soaked cloth and leave it overnight or for at least eight (8) hours.
- Remove the bag and cloth in the morning. Any lingering urine smell should have disappeared and the stain significantly lightened or gone. The damaged flooring will have to be sanded and refinished. Take note that this procedure will NOT work on laminate flooring.
- Protect your hardwood floors from pet urine stains and surface scratches by applying a high-quality polyurethane seal. This seal will make urine penetration to the wood more difficult.
- For smaller or light stains, hydrogen peroxide can be utilized but there is no need to let it sit overnight. Apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the stain, leave it for 10 minutes, then inspect the stain. If the stain remains, let the solution sit for another 10 minutes before wiping the area with a cloth. Blend the spot back with the rest of the flooring through some sanding and staining.
How to Deal With Scratches on Hardwood Floors
- Keep a stain marker on hand when your home has hardwood floors and dogs. These markers come in different colors and can be found in hardware or home improvement stores. Use the stain marker to fill in the scratches.
- If a huge area is affected by scratching, call professionals such as ServiceMaster by LoveJoy to sand and re-stain the floor.
Contact a Professional for Wood Floor Cleaning in Atlanta, Georgia
If the pet damage to your hardwood floors is becoming too much to deal with yourself, ServiceMaster Clean by LoveJoy of Atlanta has a 24/7-available reliable response a with live answering service to answer all your concerns. We service residential and commercial properties in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Stockbridge, Conyers, McDonough, Stone Mountain, Covington, Social Circle, and Dekalb County, Georgia and surrounding areas.
- We have a well-equipped professional team with modern equipment.
- Contact us at 678-672-3222 to schedule an appointment.
- You may also send us a message online.
- We are located at: 700 Blacklawn Rd SW Conyers, GA 30012 USA