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Vinyl plank flooring is a cheap alternative to hardwood flooring. It is easy to install and available in a range of colors and wood types. Properly looked after, it can last for years. Pets, however, can make it challenging to keep this sleek flooring in top shape. We are all familiar with how many accidents our favorite four-legged friends can have. Cleaning up pet messes is all part of our responsibility as pet owners.
Unfortunately, vinyl plank flooring is more prone to taking damage than the hardwood flooring it’s fashioned after. Fortunately, there are several ways to clean pet urine from vinyl plank flooring without causing further damage. You can use home remedies or enzyme cleaners. This step-by-step guide will show you how to approach each cleaning solution.
Things to Keep in Mind When Cleaning Vinyl Plank Flooring
Before we get into the step-by-step process, here are a few important precautions to bear in mind. It’s not only the pet urine that can damage your flooring but also the steps that you take to clean it. Hopefully, these precautions will help save your vinyl plank flooring from further harm.
How to Clean Pet Urine From Vinyl Plank Flooring
There are three ways to clean pet urine from your vinyl plank flooring. You can use enzyme cleaners or white vinegar to clean up fresh puddles and prevent lingering odors. We also share tips for cleaning old stains.
1. Enzyme Cleaners
Environmentally friendly and safe for use around pets, enzyme cleaners break down organic messes like pet urine by using bacteria and enzymes. They’re also safe for most surfaces, including vinyl plank flooring. You can purchase enzyme cleaners made specifically for pet-made messes, which makes them favorites among pet owners.
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Remove Excess Urine
Mopping up your pet’s urine as soon as possible is essential. Grab a few paper towels, and use them to absorb the urine puddle. If you’ve caught it early enough, you should be able to get all of it, and the only thing left to do is remove the odor.
Enzyme Cleaner
Follow the instructions on your chosen enzyme cleaner to apply the product to the area that you’re cleaning. For the best results, let it sit for a few minutes.
Remove Cleaner
For the final step, grab an old rag and clean up the enzyme cleaner. Try not to scrub the vinyl planks, as you could cause more damage.
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2. White Vinegar
If you’ve never heard of enzyme cleaners or haven’t gotten around to picking one up from the store, white vinegar is a great alternative. Not only is it found in most cleaning cupboards, but it’s also commonly used to battle stains and lingering odors.
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3. Removing Urine Stains
Unlike preventing odors from lingering, removing stains from old urine requires a little more work. Stains can be stubborn and still carry a smell. Unfortunately, they’re not always easy to avoid, especially if you’re at work all day.
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Final Thoughts
Cleaning pet urine off anything isn’t a pleasant job but some of the materials in our home are more delicate than others. Vinyl plank flooring is cheap, easy to install, and long-lasting, but it is also more prone to taking damage than hardwood or laminate flooring.
Acting quickly to clean up messes when they happen will help reduce the risk of staining and lingering odors. You can use various cleaning solutions, from enzyme cleaners to vinegar and baking soda. Hopefully, the steps in this article showed you how to use each method.
Featured Image Credit: Zebra-Studio, Shutterstock
