Pet Odor Remediation

We can remove the urine odor from many of your textiles with our Urine Decontamination System. We are able to guarantee no chemicals or urine odor will remain in your rug. (Additional Charge).

Our Treatment Eliminates the Source of the Problem

This treatment was invented here at ABC, Cleaning Experts of the Finger Lakes, by Ken Adams, and is now used in rug washing plants all over the United States. This process removes the odor by eliminating the source, not masking the problem with enzyme digesters or deodorizers.

 

Can Any Area Rug be Urine Decontaminated?

No, certain elements of the construction of some rugs prevent us from dissolving the urine crystals. Urine Decontamination is intended for handmade oriental and occidental rugs, natural fiber machine-made rugs and textiles.

 

We are unable to treat area rugs with secondary backings (broadlooms) or rugs with latex (hand tufts, hooked rugs and olefins).These adhesives do not release the urine once it has penetrated the rug. Therefore, rugs with any glues in their construction can NOT be decontaminated.

What Happens If I Just Have the Rug Cleaned and Don't address the Urine?

Leaving urine untreated in rugs leads to other concerns besides odor. One concern is that urine can attract moths. Another concern is the longer the urea crystals remain in the rug, the darker the urine stain becomes and the more damage occurs to the foundation. This happens because the growing bacteria weaken the foundation over time and this causes dry rot. Dry rot can occur undetected until one day a normal vacuuming may be too aggressive and tear the rug. Although urine decontanmination and cleaning cannot remove the stain, it can lighten it, prevent it from becoming darker and prevent dry rot. (Dry Rot is explained in the FYI section of this website.)

Why Won't Cleaning Remove the Odor?

Initially, urine is an acid stain that becomes alkaline as it takes on nitrogen molecules from the air. During this chemical reaction, the urine transforms into microscopic crystals. These urea crystals remain in the foundation, backing and glues of wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs, even after a regular cleaning in a rug washing plant. Because the urea crystals remain, they are a food source for micro-organisms, which cause the odor.

Why Did Cleaning Remove the Odor Last Time or Why Don't the Rug(s) Have an Odor in the Winter?

There are four contributing factors that must be present to enable bacteria to grow: a warm climate (temperature), a lack of light, moisture and an organic food source. A perfect incubator for bacterial growth has been created under your area rug and the urea crystals are their primary food source! The "urine odor'' is actually caused by the release of gases during bacterial growth (offgassing). This cycle is interrupted during the winter months because the heat is on. The home environment becomes dry, or without moisture, eliminating one of the four contributing factors and rendering the bacteria dormant.

What If a Deodorizer Was Used During the Last Cleaning?

A deodorizer may have been used during the last cleaning, which only masks the problem anywhere from 3 hours to 3 months. Possibly the urine problem was minor before (only a few "accidents") and now, after time, the bacteria cycle has gone on and attracted the pet to urinate again.

Why Does It Seem My Pets Have More Accidents or Urine Odor is Stronger During the Warmer Months than at Other Times of the Year!

This is because the high humidity in the air from rainfall and high temperatures provides excellent conditions for bacterial growth. The urine odor noticed in the spring is usually old accidents beginning another bacterial cycle (although recent urination cannot be completely ruled out).

Is the Urine Decontamination Solution Harmful to my Rug(s)?

No, our solution is completely biodegradable and non-toxic. The Urine Decontamination solution revitalizes the wool's natural sheen, giving the rug a lustrous look and feel.

Is There Any Residue or Chemical Odor Left in My Rugs?

No, we are not using deodorizers, enzyme digesters or any chemicals that have a residual effect. The Urine Decontamination Solution is thoroughly flushed after treatment, then washed, rinsed and dried in our controlled dry room. Your rug is left in its natural state.

Is It Safe For My Infant or Pet To Be On My Rug After Urine Decontamination?

Yes. It is completely safe for children and pets to return to their normal activity on the rug. There are NO residues or odors left in your rug after cleaning, due to the massive amount of water we run through the rug(s) to ensure the wool is left without residues.

How Does The Guarantee Work?

Now that your rug is odor-free, it is important to make sure it stays that way by addressing the urine that passed through your rug, contaminating the pad and floor beneath. A few simple steps will ensure your rug will main odor-free (unless there is another pet accident). These can be completed while we are caring for your rug in our plant and are as follows:

First, Replace the Pad.

The pad beneath the rug needs to be replaced, unless you have purchased the WunderGrip pad made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, plumbing pipe material). We highly recommend the WunderGrip pad for all hardwood floors because it will not absorb anything and only needs to be washed (in a washing machine or in our plant) when exposed to urine or other liquids.

Second, Clean and Seal the Floor.

Before laying down your new (or clean) pad and rug, the urea crystals that are residing in the fine scratches of your floor (or floor finish) need to be addressed. Clean the area with eight ounces of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water and allow the floor to dry for 36-48 hours. Next, you need to seal in the crystals that may still lie within the wood or cracks of the floor by applying a floor sealant (shellac or polyurethane). Allow your floor to dry for another 36-48 hours before returning the pad and rug to its place in your home

 

How Do I Treat Urine Spots If They Happen Again?

There are two ways to treat urine spots because of the pH change when exposed to the air. We treat fresh (wet) urine differently from the way we treat an old (dry) urine spot.

Fresh/Wet:

1. Absorb as much of the urine as possible by tamping with paper towels or rags. (Rubbing or agitating the fiber may cause distortion or a "fuzzy" appearance).

2. Use 2 oz. of clear ammonia (not sudsy) to 16 oz. of water and apply to affected area(s) front and back of the rug. (Never apply a solution directly to the carpet or rug. Always use absorbent material to apply).

3. Blot to dry and rinse with water (apply with a towel) and blot to dry again.

*Repeat steps as needed.

Old/Dry:

1. Vacuum affected areas.

2. Apply distilled household vinegar to affected area(s) front and back of the rug (apply with absorbent material or a towel).

3. Blot to dry and rinse with water (apply with absorbent material or a towel) and blot to dry again.

*Repeat steps as needed.