Understanding Pet Treatment for Carpets

If you’re dealing with pet accidents, you might be asking yourself: "Is there anything that will actually get rid of the urine smell?" "Why doesn’t regular carpet cleaning remove pet urine?" "Isn’t deodorizer enough to remove the pet urine odor, why should I pay for a pet treatment?"

You’re not alone — these are the most common questions we hear. The truth is, once pet urine soaks into the carpet padding or dries into crystals, basic cleaning methods or deodorizer sprays won’t reach deep enough to remove the odor for good. That’s why professional pet treatment is a game-changer.

Pet treatment is designed to target the urine at its source, break down the crystals, and extract what basic cleaning leaves behind. It won’t make your carpet brand new — but it will make a major difference in cleanliness, freshness, and odor control.

The Pet Treatment (Must Be Paired with Carpet Cleaning)

Our pet treatment process is designed to reach deep areas that regular cleaning can’t, but it is not a standalone service. It must be performed alongside a full carpet cleaning. We often use a UV light to help detect urine stains that can't be seen but can definitely be smelled. If we see signs of pet activity — like fur, dander, or staining — we may recommend treatment even if you weren’t aware of an accident. In some cases, we may gently lift a corner of the carpet to check how deep the damage goes, though this isn’t always necessary.

The Pet Treatment Process

1. Inspect

   We use a UV light to identify hidden stains that aren't visible but can be smelled. We also look for physical signs of pet activity like hair, dander, or discoloration. In some cases, we may gently lift a corner of the carpet to assess how deep the damage goes.

2. Apply treatment

   We apply targeted enzymatic and oxidizing solutions designed to break down urine salts and organic material trapped in the carpet.

3. Wait
   The treatment needs proper dwell time to digest odors and break down contaminants deep in the fibers and backing.

4. Agitate
   When needed, we gently agitate the product into the carpet fibers to help it penetrate more deeply.

5. Extract and rinse
   We use high-powered extraction equipment to remove the broken-down contaminants, then continue with full carpet cleaning and deodorizing for a complete refresh.

6. Dry
   During drying, it's normal for odors to temporarily intensify as moisture reactivates old urine crystals. This fades once the carpet fully dries and the treatment finishes working— during this stage, it’s normal for odors to temporarily rise before fading

Why Does the Odor Sometimes Get Stronger Before It Gets Better?

When urine dries, it leaves behind crystals deep in the carpet fibers and padding. When we apply moisture during the cleaning, those crystals reactivate, releasing trapped odors into the air. This is completely normal.

You may have even noticed that on rainy or humid days, your home smells more strongly of pet urine — that’s the same reaction, but without the cleaning benefit. The difference here is that we are actively treating the source of the odor.

Our process includes applying a treatment, extracting the contaminants, rinsing, and continuing with a full carpet cleaning and deodorizing service. Once your carpet is dry, those odors should fade significantly, leaving your home noticeably fresher and cleaner.

How Much Does Pet Treatment Cost?

In most cases, pet treatment costs about the same as your carpet cleaning service. It’s an added step with specialized products and processes that address a specific issue. Think of it as an investment in your home — one that can help you avoid much costlier problems down the road.

If pet accidents are left untreated for too long, urine can soak through to the padding and even the subfloor. At that point, cleaning may no longer be enough, and replacement becomes necessary.

What Can You Do Between Professional Cleanings?

If your pet has an accident, act fast. We recommend spot cleaning immediately with an at-home carpet machine or a simple homemade mix:

Mix half water and half white vinegar — it's gentle, effective, and safe for most carpets. Unlike some store-bought sprays, it won’t cause discoloration or leave behind sticky residue.

Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, which can damage carpet fibers or set stains permanently. Spot cleaning regularly and scheduling professional pet treatments when needed will help preserve the life of your carpet and keep your home smelling fresh.

Should I Treat Now or Wait Until Move-Out?

Here are two common options:

• Treat Now: If you're staying in your home and want a healthier, fresher environment, treating now is the best choice. Just know that future accidents may happen, so spot cleaning in between helps maintain your results.
• Treat at Move-Out: If you're planning to move out soon, you can maintain with spot cleaning during your stay and do a full pet treatment before you move. It helps with deposits or prepping the home for new owners.

When Is Replacement Recommended?

If there is too much urine saturation, cleaning alone may not be enough. In those cases, we will recommend removing and replacing the carpet and padding entirely. It's also essential to seal the subfloor to prevent lingering odor from resurfacing after installation.

For homes where male pets have sprayed along walls or baseboards, we may suggest sealing and repainting the affected walls after cleaning to fully address the odor source.

As a final step, we offer ozone treatment to eliminate any remaining odors in the air. Please note: ozone treatments must be done with no pets, people, or plants inside the property during the process. This is a highly effective option for deep odor neutralization in heavily contaminated spaces.

Who Uses Ozone Treatment and Why It Works

Ozone treatment is one of the most effective ways to eliminate lingering odors from pet accidents, smoke, mildew, and more. It works by releasing ozone (O₃) molecules into the air, which break down odor-causing particles at the molecular level — even in hard-to-reach places like air ducts, walls, or deep into carpet padding.

This treatment is popular among realtors, landlords, and property managers who need to refresh homes quickly and thoroughly between tenants. It’s also a great option for homeowners who want to restore a home to its cleanest, freshest condition.

We typically recommend:

• 1 ozone machine per floor for average-sized homes
• 2 or more machines for larger or multi-level properties to ensure full coverage

Ozone treatments are typically recommended for 24 hours to ensure maximum effectiveness, though we may adjust the run time based on the size of the home and severity of the odor. No pets, people, or plants can be inside the property while treatment is active, but you can return once it’s ventilated.

We offer this service as an optional add-on after severe pet odor treatment or as a standalone service for general odor removal.

Book An Appointment

Pet treatment is a smart way to fix odor and staining issues before they become expensive replacements. Whether you're staying or moving out, it gives your carpet a fresh start.

Are you in Greensboro or the surrounding areas and need help with pet odors or stains?
📞 Call us or 📲 Book online today at hernandezcarpetcleaning.com/schedule-online!

SOURCES:

• Bridgepoint Systems Pet Odor Neutralizer: https://cleancosolutions.com/products/bridgepoint-systems-pet-stain-odor-neutralizer-urine-neutralizer-gallon
• Hernandez Carpet Cleaning: https://hernandezcarpetcleaning.com. Whether you're staying or moving out, it gives your carpet a fresh start.