It's not easy to clean off urine from porous concrete.If you have a pet that's been using a basement, garage, balcony, or other paved surface as his own personal bathroom, you may feel like you'll never get the smell out even if you wash it 100 times.The article will show you how to eliminate the foul odor with a little patience and specialized cleaning solutions.
Step 1: The area should be clean.
Use a scraper to remove old carpet glue from the floor.If you start with a clean floor, you won't create a muddy mess when you add the cleaning chemicals, or cause the concrete to become porous.Remove any furniture that might get in the way or be harmed by the harsh chemicals you will be using and tape off any baseboards.
Step 2: An enzymatic cleaning solution is what you should choose.
The hard, porous concrete contains uric acid crystals, which are insoluble and bond tightly with the surface.Regular cleaning agents like soap and water won't bind to the uric acid so no matter how many times you clean the area, those crystals stay put.The uric acid can be broken down by an enzymatic cleaner.It will take a little bit of humidity to revive the smell of urine after using conventional cleaning products.A strong, foul odor can be created by the presence of water and uric acid.If you want to remove pet urine, look for enzymatic cleaners that are specifically made for it.
Step 3: You can find the urine by using your nose or flashlight.
If you've washed the floor several times and there's no sign of the urine, a UV or blacklight can reveal the site of an old stain.The UV light should be held one to three feet from the floor.The mark may be yellow, blue, or green.If you only plan to spot treat the floor, use a piece of chalk to mark the spot.You can smell out the spot if the UV light doesn't work.If you want to find out what's going on in the room, you have to air it out and then sniff it.If you want to pay more attention to the spots, it is recommended that you treat the entire floor so you don't miss any of them.If the concrete lightens and appears cleaner, it will look better if the entire floor is a clean and uniform shade.
Step 4: Purchase a heavy duty-cleaner.
A heavy-duty cleaner will ensure that all the other elements of the urine are completely removed and the enzymatic cleaner can work faster.You should wear rubber gloves and goggles to protect your skin.At a ratio of 1/2 cup for every 1 gallon of water, mix TSP in a bucket of very hot water.If you don't want to use a heavy-duty chemical, try cleaning with a water and vinegar mixture.
Step 5: To lightly scrub the area, pour the mixture onto the floor and use a scrubbing brush.
Work in 3x3 feet.It's important you don't let the TSP dry out too quickly.It should be wet on the concrete for at least 5 minutes.Add more water or TSP to the area if the mixture dries out before 5 minutes have passed.The deeper the mixture, the more it can penetrate the concrete.The smell of urine will grow strong as you prepare the floor.The uric acid is reacting with the water.
Step 6: Use a wet/dry vacuum or shop vac to clean the area after pouring hot water over it.
The spent solution will be removed.Allow the floor to dry naturally overnight by rinsing it with hot water twice more.The goal is still to saturate the concrete and loosen up as much of the urine as possible, so don't use fans to speed the process along.If your vacuum smells like urine after sucking up the TSP mixture, spray the hose with the enzymatic cleaner while the machine is running.The machine should be turned off before spraying the dirty water tank.If you use a carpet cleaner, add water to the tank instead of pouring water on the ground and running it in a rinse/removal cycle.
Step 7: The concentrate should be prepared according to the instructions.
The addition of water is required for some cleaners to be mixed with a carpet cleaning solution.Don't add too much water to the concentrate and follow the instructions carefully.Make sure the floor is completely dry the day before you apply the cleaner.
Step 8: The area should be cleansed with the enzymatic cleaner.
You would like to work in sections of 3x3 feet.For at least 10 minutes, use enough of the solution to keep the water out.If the area begins to dry out, it is necessary to add more solution so that the cement can break down the uric crystals.The easiest way to apply is to use a deck or household sprayer.If a dirty sprayer is used, it will cause the dirt to be sprayed into the concrete and cause another bad smell.In areas where you noticed the urine stain with the UV light, be aggressive.To really work the enzymatic cleaner into those areas, you may want to get a scrub brush.It is possible that the most heavily marked areas will bubble.If the smell persists, you may need to treat these areas again.When you have treated the entire floor, repeat the process.
Step 9: Once you have finished your treatment, allow the floor to dry.
If you want to give the solution more time to work, you can cover the floor with a plastic tarp.The rate of solution evaporation will be slowed by this.If the smell persists, treat the areas with another round of enzymatic cleaner.
Step 10: Once the smell has been eliminated, it's a good idea to seal your concrete floor.
This will make it easier to clean your floors in the future and will usually make them look more attractive.