5 Best Pet Odor Removal Options for Linoleum or Marble Floors

dog face
  • 1 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 30
What You'll Need
Citrus concentrate
Boric acid
Chemical spray
Bleach
Apple cider vinegar
Pet odor candle
What You'll Need
Citrus concentrate
Boric acid
Chemical spray
Bleach
Apple cider vinegar
Pet odor candle

Even veteran pet owners can get stumped when it comes to removing pet odors from their homes. No matter how well-trained a pet is, there are always going to be accidents. While you can easily clean up the accidents, the foul smell is not easy to take care of.

When it comes to floors, the biggest trouble is removing the smell of urine or feces, as uric acid can actually soak into linoleum and saturate the entire floor with its urine smell. Perhaps an even greater consequence of not cleaning up lingering smells is that your pet may interpret the smell being present in a specific area as a message that says that particular area is their new designated spot for relieving themselves.

To prevent any area of your house from becoming a designated toilet for your pet, you need to clean the area completely so that absolutely no smell lingers. Here are four of the best pet odor removal options for your marble or linoleum floors.

1. Chemicals and Sprays

No matter what kind of accident your pet had, there are chemicals and sprays available on the market to get rid of the odor. Use a pet accident wash-up solution to get rid of the odor of urine, feces, or vomit from the floor. You can also use citrus concentrate on the area where the odor is the most obvious. The citrus will help mask the scent of either the mess or the chemicals moving forward. Let the solution stand for a few minutes before cleaning it up with a mop.

Depending on the strength and chemical properties of whatever product you use, there may be harmful side effects. Follow all instructions that come with your products, and when necessary, keep pets and children away from areas where the chemical has been used until it does its job and dissipates.

2. Boric Acid

Make a paste of boric acid with water. Coat the area your pet has soiled with this paste and allow it to stand for a few minutes. The acidic nature will kill some of the odor-causing bacteria, and the paste-like consistency will act as an odor absorber. Once the acid paste has been standing for a few minutes, use a scrub brush to scrub it out. Then clean up the residue with water and a sponge.

3. Bleach

Use unmixed bleach to clean your floor. While straight bleach can quickly douse any foul odor that may be coming from your tiles, it is not advisable to let it stand for long, as it can cause damage to your flooring.

The best way to use straight bleach is to put some of it in a bucket, soak a mop in it, and mop up the area repeatedly until all you can smell is the bleach. Once you have removed the odors, clean the floor with water to prevent the linoleum or marble from getting damaged or discolored.

Warning: Bleach is caustic and volatile. Handle with care, using safety gloves if necessary. It will also damage or discolor your clothing, so you may want to put on an old outfit or be capable of taking damage when you use bleach.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Another excellent way to remove pet odors from the floors is to use apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a natural bactericide. It can kill the odor-causing bacteria, leaving the floor clean and smelling natural instead of smelling like harsh chemicals.

You can use Apple cider vinegar in concentrated form, but it is best to mix it with water. You can mix 3 parts vinegar with 1 part water and then douse or mop the affected area of the floor with the solution. This can help remove the odor to quite an extent. Repeat the cleaning process until you can not smell the odor anymore.

Alternatively, white vinegar is also somewhat effective when used with a rag. However, apple cider vinegar is preferred due to its bactericide properties and the overall pleasant smell it leaves behind once used.

5. Pet Odor Candle

While not as direct an approach as applying a surface cleaner, pet odor candles are also an option. They release an enzyme that masks the odor, but they don't actually remove it. However, these are good options if you're about to entertain guests and do not have time to scrub your linoleum floor chemically.

Conclusion

Usually, you can remove the odors with the help of these remedies. If the smell is especially strong, you may have to apply more than one cleaning agent to remove these odors completely.