by Jane Allyson

Created on: August 16, 2011   Last Updated: August 19, 2011

Laminate flooring is a great option when you have pets or children because it is easy to maintain and unlike carpets does not harbour dust and can be easily cleaned if there are any spillages.

Having said that, if your pet does make a puddle even laminate flooring can be vulnerable to excess liquid, so it is important to clear up the mess as quickly as possible. Laminate flooring needs to be wiped over as quickly as possible to prevent possible swelling if it is composed of MDF material, and to prevent staining if it is a real wood product.

It is also vital to completely remove both the liquid and the odor, especially if it is cat urine, because your animal will continue to urinate in the same spot if you don’t completely eliminate the smell.

You can use both commercial and home made products to get rid of spillages and both methods can be just as effective.

First soak up the excess using a sponge or absorbent paper towels.

Use a commercial cleaning product such as Odoban or Antiickypoo and follow the directions closely. Some companies may offer a pre-stain product or anti-odor treatment. Make sure that the product that you are using is suitable for use on a laminate floor and check on the Internet for evidence of other satisfied customers. Be aware that some blogs can be misleading and are there just to promote the product itself.

Your local DIY or hardware store will also store cleaning products specifically to clean laminate flooring, or your local pet store may be able to offer useful advice on a particular product that works well.

However, you may not have the time to make enquiries. The puddle is there and needs dealing with immediately. With no commercial product in the home to deal with such an emergency, with a bit of luck you may already have the common ingredients in your kitchen cupboard, which will be able to deal with the problem just as effectively.

After you have blotted up as much of the urine up as you can take two common ingredients from your cupboard.

Mix equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda in a bowl. Dab the foaming liquid onto the stain using a sponge so that the area is well covered. Wait 15 minutes to allow the liquid to do its work.

Rinse the sponge with cold water and then use it to wipe the soda and vinegar from the floor. The area should smell a lot fresher. Make sure that you thoroughly dry the area using a clean dry cloth.

It is important to remember that laminate flooring is very absorbent and is not designed to be mopped to a great extent. If you are having trouble removing pet odor from the area, you may need to think about replacing the part which has become eroded to avoid further damage to the rest of the floor.

Unfortunate though it may be animals will by instinct to be drawn to a place where they have toileted before. Annoying though it is, they are simply doing what comes naturally to them. Your pet can even be drawn to a spot that you are certain to have thoroughly cleaned and dried. However, if you do not eliminate the tiniest odor, your animal will still be able to pick it up and be compelled to urinate in the exact same spot again.

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