Click to Skip Ahead
As much as we love our fuzzy and adorable pets, part of owning one means dealing with the messier aspects, particularly when it comes to urine. Regardless of what kind of pet you have, you’ve probably had to clean up after them at some point.
While rabbits can be litter box trained, they will still have the occasional accident. But what if your beloved bunny peed on your gorgeous hardwood floors? Time is of the essence, so cleaning it up as soon as possible is necessary. Rabbit urine can be particularly alkaline and rich in calcium salts, which means it can leave behind white stains or etching if not properly cleaned. Acting quickly is key!
Here, we go over the best methods for cleaning up rabbit urine off your wood floors and hopefully, preventing any stains from setting in.
Before We Begin Cleaning
First, if your rabbit has just urinated on your floor, if you mop it up quickly, it shouldn’t have time to stain. Removing the urine immediately will also allow you to see how bad the stain is.
Next, you need to gather your cleaning supplies:
- Paper towels or old towel
- A clean empty spray bottle
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- 3% hydrogen peroxide and rag (optional)
- Enzymatic cleaner
How to Get Rabbit Pee Out of a Wood Floor
1. Remove the Excess Urine
If the urine is still fresh, you need to remove as much of it as possible before starting the cleaning process. The sooner you do so, the better. Use a clean, dry cloth or paper towel, and carefully dab up the urine. You don’t want to rub it, as you’ll push the urine deeper into the floor and spread it around more.
However, if you’re looking at an old urine stain, it’s possible that you might need to change your flooring, as urine can be quite damaging.
The longer the urine sits, the more damage it causes. Old stains can leave a high concentration of ammonia behind, which has the potential of literally etching into the wood.
2. Use an Enzymatic Cleaner
Because this is both the most effective and most gentle method to protect your flooring method we have placed this as your first option on the list. Enzymatic cleaners are effective at removing the stains and odors of bodily fluids. They contain enzymatic bacteria that penetrate the stain and dissolve the ammonia and other organic matter. Aim for a cleaner that’s meant for all surfaces, like material, carpets, and hardwood floors.
Typically, you spray it on the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it off. But for heavier stains and odors, you let it air dry and then vacuum it up. It’s always a good idea to do a spot test first, as it might discolor the surface of your floor.
If you're trying to find an enzyme cleaner that does it all, we highly recommend our favorite cleaner, the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray.
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray |
|
CHECK PRICE |
It permanently removes the very worst stains and smells you can imagine and makes clean up a breeze. There's even a 100% satisfaction guarantee! Click here to order a bottle today.
At PangoVet, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!
3. Use Hydrogen Peroxide If Necessary
If you definitely have no access to an enzymatic cleaner for hardwood floors, you can try using hydrogen peroxide. This is only a step to take if you’re feeling desperate, as hydrogen peroxide can potentially damage your floor.
For this reason, only use 3% hydrogen peroxide—any higher percentage will likely cause damage. You might want to test it in an area that will go unnoticed before you begin.
When you’re ready, take an old but clean washcloth or rag that’s big enough to cover the stain and soak it in the hydrogen peroxide. Wring it out so it isn’t dripping wet. Put the cloth over the spot, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes for light stains or up to 1-2 hours for older stains, since it needs time to work. Keep everyone away from this spot while you wait.
When you’re ready, remove the cloth and wipe the floor with another clean microfiber cloth and water to remove the hydrogen peroxide. Allow to dry and only after it’s dried, evaluate if repeat if necessary.
4. Make Your Vinegar Solution
White vinegar is quite effective at breaking down the uric acid found in urine. It works to remove both the stain and the odor. It is not the ideal method for hardwood floors.
To clean urine stains from hardwood floors, use a very diluted solution of one-half cup of white vinegar to one gallon of warm water, rather than the typical half-and-half ratio. This precaution is necessary to avoid dulling the finish and weakening the wood’s protective sealant, which can result in loss of shine, increased damage susceptibility, and eventual costly repairs.
Start by filling the empty spray bottle with the solution and then shaking it up. Alternatively, you can pour the vinegar and water solution into a bowl, but spraying the solution gives you extra control over the amount that you’re using and can evenly distribute it over the stain.
5. Spray on the Vinegar Solution
Once the area is dry, spray the vinegar mixture over the stain (or dip a clean rag into the vinegar/water solution and spread it over the stain), and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
Then, mop up the vinegar solution, allow it to dry, and repeat the process only if needed. The older the stain, the more times you’ll need to do this until it’s gone (if it goes).
6. Use Baking Soda
This step follows once you’re happy with the job that the vinegar has done in removing the stain. The baking soda helps remove the odor of both the urine and the vinegar.
Sprinkle it quite generously over the stain, and let it sit overnight or at least for a few hours. Ensure that the baking soda is completely covering the stain, as it will draw out the moisture.
Of course, your bunny cannot have access to the area while the baking soda is there. It is crucial to vacuum all the excess and avoid scrubbing it, as this will only scratch and damage your hardwood floors.
Preventing Your Bunny From Peeing on Your Floor
Even if you are sure your rabbit is litter-trained, accidents can still happen.
Try out a few of these tips to keep your bunny from peeing on the floor:
- Place extra litter boxes around the house, particularly in the locations where your rabbit is urinating. This can encourage them to use the litter box rather than pee on the floor. Rabbits tend to urinate in the same spots, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to figure out where these areas are.
- Instead of extra litter boxes, try placing puppy pee pads in the areas that your rabbit seems to want to urinate on.
- Have your bunny spayed or neutered. This can help stop your rabbit from urinating to mark their territory.
- Place a folded-up shower curtain or a tarp under your rabbit’s cage. If your rabbit’s cage is situated over your hardwood floor or any other surface, placing something protective beneath can help prevent any urine from soaking into your floor.
Conclusion
Most urine stains can be cleaned with things that you may have around the house. White vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide all make effective cleaners, and if you already have them, you might think that it will cost you nothing beyond time and effort. However, due to the delicate nature of hardwood floors, we highly recommend investing in an enzymatic cleaner, which is specially formulated to clean these kinds of stains. This may be the best way to save you from costly repairs, and since enzymes do dissolve all biological waste, it is less likely for your bunny to repeat the same area.
However, if the stain isn’t going anywhere even after your best efforts, you might need to invest in new flooring or have it refinished. You may also want to consider simply throwing down a carpet or scatter rug instead. Try your best to clean up future accidents quickly, and hopefully, this won’t be a continuing problem.
- You may also be interested in: Why Is My Rabbit’s Pee Red? 7 Possible Reasons (Vet Answer)
Featured Image Credit: mariesacha, Shutterstock
