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The smell of dog pee is inevitable on carpets and furniture. Your dog may be marking their territory, and on a few occasions, your shoes and boots may become targets too.
The good news is that there are several possibilities for you to get the smell of dog urine out of your shoes. Here are a few that you can do:
Water and Baking Soda
One of the most effective odor neutralizers you can use is baking soda. This potent, odorless white powder can really absorb odors rather than just cover them up. When baking soda is used to combat predominantly acidic scents, the reaction between the two neutralizes the unpleasant aromas.
After giving your shoes a cold water rinse, soak them in a tub of water that contains baking soda. Put in however much baking soda you think is appropriate, then add more. After letting the shoes soak for about 30 minutes, thoroughly rinse them with more cold water to remove all of the baking soda. They should be thoroughly scrubbed with a light soap to get rid of all baking soda residue before being rinsed once more. Dry them as much as you can after you’re done, then pack them with towels or rags and place them somewhere to continue drying.
Shoe Cleaner
Today’s market offers a wide range of different shoe-cleaning supplies and kits. Even scrub brushes that are great for getting right inside the shoe are included in some cleaning kits. You can also use something referred to as “sneaker balls.” They function as deodorizing balls that you can place in your shoes when not using them to absorb odors and moisture.
Although sneaker balls are excellent at eliminating odors from shoes, it should be emphasized that they cannot remove pee. Prior to beginning the cleaning process, be sure to rinse all of the pee out of your shoes and look for a cleanser that eliminates odors and stains.
Washing Machine
The quickest and simplest solution will be to throw it in the washing machine. Only shoes made of canvas, nylon, cotton, or polyester can be cleaned in this method, and even in this case, you should first read the care instructions.
Before putting the shoes in the washing machine, you should also remove the insoles and the laces. The insoles will most likely need to be replaced if there is pee on them. Wash your shoes on a delicate cycle, ideally without the spin cycle. Since powder can become stuck in numerous shoe crevices, you should use a liquid detergent. A stain remover might be another item you want to add, but you should spot-test it first.
Take out your shoes after the cycle is finished and dry off any extra moisture. It’s also a good idea to insert rags or paper towels inside of them; this will help them keep their form as well as absorb water. After that, place them in an area with lots of natural light and allow them to dry completely before wearing them back on.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an effective deodorizer and cleanser. Both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar will work, but since white vinegar is transparent, it is a more versatile cleaner. To remove odors from your shoes immediately, simply shake one part white vinegar to one part water in a spray container, then use as needed. The vinegar’s acidic composition is strong enough to destroy bacteria and dissolves mineral deposits, dirt, and grease, in addition to being a potent odor neutralizer.
To give the mixture a stronger punch and get rid of the urine smell, you can also add some baking soda. With the baking soda, if you apply this mixture to the leather, make sure you have some leather conditioner ready.
Shoe Specialist
If the washing machine didn’t work, you may alternatively take your shoes to a professional. Or rather than putting them in the machine, if they are made of a trickier material, such as leather, silk, or suede, you should take your shoes to a shoe repair shop or an equivalent professional. Just go down to the repair shop and explain the situation. A professional has the best chance of removing the odor, and they’ll also tell you if your shoes are a complete lost cause already. But keep in mind that a shoe specialist might be quite pricey.
Throw Them Away
All the methods mentioned may work; however, there’s no guarantee. Urine has a very strong smell, and the longer it is on your shoe, the harder it is to remove. Last option? Just raise the white flag and throw away your shoes.
And there you have it!
