Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Blot fresh urine, then use an upright carpet cleaner with a formula approved for that exact machine. Apply solution to the spot and extract it with spray-off passes, following the cleaner and formula labels. Test first in a hidden area, avoid scrubbing and steam, and expect that old or deep contamination may need professional treatment.
Before you start: protect the carpet and check compatibility
Read the carpet care label or carpet maker’s instructions, along with the upright cleaner manual. Water-based cleaning is not suitable for every carpet. The Carpet and Rug Institute’s guidance distinguishes carpet labeled W or W/S; follow your carpet maker if its instructions differ. BISSELL’s advice about those labels applies to its own guidance, not as universal permission for every carpet. The Carpet and Rug Institute’s cleaning and maintenance guidance and its spot-cleaning guidance explain care considerations.
- Test the cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area and let it dry; check for color change before treating the visible spot.
- Use only a formula the machine manual identifies as compatible. Products made for one upright or portable cleaner are not automatically safe for another.
- Do not use a steam cleaner on a urine spot. The Carpet and Rug Institute and the Humane Society of the United States warn that heat can set stain and odor. Use the extraction method below instead.
How to clean pet urine with an upright carpet cleaner
1. Blot fresh urine
Press white paper towels or a clean, absorbent white cloth onto fresh urine to lift as much liquid as possible. Replace saturated towels and continue pressing. Do not rub or scrub: that can spread the spot, push urine farther into the carpet layers, and damage carpet texture. BISSELL’s urine-cleaning guide and CRI’s cleaning guidance recommend blotting rather than scrubbing.
2. Prepare the cleaner with an approved formula
Follow the specific machine manual and formula label for tank setup, dilution, and use. As one verified example, BISSELL identifies its PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula as intended for upright carpet cleaners. Its directions say to fill the fresh-water tank to the line with warm, not boiling, water, add formula to the formula line, and replace the tank. Those instructions apply to that formula; other machines and solutions may differ. BISSELL also recommends its formulas for machine longevity, but compatibility with your actual unit should be confirmed in its manual.
#1 Best Overall
- OUR BEST FORMULA FOR TOUGH PET MESSES: Removes embedded dirt & stains, eliminates odors and protects against future stains.
- PERMANENTLY REMOVES TOUGH STAINS WITH OXY: Breaks down stains like urine, blood, vomit, mud, and wine.
- FRESH ODOR REMOVAL WITH FEBREZE: Cleans and refreshes with a light breeze-dried laundry scent.
- FOR USE IN: BISSELL and other leading deep carpet cleaning machines when used as directed.
- RESIST FUTURE MESSES WITH STAINPROTECT TECHNOLOGY: Forms a protective barrier on carpet fibers to make cleaning faster and easier.
3. Treat the spot and extract the moisture
Work over the visible stain and, where appropriate, a little beyond its edges. BISSELL advises covering about two inches beyond the visible spot because urine may spread beneath the surface. With the machine’s sprayer on, make a forward pass to apply solution. Then make a pass with the sprayer off to extract excess moisture. BISSELL’s product directions say to repeat until the area is clean; follow the actual product and machine instructions, and do not assume one pass will remove a stubborn spot.
4. Let the carpet dry fully
Allow the treated area to air-dry overnight, as BISSELL’s guide advises. Ventilate the room; open windows or use fans to circulate air. Keep the area out of normal use until it is fully dry.
Rank #2
- REMOVES OLD AND NEW STAINS & ODORS: Penetrates deep into carpet and upholstery fibers.
- BIO-ENZYMATIC ODOR-LOCKING TECHNOLOGY: For permanent and superior odor remover.
- PROFESSIONAL STRENGTH FORMULA: Low-foaming formula can be used with any water-based steam or carpet cleaner.
- DEEP CLEANING: Removes deep-set stains, keeping your carpet and upholstery looking new longer.
- TRUSTED BRAND: From the maker of Nature’s Miracle products, the pet stain and odor removing brand you trust… because it works!
5. Reassess the odor and decide whether to repeat
Once dry, check whether the smell remains. If the machine and formula directions permit, repeat the cleaning and extraction. Avoid leaving excess moisture behind: the Carpet and Rug Institute warns that unattended moisture can weaken bonds between carpet layers and contribute to backing delamination, with seams particularly vulnerable.
Why odor or staining can remain
Removing visible discoloration does not necessarily mean all urine has been removed. Odor that returns after drying can indicate residue remains in the carpet or below it. The Carpet and Rug Institute notes that some products mask odor rather than remove it, and that odor can return in humid conditions. Old or deep contamination may reach carpet backing, padding, or subfloor, beyond what an upright cleaner can reliably treat.
Rank #3
- OUR BEST FORMULA FOR TOUGH PET MESSES: Removes embedded dirt & stains, eliminates odors, and protects against future stains.
- PERMANENTLY REMOVES TOUGH STAINS: Like urine, blood, vomit, and mud from carpets and area rugs.
- PATENTED ODOR ELIMINATION TECHNOLOGY: Eliminates strong odors like cat urine and skunk.
- FOR USE IN: All BISSELL & other leading upright deep-cleaning devices when used as directed.
- PROTECT AGAINST FUTURE STAINS: Only BISSELL formulas have StainProtect Technology.
There is no guarantee every stain or odor can be removed. Urine varies with an animal’s diet, medication, age, health, sex, and reproductive cycles, and the Carpet and Rug Institute says some urine stains may not be removable. Urine can also alter carpet dyes: on beige carpet, blue dyes may be attacked, leaving red and yellow dyes and a red, yellow, or orange appearance. Older spots can involve lasting dye or fiber damage. CRI’s Pet Urine and Carpet Technical Bulletin, revised July 27, 2017, describes these limitations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to use a spot spray or call a professional
Enzymatic spot treatment
An enzymatic pet-urine spray is an alternate spot-treatment method, not a replacement for extraction when dissolved residue needs to be removed. Follow the spray’s label, test it in a hidden area, and observe its dwell-time directions. BISSELL’s guide gives its own enzymatic-product instructions, including 15 minutes for light soil or 12–24 hours under a damp cloth for heavy soil; those timings are specific to the product described there and should not be applied to other sprays.
Rank #4
- SHIPMENT CONTAINS: 64 fl oz bottle of pet stain and odor carpet cleaner solution for deep cleaning machines and carpet shampooers
- DEEP CLEAN PERFORMANCE: Our carpet cleaner solution penetrates stains, lifts soils, and eliminates odors right at the source
- VERSATILE USAGE: Suitable for use with all popular deep carpet cleaner machines, including rentals
- EPA SAFER CHOICE: Our rug cleaner Safer Choice-certified formula is safer for families, pets, and the environment without compromising on cleaning power
- SIMPLE USE: Mix 2.5 oz of our pet stain remover per gallon for light stains, or 5 oz per gallon for heavy stains, and follow your machine's cleaning instructions
Professional cleaning
If odor persists after reasonable cleaning, the spot is old or deep, or you suspect the padding or subfloor is affected, consider a certified carpet-cleaning firm. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends professional help for difficult pet-stain and odor cases. A professional may be better placed to assess contamination below the carpet surface than repeated home cleaning.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
- INSTANT & PERMANENT TOUGH STAIN REMOVAL: Quickly removes stubborn stains like red wine, coffee, cola, and pet messes (including urine and mud) for visibly cleaner carpets, rugs, and upholstery.
- TRIPLE ACTION OXY CLEANING FORMULA: Scientifically formulated with powerful OXY to deep clean, remove pet odors that cause re-soiling, and help prevent future stains with built-in StainProtect Technology.
- ELIMINATES HOUSEHOLD & PET ODORS: Removes tough odors at the source while leaving behind a lasting, fresh scent for a cleaner-smelling home.
- MADE FOR PORTABLE DEEP CLEANERS: For use in BISSELL and other leading portable deep cleaners when used as directed.
- ADVANCED STAINPROTECT TECHNOLOGY: Helps shield carpet fibers from future stains, keeping carpets looking cleaner longer and maintaining a fresher appearance over time.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
