URINE CONTAMINATED RUGS

Cautions:

1. Always inspect and pre-test. Document and photograph. Note all pre-existing damage.
2. Urine contamination contains pathogens and is unsanitary. Wear appropriate PPE with
gloves as a minimum. Protect from cross contamination.
3. Look for urine damage. Not just odors, but also yellow stains. Urine contains yellow dye
(urochrome or urobilin). Also, look for urine salts. Old urine dries into alkaline urine
salts. You may see white crystalline residues and rings. You may also feel a stiff hand
on the face pile. The backing can become stiff. Urine is fluorescent under ultraviolet
light. A moisture sensor can also detect urine both old and new.
4. Urine can also physically damage the rug. The wool fibers themselves can be damaged
from the high pH of old urine. Look for dry rot and mold damage. Cotton and other
natural fibers can become weak and fall apart from old urine. Inspect for delamination
on tufted rugs. Quote for repairs before washing.
5. Test for bleeding and crocking. Rugs that test as colorfast can still bleed dyes where there
is urine deposits. Some dyes will change colors because of urine. Quote for color
repairs before washing.
6. Inspect rug cushion and flooring below if applicable.
7. Communicate these pre-existing conditions with your client. Do Not promise 100%
perfection. Many are able to guarantee 100% odor removal, but other issues may be
beyond complete restoration.
8. You cannot successfully surface clean a urine contaminated rug, it must be immersion
washed.
9. Have a release of liability signed before washing.

Washing procedures:

1. Dust rug. Remove as much dry particulate soil as possible as urine odors can come from
the dry urine salts.
2. Rinse the rug with a large volume of cool, clear running water. Flush the toilet. Flush rinse
until the water runs clear. Squeegee off.
3. Apply Urine PreTreatment solution to neutralize crystalline, alkaline salts. Treat all areas with
urine contamination, front and back. Many times it is best to treat the entire rug. Work
in with roller or squeegee. Allow 10 minutes dwell time. Then thoroughly work in again
with hand brush, shampooer or other tool. Allow another 10 minutes of dwell time.
4. Rinse with cool, clear water. Use a high-volume of rinse water if possible. Rinse until all suds
are gone and water is running clear. Squeegee off.
5. Apply Triple Deodorizing Rug Shampoo solution to the entire rug, front and back, get the
fringes too. Work in with hand brush or other tool, front and back, get fringes again.
physical contact must be made with every molecule of urine to be effective. Work/
soak into every knot, every yarn, every fiber. Allow 10 to 20 mins dwell time.
6. Rinse with cool, clear water front and back.
7. Squeegee, roll, wring out, extract or centrifuge to remove excess water.
8. Speed dry.
9. Groom pile and comb out fringes.
10. Post inspect. Check for odors. Look for urine salts. If you find some, rewash as above.
Correct color loss or damage if the customer has agreed to pay for the repairs. Wool
Rug Revitalizer can be applied to repair damage to the fibers or rug repairs may be
necessary. Yellow stains may be removed with 3% hydrogen peroxide and sunlight or
other ultraviolet light (UVA).

Note: if colors are migrating, add a rinse cycle of Dye Release solution to rinse
away color contamination.