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Home > Frequently Asked Questions
What makes urine so difficult to clean? Why won't ordinary household cleaners work?
Uric acid crystals are difficult to remove. Urine has several components that can be washed away with ordinary cleaners, but it is the insoluble urine crystals that are the source of most of urine's stain and odour. These crystals cling to any surface, including smooth, hard surfaces like tile and porcelain. Even harsh household chemicals like bleach are ineffective at removing them. Below are more questions that we are often asked. If you do not find the answers to your questions here...please feel welcome to contact us for more information.
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What’s the difference between your black light and others?
“Black” or ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of light wave within a certain, fairly broad frequency range. Within that range, there is a specific light frequency that will cause urine to fluoresce as brightly as possible. Urine-OffTM UV Black Lights are engineered to produce that specific wavelength of UV light, so they simply work better than normal store-bought black lights and make the task of locating urine deposits easier.
Any store-bought fluorescent “black light” will fluoresce dried urine to some degree – but the brightness will depend on the actual wavelength of the light output, and this varies considerably from light to light. Even among different lights of the same make and model, the manufacturing tolerances of consumer-grade black lights are simply not demanding enough to reliably produce a specific UV light wavelength. These lights are fine for their intended purpose, but for the specific job of detecting dried urine, they are less than ideal (note too that incandescent or screw-in household bulbs with “black light” coatings generally do NOT fluoresce urine at all).
Thus, the job is completed faster, easier and more thoroughly
with a Urine-OffTM UV Black Light.
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How do I use the UV black light to find urine?
First, darken the room as much as possible – the darker the room, the easier it will be to detect the dried urine.
Dried urine has a characteristic dull yellow fluorescence or glow. This will help you to distinguish it from other compounds that may also glow. For example, some soaps and detergents will leave residue that glows bright white to an almost blueish white, and lint can glow a very bright white. One way to learn the characteristic colour of dried urine is to take your UV black light into the bathroom and illuminate the toilet and surrounding area. Even in the cleanest bathroom, you should be able to see the dried urine crystals that conventional cleaners cannot remove.
Another way to distinguish dried urine from other compounds is by the shape and location of the stain. Urine stains are generally found in predictable locations, like corners and at the base of furniture, and will have a shape that resembles a puddle or a stream. If cats are involved, be sure to check the baseboards and walls for traces of spraying.
Keep in mind that if the urine was already blotted up or has seeped down into the carpet and most of it has been cleaned off the top layer of the carpet (in the fibres), then it will be harder to find with the black light. In such cases, it may be wise to pull back the carpet in the areas you suspect so you can be sure you’re not missing any smelly spots.
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Why is “protective eyewear” to be used with the UV black light?
Prolonged and direct exposure to UV light can be harmful to the eyes. This is generally a concern only for professionals who use the very bright Industrial Black Light on a regular basis. With the Consumer model (or mini Black Light), the output is not so bright as to cause a problem in ordinary use, though caution should be exercised in never looking directly into the light.
As far as protective eyewear goes, most modern prescription glasses include a UV coating. Inexpensive safety glasses from the hardware or home-improvement store generally include a UV coating –check the product labelling to be sure.
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What is the difference between Urine-Off™ and other products on the market?
Many products on the market attempt to mask the urine odour with another fragrance, or encapsulate (seal in) the urine. Other products dry out the urine salt crystal with alcohol or solvents. These are short-term solutions only and leave the insoluble urine salt crystals in place. How many times have we tried such products and thought they worked, only to have the urine smell return when the product wears off or when high humidity reactivates the crystals?
Even competing products claiming a bio-enzymatic ingredient tend to use inexpensive, readily-available bacteria/enzyme formulas. These products may work well on common organic stains and odours like faeces and vomit, but as we know, dried urine is uncommonly tough.
Urine-Off™ contains bacteria and enzymes that were painstakingly isolated and selected specifically for their appetite for the urine salt crystal. It costs more to make a product this specialized and this concentrated – but the results are worth it!
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Can Urine-Off™ be used on leather?
In most cases, customer feedback and field-testing report excellent results on leather. Urine-Off™ is a mild, water-based product, and it generally does no more harm to the leather than the urine has done. Urine-Off™ will break down the uric salt crystals and leave the leather free of urine odour. However water is no friend to leather, so proceed carefully. When leather gets wet, water forms temporary bonds with the oils lubricating the leather's fibres and floats them away. This leaves leather drier and stiffer. Leather of a low quality that was manufactured with inexpensive dyes may also lose colour. Again, proceed carefully and test in an inconspicuous area, if possible. For best results, always consult with the store or manufacturer where you purchased your leather item.
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Can I use Urine-Off™ on a carpet that has been steam-cleaned or shampooed?
NEVER clean your carpet with steam carpet cleaning until you are sure you have gotten all of your urine and especially urine salt crystals out of the carpet. If not, the steam and water will spread the dried urine over a larger area, making the problem more difficult.
Be aware that steam extraction cleaning typically leaves 30% of the water in the carpet and padding. This is very bad news, since the urine crystals remain un-dissolved and dispersed over a larger area. In extreme cases there can be a moist slurry running under the carpet/pad from wall to wall, all carrying fragrant crystals. It may not smell too bad once dry, but in moist or humid conditions the results can be stunning.
We recommend that if you want to have your carpet steam cleaned, pre-treat well in advance with Urine-Off™ until you are satisfied that the odour and stain are completely gone first (refer to the “How to Use” section of the website and follow the instructions carefully). Then steam clean, if you wish. Our same recommendation applies for anyone planning to shampoo their carpet. Always treat with Urine-Off™ prior to shampooing. Anecdotal evidence from some of our customers tells us that Urine-Off™ may be used as an extremely effective shampoo when used correctly with carpet shampoo machines.
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What if my carpet has already been steam cleaned?
This creates a stream of moisture throughout the fibres of your carpet which can turn a small urine stain into a urine problem that is spread out throughout the entire carpet area. This is especially problematic because the urine smell is no longer only isolated to the area where the visible stain is located, but is now spread throughout the room. For this reason, we always recommend treating all affected areas first with Urine-Off™. If you have shampooed or steam cleaned the carpet prior to using Urine-Off™, don't worry, as the problem can still be solved. More Urine-Off™ will be required to ensure the urine that was spread throughout the carpet from the use of a steam cleaner or shampooer is remediated. The use of a UV Black Light in this situation is extremely helpful, as it will show the user where the urine has spread by the dull yellow glow of dried urine. All of these areas should be saturated with Urine-Off™ and treated just as they were on your initial urine stain. Upon satisfaction that the urine odour is removed is it then it is acceptable to have the carpet shampooed or steam cleaned again, helping to remove all remaining residue.
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Is Urine-Off™ safe to use around animals?
Never spray Urine-Off™ directly on animals or humans – it is approved for use on inanimate objects only! Urine-Off™ is a cruelty-free product that is NOT tested or approved for use on animals or humans.
As the MSDS indicates, Urine-Off™ is safe and mild to use and contains no harsh ingredients, so using it around mammals and people in the home is not a problem.
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Why can’t I dilute Urine-Off™ or put it in my carpet-cleaning machine?
Urine-Off™ is packaged and sold in a ready-to-use form, and should not be mixed with water or any other liquid. Diluting or mixing it with other cleaners will significantly reduce its effectiveness. Instead, pre-treat the area to deal with the urine issue, and then clean normally, if desired. 5ltr or 10ltr containers of Urine-Off™, when not diluted, can be used in carpet shampoo machines with great success in removing stains and odours.
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Will the area no longer glow after successful treatment with Urine-Off™?
Urine-Off™'s bio-enzymatic action will completely remediate, or break down, the urine salt crystals. This is easy to accomplish on a non-absorbent surface like tile or porcelain bathroom fixtures. Because the crystals build up over time, it will initially take a number of treatments to remediate them 100%, but this is not hard to do on such surfaces.
On absorbent surfaces it can be more difficult and involve a great deal of work and expense using professional carpet extraction equipment. In the case of carpet, you're looking at carpet pile, carpet backing, carpet padding and floor underneath. For this reason, removal of all fluorescence is simply too costly and time-consuming for most people. Removal of all urine stain and odour is the practical measure of success! Our suggestion is to use the UV black light as a tool for locating all urine deposits, then use Urine-Off™ as directed to eliminate all urine stain and odour, and then enjoy your clean home!
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Will Urine-Off™ work on upholstery?
Urine-Off™ will remove urine from upholstery such as a couch and chair cushions, following the correct procedures. Refer to the “How to Use” section of the website and follow the instructions carefully.
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How is Urine-Off™ used on mattresses?
Urine-Off™ will remove old stains from a mattress. Because much of the urine has soaked into the inner padding on the mattress, several applications will be needed. The mattress should be really saturated, to ensure that Urine-Off™ comes in contact with all the contaminated padding within the mattress. The box spring should also be treated, as urine will often soak through the mattress and into the box spring. It will take a few applications to completely get rid of the stain.
The process:
- Saturate mattress and box spring (be sure to remove the mattress from box spring before treating).
-Allow to air dry and repeat process as necessary with Urine-Off™.
-DO NOT RINSE UNTIL STAIN AND ODOUR IS TOTALLY REMOVED.
-In most cases, plastic covers are used to prevent urine from getting into the mattress. This should also be treated, or if it has been severely damaged, then thrown out.
Because of the plastic cover, often times urine will become deposited on the metal bed rails holding the box spring and mattress, and will need several treatments as well.
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Does Urine-Off™ remove urine from hardwood floors?
Please remember the basis of urine, when dry, is uric acid salt crystals that literally burn surfaces over time. As such, urine left untreated on a hardwood floor for a number of years will literally burn the fibres of the wood. Urine-Off™ will not be able to reverse this burning.
Wood floors should never be sanded BEFORE being treated with Urine-Off™. Urine-Off™ will not completely pull out the colour of black stains because the wood has already been burned. After following the steps below, area should appear to be a greyish colour, instead of black. This is because the wood has been permanently damaged by the acid in dried urine.
Steps:
1. Treat area with Urine-Off™ and apply plastic covering to area.
2. After half an hour, remove plastic and wipe floor with paper towel. The combination of the plastic and the Urine-Off™ will cause the urine in the floor to begin to bleed to the surface.
3. Apply Urine-Off™ again. Do not apply plastic. After one half hour, wipe floor again, as urine will continue the bleeding process to the surface, even without plastic.
4. Repeat Step Three.
5. Repeat Step Three.
6. Odour should now be removed from the wood floor, and stain should be much lighter in colour. If odours are still present, keep repeating step three until odours are removed.
7. Using a piece of steel wool, work over area that has been stained.
8. Because the acid content in urine has permanently damaged the wood floor, it must be sanded to totally remove burnt areas, before refinishing.
No hardwood floor will be able to just be treated with Urine-Off™, and not sanded after treatment, due to burning of the wood.
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Can Urine-Off™ be used on laundry and bedding?
Urine-Off™ can be used on linens and clothing as a pre-treatment. Soak the stain and allow to sit for fifteen to thirty minutes before washing. Particularly bad stains should be saturated and placed in a plastic bag, to allow the bio-enzymatic action of Urine-Off™ to work longer.
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Will the smell come back after I have used Urine-Off™?
Other products wash away the liquid urine but cannot remove the insoluble urine crystals. When the crystals are reactivated by any kind of moisture, the smell will come back. Urine-Off™ breaks down the crystals so that the smell is gone for good!
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Will Urine-Off™ hurt my fabrics and carpets?
Always test for colourfastness first in an inconspicuous area. Try a spot in the corner of the room, or behind a door. However, extensive tests prove Urine-Off™ to be colour-safe on most materials.
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Will Urine-Off™ work on cat, dog, human or other urine?
Urine-Off™ will remove all types of urine.
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Will Urine-Off™ work on other types of odours and stains?
While Urine-Off™ was developed and 100% guaranteed to treat urine odour and stain, we are hearing from customers who have used it on other organic stains, including faeces, vomit, red wine, coffee and sweat stains with great success. When asked if Urine-Off™ will work on various types of stains, we have learned to say, "We don't yet know what Urine-Off™ won't do!”
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Will Urine-Off™ keep animals from returning to urinate on the same spot?
Urine-Off™ doesn’t deter animals from returning to the spot, but it will completely eliminate the odour so that they are not attracted back to it! Veterinarians and dog trainers across the country are using Urine-Off™ as an effective training tool to house-train puppies as well as modify problematic behaviour in cats.
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I’ve used Urine-Off™ but the smell/stain is still there! What do I do now?
There are a few questions to ask yourself about whether or not you have removed all of the urine:
1. Were other products used on the carpet before using Urine-Off™? Sometimes, if residue from other products linger, it takes much longer for the Urine-Off™ to work. You would want to make sure all other products have been rinsed away with water and then dried before applying Urine-Off™.
2. The urine could be more saturated into the pad and sub flooring - in most cases it tends to pool at the bottom of carpet and spread out in a larger area. Did you treat a wide enough area? If possible, can you lift back the carpet and treat the padding and sub floor underneath?
3. We also suggest covering the affected area with plastic after completely saturating it for 12-24 hours. This will ensure that the Urine-Off™ has time to really do its job on the urine in a contained area.
4. Did you shampoo or steam clean your carpet before applying Urine-Off™? This creates a stream of moisture throughout the fibres of your carpet, which can turn a small urine stain into a urine problem that is spread throughout the entire carpet area. This is especially problematic because the urine smell is no longer only isolated to the area where the visible stain is located, but is now spread throughout the room. For this reason, we always recommend you treat all affected areas first with Urine-Off™. If you have shampooed or steam cleaned the carpet prior to using Urine-Off™, don't worry, as the problem can still be solved, but will require the use of more Urine-Off™ to ensure all of the urine that's spread out through the carpet from the use of a steam cleaner or shampooer, is remediated. The use of a UV black bight in this situation is extremely helpful, as it will show the user where urine has spread by the dull yellow glow of dried urine. All of these areas should be saturated with Urine-Off™ and treated just as they were your initial urine stain. Upon satisfaction that the urine odour is removed, it is acceptable to have the carpet shampooed or steam cleaned which will help remove all remaining residue.
5. Sometimes you may not use enough product. Depending on how old the stain/smell is, and how long it has been there will affect how much product you really need. Our product is guaranteed to work, however, it takes time to do so, and some smells, if they have been there for a long time, take much longer to get out than others. On these occasions, more product is needed to truly finish the job!
6. Did you use a UV black light to check all areas? Urine hides in areas that you may never think it would be. A Urine-Off™ UV Black Light is the best tool to detect all hidden spots.
7. The key to using the UV black light is that there are trace elements that remain in the carpet that are still fluorescing ... you can remove these with a carpet extractor, if you want to get it a truly "Black Light Clean!™" standard. However, this requires renting the extractor, which is not necessary, as the stain and odour have been remediated permanently.
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What if my carpet is still fluorescing even after using Urine-Off™? Does it mean that I still have urine?
A black light is the best tool to detect all spots. The key to using the black light is that there are trace elements that may remain in carpet or fabrics that still fluoresce. Remember, the standard for success is complete odour removal. However, if you would like to achieve a truly "Black Light Clean!" standard by removing all trace elements, use of an industrial strength carpet extractor is recommended.
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