Why is urine in carpet so difficult to remove?
When urine is allowed to dry and remain in the carpet or other material, it begins bonding itself to the fibers. The longer it is allowed to remain the stronger the bond becomes. Proteins (chains of amino acids) physically bond to the fibers while other portions of the urine crystallize into salts, forming ionic (electric charge) bonds. At this point it has become impossible to completely remove by cleaning alone. When these mishaps occur the urine quickly saturates the face yarns and puddles on the carpet backing. Any excess then soaks through the backing into the carpet pad. Given average carpet/pad thickness and levels of absorbency, 1/2 cup of hot urine will penetrate clear to the hard floor beneath and spread into a circular pattern about 6″ wide. Recurring urination in the same area tends to spread these hidden spots in ever-widening circles, contaminating more of the pad, the hard floor, and backside of the carpet.In the meanwhile, mother nature begins the processes of decay. Th
