I recently bought my first house, but unfortunately, the previous tenants never cleaned up for over a decade. They had a dog that used the wooden stairs as a bathroom, and now that I've torn up the carpet, the smell is still really strong. The wood is raw and unvarnished, and I see some stains, but I'm more focused on eliminating the odor than fixing the aesthetics. I thought about spraying vinegar on it, but I'm looking for any other suggestions to neutralize the smell without replacing the staircase altogether. Any advice?
3 Answers
I've had some success using vinegar and also OxiClean on fresh stains, but since this is deeply soaked into the wood, it might be tough. Wood doesn't absorb cleaning chemicals very well, so consider trying Borax; it’s known to penetrate wood a bit better. However, if the smell continues, you might need to think about replacing the treads and risers eventually.
A commercial enzyme cleaner could be really effective here. Alternatively, you could mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, apply it to the stained areas, and let it dry. Afterward, brush or vacuum the residue. It should help pull out the odor and lighten those stubborn stains. Just a heads-up, you might have to do it a few times for really bad spots!
Using an enzyme cleaner is a solid option. Just spray it on and let it soak in, especially since the stains don’t bother you. Another method is to mix baking soda and water to make a thick paste. Apply that generously, let it dry, and then sweep or vacuum up the leftover powder. It might take a few applications, but it could help reduce the smell over time.