There are many ways to protect your bathroom floor from urine, the most popular ones are disposable floor mats, waterproof mats, washable floor protectors, urine splash guards, or calk. Each method is used for different scenarios such as medical conditions, children, or caring for extra hygiene.
Deciding which option is the most optimal is up to you, however, we usually recommend a combination of a splash guard with an absorbent floor mat. Read more about every method to choose the most convenient one.
Why protect the bathroom floor from urine?
It’s important to address that protecting your bathroom floors is necessary to keep them in good condition. Regular cleaning may not be enough due to the degrading effects of urine. Knowing this can help you reduce those negative effects or completely prevent them.
Why should you exactly protect your floors from urine? Here’s the list of the most common negative side effects of this problem:
- Health problems. Leaving urine on floors can lead to various hygiene-related diseases that affect the health of people living in the household. Additionally, unhygienic floors can also attract insects that further influence the quality of lifestyle.
- Odors. Floors that get covered in urine often develop an unpleasant smell that is hard to remove. Not dealing with this problem soon enough requires the involvement of harsh chemicals in the long run.
- Damage. This is probably the most common negative side effect of urine getting onto the floors. The acid in urine easily discolors and breaks down certain materials such as hardwood, carpets, or even tiles.
- Negative mental effects. Since the environment around us affects our well-being, floors that look worn-down, discolored, or blemished can lead to negative mental effects. This is something that people with a tendency to stress, depression, or anxiety should take into account.
As you can see, disregarding this seemingly small problem can lead to many risks affecting our mental and physical well-being. Try to take care of this problem as quickly as possible to reduce any negative outcomes.
How to protect the bathroom floor from urine?
Protecting your floor from urine not only helps hygiene but also prevents damage, reduces odors, and improves the overall appearance of your floors. Regular cleaning is not enough to prevent all the negative side effects, and prevention is necessary to keep them in good condition. There are many ways to protect your bathroom floors from urine, below you find a list of the most popular ones.
Disposable floor mats
This option is very comfortable as urine mats soak up any moisture that gets onto the floor. That being said, it can be quite costly considering each one has a limited number of uses. Depending on how much foot traffic is inside your bathroom it may be worth investing in one. All you have to do when the mat reaches its limit is throw it out.
Waterproof mats
Those are a little less pricey compared to disposable mats, however, they do not soak up urine. The main point of having one is to protect the floors from the degrading effects of acidic urine on tiles and hardwood in the long run. It’s only suitable for a small amount of urine that accidentally gets there. Regular cleaning is necessary for the mat to work properly.
Washable floor protectors
Washable floor protectors are an excellent middle ground between the two options mentioned above. The protectors come at a very affordable price and easily soak up the urine that splashes outside of the bowl. The best thing is that they are washable, therefore, you don’t have to buy a new one every couple of uses.
Urine splash guards
Splash guards are effective for adults who can properly use the toilet. This solution won’t be a good choice for potty training or older people who miss the toilet when urinating. The splash guard gets installed onto the bowl and deflects any splashes that happen when peeing.
Caulk
Not many people know that caulk can be applied to the toilet bowl to prevent urine from seeping between the bowl and the desk. Proper application is required to make a tight seal and prevent leaks. The material is waterproof, resistant to heat, and can be painted over once it has dried.
To properly apply caulk to your toilet bowl follow the steps below:
- Remove any dirt and debris from the toilet bowl. The surface of the bowl needs to be clean for the caulk to work properly. Washed surface provides better adhesion and prevents contamination during the process.
- Cut the tip of the caulk tube. Cut the tip at a 45-degree angle to make it easier for application. Try to make the tip fit along the edge of the bowl.
- Apply caulk along the gap. Apply caulk along the gap while pressing down to create a solid seal between the two edges.
- Allow it to dry. Allow the caulk to dry completely before using the toilet bowl. This process can take up to several hours, depending on the type of caulk you are using.
- Remove remaining residue. The remaining residue can be removed using a damp cloth.
Once again we would like to highlight that the surface of the bowl needs to be clean and dry, to properly apply the caulk. If it’s necessary, you can try sanding down any rough edges as caulk sticks to a smooth surface easier.
How to clean urine off the bathroom floor?
Cleaning pee off your bathroom floor can be quite problematic without any mat. The process is even more complex if you have a rugged area that can’t be machine washed. In the latter case, we recommend using a carpet cleaner or other form of deep-cleaning.
If you want to remove urine off your bathroom floor, follow those tips:
- Blot up as much urine as possible. Try to remove the maximum amount of urine using paper towels or clean cloths.
- Prepare a cleaning solution. You can use a branded one or create one yourself. To do this, mix warm water with mild cleaning detergent in equal proportions. Many people recommend using dish soap or even white vinegar.
- Apply the solution to the splashed area. Apply the cleaning solution by dipping a clean cloth inside and scrubbing the splashed area. Try to focus on stains if there are any.
- Rinse the remaining cleaning solution. If the stains and odor are gone, you can rinse the area with regular water. Once again dip a clean cloth inside a water bucket and scrub the brushed area to get rid of any cleaning agents.
- Allow the area to dry. Leave the area to dry completely before you use the toilet or even walk there.
When cleaning up urine it’s important to do this as quickly as possible. Leaving urine can lead to stains, floor damage, insects, and more. For removing unpleasant odors we highly recommend mixing equal parts warm water with white vinegar. Many people also advocate using a steam cleaner on tile floors to thoroughly disinfect the area.
Cleaning urine off bathroom floor – Video tutorial
FAQ
What can I put around the toilet to pee?
The most common solutions to this problem are disposable floor mats, waterproof mats, washable floor protectors, urine splash guards, or caulk. That being said, we highly recommend a combination of a urine splash guard with an absorbent floor mat. This solution is economical and highly effective.
Can I put a rug under my toilet?
Rug won’t be a good solution for absorbing urine that splashes from the bowl. Natural fibers will quickly get damaged due to the acidic character of urine and will be home to various insects and germs. Cleaning rugs and carpets are much harder than washing a floor protector or throwing a disposable floor mat.
How do you disinfect a bathroom floor?
Start by removing any dirt and debris that is on the floor. If there’s urine you should remove the excess by bloating it with paper towels or clean cloths. Scrub the floors with a cleaning solution applied to another clean cloth and remove any stains. If the odor persists, we highly recommend using white vinegar and water solution. To kill all germs and completely disinfect the surface, continue with steam cleaning. Finally, allow the floor to dry completely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to protect your bathroom floors from urine we would recommend investing in disposable floor mats, waterproof mats, washable floor protectors, urine splash guards, or calk. Each method does well in terms of protecting your floors, however, a combination of a splash guard with a disposable floor mat is the most convenient one.
For the most economically friendly option, we would switch from disposable floor mats to washable floor protectors. However, don’t forget that this method requires regular cleaning and disinfecting to work properly.
Laura Avila, a female writer and cleaning enthusiast, shares her expertise on Cleaningfan.com. With years of experience, Laura provides practical tips to maintain a clean and organized home. Her articles inspire readers to create a comfortable living space.