How to Remove Pee Smell from Carpets and More

You've undoubtedly faced the difficulty of eliminating the odor of urine from carpets, clothing, and upholstery if you have pets or a kid who is potty training. Accidents will inevitably occur.

Fortunately, a variety of potent carpet stain removers that also address pet odors are available for fast spot cleaning. Additionally, if you would prefer not to scrub, think about spending money on a carpet cleaner to do the labor-intensive chore.

Using cleaning items you probably already have on hand, follow these strategies for getting urine off soft surfaces in your house.

Prior to Starting

Because urine is acidic, the longer it remains on textiles, the more harm it can inflict and the more strongly the stench will cling to the fibers. To offer yourself the best opportunity of getting rid of the urine odor from carpets and other soft surfaces, it's always better to clean as soon as possible.

RELATED: We Tested Robot Vacuums for Carpet: Here Are the Top Performers

What You'll Require:

For Getting Pee Stains and Smells Out of Carpet:

• Paper towels or white cloths
• Distilled white vinegar
• Dishwashing liquid
• Spray bottle
• Baking soda
• 3% hydrogen peroxide
• Vacuum

For Getting Pee Stains and Smells Out of Couches:

• Baking soda
• Distilled white vinegar
• Paper towels
• Microfiber cloth
• Vacuum

For Getting Pee Stains and Smells Out of Clothes:

• Baking soda
• Laundry borax
• Laundry detergent
• Laundry sanitizer or chlorine bleach (depending on fabric color and type)

RELATED: How to Remove Paint from Carpet (Latex or Oil-Based)

How to Remove Pee Smell from Carpet with a Homemade Cleaning Solution

Step 1: Blot the area.

• Use paper towels or a white cloth to wipe the urine right away if it's fresh.
• Press down firmly, wearing shoes, until there are no more moisture transfers.
• Cleaning may become more difficult if you use colorful rags unless they are colorfast.

Step 2: Get a Fresh Pee Cleaning Solution

• Ready: In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup water, 1 cup distilled white vinegar, and 2 teaspoons dish soap. For later use, mark and store.
• Regarding Old Pee Stains: In a spray bottle, combine 2 drops dishwashing liquid, 1 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide, and 3 teaspoons baking soda. Since hydrogen peroxide loses its effectiveness when exposed to light, make fresh every time. Give it a good shake.

Step 3: Use the Cleaning Agent

• Fresh Pee: Use a generous amount of the vinegar solution to soak the stain.
• Old Pee: Apply the baking soda solution on the stain and leave it for 20 minutes.

Step 4: Clean the Stain

• Fresh Pee: Using a clean white cloth or a carpet brush, begin at the perimeter of the stain and work your way toward the center. This stops the spread. To remove the solution and stain, blot with a fresh cloth or paper towels.
• Old Pee: Rinse after using a white cloth to blot the area and absorb the solution.

Step 5: Use water to rinse

• To remove residue, fill a spray bottle with ordinary water and mist the cleansed area.
• Using dry cloths, thoroughly blot until all moisture has been removed.

Step 6: Vacuum and Air Dry

• Allow the carpet to air dry entirely.
• To revive the carpet fibers, vacuum the region.

RELATED: Your Carpet Is Probably Dirtier Than You Think—Here’s What You Need to Know About Professional Cleaning.

How to Remove the Odor of Pee from a Couch Making Use of Baking Soda and Vinegar

Different fabric kinds make it more difficult to remove urine odors from upholstered furniture. Always read the care label:

• W or WS Labels: Safe for wet cleaning agents; follow the instructions below.
• Labels S or X: Seek advice from a professional cleaner or use dry techniques like baking soda.

Use these procedures to remove new urine stains from couches that have a W or WS care label:

Step 1: Blot the stain.

Gently dab the area with a paper towel. To stop more absorption into the fabric, avoid rubbing.

Until the area seems almost dry, keep blotting.

Step 2: Use a Solution of Vinegar and Water

Combine 4 parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar. A 1:1 ratio should be used for stronger scents.

To eliminate smells, apply the solution by pouring or spraying it onto the afflicted region.

To avoid stains on microfiber couches, use rubbing alcohol rather than vinegar.

Step 3: Clean the Discoloration

To prevent the stain from spreading, scrub it with a sponge from the inside out.

To make sure the cleaning solution gets into the fabric, use a lot of pressure.

Step 4: Add Baking Soda

Spread a thick layer of baking soda over the treated area.

To absorb odors, leave it for at least four to six hours or overnight.

Step 5: Perform a Complete Vacuum

Vacuum the baking soda until it is fully dry.

The urine odor should completely disappear when vinegar and baking soda are combined.

RELATED: The Best Carpet Cleaners We've Tested and Reviewed

How to Use Detergent to Remove the Odor of Pee from Clothes

Urine scents must be removed from clothing using the suitable washing methods and supplies. Always read the care label on the clothing before beginning:

• Dry Clean Only: Bring it to an expert cleaner and let them know where the stain came from.
• Fabrics that can be washed: Take the actions listed below.

Step 1: Let it soak

• Prepare a presoak if washing right away isn't feasible or if the stain has dried.
• Cover the fabric with water in a plastic tub or sink.
• For every gallon of water, add 1 cup baking soda or ½ cup laundry borax.
• Until you're ready for a thorough wash, let the fabric soak.

Step 2: Use Baking Soda, Detergent, and Hot Water to Wash

• For the cloth, use the highest water temperature that is advised.
• To the wash cycle, add 1 cup baking soda and a strong, enzyme-based laundry detergent.

Step 3: Clean the Cloth

• Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer (suitable for all fabric types) on white or colored garments.
• Use chlorine bleach according to the directions on the label for white, 100% cotton garments.

Step 4: Sniff Test

• Check for any remaining odor after washing.
• Avoid using a dryer if the scent continues since heat can trap odors.
• To make sure the stench is gone, let the item air dry before taking another sniff.

Step 5: If required, repeat

• Repeat the soaking and washing procedures if smells persist.
• Make sure the detergent you're using has enzymes to efficiently break down odor molecules.

Step 6: Allow to dry

• Odors can be further eliminated by line drying outdoors.
• The garment is safe to use in the dryer if it passes the scent test.

RELATED: How to Remove Coffee Stains from Carpet