I don\u2019t mind admitting that I regularly deal with clothes soaked in pee. Just this morning, I walked into my baby\u2019s room and immediately noticed a strong smell. I knew right away that his diaper had leaked, and I\u2019d have to wash his sleep sack. It\u2019s even worse when daycare sends back soiled items in plastic bags, essentially soaking clothes in pee for hours. Whether you\u2019re a parent, pet owner, caretaker, or just cleaning up an accident, here\u2019s what you need to know about removing urine stains and smell from clothes, carpet, mattress, and couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The yellowish color of urine comes from urochrome, a chemical produced when the body breaks down dead blood cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While pee can leave a yellow stain that may intensify as it dries, it\u2019s usually not a difficult mark to treat, especially if laundered within 12-24 hours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Normally, the urine of a healthy, well-hydrated person doesn\u2019t have a strong smell. However, even small changes in diet can make the odor more intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not drinking enough water can make pee smell like ammonia, certain foods (like asparagus) can create a strong scent, and conditions like bladder infections, urinary tract infections, or diabetes can affect the odor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To effectively remove the smell of urine from clothes, gather the following items depending on the method you choose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond the obvious smell, urine is acidic and can damage clothing fabric, making it smell bad and weaken its structure. Even after the stain disappears, the lingering ammonia in urine can leave a persistent odor, especially in non-washable items like car seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fresh urine has a pH of 6.0, making it acidic. However, if left for a long time, its pH can rise above 8.0, turning it into an alkaline chemical. The strong alkaline salt in old urine can harm the fabric fibers of clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To prevent these issues, it\u2019s crucial to remove urine as soon as possible. Don\u2019t worry; we\u2019ve put together an easy guide to help you remove urine stains and odors from your clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can wash the stained item right away:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For hand-wash-only items<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For stains you can\u2019t wash immediately (like reusable diapers or bed sheets):<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your towels have a stubborn, lingering smell, don\u2019t give up on them just yet. Try this all-natural solution using Borax and washing soda, with a touch of white vinegar for good measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Supplies:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Directions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 1: Pre-Soak with Baking Soda:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 2: Thoroughly Rinse:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 3: Wash According to Care Label:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 4: Air Dry:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 5: Smell Test:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve shared the methods, now let\u2019s talk about the reliable products to have on hand when dealing with those unpleasant accidents and pee smells in your clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 1: Blot the Urine:<\/strong> If the urine is still fresh, quickly blot it with paper towels or a white cloth. Use your weight, preferably with shoes on, to press fresh towels into the carpet until no more moisture is transferred. Avoid using colored rags to prevent bleeding dyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 2: Prepare a Cleaning:<\/strong> Solution For fresh urine, mix 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 cup of water, and 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Label and keep it for future use. For old stains, combine 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, and two drops of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Remember to mix this solution freshly each time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 3: Apply the Cleaning Solution:<\/strong> Spray the vinegar solution on fresh urine stains until the carpet is very wet. For old stains, spray the solution on the carpet and let it sit for 20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 4: Scrub the Carpet:<\/strong> For fresh urine, use a clean white cloth or a carpet scrub brush to gently scrub the stain from the outside edges toward the center, preventing the stain from spreading. Continue moving to a clean area of the cloth as you see discoloration. For old stains, use a white cloth to blot and rinse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 5: Rinse with Water:<\/strong> Spritz the cleaned area with plain water from a second spray bottle to rinse away the soapy residue. Blot with dry cloths until no more moisture is transferred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 6: Air Dry and Vacuum:<\/strong> Allow the area to air dry for both fresh and old stains. Finally, vacuum to lift the carpet fibers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: <\/strong>If you have a light-colored carpet, use hydrogen peroxide, but avoid it on dark carpets as it may cause discoloration due to its mild bleaching effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As outlined in out\u00a0mattress cleaning guide<\/strong>\u00a0follow the methods below;<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you catch the accident quickly, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This process generally eliminates urine smells and prevents permanent stains. Use plenty of baking soda and allow enough time for it to absorb excess moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If stains are already set in, use a stronger cleaning solution with these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This method uses a more potent cleaning solution that allows it to soak into the stained area. As it dries, the peroxide evaporates, drawing urine upwards with the baking soda, neutralizing stains and odors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> Peroxide may bleach some materials, so test it in a small area first. It may also slightly damage or discolor materials like memory foam. Use it sparingly and remove colored bedding to avoid bleaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your mattress still smells of urine after cleaning, follow the methods below;<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cleaning urine odors from sofas and upholstered furniture can be a bit challenging due to the variety of fabrics. It\u2019s especially important to choose a sofa that is kid- and pet-friendly. Follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 1: Blot the Stain:<\/strong> Use a paper towel to blot, not rub, the stain until it\u2019s almost dry. Avoid letting the fabric absorb more of the urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 2: Cleanse with Vinegar and Water: <\/strong>Mix one part distilled white vinegar with four parts water (or half and half for extra-smelly stains). Pour or spray this solution on the fabric to neutralize the odor. If you have a microfiber couch, use rubbing alcohol instead of vinegar to avoid staining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 3: Wipe the Stain: <\/strong>with a Sponge Starting from the inside and moving outward, apply pressure as you scrub the stain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 4: Sprinkle Baking Soda: <\/strong>Cover the entire spot with enough baking soda and let it sit overnight. If time is limited, wait at least 4-6 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 5: Vacuum: <\/strong>Once the fabric is thoroughly dry, use a vacuum to remove the baking soda. The combination of vinegar and baking soda should completely eliminate the pee smell.<\/p>\n Views: 9<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I don\u2019t mind admitting that I regularly deal with clothes soaked in pee. Just this…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2114,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cleaning-tips"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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Use Borax and Washing Soda to Tackle Tough Urine Stains<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to Get Rid of Old or Dried Urine Stains<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to Remove Urine Smell from Clothes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Using Vinegar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Remove Set-In Urine Odor With Baking Soda and Laundry Detergent<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Best Products for Tackling Urine on Clothes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to Get Urine Stains and Smell Out of Carpet Using a DIY Cleaning Solution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Get Urine Stains and Smell Out of Mattress<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fresh Urine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Urine Stains on a Mattress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Removing Urine Smell from a Mattress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How to Eliminate Pee Smell from a Couch<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n