How to Remove Urine Odors and Stains Permanently

Co-authored by Susan Stocker and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: November 19, 2023 Approved

Whether someone had a bedwetting accident or your pet peed on the carpet, urine odors and stains can be aggravating to deal with. Fortunately, you can treat most urine messes with simple, homemade solutions or a good enzymatic cleaner. If the stain has been sitting around for a while, try tackling it with hydrogen peroxide. You can also wash soiled clothes or bedding with a little vinegar.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Up Fresh Stains

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1
Blot up any excess urine immediately. As soon as you find a fresh urine stain, use a clean cloth to soak up as much excess urine as you can. If it’s on a carpet, mattress, or upholstered furniture item, gently blot the stain instead of rubbing or pressing hard, since this can force the urine deeper into the fabric or cushion.^{[1]
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Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
- If the pee is on a hard floor, you can simply mop or towel it up.
- A wet/dry vacuum is also a great option for getting up the excess urine without forcing it deeper into your carpet or furniture.
2
Make a solution of dishwashing liquid, cold water, and vinegar. Once you’ve blotted up the urine, mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dishwashing liquid, 2 cups (470 mL) of cold water, and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of vinegar together in a small bowl and stir to combine them. The vinegar will help break down the uric acid that contributes to the urine smell.^{[2]
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- If you’re washing a carpet, try using a commercial enzyme cleaner instead. Look for a cleaner designed to eliminate urine or pet odors.
Warning: Some animal behavior experts recommend against using vinegar, ammonia, or any other strong-smelling chemical cleaner on urine stains left by pets. The stronger odor combined with the remnants of their urine smell may simply encourage them to use the area again. Instead, stick to a high-quality enzymatic cleaner.

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3
Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and gently sponge the area. Start at the center of the stain and slowly work your way toward the middle. Be careful not to press too hard, so that you don’t force the urine and cleanser deep into the fabric.^{[3]
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- If you can still see or smell the urine, go over the stain again.
- Try testing the cleanser in an inconspicuous spot before using it on the stain. If it stains or damages the surface you’re trying to clean, you may need to call in a professional cleaner.
- If you’re using an enzyme cleaner, simply spray it onto the stain and the surrounding area, then let it sit until it is completely dry.
4
Use a damp cloth to rinse out the solution. Get a clean, soft cloth and dip it in clean water. Wring out the excess water and gently dab the area until you get up all the cleanser.^{[4]
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- If you used an enzyme cleaner and let it dry, vacuum it out of your upholstery or carpet instead of rinsing it.
5
Pat the area dry with a microfiber cloth. After rinsing out as much of the solution as you can, take a clean microfiber cloth or towel and gently dab the area to soak up any remaining dampness. You can also use a wet/dry vacuum to try to remove excess moisture.^{[5]
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- If you still see or smell the stain after cleaning and drying the area, you may need to repeat the process or contact a professional cleaner.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Treating Old Stains and Odors

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1
Mix baking soda, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and dish detergent. Combine 3 tablespoons (43 g) of baking soda, 10 fluid ounces (300 mL) of hydrogen peroxide, and 3 drops of dish detergent together in a bowl and mix them until the baking soda is dissolved. Then, pour the solution into a spray bottle.^{[6]
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- Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are both good odor neutralizers, and hydrogen peroxide will also help eliminate visible stains.
- You can use this solution on hardwood flooring or upholstery, but be aware that it may cause discoloration.
- For carpets, use a commercial oxygen-activated enzyme cleaner instead.
2
Spot-test your cleanser in an inconspicuous area. Since hydrogen peroxide can discolor or bleach many surfaces, it’s important to test it out before using it. Find a small, inconspicuous area (such as a spot on the back of the couch) and spray a little of the solution on. Let it sit until it dries, then check for discoloration.^{[7]
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- If you see a stain or discoloration, you may need to have the surface cleaned professionally.
Tip: If you’re cleaning a hardwood floor, you can sand and refinish the area to treat any resulting discoloration.^{[8]
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3
Spray the cleanser on the stain and let it sit for an hour. If you’re not concerned about discoloration, generously spray the stained area with the solution. After allowing the cleanser to sit on the stain for a full hour, come back and check if you can still see or smell any obvious urine. If so, spray the area again and wait another hour.^{[9]
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- If you’re using an enzyme cleaner, let it sit until it dries.
4
Rinse away the cleanser by dabbing the area with a damp cloth. Once the cleanser has had time to work, take a clean cloth and dip it in plain water. Wring out any excess water and blot the area until you get up all the cleanser residue.^{[10]
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- It’s important to clean up as much of the cleansing solution as possible, since the hydrogen peroxide could continue to damage the surface over time if you let it sit.
- If you used an enzyme cleaner, vacuum it out once it’s dry. There’s no need to rinse it.
5
Pat the area dry with a clean microfiber towel. After rinsing out the stain, take a clean microfiber cloth or towel and gently dab the area until you soak up as much water as possible. You can also try to get out the excess moisture with a wet/dry vacuum.^{[11]
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- If the stain is still there, you may need to repeat the process or have the surface professionally cleaned.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Laundering Urine-Stained Fabrics

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If urine has gotten onto something washable, such as a bedsheet or some clothing, put the item in the washing machine immediately. Add 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar to the wash, and wash the item for a full cycle using cold water.^{[12]
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Alternative: Mix a 1 lb (0.45 kg) box of baking soda with the amount of detergent you would normally use to wash your clothes, and add that to the wash.^{[13]
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2
Repeat the wash cycle a second time with detergent. Once you’ve washed the item with vinegar, put it through the wash again as you normally would, using your regular detergent. This time, use the hottest water setting that you safely can with the fabric in question.^{[14]
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- If you can still see or smell the urine after washing the item a second time, try adding an enzymatic cleaner to the wash.^{[15]
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  Go to source} There are a variety of enzyme-based laundry detergents, pre-soaks, and stain removers on the market.
3
Soak set-in stains in vinegar and water overnight. If the stain has been sitting on the fabric for a long time, you may need to do some extra work to get it out. Try placing the item in a sink or tub filled with cold water and 1 cup (240 mL) of cold vinegar and allowing it to soak overnight. In the morning, wash the item with detergent as you normally would.^{[16]
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- Repeat this process as many times as necessary to get the stain or odor out.

Expert Q&A

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How can I get rid of urine odors after I've cleaned up the mess?

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Answer

Once the urine is cleaned up, sprinkle baking soda over the area. Let the baking soda sit for at least one hour, although you can leave it out for longer if you'd like. This will give the baking soda time to absorb the odors. Vacuum up the baking soda when you're done and inspect the area. The smell should be gone, but you can repeat this process if it isn't.

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How can I get a urine stain and odor out of a mattress without letting my parents know?

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If the stain is fresh, you can try cleaning it up with a detergent, vinegar, and cold water solution. Toss any towels or cleaning cloths you use into the laundry and wash them immediately. You'll need to let the mattress air out until it's completely dry before putting fresh sheets on it. For older stains, you might need to use a little hydrogen peroxide or an enzyme cleaner.

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How do you remove the smell and stain of human urine on driver's side seat?

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Try the vinegar, dish soap, and cold water solution to clean up the stain. Leave the windows open if possible to let the car air out as you work, and make sure to blot up as much excess moisture as you can. If you have a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, you might try using that to help get the moisture out. For an older stain, you might need an enzyme cleaner or some hydrogen peroxide (if you can use it without damaging your upholstery).

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Tips

If you’re having trouble finding the source of the smell, darken the room as much as possible and shine a black light around. Any urine stains should glow pale green or yellow.^{[17]
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If you’re cleaning up a pet stain, take any urine-soaked cloths or towels that you used in the cleanup process and place them in an approved bathroom area. This will help encourage your pet to go in the right place.^{[18]
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Warnings

Before attempting to clean any type of upholstery, look at the tag to check what kinds of cleaning products you can safely use. Some fabrics will be badly damaged if you use the wrong type of cleanser.

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Don’t use steam cleaners to clean urine stains on fabric, upholstery, or carpet. The steam will help bind the proteins from the urine to the fibers in the fabric.^{[19]
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