The characteristic urine odor occurs naturally due to bacteria and uric acid crystals, or in other words crystallized urine residue. These crystals often get trapped in wet, porous surfaces, such as clothing, fabrics or carpets and release a strong ammonia odor when bacteria consume urine. Therefore, it is not enough to simply “wipe” or dry urine stains; even if the stain no longer leaves a mark, the urine smell doesn't go away immediately. However, there are a number of methods that can help you get rid of the unpleasant urine odor on your clothes, toilet, furniture and floors.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Cleaning Machine Washable Items
Step 1. Put the object that is exposed to urine in the washing machine
Do not mix objects that have been exposed to urine with regular laundry. It is best to separate the two until the stain has been removed.
Step 2. Add 500g of baking soda
You can add this baking soda to your detergent and washing machine as usual.
If baking soda is not available, add cup of apple cider vinegar to the laundry with your regular detergent
Step 3. If possible, air dry the washed item
If it's hot outside, take it out and leave it in the sun. Sunlight and a light breeze can be very effective at neutralizing and removing odors.
Step 4. Wash again with the washing machine if the smell still smells
This time, add a biodegradable and non-toxic enzymatic cleaner to help break down and remove odors. Enzymatic cleaners can be purchased at pet stores, home supply stores and convenience stores.
Method 2 of 4: Cleaning the Toilet
Step 1. Spray the toilet with vinegar
You don't need to dilute the vinegar. Spray all surfaces and crevices of the toilet thoroughly. Then, let the vinegar soak for a few minutes.
Step 2. Clean the toilet
Use a clean rag or paper towel to wipe down every nook and cranny in the toilet.
Step 3. Wet a washcloth and use it to wipe the toilet again
Take a new, clean washcloth and wipe the entire surface of the toilet again to remove any excess vinegar.
Step 4. Repeat all the steps above to clean the floor, pipes and walls of the toilet
This will help get rid of any traces of urine that can emit an unpleasant urine odor, not only from the toilet, but also from the surrounding surfaces. After all, we all know that sometimes urine can splash all over the place!
Step 5. Clean the toilet and its surroundings regularly
Cleaning the toilet regularly will help ensure that urine stains don't build up in the toilet and the bathroom will always be clean and fresh.
Method 3 of 4: Cleaning Furniture
Step 1. Use a deodorizing product for the fabric
Popular brands include Glade and Febreeze. You can buy them at supermarkets, home supply stores, and pharmacies. These products are sold in spray bottles where you can spray the furniture until it is damp, then let it dry on its own.
Using a deodorizing product for fabrics will leave the fabric smelling fresh and fragrant. However, these products usually only mask odors and don't actually remove urine stains and odors. Consider using this product as a temporary solution
Step 2. Make and use a homemade cleaner
There are several choices that can be made with materials you might have at home. Don't forget to test the cleaner on hidden pieces of furniture before using it to clean the entire stained area. You certainly don't want all of the furniture to change color. This risk is always present if you use any cleaner on furniture.
- Use a mixture of baking soda and peroxide. Mix 450 grams of hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Apply the mixture on the area affected by the urine until it is completely wet. Leave it to dry completely. If you see white residue, use a vacuum cleaner to clean it.
- Make a solution of water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. Mix equal parts warm water and distilled white vinegar. Dip a clean cloth or rag in the solution, then rub the stain in a circular motion. You should do this at least twice before letting it dry. You can also use a hairdryer or fan to help speed up the drying process. If the odor persists, you can risk spraying the stain with pure vinegar. If the odor persists, it means the urine has seeped deep into the fibers of the fabric. So, spray enough vinegar to penetrate the fibers of the fabric.
- Try scrubbing the stain with rubbing alcohol. Moisten the stain with rubbing alcohol, then blot the liquid with a dry cloth.
Step 3. Use baking soda directly
This chemical compound fights odors naturally. Pour a generous amount of baking soda (don't be stingy!) on the stain until it's completely covered. Use the brush in circular motions to help the baking soda penetrate the fibers of the fabric.
- Once the baking soda has penetrated deep enough into the fibers of the fabric, use a vacuum cleaner to clean it. Using a vacuum cleaner will help an odor-fighting agent penetrate the fibers while removing excess baking soda.
- You may need to repeat it twice if the urine smell is still strong or very strong.
Step 4. Purchase and use a commercial urine cleaning product
Try to find an enzymatic cleaner. Enzymatic cleaners break down urine stains and molecules that cause urine odor. This product contains agents that produce bacteria that facilitate the growth of bacteria that will work to break down urine.
- The most popular brands are marketed for treating pet urine, but they can also be used for human urine. One of the products in question is Simple Solution, Nature's Miracle, Urine Off and Odor Remover.
- Follow the instructions for use listed on the product.
- This method does not require hard work, but on the other hand you need to buy commercial products.
Step 5. Ask a carpet or sofa cleaning company for help
This option should be made as a last resort if the smell persists after you have tried all of the above. Call the company of your choice and describe your current situation and see if they can work it out. Ask them for different options and make sure you read the reviews other customers have given about the company.
Keep in mind that using the services of a sofa cleaning company can cost a lot of money. Do not let you have to spend almost the same as buying new furniture
Method 4 of 4: Cleaning the Floor Surface
Step 1. Use a homemade cleaner
Take a spray bottle, mix 140g of hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of baking soda and teaspoon of orange-scented dish soap or 3 drops of orange essential oil. Shake the bottle to mix all ingredients well. Then, spray the stain until it's completely wet, then let it dry. Once dry, the solution will leave a powder-like residue. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean it.
- You may need to repeat this process if the smell has not gone away.
- This formula is effective for wood, linoleum and carpet floors.
Step 2. Use a commercial cleaning product
Besides being effective for furniture, enzymatic cleaners are also suitable for use on floor surfaces.
Step 3. Hire an extractor or wet vacuum cleaner if you work with carpet
This tool will help remove any traces of urine stains on carpets which tend to be more vulnerable because urine can seep into the fibers, unlike hard surfaces. This machine works like a regular vacuum cleaner, but uses water. This tool works by pushing clean water into the carpet and sucking up dirty liquid afterward.
- Find out if you can rent an extractor or wet vacuum cleaner at your local home supply store.
- Follow the instructions given and use the machine with care.
- Do not use other chemicals or additives when operating this machine. You just use water.
- Do not use a steam cleaner to remove urine odors from carpets. The heat will make the stains and odors stick permanently because it causes the protein in the urine to bind to the fibers of the fabric.
- You can also ask a professional to clean the carpet. Or, if it's a room rug, you can take it to a professional carpet cleaner. However, this option can be very expensive and it may be cheaper to buy a new carpet.
Warning
- Don't forget to test any homemade cleaners or commercial products before using them to remove stains. Make sure the cleaner won't damage clothes, furniture or floors when used to remove stains.
- If this problem occurs frequently at home, determine whether the cause is a human or a pet. Consider using a black light (available at home supply stores) to find old urine stains. You have to turn off all the lights, then use the black light to look for the smudges. Mark the area with a marker, such as chalk.
- The best way to get rid of urine odor is to prevent it! Make sure urine is only excreted in places that are intended for it, for example outside the house, bathroom, litter box, and so on. Prevention is the key!
