Remove the Odor of Urine in 4 Easy Steps

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   Blot the affected area to absorb as much urine as possible. If you come upon fresh urine, use a thick towel to soak up as much of the urine as you can Blot lightly to avoid pressing the liquid into the fabric. [1]

   • It is beneficial to fold the towel so that you can constantly refold it to use a dry side when one side becomes damp.
   • The towel will most likely stink after you're finished, which is a good thing. It means that the blotted item has not absorbed the odor—the towel has. The towel should be fine after a good wash. But, just in case, don't use your favorite towel.

2. 2

   For a quick fix, spray on a fabric odor eliminator. If you don't have time to fully treat the area, a fabric odor eliminator will temporarily mask the odor. However, keep in mind that these products do not actually solve your problem; they simply provide a temporary solution. If you truly want to eliminate the odor, you will need to return and clean the area at some point. [2]

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3. 3

   Use a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water to clean the area. Fill a squirt bottle halfway with your mixture and spray it on the surface. The vinegar dissolves the uric acid in the urine and also removes the stain. Allow the mixture to dry naturally. [3]

   • Diluted vinegar is generally safe for fabrics, but if you're concerned, perform a spot test in an inconspicuous area before applying it to the urine stain.
   • If you want to try to speed up the drying process, set a fan to blow on the area. However, avoid using a hairdryer because heat can exacerbate the odor.

4. 4

   To absorb odors, sprinkle baking soda on the fabric. If the spot is dry to the touch, use a wet rag to get the baking soda to stick where you want it. Scrub the baking soda into the fabric's surface with a soft fabric brush or a washcloth. [4]

   • Allow the baking soda to sit for 5-10 hours before vacuuming it up. It works best when left uncovered, but you may need to move the furniture or cover the area with a laundry hamper or something similar to prevent anyone from tampering with it.

5. 5

   If the odor persists, use an enzymatic cleaner to remove it. Purchase an enzymatic cleaner online or at any cleaning supply store. To apply the cleaner, follow the directions on the product bottle. Simply saturate the surface with the cleaner and rub it in with a towel or washcloth. [5]

   • This is the least labor-intensive option, so if this is a recurring problem, it's better to buy a bottle of cleaner and use it first before attempting other methods.

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1. 1

   Use a paper towel and basic floor cleaner to clean wood, tile, and other hard floors. If there is a puddle, soak it up with a paper towel and wipe it off the floor. After you've soaked up the puddle, clean the area with your regular floor cleaner. [6]

   • This should suffice as long as you caught it quickly and the liquid did not soak into the floor.

2. 2

   Unsealed hard surfaces should be rubbed with a paste of water and baking soda. Pour a little baking soda into a bowl, then dribble in some water and thoroughly mix it. Continue to add water until you have a thick paste. With a sponge or cloth, rub this paste into the surface. [7]

   • Wait until the paste has completely dried before wiping it away with a clean, damp cloth. If there is still some odor, repeat the process.
   • You might want to place an upside-down box or other container over the spot, especially if it's in a high-traffic area, to keep people from walking on it or pets from messing with it.

3. 3

   On carpets or rugs, use an enzyme-based cleaner. These cleaners can be purchased online or anywhere cleaning or pet products are sold. Because pet urine is much stronger than human urine, pet products will also work for human urine. [8]

   • Follow the instructions on the bottle for application. While specifics vary by brand, most will instruct you to simply saturate the area in the cleaner and allow it to dry—that's all.
   • Some cleaners instruct you to rub the cleaner into the surface with a rag to create a lather, then wipe away the excess lather.
   • Enzymatic cleaners are also effective at removing urine odors outside, particularly on man-made surfaces.

4. 4

   For long-term odor removal, sprinkle baking soda on the affected area. Whenever you do your regular cleaning, sprinkle baking soda on and around the area. Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming. [9]

   • The baking soda will aid in the removal of any lingering odors. Simply leaving a little baking soda in the fibers of carpets or rugs can keep the area fresh. Simply rub it in thoroughly so that it is not immediately visible.

5. 5

   For old or deeply embedded stains, hire a professional cleaner. If you've tried everything and still have an odor, call a professional. When you call the company, tell them everything about the problem, including how long the spot has been there and what you've tried so far to get rid of it. [10]

   • You may also be able to rent a wet vacuum or carpet cleaner from a nearby discount or home improvement store. If you still have an odor, don't use steam cleaners with hot water—they will lock in the odor and make it even more difficult to remove.

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1. 1

   Check the care label to see if the item is machine washable. The care label will also include the water temperature. Compare the water temperatures if you need to wash several items—you'll want to wash them at the warmest temperature recommended that won't harm any of your items. [11]

   • If the item is labeled "dry clean only," don't take any chances; instead, take it to your local dry cleaner as soon as possible for the best chance of removing the stain and odor. Make sure you tell them where the stain came from so they can treat it properly.

2. 2

   Wash as usual after adding baking soda to the machine. Place only the urine-soiled items in the washing machine, along with an entire box of baking soda and your regular detergent. Use the warmest possible cycle for the items you're washing. [12]

   • If the bleach detergent is safe for the fabrics you're washing, you can also use it. [13]
   • When the cycle is finished, check to see if the smell is still present. If it is, repeat the washing process. If you let them dry, it will be much more difficult to remove the odor.

3. 3

   If baking soda does not work, try an enzyme-based detergent. Enzyme-based products break down the uric acid in urine to permanently eliminate the odor. Enzymatic laundry detergent can be found wherever regular laundry detergent is sold—look for ones with the words "bio" or "enzymatic" in the name. [14]

   • Enzymatic products are available from many major laundry detergent brands. If you have a favorite brand, chances are they also make an enzymatic version that can be used to eliminate urine odor.

4. 4

   Hand-washable items should be soaked in warm water with an enzymatic laundry product. It is preferable to use a hand-washing detergent rather than a machine detergent for this. Machine detergents may be too harsh and cause fabric damage. [15]

   • This soak can also be used to pre-treat items that will be washed in the machine. [16]

5. 5

   If possible, air dry your items outside. Fresh air and sunlight will greatly aid in the removal of the odor from the fabric. Hang your items on a line to catch the breeze. [17]

   • Even if it is not possible to hang your laundry outside, it is preferable to air dry them inside rather than using the dryer. Heat is bad for urine and may cause the odor to return even if you think it's gone.

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1. 1

   Undiluted white vinegar should be sprayed down the toilet. Fill a spray bottle halfway with white vinegar and liberally spray it all over your toilet, including the sides, under the bowl, and all over the lid. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes to disinfect your toilet and break down any spilled urine. [18]

   • You can also use vinegar in the toilet bowl, followed by baking soda. The mixture will immediately foam up, and you can use it to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl with your toilet brush.
   • Cleaning your toilet at least once a week will keep your bathroom clean and fresh, as well as aid in odor control. [19] If you see urine on or near the toilet, wipe it up right away to help keep the odor at bay between toilet cleanings.

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   Using a clean rag or paper towel, remove the vinegar. If you or someone else in your home is sensitive to the smell of vinegar, repeat the process until the smell is gone. Still, the vinegar smell is preferable to the urine smell, right? [20]

3. 3

   Scrub around your toilet with a damp sponge and baking soda. Because baking soda is slightly abrasive, it will aid in the removal of any dried-on urine that has accumulated on or around your toilet. Baking soda also aids in the neutralization of odors. [21]

   • Scrubbing your bathroom floor with baking soda removes any urine that may have dripped there. As a bonus, the floor will be spotless.

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