Urine stains are not only unsightly, but they can also have a really bad smell. That's why it's important to be prepared when they happen, so you can get rid of them before they set in the fabrics and cause even more unpleasantness.
Avoid Permanent Floor & Fabric Damage
Pet urine can cause permanent damage to your floors and fabrics. It can also create an unhealthy indoor environment. When urine is first deposited onto a floor or fabric, it has a pH of about 5 or 6, which is on the acid side of the pH Scale.
Debra Johnson, a cleaning expert for Merry Maids, recommends running urine-soaked articles through a full-wash cycle using cold water and one cup of distilled white vinegar (without detergent first). Vinegar is an excellent urine stain remover; it breaks down the uric acid in urine and makes the stain easier to remove.
Dried urine stains often are a brownish colour. And if you were holding it for a long time, you almost certainly leaked a bit.
Old or dried urine stains can be difficult to remove, often leaving carpet fibers permanently discolored or with an unpleasant lingering odor. The odor of old urine is due to the bacterial decomposition of the urea in the urine which continues as long as there is moisture.
Urine smell can linger in clothes if not properly treated. Uric acid crystals can embed themselves in fabric fibers and continue to release odor molecules. Proper cleaning methods can effectively remove the smell.
If you notice a urine smell or a dried pee stain on a mattress, there's no reason to panic. You can still nurse that mattress back to health in a few easy steps. First, as with a fresh stain, toss the bedding and the washable mattress protector in the washing machine.
Cold water is also recommended for urine and blood stains. Other stains, especially oily or greasy ones, do better in warm or hot water. Grass and tomato-based stains also are easier to remove in warmer water temperatures.
The longer urine scale has to settle in the toilet, the more stubborn it becomes: It forms multiple layers and gets harder over time. If you buy an old house, you will often find extensive urine scale deposits in the bathroom. Acidic cleaning products are needed to remove stubborn urine stains in toilet bowls.
Baking soda, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide can effectively remove urine stains and odors. Do not mix vinegar with hydrogen peroxide, and, do not put hydrogen peroxide on dark fabrics or carpeting.
Vinegar should not be placed directly in the washing machine. However, it can be beneficial to use it to treat stains and odors prior to washing. Just make sure you thoroughly rinse the items before placing them in the washing machine.
Fortunately, Tide is your best bet for an effective urine remover.
Pro Tip: Wash the urine-stained clothes separately to avoid cross-contamination.
Thank you for the excellent question. The Febreze Fabric Refresher with Gain or the Febreze Pet Odor Eliminator will both work well.
Wash Thoroughly: Wash the clothing using the hottest water safe for the fabric, adding a half cup of baking soda to the detergent. The baking soda helps neutralize odors. Air Dry: Whenever possible, allow the garment to air dry. Heat from a dryer can set any remaining odor, making it harder to remove.
Does urine stain? We can thank urochrome, a chemical that's produced when the body breaks down dead blood cells, for giving urine its yellowish hue. While pee will leave a yellow stain – one that may intensify as it dries – it's not typically a stubborn mark to treat, especially when laundered within 12-24 hours.
Use white vinegar and/or baking soda to treat the smell of dog urine from the couch. Always spot-test before using the products on the spot. Blot the stain: Blot it using an absorbent cloth or paper towel if it is fresh. Apply vinegar: Some couch fabrics can tolerate pure vinegar, while others may not.
Regular urine color ranges from clear to pale yellow. But certain things can change the color. Foods such as beets, blackberries and fava beans can turn urine pink or red, for example. And some medicines can give urine vivid tones, such as orange or greenish-blue.
Wash the urine-stained clothes or bed sheets on the normal cycle, at the warmest wash temperature indicated on the fabric care label. Always check the instructions on the garment's care label before washing to avoid damaging items.
Hydrogen Peroxide Based Products
Products containing hydrogen peroxide can be effective on urine odors and stains.
Protein stains such as dairy, blood, egg, glue, and white deodorant marks should always be washed in cold water. Hot water can actually cook the protein, causing it to absorb into the clothing fibres, and making it almost impossible to remove.
It's not just your nose that suffers from a wet bed. Urine also has some serious risks to your health if it isn't cleaned up properly. Urine contains bacteria, so if its left long enough it can develop mould. Urine contains urea, uric acid and other compounds that can be a risk.
Urine pH: The pH of urine can impact mold growth. If the pH is too acidic or alkaline, it may encourage mold development. Proper hygiene and regular cleaning can mitigate this. Presence of Mold in the Water Supply: If mold spores are present in the water supply, they can find their way into the toilet bowl.
Urine can dry fairly quickly. In fact, it may virtually disappear within about two to four hours. But even if the mattress is no longer damp, the odds are good that you'll still be able to smell the presence of urine. Understanding how to get the pee smell out of a mattress starts with patience.