How to get urine smell out of laundry?

Author: Jordon Littel  |  Last update: Monday, July 28, 2025

Before washing your urine-stained clothing item with a laundry detergent, you can try soaking it in a sink or tub with a mixture of baking soda and warm water—although, in most cases just washing it with a high-quality detergent like Tide will suffice.

What kills urine smell in laundry?

White Vinegar and Baking Soda: This duo is a powerful cleaning agent. Start by rinsing the clothes with cold water to dilute the urine. Then, soak them in a solution of white vinegar and water. Once they've soaked for about 30 minutes, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the affected areas before laundering.

How much vinegar do I put in my laundry to get rid of urine smell?

Use vinegar - put it into the detergent dispenser - about a half cup for a full load. It will get any urine smells out - human or animal.

Why does my laundry smell like urine after washing?

  • Residual Urine : If the clothes were not rinsed properly before washing, any residual urine can remain and cause odor.
  • Washing Machine Issues : Bacteria or mold can build up in your washing machine, especially in the rubber seals and detergent dispensers.
  • Detergent Build-Up

What neutralizes the smell of urine?

Combat Urine with Hydrogen Peroxide and Surfactants Together

The hydrogen peroxide in Clorox ® Urine Remover breaks down the odor at its source through oxidization and removes uric acid crystals.

How to get rid of a pee smell in Clothes

What is the best laundry detergent for urine?

For tough stain and odor removal, add a pac of Tide PODS® Ultra OXI 4in1 Laundry Detergent to your washing machine before adding your urine-stained items. For those with sensitive skin who want a hypoallergenic edge, use Tide PODS® Free and Gentle.

Does the smell of urine ever go away?

Most changes in urine odor are not a sign of disease and go away in time. Some foods and medicines, including vitamins, may affect your urine's odor. For example, eating asparagus causes a distinct urine odor. Foul-smelling urine may be due to bacteria.

What is the best urine odor remover?

Final Verdict. Overall, we recommend Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover for its versatility on multiple surfaces and effectiveness in treating fresh and set-in stains. It is also safe for pets, according to Dr. Miller, and boasts a nice citrus scent that helps further mask odors from stains.

Can I put vinegar in my washing machine?

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.

How to remove bad smell from washing machine?

Baking soda and vinegar:

For both top-load and front-load washers, start by adding 1/4 cup of baking soda directly into the washer drum. Then, pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Run a hot wash cycle without any laundry.

What do nursing homes use to get rid of urine smell?

Hospitals, nursing homes, health care clinics, and other facilities have relied on ZORBX® as the guaranteed odor remover for urine, bile, human waste and other body fluids. Try it and Start Enjoying The Sweet Smell of... Nothing.

Does oxiclean remove urine odor?

Oxyclean is a good product to remove the urine and fecal odors from the home.

How long does it take for vinegar to remove urine smell?

Urine smells like ammonia, and this is neutralized with white vinegar. After blotting the area dry, pour the vinegar solution on the affected area, and let the solution soak for 10 minutes to reach the deepest fibers in the rug. Use paper towels to blot and dry the vinegar solution.

How to get pee smell out of dryer?

Here's a quick, sustainable hack to eliminate odors: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spritz the inside of the dryer, and wipe it down. Follow up by running the dryer on high heat for 20 minutes.

What is the best laundry odor remover?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: Lysol Laundry Sanitizer at Amazon $13. ...
  • Best Value: OxiClean Odor Blasters Stain & Odor Remover at Amazon $14. ...
  • Best for Tough Odors: Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster at Amazon $22. ...
  • Best Smelling: ...
  • Best Eco-Friendly: ...
  • Best Bio-Enzymatic Formula: ...
  • Best for Athletic Wear:

What happens if you mix vinegar and laundry detergent together?

Before going further, we have to warn you: adding vinegar or baking soda to the wash along with your laundry detergent increases the risk of poorer cleaning performance, as detergents are optimized for a specific pH level, which is altered by the presence of these two household additives in the wash.

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar?

White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.

Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?

“For removing odors, I would say vinegar.” Some people, however, prefer white vinegar because it's not as harsh as bleach. Unless, of course, your washing machine has been completely neglected, and is now a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, and you want a power cleaner.

What will absorb the smell of urine?

Baking soda is great at removing the smell of urine. To draw out a stubborn odor with baking soda, you'll need: Baking soda. Distilled white vinegar.

What can I add to wash to remove urine smell?

Create a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and cold water in a bucket or sink. Submerge the garment in the solution and let it soak for about 15-30 minutes. Vinegar helps break down the uric acid crystals and remove the scent.

What cleaner kills the smell of urine?

To get the smell of urine out of a carpet, use a high-quality pet odor neutralizer once the area is clean. Use carpet stain remover if the area still looks stained after it's completely dry. Avoid using steam cleaners to clean urine odors from carpet or upholstery.

Does OxiClean remove human urine odor?

If the urine stain is dried or old, soak the fabric in cool water and oxygen-based bleach, such as OxiClean, Clorox 2 for Colors, or OXO Brite. Follow the directions on the package on how to mix the solution. After presoaking for at least 30 minutes, launder in warm—not hot—water with your regular detergent.

How to wash pee out of sheets in a washing machine?

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.

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