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.
As for washing bedsheets that have been peed on, normal laundry soap and warm water should work fine, provided the stain is fresh. If, however, the bedsheets were previously stained with pee and too much time has elapsed, then, sadly, the stains may not come out easily.
Laundry Detergent and Vinegar
Another method to remove pet urine from soiled laundry is to begin with a cold-water rinse under a faucet, aiming the water directly at the stain. Then wash the item on the hottest recommended washing machine setting, using detergent along with one cup of white distilled vinegar.
strip the bed, put the soiled sheets in the washing machine (if they have one. if not, place them inside a plastic bag ready to be taken to a laundromat). if there's a mattress protector, make sure you put that in the wash too.
Machine wash your sheets on the cold-water wash cycle and use a heavy-duty laundry detergent. Avoid using hot or warm water. We also recommend that you add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle, which will help to remove the unpleasant urine smell from the fabric.
Without rinsing off the detergent, place the garment into the washer with other items. Leaving the detergent on the stain will give your wash that extra boost of cleaning power. Wash on the usual cycle, on the hottest wash temperature indicated. Always check the instructions on the garment's care label.
Urine can dry fairly quickly. In fact, it may virtually disappear within about two to four hours.
How long can you leave wet washing for? If damp clothes or bedding have been left in the washing machine or a basket for more than 8-12 hours we recommend giving it another wash. If it's been over 12 hours it's a safe bet that they will need to be re-washed.
You can hang sheets on a drying rack, curtain rod, retractable clothes line, banister or even a door. Run your hand against the folded edge of the fabric hanging, to make sure it is smooth and not bunched up. Using a freestanding fan to create more airflow will speed the dry time.
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.
Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.
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.
“The smell gets more concentrated over time,” Dr. Kornreich says. Additionally, once a urine stain dries, you may no longer see it without using a black light. But you can still smell it, and so can your cat, which can lead them to pee in that area again.
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.
No Soaking Wet Clothes
Clothes that are soaking wet or dripping are heavy and this added weight in a standard dryer could damage it as it spins the load around. Always let your washer fully complete its spin cycle before removing the damp clothes and putting them in your dryer.
If you're worried about any stains, pour some hot water on the area with a little bit of detergent mixed in. After this you can wash the sheets normally. The same principle can be applied to your little one's clothes.
In order to properly disinfect your bedding, you need to use the right laundry settings. Don't just set it on cold like you do for your colored clothes! Instead, you need to be setting your washing machine to the hottest temperature setting. This is because heat kills germs!
Most urine stains can be cleaned either with a homemade vinegar cleaner, or a homemade hydrogen peroxide cleaner. Foams soak up liquids quickly, so all-foam beds can hold onto the smell of urine more than other mattresses. Many urine smells can be removed by making and using a simple baking soda paste.
Bed-wetting that starts in adulthood (secondary enuresis) is uncommon and requires medical evaluation. Causes of adult bed-wetting may include: A blockage (obstruction) in part of the urinary tract, such as from a bladder stone or kidney stone. Bladder problems, such as small capacity or overactive nerves.
Accidents happen. It's one of those facts of life. But they don't have to ruin your mattress. Whether you encounter a wet pee spot or a dried urine stain, the situation can ultimately be remedied with a few easy cleaning steps.
Throw all bedding into the wash.
As soon as you catch the accident, strip your sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases, and any other bedding you may have and throw it in the wash with a strong laundry detergent. Wash at the warmest temperature that your bedding can stand to help break down the urine and odors.
Mattresses are rarely cheap, and leaving a stain can damage a warrantee or invite a hefty fee from a landlord. But it's not just an irritation. Urine in a mattress can be dangerous and lead to health issues too, from bug bites to respiratory issues caused by fungal spores.
Take the urine to a Laboratory (Lab) Service Center as soon as possible, within 24 hours after ending the collection. Keep the urine cool.