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How to Remove Urine Stains & Odors
Urine stains can leave behind both visible discoloration and lingering odors if they aren't treated properly. Whether you're cleaning clothing, bedding, carpets, upholstery or hard surfaces, acting quickly can help prevent stains from setting and odors from becoming more difficult to remove. Follow these tips to remove urine stains and odors from common household surfaces.
Importance of cleaning urine stains
Urine contains compounds that can soak deep into fabrics, carpet fibers and porous materials. As urine dries, it can leave behind stains and create odors that become more noticeable over time. Fresh stains are typically easier to clean than dried urine stains, but even older stains can often be removed with the right cleaning approach.
What to use to remove urine stains
Clean paper towels or cloths for blotting
How to remove urine stains & smell from clothes and laundry
Rinse the fabric
Rinse the stained area with cool water to help remove as much urine as possible.
Pretreat the stain
Pretreat with Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover, using the cap to pour the solution directly onto the fabric or apply with a clean towel until the stain is covered. Let sit for 5–10 minutes. Blot the area with a clean, damp towel to remove product residue. Test an inconspicuous area first. Do not use on fabrics that water-spot like suede, leather or silk, or on clothes while wearing. Keep kids and pets away from surface until dry.
Wash
For white, bleach-safe fabrics, wash with detergent and 1/3 cup of Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach. If you are washing colors, use Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover along with your detergent.
TipFor odor removal, pour the appropriate amount of Clorox FreshGuard™ Laundry Odor Remover to your machine’s fabric softener dispenser or directly to rinse cycle.
Check before drying
If clothing still smells like urine after washing, avoid placing it in the dryer until the odor is gone. Repeat the wash cycle if necessary and inspect the garment before drying.
How to get pee stains & odors from bedding
Remove the bedding and rinse any stained areas with cool water to help flush away as much urine as possible. Pretreat with Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover, using the cap to pour the solution directly onto the fabric or apply with a clean towel until the stain is covered. Let sit for 5–10 minutes. Blot the area with a clean, damp towel to remove product residue. Next, wash the item according to the care label instructions. For colored bedding, you can add more Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover to the wash along with your detergent.
For white, bleach-safe bedding, Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach can help remove urine stains, deodorize fabrics, and keep whites looking bright. Before drying, check that both the stain and odor have been removed. If a urine smell remains, wash the bedding again and add Clorox FreshGuard™ Laundry Odor Remover to the wash to help remove lingering odors before using heat, as drying can make lingering odors more difficult to eliminate.
How to remove urine stains from couches & carpets
Soft surfaces can trap urine below the visible surface, making thorough cleaning essential. Start by blotting up as much urine as possible using clean paper towels or a cloth. Avoid rubbing, which can push the stain deeper into fibers and spread it further.
For deep cleaning hard surfaces, use Clorox™ Urine Remover, which is designed to break down urine soils and help eliminate urine odors on many surfaces. Follow the product label instructions carefully and always test in an inconspicuous area before use.
Does bleach kill urine smell?
Bleach does not remove urine odors on its own and should not be used to clean fresh urine. Because urine contains ammonia compounds, mixing bleach with urine can produce hazardous gases. Instead, treat with Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover, using the cap to pour the solution directly onto the fabric or apply with a clean towel until the stain is covered. Let sit for 5–10 minutes. Blot the area with a clean, damp towel to remove product residue. If you're cleaning a bleach-safe, hard, nonporous surface, you can disinfect it with Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover after all urine has been removed and the surface has been cleaned, following the product label directions. This two-step approach helps safely address both urine smell and surface disinfection.
Clorox products vs. natural household ingredients: Which cleans better?
| Cleaner | Best for | Disinfects? | Sanitizes? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover | All-in-one stain fighter for laundry, upholstery, carpet, car seats, pet beds and more. | No | No |
| Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach | Disinfecting bleach-safe, hard, nonporous surfaces after urine has been completely cleaned up | Yes | Yes |
| Clorox™ Urine Remover | Breaking down urine stains and eliminating urine odors on hard and soft surfaces | No | No |
| White vinegar | Neutralizing light urine odors and removing mineral deposits | No | No |
| Baking soda | Absorbing lingering urine odors and gentle spot cleaning | No | No |
| Hydrogen peroxide (3%) | Treating light urine stains on some surfaces (spot treatment) | Partial | Partial |
Tips for using bleach to remove urine stains
- Do not use bleach until the urine has been fully removed.
- Not sure what bleach-to-water ratio you need? Check out our handy chart.
- Use freshly mixed solutions. Bleach degrades over time when diluted.
- Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or any other cleaner; doing so can create dangerous fumes.
- Wear gloves and ensure good ventilation during use.
What to avoid when removing urine stains from clothes and bedding
- Don't let the stain sit – treat it as soon as possible.
- Don't use hot water before the stain is removed.
- Don't use bleach on urine until it has been completely cleaned away.
- Don't rub the stain – blot and pretreat instead.
- Don't machine dry until both the stain and odor are gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the best way to remove urine stains?
The best way to remove urine stains and smells from clothes and bedding is to treat the affected fabrics with the right laundry products. Use Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach on white, bleach-safe fabrics to help remove stains and sanitize laundry. For colored fabrics, Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover helps tackle urine stains while helping keep colors bright.
- What neutralizes urine instantly?
The best way to neutralize urine is to clean it as soon as possible before stains and odors set in. Blot up as much urine as you can, then clean the area with an appropriate cleaner for the surface. Clorox™ Urine Remover helps break down urine stains and odors on hard, nonporous and soft surfaces when used according to the product label. For laundry washable items, you can add the appropriate amount of Clorox FreshGuard™ Laundry Odor Remover to your machine’s fabric softener dispenser or directly to rinse cycle.
- Does dog and cat pee stain? How to remove pet urine stains and odors?
Clean pet urine as soon as possible to help prevent stains, odors and moisture damage to hardwood floors. For step-by-step instructions on removing dog or cat urine stains and odors from hardwood floors, see How to Remove Urine Stains & Pet Hair From Hardwood Floors.