Accidents happen, especially when you have pets or young children at home. If you're dealing with the unpleasant odor of pee on your couch, don't worry!
There are just 7 simple steps you can take to effectively remove the pee smell from the couch and freshen up your furniture. By following them, you can make your living room more welcoming again and avoid embarrassment when guests visit.
Read on to learn more about how to get rid of the pee smell on your couch!
Quick Answer on How to Remove Urine Smell from a Couch
- First, blot the wet area with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Then, prepare a water and vinegar mix and spray it over the stain.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the urine stain and leave it overnight.
- Vacuum the baking soda.
- Air the room out.
- Put on high-quality couch covers to reduce further damage.
What You’ll Need
To follow our guide on how to get urine smell out of a couch, you’ll need the following supplies and equipment:
- A paper towel or a clean cloth
- Water
- White vinegar
- A spray bottle
- Baking soda
- A vacuum cleaner
- A steam cleaner (optional)
- Couch covers for all the cushions
The Best Way to Get Pee Smell Out of a Couch
Take a look at our simple step-by-step guide on how to get the smell of pee out of a couch:
Step 1: Blot the Area
As soon as you notice the pee on your couch, grab some paper towels or a clean cloth and blot the area to soak up as much liquid as possible. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this can spread it further into the fabric.
🕝 Tip: Time is crucial in getting urine smell out of a couch as when the pee penetrates the upholstery deeply, it's much harder to protect your sofa.
Step 2: Apply a Cleaning Solution
Mix a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the affected area on the couch with the solution. Vinegar is known for its odor-neutralizing properties and can help eliminate the pee smell.
🛋️ Tip: Test the solution you prepare on a normally hidden part of your upholstery or couch covers to make sure it doesn't do any harm to the area used daily.
Step 3: Baking Soda to the Rescue
After applying the vinegar solution, sprinkle baking soda over the damp area on the couch. Baking soda is great for absorbing odors and can help in removing urine smell from the couch more effectively. Let the baking soda sit for a few hours or overnight.
💧 Tip: If possible, leave the baking soda on the damp stain for around 12 hours.
Step 4: Vacuum the Couch
Once the baking soda has had time to work its magic, use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to vacuum up the baking soda. Make sure to thoroughly remove all the powder from the couch.
♨️ Tip: If you have a steam cleaner, you can also try using it to get the pee smell out of your couch more effectively.
Step 5: Air it Out
After the whole process of getting the pee smell out of your couch, open up windows or turn on fans to help air out the room. Fresh air circulation can help dissipate any lingering odors and leave your couch smelling clean and fresh.
🤍 Tip: It can be particularly tricky to get urine smell out of a white couch without damaging it, so check out our additional tips on cleaning a white couch for extra care.
Step 6: Use a Sofa Cover
Couch covers are an excellent preventative measure against stains and odors. They act as a protective layer, guarding against spills, pet accidents, and general wear and tear. Easily removable and washable, they make maintaining your couch’s cleanliness much simpler.
For this reason, after you get the urine smell out of your couch, you should cover all the cushions with individually fitted sofa covers to avoid having to deal with this problem again and again.
How to Get Urine Smell Out of a Couch After It Has Dried?
It is much easier to remove the pee smell from a couch when it’s fresh and still wet, but if you notice the stain after it has dried, don’t panic—your sofa can still be saved! Simply repeat all the steps a few times until you notice you have achieved a satisfactory result.
Why Are Urine Stains So Hard to Remove?
Urine stains are typically difficult to remove for several reasons:
- Uric acid crystals: Urine contains uric acid, which forms crystals that are not water-soluble. They embed themselves in fibers and other porous materials, which makes them hard to remove.
- Protein content: Urine also contains proteins that bind tightly to fibers, further complicating the removal process.
- Deep penetration: Urine can quickly soak into fabrics, carpets, and other materials.
- Strong odor: The ammonia-like smell of urine can be noticeable even after the stain appears to be gone due to bacteria that feed on the uric acid and other components of urine.
- Discoloration: Urine can cause permanent discoloration, especially on fabrics of lighter colors.
How to Get Rid of the Urine Smell of the Couch - The Bottom Line
By following these simple steps, you can effectively remove the pee smell from your couch and enjoy a clean, odor-free living space once again. Remember, accidents happen, but with the right approach, you can tackle them head-on and restore your furniture to its former glory.
Explore the various variants available, order our machine-washable premium-quality Miracle Sofa Covers or budget-friendly Magic Sofa Covers, and never wonder how to remove human or pet urine smell from your couch!
