How do you get animal urine smell out of a couch?

Having a pet can be a joy, but dealing with the aftermath of accidents on furniture can be a challenge. When animal urine soaks into a couch, it can leave behind an unpleasant and stubborn odor. The smell comes from bacteria digesting compounds in the urine. Left untreated, the smell can linger and make the furniture unusable.

The good news is that with the right cleaning methods, you can get rid of that bothersome pet urine smell in your couch. It will take some work, but you can restore your furniture and eliminate the odor. Here are some effective tips for removing both new and old animal urine stains and smells from a couch.

Supplies Needed

Before getting started, gather the following supplies:

• Paper towels
• An enzyme cleaner or pet odor eliminator
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Dish soap
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Rubbing alcohol
• Clean water
• Laundry detergent
• Pet stain and odor remover
• Leather cleaner or saddle soap (for leather couches)
• Odor absorbers or air fresheners
• A vacuum
• A scrub brush
• An extractor machine (optional)

Step 1: Blot Up Excess Liquid

If the accident just happened, start by blotting up as much liquid as possible. Use paper towels or an absorbent cloth to soak up all the excess from the surface. Apply pressure and lift straight up to pull liquid from the couch instead of spreading it around.

Step 2: Flush the Stain

Next, flush out the stain with warm water. Wet a cloth with clean water and gently sponge the soiled area. The goal is to dilute and rinse away any residue. Avoid rubbing, which can further set the stain. Flush with water until no more color from the stain appears on the cloth.

Step 3: Apply an Enzyme Cleaner

Once you’ve soaked up all the liquid possible, spray the area thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner formulated for pet stains and odors. Look for a pet odor eliminator with natural enzymes that work to digest the compounds causing the smell. These cleaners will break down the urine at a molecular level.

Use an ample amount of cleaner to saturate the fabric. Let it soak in for 5-10 minutes. The longer it sits, the better it will be able to neutralize odors. After letting it soak, blot the area with clean paper towels.

Step 4: Make a Vinegar Solution

As an alternative or in conjunction with the enzyme spray, make a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water. Vinegar is acidic and will counteract the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. It provides an effective one-two punch against stubborn urine odors.

Spray or sponge the vinegar solution liberally onto the affected area. Let it soak in completely. Then blot with towels to absorb the moisture. The vinegar smell may be strong at first but will dissipate as it dries.

Step 5: Apply Baking Soda

Now apply a generous layer of baking soda over the area and let it sit for several hours or overnight if possible. As a natural absorbent and deodorizer, the baking soda will leach out any remaining moisture and odor. The longer it has to work, the more effective it will be. Vacuum the area thoroughly after letting it sit.

Step 6: Scrub with Detergent

Next comes a round of scrubbing. Make a solution of one part dish detergent to one part warm water. Use a small scrub brush or cloth to gently scrub the stained area with the detergent solution. This will help loosen up any remaining residue from the urine.

After scrubbing, extract the area with clean water to rinse out the suds. An extractor machine works best for thoroughly flushing the area of soapy water. But you can also use towels to blot up as much liquid as you can.

Step 7: Deodorize with Hydrogen Peroxide and Ammonia

If odors still linger after enzyme cleaning, try deodorizing with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Combine one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with one part clear ammonia. Pour it into a spray bottle.

Spritz the solution liberally over the stain. Let it bubble and fizz on the fabric for 5-10 minutes. The chemical reaction helps release and neutralize stubborn odors. Blot up the solution with towels after it has finished reacting.

Step 8: Apply Pet Stain Remover

As an extra precaution, apply a pet stain and odor remover solution to the area. These are formulated to target tough urine stains and smells. Spray the product over the entire stain according to label directions. Let it completely dry.

Step 9: Mist Vinegar and Water

For good measure, lightly mist the area with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. The added dose of vinegar will further counteract urine salts and odors. Let the vinegar solution dry completely. The smell will dissipate over time.

Step 10: Place Absorbents Nearby

Place odor-fighting absorbents nearby while the area dries. Baking soda, charcoal bags, or odor neutralizing gels can help absorb lingering odors as the couch fully dries. Position them around the area and leave them for several hours or a day.

Tips for Old or Set-In Stains

For older or set-in urine stains that have been allowed to linger, repeat the soaking, scrubbing, rinsing, and deodorizing steps several times for the best results. The more cycles, the better.

If stains have been allowed to set untreated for more than a day or two, they will be much harder to eliminate. But don’t give up hope. With patience and persistence, even old dried-in stains can be conquered.

Here are some additional tips for tackling stubborn old urine stains and smells:

• Soak the stain with an enzymatic cleaner, vinegar solution, or commercial urine remover. Use an extractor to flood the area and rinse thoroughly.
• Lightly scrub with a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution. Rinse again with clean water extracted out.
• Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water and spray liberally over the stain. Let bubble for 10 minutes before blotting.
• Make a baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with just enough water to form a thick paste. Spread over the stain and let sit overnight under a plastic wrap.
• Rent an ozone generator and seal the couch in a room with the machine running for 4-8 hours. Ozone helps remove odors at the molecular level.
• Consider renting a carpet cleaning machine if dealing with extensive set-in stains. Use the upholstery attachment to thoroughly flush and extract the couch.
• Replace foam cushions or cushion covers if cleaning methods are not effectively removing deep set-in odors.

Leather Couches

Leather couches require a more delicate approach. Harsh cleaners and excessive moisture can damage leather. Follow these tips for cleaning urine stains on leather:

• Blot urine immediately with paper towels. Avoid abrasive rubbing.
• Mix a very diluted vinegar solution of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water. Sponge it gently onto the stain.
• Clean with a small amount of mild leather soap on a soft cloth. Avoid over-wetting the leather.
• Rinse by blotting with a lightly damp clean cloth.
• Apply a leather conditioner when dry to restore moisture.
• Stuff cushions with baking soda to absorb odors for a few days.

For stubborn urine odors in leather, contact a professional leather cleaner. Harsh DIY cleaning can ruin the finish.

Preventing Repeat Stains

No matter how thorough the cleaning, pet urine stains may reappear if pets smell leftover odors and repeatedly mark the spot. Here are some tips to prevent repeat stains:

• Close off access to any areas with frequent accidents.
• Clean up accidents immediately to avoid smells imprinting.
• Try repellents sprays made to deter pet marking.
• Address behavioral causes of frequent urination.
• Protect upholstery with washable covers or blankets.

When to Call a Professional

For severe pet urine damage that has soaked down deeply into furniture padding and fabric, professional upholstery cleaning may be needed. Professional strength cleaners and extractors can thoroughly flush out stains and odors from cushioning materials.

Signs you may need professional couch cleaning include:

• Visible staining or darkening of cushion materials
• Strong ammonia smell from old urine saturation
• Evidence of pet urine leaking through to frame or floor below
• Failed attempts at complete odor removal with home cleaning
• Extensive damage from repeat marking over time

For costly upholstered furniture with stubborn set-in stains, professional strength cleaning can be well worth the investment to restore the piece and remove unpleasant odors.

Conclusion

While the prospect of cleaning animal urine from a couch may seem daunting, it can be done. With the proper cleaning methods and products, pet urine stains and odors can be successfully removed from fabric upholstery. It will take patience and diligence, but you can eliminate those unpleasant smells and restore your furniture.

By using the right combination of enzyme cleaners, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and detergents, you can break down and leach out pet urine residues stuck in fabric. Partner that with thorough extraction and you can get rid of even old set-in odors. With the right tools and techniques, you can have clean, fresh-smelling upholstery once again.