How to Get Rid of Human Urine Smell

Urine is urine, and whether it's produced by a pet or human, it has a strong, unpleasant smell. To get rid of human urine smell, take time to clean and treat smelly clothing, furniture, carpets, and bathrooms by using either homemade or commercially prepared cleaning products. Because urine develops a strong ammonia smell as it dries, avoid using ammonia when cleaning up urine accidents.

Washable items need to be soaked and laundered to remove the urine smell. Sort the clothing or bedding by color, just as you normally do on laundry day. Put the smelly items into the washer along with 1 scoop of an oxygen bleach or OxiClean per gallon of the hottest water allowed according to the clothing labels. If the urine is old and dried into the clothing, bedding, or towels, consider using a specialty product, like OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Odor Blasters, to help remove the smell.

Soak at least three hours or up to overnight as needed. If soaking in the washer, set the machine to spin and drain the solution and then add more oxygen bleach and an enzyme laundry detergent. After washing, cautiously sniff to determine if the odor is gone. If not, soak again and rewash before drying in the dryer.

Alternatively, mix 1/2 cup baking soda or white vinegar per gallon of hot water in a bucket, sink, or washing machine and then soak the clothing overnight. After soaking, rinse thoroughly and then wash as usual in the washer with laundry soap and add 1/2 cup baking soda to the rinse cycle. If the smell persists, try adding 1 cup white vinegar to the washer and rewash the items. In all cases, make sure the urine odor is gone before drying in the dryer.

The smell from urine accidents also lingers in upholstery and carpets. There are a variety of enzyme products formulated specifically for urine odor removal. Before using any product, read the instructions carefully and test it in an inconspicuous spot to ensure that it won't fade or otherwise damage your upholstery or carpet.

Blot the area with paper towels or clean rags to remove as much urine as possible. Apply the enzyme product according to the package directions. Generally, to remove stains, allow it to soak into the fabric or carpet for 10 to 15 minutes and then blot and allow it to air-dry. For odor removal, saturate the area with the enzyme product and then leave it to air-dry; do not blot.

Oxygen bleach can also be used on furniture and carpets. Mix a general cleaning solution using 1/8 scoop oxygen bleach and 2 cups warm or hot water in a spray bottle. Shake to dissolve the granules and then spray the urine spots and allow the solution to soak in for five to 10 minutes. Rinse with fresh water, blot with paper towels or clean rags, and allow it to dry before vacuuming thoroughly.

Bathroom and kitchen floors are relatively easy to clean. Wipe up the wet spots first and then spray the floor with an enzyme cleaner or urine remover, such as Nature's Miracle or Clorox Urine Remover. Rinse and/or wipe with a damp rag. Allow it to air-dry.

Clean bathrooms at least weekly, wiping around the base of the toilet as well as inside and under the seat to remove urine splatters. In general, urine removers or disinfecting products should be allowed to soak into the grout and tough stains for at least five minutes before wiping dry. You can use a bleach solution, oxygen bleach, or another product to clean the bathroom. Just be sure to turn on the fan and open windows to air the room while you clean.

If you prefer home remedies, you can spray white vinegar onto ceramic tile or vinyl flooring and let it soak for 10 minutes. Then mop or wipe with damp paper towels or rags. Once dry, if there's any lingering smell, scrub unsealed grout with a paste of baking soda and water and then rinse. Alternatively, sprinkle baking soda over the floor and leave it for up to 15 minutes to absorb the odor. Then sweep or vacuum the floor.