How to Clean Urine From Furniture

Urine stains can ruin the appearance of couches and chairs.

Urine from animals and humans can produce unsightly protein stains on upholstered furniture. Bodily fluids quickly soak into upholstery and leave distinctive odors that make sitting on furniture unpleasant. Urine stains can cause beautiful furniture to appear dingy and unkempt, and protein stains become more difficult to remove the longer they remain on furniture. Promptly clean animal urine from furniture to prevent pets from reinforcing the area. Fortunately, basic cleaning solutions can effectively remove urine from furniture.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Plastic bowl
• 2 cups cold water
• 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap
• 2 undyed cotton cloths
• Wet vacuum
• Enzyme-based odor neutralizer

Instructions

1. Blot the furniture with paper towels to absorb the urine. Soak up as much urine as possible.

2. Fill a plastic bowl with 2 cups of cold water and 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Thoroughly mix the solution.

3. Dampen an undyed cotton cloth in the soapy water. Blot the upholstery with the damp cloth until the urine stain is completely removed.

4. Moisten another undyed cotton cloth with cold water. Blot the upholstery with the damp cloth to rinse out the soapy water.

5. Extract any remaining urine from the furniture using a wet vacuum attachment. Operate the wet vacuum as directed by the manufacturer's instructions.

6. Spray an enzyme-based odor neutralizer over the upholstery to thoroughly eliminate any remaining urine odors. Apply the neutralizer according to the directions on the product's label.

Tips & Warnings

• Test the soapy water and enzyme-based odor neutralizer on an inconspicuous area of the furniture to make sure the upholstery does not become stained or discolored.

• Do not use a steam cleaner, as the heat may permanently set the urine stain in the upholstery.

• Do not clean pet urine stains with chemical products, ammonia or vinegar; the strong odors can encourage animals to continue urinating on the furniture.

References

• "Good Housekeeping": Stain Buster - Urine
• Humane Society of the United States: Removing Pet Stains and Odors
• Ohio State University: Quick and Easy Stain Removal