How to Remove a Urine Smell in the Air

Accidents can happen with pets and kids.

Urine stains from your small child or pet's accident can leave behind lingering odors even after the stain is removed. Odor-causing bacteria found in urine are the culprit of the unpleasant smell that sticks around after cleanup. Even when the stained area is clean, microscopic bacteria can remain behind causing the odor to stay. You can effectively get rid of a urine odor in your home by treating the source of the smell as well as that which is wafting through the air.

Things You'll Need

• Pet odor neutralizer
• Vacuum
• Bowls
• White vinegar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Vanilla extract
• Spoon

Instructions

1. Cover the site of any recent urine stains with pet odor neutralizer. If the area has dried add enough water to make it barely damp. Leave the odor neutralizer on the surface overnight to break down and absorb odor-causing bacteria.

2. Vacuum up the pet odor neutralizer the next day.

3. Fill small bowls with white vinegar. Set the bowls in random areas throughout rooms with the urine smell. As the vinegar evaporates into the air it neutralizes and absorbs the urine smell.

4. 

   Fresh air and sunshine remove urine odors in your home.

   Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate in the room. Fresh air is a natural, effective odor remover.

5. 

   Freshly ground spices add a pleasant aroma to the air.

   Mix equal amounts of ground cinnamon and ground cloves in a bowl. Add a few drops of vanilla extract and stir with a spoon. Allow the spicy aroma to waft through the room with the urine smell to remove the odor and replace it with a pleasant scent.

Tips & Warnings

• Sprinkle baking soda over any surfaces with urine odor to absorb the offensive smell.

• Drop a bit of vanilla extract or peppermint essential oil onto a cotton ball and place it in the smelly room to get rid of the odor.

References

• Humane Society: Removing Pet Stains and Odors
• University of Kentucky: Odors: What's That Smell?
• Good Housekeeping: Heloise Hints: How to Get Rid of Household Odors: Baking Goods