You’ll spend most of this time waiting for the products to work their magic.
Cost
Up to $25
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Spray bottle
Rags
Vacuum cleaner
Furniture steamer (optional)
SUPPLIES
Cleaning solution
Enzymatic cleaner
Baking soda
Paper towels
Whether you’re a pet owner or you have little ones running around, accidents happen. While a mop can take care of accidents on your linoleum flooring, couches can be a different beast altogether. Thankfully, it’s easy to learn how to get pee smells out of your couch once and (hopefully) for all by following this DIY method.
Prepping to Remove Pee Smell From Your Couch
You have the best chance of permanently removing the pee smell from your couch if you address stains as quickly as possible. To do so, you’ll need to keep the necessary cleaning supplies on hand. That way, you can avoid rushing to the store while unfortunate stains seep into your couch.
If the accident is fresh, wipe away any pee before you attempt to get rid of the odor. Use paper towels or old rags to remove wet spots on the couch. Be sure to dab at the accident rather than vigorously wipe against the grain, as this can damage the couch fabric.
Prep the Couch
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With any remaining urine out of the picture, take the odorous cushions off the couch if possible. This step will make it easier to access the stained area. If you can’t remove the cushions, don’t panic. Move onto the next step of the smell-removal process.
Make the Cleaning Solution
There are several options for banishing bad odors from your couch, including homemade solutions and store-bought products. A wet, fresh stain on your couch is easier to eradicate than one that’s had time to seep into the cushion. To save time, create a DIY cleaning solution using household products. You should inspect your couch label to see which cleaning solutions you can use and which you should avoid.
Here are the recipes for two homemade cleaning solutions to use on couches:
Hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and mild dish soap: Combine 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of mild dish soap into a spray bottle.
White vinegar and water: Combine two parts water and one part vinegar into a spray bottle.
Test the Cleaning Solution
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Before you blast your couch with your homemade or enzymatic cleaning solution, always test it on the upholstery in a small, inconspicuous location to ensure the material won’t get damaged. Wait at least 15 minutes, then check the area for signs of damage.
Apply the Solution
Photo: Alla / Adobe Stock
If the coast is clear, it’s time to start cleaning. Spray the solution onto the stinky area until it’s thoroughly saturated with the liquid. Be sure to coat the area without over-pouring cleaning solution onto the surface. Otherwise, you may risk damaging the upholstery.
Wipe the Fabric
Photo: pavlovski / Adobe Stock
Press a wet rag onto the couch cushion firmly. For old stains that may be difficult to remove, give the couch a gentle scrub along the grain to avoid ruining the fabric. You may want to spray the solution and re-wipe the upholstery a few times if the stain dried deep into the cushion. Then, allow the fabric to dry completely.
Sprinkle with Baking Soda
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Once your couch is completely dry, sprinkle baking soda on the area. Baking soda absorbs odors, so you’ll want to cover the area with a thin layer of it to encourage maximum absorption. Allow the baking soda to work its magic for at least an hour before you vacuum it up.
Follow Up with an Enzymatic Cleaner
Photo: Pixel-Shot / Adobe Stock
If you want to ensure your couch is odor-free, follow up with an enzymatic cleaner. This cleaning agent breaks down those stinky urine chemicals, giving you a better chance of removing the offending odor.
Keep in mind that you should always follow the instructions for the particular cleaner you purchased and double-check that it’s compatible with your couch’s upholstery. Also, test the enzymatic cleaner in an inconspicuous area as you did with the homemade solution to ensure it won’t affect your couch.
Use a Furniture Steamer
Photo: Jeena / Adobe Stock
In some cases, not even an enzymatic cleaner can remove the toughest urine odors, which is usually the case for days-old urine stains. One last step you can take is to use a furniture steamer to steam clean a couch.
Consider renting a steam cleaner from your local home improvement store to deep clean your upholstery. Follow the instruction manual when operating a steam cleaner on your couch. Some require a separate detergent, while others require only water.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Get Urine Smells Out of Your Couch
There’s no doubt about it: Removing pee smells from your couch DIY-style is an unpleasant but economical choice. You could spend as low as $15 to $25 if you take on this project on your own.
However, if you’d rather not deal with the scent or the stain is severe, consider hiring a local furniture cleaner to take care of the problem. Furniture cleaner specialists know the ins and outs of removing all kinds of odors, stains, and messes from couches. They’re equipped with the right tools and supplies to tackle even the most stubborn odors—without damaging your furniture.
The average cost to hire a furniture upholstery cleaner to clean your couch is between $100 and $300, but some materials like suede or leather may cost as much as $500 to clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many household items neutralize the smell of urine, including fabric sprays and baking soda, a great odor absorber. Or try combining baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to cut through the smell. If these items don’t work to completely remove the smell of pet urine, try an enzymatic cleaner, which works to break down organic matter such as urine, and is readily available at most pet stores.
The best way to get dried urine smell out of your couch is by hiring a professional cleaner versus choosing the DIY route. This is because urine is a surfactant and can easily soak into your sofa. The smell is even more exacerbated if your pet likes to pee in the same spot. A pro has stronger chemical cleaners and equipment such as an upholstery steam cleaner to get the dried urine smell out of your couch.
If left untreated, the smell of pet urine may not go away on its own. This is because urine is a surfactant that can penetrate fabric and upholstery, even some porous concrete. Plus, urine attracts bacteria, which can worsen the smell. When dealing with urine on your couch, treat it immediately or pay for the cost of a house cleaner. Most pros charge between $30 and $50 per hour.
