Urine odor in furniture can be difficult to get rid of. Luckily, fresh urine stains are easier to remove than older ones.

To remove the odor from your couch, apply my DIY urine neutralizer to the affected area and place folded towels underneath to absorb any contamination residues. Then, let the neutralizer work for several hours or overnight.

1. Baking Soda

You can get rid of urine smell in your couch with a few household items. Baking soda, for example, can neutralize urine and help it to disappear from the furniture. Sprinkle the spot with baking soda and leave it for a few minutes. Then vacuum up the baking soda and the urine should also be gone. You can also use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is particularly effective because it breaks down some of the chemicals in urine and helps to lift out the crystals that create stains. For best results, try to use these treatments as soon as possible after the incident.

Fresh pee spots are easiest to clean, as they haven’t yet soaked into the fabric or padding. Older stains require a stronger treatment. Soak up as much of the urine as you can with a towel, then treat the area with an odor-fighting cleaner.

Mix a solution of half a cup of hydrogen peroxide and three tablespoons of baking soda. Apply the mixture to the stain, using precise dabbing motions. Use a white cloth, as colored fabric might stain. Let the solution sit for about four hours or overnight, if possible. After the time passes, blot the cleaning solution and the urine spot again with a clean, white cloth that’s only dampened with water.

If you have a light-colored couch, you can try washing the spot with straight vinegar or diluting it. After sprinkling the spot with baking soda, pour the vinegar over it. The baking soda will fizz and remove some of the vinegar, helping to break down the odor. If the odor remains, you’ll need to wash the fabric with an enzymatic cleaner.

A good quality enzymatic cleaner will dissolve the biological components of pet urine and human urine. This will eliminate the odor and make the urine less likely to reactivate as it dries. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use on your specific fabric type and color. The enzymatic cleaner will also remove any remaining dyes from the couch. If your couch is made of leather, you’ll need to follow up with a leather conditioner.

2. Vinegar

If you have children or pets, you may have to deal with human or pet urine stains and smells on your furniture. Getting rid of the smell and stain can be difficult, especially if the pee has had time to soak into your couch’s fabric or cushions. But with the right cleaning products and techniques, you can get rid of the urine odor on your couch.

Vinegar is a great option for removing both fresh and old pee stains and odours from your couch. It works by reacting with the odour-causing compounds in the urine to create odour-free byproducts and killing any lingering bacteria. It also helps to lift the odour from the fabric, leaving your couch smelling fresh and clean.

First, blot the affected area with an absorbent material such as paper towel or a washable rag. Avoid rubbing the area, as this can push the urine deeper into the couch. Continue to blot the area until it is almost dry.

Next, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle or container. Dampen a clean cloth with the solution and apply it to the affected area of the sofa. Allow the mixture to sit on the stain for about 30 minutes, allowing it to penetrate the fabric and neutralize the odour. Then, blot the area with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture.

Another option for removing urine odours from your furniture is to use a commercial enzyme cleaner. These products contain special bacteria that break down the proteins in urine, eliminating the odour. Follow the directions on the product’s label to apply the cleaner and let it sit for the recommended amount of time. Then, blot the area dry with a clean cloth and allow the furniture to air dry.

If you can’t get rid of the urine odour on your couch, you might need to consider replacing the cushion or even the entire piece of furniture. But with a little persistence, you can remove the odour and keep your couch looking and smelling fresh and clean.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Using common household cleaners and techniques, you can easily remove urine odor from your couch. The key is to act quickly. The longer urine stays on a fabric or leather couch, the more it absorbs and the stronger the odor will be.

Begin by blotting the pee stain as much as possible with paper towels. Do not rub the spot, as this will only push the urine further into the surface of the fabric or leather. Then, apply a solution made of equal parts baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to the affected area. After applying the cleaning solution, blot it again to remove excess moisture.

If the odor persists, it may be time to use a commercial odor eliminator. Many of these products contain enzymes that break down the bacteria that cause a urine smell, effectively eliminating the odor. Follow the product instructions closely, as it may be necessary to leave the product on the couch for a period of time to fully eliminate the odor.

After removing the odor, you should allow the couch to air dry. Once it is completely dry, you can apply a fabric deodorizer or spray to keep the couch smelling fresh. Alternatively, you can sprinkle the couch with Listerine, which also has a strong deodorizing effect and is safe for most fabrics.

Even if you have a pet or have potty trained your toddler, accidents can happen. So, when you discover that your couch has a pee smell, don’t panic. Instead, grab a few cleaners from your pantry to quickly and easily get rid of urine stains and odors.

While most furniture is upholstered in a durable and water-resistant material like vinyl or microfiber, it is not completely resistant to urine. In fact, some types of fabric are very porous and can soak into the cushion and base, causing unpleasant odors. If you have a white couch, it is especially important to treat any urine spots promptly, as they may discolor the fabric or the sofa frame. If the couch is covered in a removable cover, you should take it off before starting the cleanup process.

4. Enzymatic Cleaner

If you catch a urine stain in the act and treat it promptly, you can often eliminate both the odor and the stain without any problem. But if the smell and stain have had time to soak in, it can be much more difficult to remove. The good news is that there are several cleaning products you can use to effectively get rid of human urine smell in furniture, even after the stains have dried.

Two common household items that are safe for fabrics and most couches, especially when used quickly, are baking soda and vinegar (white or apple cider). Sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the fresh urine stains on your couch. Allow it to sit for at least an hour and up to 24 hours. Then, vacuum the baking soda from the fabric. Repeat as needed.

Another option for fresh urine stains that have already had time to soak into the fabric is to mix equal parts of water and white vinegar with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Apply the mixture to a cloth and rub the affected area, then blot with a clean cloth to rinse. Follow with a damp towel to remove any remaining moisture from the couch and then let it dry in the sun or near an open window if possible.

For older urine stains and more serious foul odors, you may want to try a commercial enzymatic cleaner that contains enzymes to break down organic stains. These are typically safe for most fabrics, but check the label to be sure, and test it in an inconspicuous spot before using.

You can also make your own enzymatic cleaner by mixing 1 teaspoon of borax with 1 cup of warm water and a few drops of liquid laundry detergent. Add the solution to a spray bottle and apply it to the stain.

If you have a leather couch, be very careful when applying any type of cleaning solution as some materials may crack or peel when exposed to moisture. And remember that although a couch may look like it is fully protected against water damage, even leather can be damaged by a sudden water leak or spill.