How to Get Urine Smell Out of Carpet: Fresh & Old Stains

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Get pet or human urine odors out of your carpet
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Accidents happen to everybody, and sometimes a pet or child pees on the carpet. Don’t worry: cleaning up the urine and getting rid of the smell is easier than you think! For this article, we interviewed cleaning and pet experts to teach you how to remove fresh and old urine smells from the carpet. Plus, learn how to find old urine spots, how to prevent future stains, why urine is so hard to clean, and more.

How to Get Pee Smell Out of Carpet

If the urine is fresh, blot up as much liquid as possible with paper towels. For fresh or dried stains, spray the urine with a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water and scrub the carpet with a soft brush. Let it dry, then sprinkle baking soda over the stain to remove the odor. Alternatively, use an enzyme cleaner.

Section 1 of 7:

Removing Old Urine Smells

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  1. Combine a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water in a bowl or spray bottle. Then spray the solution or dip a cloth into the mixture and blot it onto the stain. Make sure the urine is thoroughly saturated, then scrub the area with a soft brush. Let the carpet dry completely and repeat as necessary until the urine has been removed. [1]
  2. Baking soda is a great, natural way to neutralize and eliminate odors. Once the urine stain has been removed , sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the area and let it sit for at least an hour. Then, vacuum the baking soda up and the odor should be gone. [2]
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  3. Cleaning expert Susan Stocker says, “First, make sure all urine is soaked up using rags. We like to first clean the area with a mixture of 7th Generation dish soap and warm water. Scrub the area thoroughly with a clean, white rag, then rinse the area and make sure you get all the dish soap solution washed out.” [3] Then, repeat the process with a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water instead of dish soap.
  4. Select an enzyme cleaner that is safe for children and pets and test it on an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t stain the carpet. Generously apply the cleaner to the urine, following the instructions on the label, and let it sit for the required amount of time. Then, vacuum or blot the area with a clean, dry towel to absorb any remaining moisture. Let the carpet finish air drying, then repeat if any urine remains. [4]
    • Enzyme cleaners need to sit for a certain amount of time so the enzymes have time to break down the urine compounds. The exact time depends on the cleaner you use.
    • Keep children and pets away from the area until the carpet is completely dry. This can take anywhere from a few hours up to a couple days.
    • Enzyme cleaners are available as sprays and powders , so choose the option that works best for you.
    • Cleaning expert Laura Smith says, “Any sort of enzyme product is made to essentially eat urine. The one that I really like is called Backout, and it is just a natural enzyme cleaner. It smells really good, like lime.” [5]
  5. Hydrogen peroxide can stain some fabrics, so test it on an inconspicuous part of your carpet first. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle, then add a few drops of dish soap. Spray the stain thoroughly, then scrub it with a soft bristle brush. Blot up as much liquid as you can, then sprinkle baking soda over the area. Leave it for 24 hours, then vacuum it up. [6]
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Section 2 of 7:

Cleaning Fresh Urine Stains

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  1. Place several layers of paper towels or a dry cloth on the affected part of the carpet. Put on disposable gloves and press the paper towels into the carpet with your hands. This will help ensure the towels soak up as much urine as possible. [7]
  2. Mix a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spray it liberally on the urine-stained carpet so it soaks into the fibers. Let it sit for about 10 minutes so the vinegar has time to neutralize the ammonia scent of the urine. Then, blot the carpet with more paper towels. [8]
    • If there isn’t enough solution coming out when you spray, feel free to take off the spray bottle cap and slowly pour the solution over the carpet.
    • Make sure that nobody steps on the carpet while the vinegar is doing its work.
  3. Shake a thin layer of baking soda over the affected area of the carpet. If the urine puddle was quite large, you may need to use several boxes of baking soda. Let it sit for at least an hour or up to overnight, then vacuum it up to remove any lingering urine or vinegar smells. [9]
    • If you have a deep shag carpet, sprinkle baking soda onto small sections of the carpet at a time and work it in with your fingers before moving to the next section. Instead of vacuuming regularly, use the upholstery or brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner so you don’t accidentally rip out the fibers.
    EXPERT TIP

    Susan Stocker

    Professional Cleaner
    Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
    Susan Stocker
    Professional Cleaner

    Baking soda is great at absorbing odors. You can also mix a cup of baking soda with about 10 drops of lavender essential oil for a pleasant smell. Let the baking soda absorb for at least an hour before vacuuming up.

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Section 3 of 7:

How to Find Old Urine Smells

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  1. When you’re trying to find the exact location of an old urine stain, walk around the area and see if you can smell where the odor is strongest. This may not help you pinpoint the exact problem area, especially if the urine has already dried and become invisible, but it can get you in the right vicinity. [10]
  2. While urine usually dries invisible, urine-soiled carpets are sometimes yellowish or pale green, depending on the color of the fabric. Stained carpets may also feel stiffer after the urine has crystallized. Closely examine your carpet to see if you can spot any visible signs of urine. [11]
  3. If you happen to have a black light (UV light), darken the room as much as possible and hold the black light about 2 ft (61 cm) from the carpet. Slowly scan the entire area. Urine stains will appear as luminescent spots, which you can mark with chalk so you can locate them when you’re ready to clean. [12]
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Section 4 of 7:

Preventing Future Urine Stains

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  1. Whether you have kids, pets, or care for the elderly, accidents happen. When you notice fresh urine, immediately blot the area with cool water to remove as much urine as possible. Then, apply a commercial cleaner or home remedy of your choice to neutralize any urine that soaked into the carpet fibers. [13]
  2. If you have kids, make sure they understand when they need to go to the bathroom so they can let you know and avoid accidents. If pets are the problem, take them out regularly and supervise them when they’re indoors so they don’t relieve themselves on the carpet. House training usually works with time, consistency, and positive reinforcement. [14]
    • If you have a cat that’s urinating outside of the litter box, pet trainer Russell Hartstein says, “Make sure you have appropriately-sized litter boxes [and the right] type of litter. If it’s not the litter itself, [the cat may not like] the box location, or the number of boxes is not enough.” [15]
    • If your cat is urinating on the carpet and you don’t think the litter box is an issue, contact a vet to make sure your cat isn’t sick. They may be able to help you stop your cat from urinating on the carpet .
  3. If you live with an elderly person or anyone else who struggles with incontinence, help prevent future accidents by using adult diapers , bed pads , and waterproof furniture covers . Make sure they take regular bathroom breaks, and talk to a doctor if the problem persists. [16]
  4. In general, it’s recommended that you vacuum your carpet weekly to keep it looking its best. As mentioned above, clean up spills and accidents as soon as possible so the stains don’t become permanent. Additionally, aim to deep clean your carpet once every 12-18 months. [17]
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Section 5 of 7:

Why is urine so hard to clean?

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  1. Uric acid is a waste product in the blood that is produced when the body breaks down purines. [18] As urine decomposes, a chemical process occurs between the uric acid and other compounds found in urine to create its distinct smell. Uric acid is extremely resilient and crystallizes to stick to your carpet or other surfaces as it dries, making it difficult to clean.
Section 6 of 7:

When to Hire a Professional

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  1. While commercial cleaners or home remedies are usually effective at removing urine smells and stains, they may not be able to remove stubborn odors. If you haven’t had any luck getting rid of the smell on your own, consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner. They have industrial-strength equipment and powerful cleaning solutions that the average person doesn’t have access to. [19]
    • In some severe cases, it may be necessary to replace the carpet altogether. Smith says, “If you have pet odors all the way down into the [carpet] pad, you have to replace it. There are very few things that will get pet odors out of a carpet pad if it’s soaked all the way through.” [20]
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Section 7 of 7:

Removing Urine Smell FAQs

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  1. There are many ways to neutralize the smell of urine. Commercial products like enzyme cleaners effectively break down the compounds in urine to remove the smells, while home remedies like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and even dish soap can neutralize scents. [21]
  2. If the urine smell doesn’t go away, first try repeating your removal method, as it sometimes takes a few tries to remove the scent. If that doesn’t work, try a stronger removal method, like an enzyme cleaner. If nothing works, contact a professional carpet cleaning service to see if they can help. Otherwise, you may have to replace the carpet. [22]
  3. Home remedies like baking soda and vinegar can sometimes be effective at removing urine odors and are typically more affordable than commercial cleaners. However, they usually aren’t as effective as commercial cleaners, especially if the stain is old or severe. Natural cleaners like vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are also acidic and can damage some carpet fibers. [23]
  4. If urine gets on wooden or painted surfaces like your furniture or walls, it can sometimes discolor the varnish or paint due to the acid found in urine. If this happens, you may need to remove and replace the layer of varnish or paint.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you remove odor from a carpet?
    Susan Stocker
    Professional Cleaner
    Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
    Susan Stocker
    Professional Cleaner
    Expert Answer
    After you've cleaned the carpet thoroughly, sprinkle baking soda over the carpet fibers that are retaining the odor. Let the baking soda sit for a least one hour before vacuuming it up. Repeat this process as many times as necessary to soak up any lingering odors in your carpet.
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  • Question
    How do I remove stains from dog poop on my carpet?
    MGarcez
    Community Answer
    I use hydrogen peroxide that I get at the dollar store to neutralize dog pee or poop. Soak the area and let it sit for 15 min then place a thick rag over it and put something heavy on top of the rag. This helps the peroxide under the carpet to be soaked up. In my opinion it works better than vinegar and since it’s the 3% hydrogen peroxide used to disinfect a cut it’s not strong enough to damage the color on the carpet. Although I’ve never tried it on very dark color rugs such as black so try it in an inconspicuous place first.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-remove-cat-urine-smell-from-carpet.html
      2. ↑ https://www.dailypaws.com/living-with-pets/pet-friendly-home/how-to-clean-pet-urine-from-carpet
      3. ↑ Susan Stocker. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
      4. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-remove-cat-urine-smell-from-carpet.html
      5. ↑ Laura Smith. House Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 26 May 2022.
      6. ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/cleaning/how-get-pee-smell-out-carpet
      7. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/parents-and-caregivers/pets-and-clean-home
      8. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-remove-cat-urine-smell-from-carpet.html
      9. ↑ https://www.dailypaws.com/living-with-pets/pet-friendly-home/how-to-clean-pet-urine-from-carpet
      1. ↑ https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/how-to-find-dog-urine-without-blacklight
      2. ↑ https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/how-to-find-dog-urine-without-blacklight
      3. ↑ https://www.homemadesimple.com/pet/how-to-get-that-dreaded-dog-pee-smell-out-of-your-carpet/
      4. ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/cleaning/how-get-pee-smell-out-carpet
      5. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-potty-train-your-dog-or-puppy
      6. ↑ Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT. Certified Dog & Cat Trainer. Expert Interview. 12 April 2023.
      7. ↑ https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/bladder-health-and-incontinence/urinary-incontinence-older-adults
      8. ↑ https://www.today.com/series/how-often-should-you/how-clean-your-carpet-t25176
      9. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003476.htm
      10. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-remove-cat-urine-smell-from-carpet.html
      11. ↑ Laura Smith. House Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 26 May 2022.
      12. ↑ https://www.dailypaws.com/living-with-pets/pet-friendly-home/how-to-clean-pet-urine-from-carpet
      13. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-remove-cat-urine-smell-from-carpet.html
      14. ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/floor-and-surface-cleaning/how-to-remove-cat-urine-smell-from-carpet.html

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