For fresh urine, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If the urine has dried or set, try a combination of dish soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. If it was a cat, dog, or another animal that made the mess—or if your couch is made of microfiber—your best bet is to use an enzyme cleaner.
You can try some DIY formulas for cleaning the urine stains. Such a formula is made from 10 ounces of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons of recently opened baking soda, and 2-3 drops of dish-washing detergent. Mix them in a bowl until the baking soda is dissolved.
Vinegar is an effective cleaner to use in removing pet stains and urine odors from mattresses, couches, and other materials, but it is still important to treat the stain as soon as possible. The longer you let it sit, the more likely it is to set.
And for this, a common household item is your best weapon: baking soda. Spread baking soda thinly and evenly across the damp spot, being careful not to overdo it; about 1/4 cup or less is enough for most stains. Let the baking soda sit overnight, and then vacuum thoroughly.
Adding urine to white vinegar might cause bubbles or a change of color –– you're adding a yellow substance to a clear/white one, after all. But those reactions alone don't confirm the presence of hCG. Bottom line: White vinegar is delicious for a salad dressing, but useless for a pregnancy test.
Old or dried urine stains can be difficult to remove, often leaving carpet fibers permanently discolored or with an unpleasant lingering odor.
Some of this color change can be attributed to the strong ammonia that forms as the urine passes through bacterial and chemical change. If left for days or weeks, depending on the fabric or floor type, it will change the dye structure, therefore causing permanent staining.
White vinegar is on our list of "stain busters," but other vinegars, such as red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar, have dyes, additives, and so on that can cause stains. Remember, however, that white vinegar is acidic. If you splash it on your clothing, carpet, or upholstery, don't leave it there undiluted.
Spray vinegar onto the urine spot, most surfaces can tolerate straight vinegar, but if you're worried about staining, you can dilute the vinegar with water, 1:1. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes and blot dry again. Sprinkle baking soda over the vinegar (it may fizz up a bit).
Fill the spray bottle most of the way with water. Add hydrogen peroxide at a ratio of 1:4 (1 part hydrogen peroxide for every 4 parts water). Spritz the old urine stain liberally and leave it to work for 10 minutes. Then using the cloth, blot it up.
Unfinished leather and certain types of upholstery: Vinegar's acidity can be bad news for natural materials, so always check the manufacturer instructions before applying a vinegar cleaning solution to you soft furnishings.
If pure water hasn't removed the stain, cleaning with vinegar is a great natural stain remover and is suitable for most types of upholstery. Begin by mixing equal parts water and vinegar and then blot the stain with a clean microfibre cloth before using gentle circular motions.
(Baking soda and vinegar will create a lot of bubbles when combined!) Spray a white cloth with the cleaning solution, and gently dab and rub any stains on the fabric. Alternatively, wipe down the entire couch with the solution for a thorough cleaning. Let the fabric dry.
Cover the area with a generous layer of baking soda. Let the baking soda sit on the mattress for as long as possible. We recommend at least 8 hours. Vacuum off the baking soda and inspect the mattress, checking for signs of stains and urine odors.
Non-washable fabrics Remove fresh stains by sponging with a vinegar solution (15ml vinegar to 500ml water). Dried stains should be cleaned professionally by a dry cleaner. Washable fabrics Rinse the stained area with cold water, then soak overnight in a solution of biological detergent.
You can try to soak up some of the urine with a rag or something before, but I'm always afraid (especially with couch cushions or rugs) that I'll be pushing it IN. So I simply leave the salt on for a few hours, then vacuum. If there is still a wet spot, I reapply and do it all again.
While the smell may be the most obvious issue after an accident, urine is also acidic, meaning it can ruin the fabric of your clothing, making it both smell pungent and weaken clothing's structure. Additionally, urine lingers on long after the stain is gone because of ammonia's presence.
For a more resilient urine stain:
Step 2 - If the stain persists, pour a bit of the vinegar and water solution directly on the stain, scrub with a scrub brush and blot dry. Sprinkle a bit of extra baking soda onto the pee stain to neutralize both the pee smell and the vinegar smell.
Vinegar Cleaning Solution– Add one part white vinegar to one part water. Urine smells like ammonia, and this is neutralized with white vinegar. After blotting the area dry, pour the vinegar solution on the affected area, and let the solution soak for 10 minutes to reach the deepest fibers in the rug.
Adding Vinegar to Laundry to Remove Stains
Undiluted vinegar works great as a stain treater for mustard, ketchup, deodorant stains, and grass stains on cotton and everyday clothing. Soak the stain in straight vinegar. Allow it to sit for 10-30 minutes. Wash as normal.