Whether it's the smell or the wet stain that caught your eye, you'll likely be distressed by the thought of flushing urine off a sofa. Fortunately, you can easily remove stains and odors using some basic ingredients that you probably already have at home. To eliminate fresh urine, you can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. On the other hand, if it has dried out or has seeped deeply into the sofa, you should use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and washing up liquid. If it is the urine of a dog, cat or other animal or if the sofa is made of microfiber, the best option would be to use an enzymatic cleaner. This product will not only prevent the animal from urinating again in the same area, but it will also evaporate quickly and be less likely to stain the microfiber.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Remove urine with baking soda and vinegar
Step 1. Dry the stain with a paper towel
Avoid rubbing it, otherwise you will spread it more on the fabric. Continue to dab the wet stain with paper towel until it is almost dry. Use new paper towels as needed.
Act fast! Urine should not be left on the couch for too long, otherwise it will be more difficult to clean up
Step 2. Clean the area with a mixture of water and vinegar
Pour four parts water and one part white distilled vinegar into a spray bottle or bowl. Then apply the solution to the fabric to remove odor and stain.
- The water and vinegar solution will neutralize the ammonia in the urine, which in turn will eliminate the odor. She also moistens the stain again so that she can completely clean it from the sofa.
- Do not apply this solution to a microfiber surface, as it will stain it. Instead, use isopropyl alcohol, as it dries quickly and doesn't leave stains.
Step 3. Use a sponge to scrub the stain
Use an old sponge that you can throw away when you're finished. Rub vigorously from the inside of the stain outward to remove all urine from the fibers and surface of the sofa so that no odor or stain remains.
If the stain has a bad smell, you should use pure vinegar to remove the stench
Step 4. Sprinkle baking soda on the fabric
Do this while it is still wet. Apply enough of the powder to fully cover the wet spot. 520g of baking soda should be enough.
You can add ten drops of your favorite essential oil to baking soda before applying it. Do this in case you want the fabric to give off a good scent
Step 5. Leave the baking soda to work overnight
It would be best to leave it on for twelve hours to make sure the fabric underneath is dry.
If you are in a rush, you can wait four to six hours before checking to see if the area is dry
Step 6. Vacuum up the baking soda
As soon as the fabric is completely dry, vacuum the area to remove the powder. The smell and the stain should be gone!
Method 2 of 3: Use hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and soap
Step 1. Dab the stain with a cloth to absorb excess urine
Don't press too hard or you'll spill more urine on the couch. Just like you would with any spilled liquid, simply apply the cloth to the wet area to soak up the excess liquid.
If you have a wet and dry manual vacuum, you can use it to remove a fresh urine stain
Step 2. Prepare a cleaning solution
To do this, mix 300 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 40 g of baking soda and two to three drops of dish soap, all in a spray bottle. Replace the cap and shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.
- The hydrogen peroxide will disinfect the fabric and destroy the acid in the urine, making it easier to remove the stain.
- You have the option of replacing the vinegar in case you do not have hydrogen peroxide.
Step 3. Spray the solution on the couch and let it sit for an hour
Make sure to cover the entire stained area with the mixture. Do not immediately dab the solution, you must give it time to act!
If the sofa is microfiber, it is better to use an enzymatic cleaner
Step 4. Use a damp cloth to rinse off detergent residue
Dab the stain carefully with a damp cloth to remove the soap. Then use a clean, dry cloth. After a few hours, the stained area will be dry and the sofa will be like new.
Method 3 of 3: Use an enzymatic cleaner
Step 1. Purchase an enzymatic cleaner designed for upholstery
Go to a department store or pet store and look for an enzyme product in the cleaning section. You need to make sure that the cleaner is designed to be used on the type of fabric of your sofa.
Your best bet would be to buy a high quality enzymatic cleaner. Although the product can be expensive, it will be effective, meaning you won't have to apply it a second time
Step 2. Apply an old cloth to the fabric to soak up excess urine
Use a cloth that you don’t hesitate to throw away or plan to wash, but that you will no longer use for the dishes. Dry the sofa thoroughly to remove urine. Avoid rubbing the stain, otherwise the urine may seep more into the fabric of the sofa.
Step 3. Wet the stain with the enzymatic cleaner
It is not enough to spray the product on the stain, you must wet it well. Make sure to cover the entire area with the product, including the edges and any drips or liquids.
Step 4. Let the product act for fifteen minutes
You should allow the cleanser to penetrate the fabric and padding to neutralize the uric acid in the urine.
Step 5. Dry the area to remove moisture
Apply a clean, but old cloth to the fabric to absorb as much urine and cleaner as possible. Repeat this until the cloth can no longer absorb any moisture.
If the stained area is large, you may need to use more than one cloth
Step 6. Allow the fabric to air dry completely
You are not required to rinse the area. As the cleanser evaporates, so will uric acid, which has broken down into ammonia and carbon dioxide.
You can cover the wet area with aluminum foil to prevent your loved ones and pets from sitting on it
Advice
- Try the product you plan to use on an inconspicuous area of the sofa first. If you see any damage or discoloration, try another method.
- If the sofa has old upholstery, you'd better get a professional cleaner to avoid damaging the fabric.
- Pour food salt over the fresh stain to remove moisture. Leave it on for a few hours before cleaning it with the usual cleaning products.