How to Get Pee Smell Out of Clothes: Easy & Effective Methods

Professional cleaner Susan Stocker explains how to remove human or cat urine from fabric

Co-authored by Susan Stocker and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: January 27, 2026 Fact Checked

• Best Odor Removal Method
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• Alternative Methods
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• Why is the smell hard to remove?
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• Preventing Odors
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• Video
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• Expert Q&A

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Urine stains can leave their mark on various garments long after you wash them. Although the smell might seem like a permanent addition to the clothing, there are plenty of natural and chemical options to get each item smelling new and fresh again. We spoke to professional cleaner Susan Stocker and house cleaning professional Guy Peters to teach you the best ways to remove urine smells from your clothes. Plus, learn why urine smells are so hard to remove and how you can prevent odors in the future.

Removing the Smell of Urine from Clothes

Professional cleaner Susan Stocker says baking soda and vinegar are great for removing odors from clothing. Soak up as much urine as possible, then pretreat the garment with white vinegar, a baking soda paste, an enzyme cleaner, or bleach. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, then wash as normal.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

The Best Way to Remove Urine Smell from Clothes

1. 
   1
   Remove and rinse away any excess urine. Stocker says to first make sure all of the urine is soaked up. Gently blot the stain with a rag or paper towels. Don’t rub or press too hard, as the urine may spread. Rinse the fabric with cool water and squeeze it out to remove as much urine as possible.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Susan Stocker is a professional cleaner and the owner of Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 green cleaning company in Seattle. She has over 10 years of experience.

   Guy Peters is a house cleaning professional and the owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service in Denver, Colorado. MOP STARS was founded in 2014.
2. 
   2
   Pretreat the clothes with an enzyme cleaner. “Enzymatic cleaners break down odor-causing components of urine,” says Peters. Choose an enzyme cleaner designed for protein-based stains like urine, blood, and fecal matter. Read the cleaner’s instructions to learn how to apply it properly. In general, you’ll apply the cleaner to the stained area and let it sit for 10-15 minutes so the enzymes have time to break down the urine.

   • “The Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer is the best thing out there,” says Stocker.
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3. 
   3
   Machine wash the clothes. If the urine smell is particularly strong, consider also using an enzymatic detergent or another odor-fighting detergent. Use a normal or heavy-duty setting for durable fabrics, and opt for cold water, as hot water can set the proteins and make the urine odor harder to remove.

   • Consider using an extra rinse setting if available, as this can help thoroughly rinse out any lingering smells.
   • Stocker also recommends adding several drops of tea tree essential oil to detergent. “It is amazing at killing bacteria [and] germs, and [it] is also a natural anti-fungal and can kill smells by killing the cause of them.”
4. 
   4
   Let the clothing air-dry in an open space. Hang up the wet clothing items in your laundry room or another open area of your home. Wait a day or so, checking periodically to see if the garments have dried. If it’s easier, hang your wet clothing up outside instead.

   • The heat from your dryer can set in stains, so air-drying allows you to make sure the odor is completely gone. If you still smell urine after the clothes are dry, repeat the cleaning process or try one of the alternative methods below.
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Section 2 of 4:

Other Ways to Remove Urine Smells

1. 
   1
   Soak the garment in white vinegar for an hour. “Vinegar neutralizes the ammonia smell of the urine,” explains Stocker. Combine 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar with a bucket of water. Submerge the soiled garment completely. Let it soak for at least an hour or overnight for stronger odors. Rinse the item thoroughly, then wash it as you normally would.

   • Avoid using vinegar on delicate fabrics, as it is slightly acidic and could ruin them.
   • Alternatively, Stocker says to “use a cup of vinegar in your wash.” Place your items in the washing machine, then pour 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar into the detergent compartment. Wash on a normal spin speed with the water temperature set to hot.
   • When you’re done with either method, let the item air-dry in an open space for a day. If the urine smell lingers, repeat the process.
2. 
   2
   Coat the urine stain with a baking soda paste. Stocker says baking soda is great for removing odors from clothes. Mix equal parts baking soda and water to form a thick paste. Apply the paste directly to the urine stain, then soak the item in water for at least 30 minutes. Then, wash the garment as you normally would.

   • To boost odor removal, add 0.5 cups (120 mL) of baking soda to your wash along with your detergent.
3. 
   3
   Remove set-in stains with oxygen bleach. Before using bleach, check the garment’s care tag and do a spot-test to make sure it won’t discolor the fabric. Then, follow the bleach’s instructions to mix it with cool water. In general, let the garment soak for at least 30 minutes, then wash in warm water with regular detergent.

   • Warning: Do not mix bleach with other chemicals, as this could create toxic fumes. Always work in a well-ventilated area, and wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
   • While it’s usually recommended to use cool water so you don’t accidentally set the odors in, oxygen bleach is most effective in warm water.
4. 
   4
   Add fabric softener or laundry boosters to the wash. After pretreating the urine-stained clothing with your preferred method, consider using fabric softener or laundry boosters when you wash the item. These may help eliminate certain pet or urine odors.
5. 
   5
   Steam dry your clothes. After washing your garment, using a steam cycle might reduce some odors. The combination of heat and moisture works to help lift and neutralize lingering smells while your clothes dry.
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Section 3 of 4:

Why are urine smells so hard to remove?

1. 
   The proteins in urine bond tightly with fabric fibers. Urine contains certain proteins and uric acid crystals that bond deeply in porous materials, like fabric. When the water from the urine evaporates, the odor grows even stronger, making it difficult to remove.

   • The odor may be more pronounced when the urine is more concentrated, like when people are dehydrated. Medical conditions such as urinary tract infections and eating certain foods can also affect the smell.
   • Urine odors may also be stronger if the person is elderly. As individuals age, changes in diet, metabolism, and medication can alter the composition of urine.
   • Cat urine also tends to be more concentrated and more difficult to break down.

Section 4 of 4:

How to Prevent Urine Smells

1. 
   Take proper precautions to keep your clothes urine-free. Whether you have a pet, a young child, or an elderly person with incontinence problems, there are lots of reasons you may be dealing with urine-stained clothes. This can be frustrating, so here are some ways you can prevent the odors from setting in:

   • Rinse soiled clothing immediately to prevent the odor from setting in.
   • Regularly clean your washing machine to prevent odors from transferring back to clean clothing.
   • Keep pets away from your clothes if you’re dealing with cat, dog, or other pet odors.
   • If you’re dealing with human urine, provide the person with protective undergarments (such as incontinence pads or diapers) and help them change their clothes frequently.
   • When possible, dry clothes outside in the sun, as the sun’s UV rays have natural disinfectant properties.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How do you neutralize the smell of urine?

  

  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

  There are many ways, but vinegar is a great option. The vinegar naturally helps remove any lingering uric acid from the fabric, which creates a foul smell. Baking soda is another fantastic urine neutralizer. Put some baking soda in warm water and soak the item in the mixture. You can also buy a product that contains enzymes that break urine down, such as Nature's Miracle or Uri-Kleen.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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• Question

  What laundry detergent is best for urine odor?

  

  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

  Use an enzymatic detergent. Double-check to make sure the product works on protein-based stains, like urine, blood, and fecal matter.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  How do you remove odors from clothes?

  

  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

  Both vinegar and baking soda are great for neutralizing odors. Or, you can use bleach. However, it’s important to use nonchlorine bleach whenever you wash colored clothing, as it prevents your garments from fading.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

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