How to Get Pet Pee Smell Out of Clothes, Bedding and Towels

Your dog or cat peed on clothes, sheets, a duvet cover, a towel or a blanket. Here is how to rinse, pre-treat, wash and check it before drying, what to do with dry-clean-only and oversized items, and how to keep pets off the bed, using what the University of Georgia and New Mexico State University extension services, the American Cleaning Institute, Tide, Persil, the AKC and Humane World for Animals say.

Step 1: Rinse it in cool water right away

The AKC says: "Regardless of what your dog has peed on, your best course of action is to act fast. The sooner you get to it, the more likely you'll be able to remove all traces of urine odor."

The American Cleaning Institute's stain guide starts the same way: "Deal with it as early as possible."

For urine on apparel and fabrics, the University of Georgia's textiles extension page starts with: "Rinse with cool water." Pull the sheets off the bed or pick the towel up off the floor and rinse the wet area before the urine dries.

Sources: AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells; American Cleaning Institute, Stain Removal Guide; UGA Extension, Remove Stains From Urine (Human, Animal).

Step 2: Read the care label

Before you add any product, check the label sewn into the item. UGA's cautions say:

"Always read the care label before trying any stain removal method. Do not use any products or procedures prohibited by the care label."

"Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness."

New Mexico State University's extension guide agrees: "Refer to the garment's permanent care label. Always test the removal method on an inside seam or hem."

Sources: UGA Extension; NMSU Extension, Removing Clothing Stains.

Step 3: Pre-treat or soak

UGA's next step for urine is: "Soak in cool water with a heavy-duty liquid detergent."

Persil describes pre-treating a spot: "To remove urine stains on clothes effectively, first moisten the stain with a little water and then apply your stain remover." It goes on: "Rub the stain remover (or alternatively a little high quality liquid detergent) into the fabric." and "Then rinse the stain remover out of your clothes."

For bodily fluids, the American Cleaning Institute says: "Pretreat or soak in a product containing enzymes." Our guide to enzyme cleaners for pet urine explains what those products are. Use a laundry product made for fabric and follow its package directions.

Sources: UGA Extension; Persil, How to Get Urine Out of Clothes; American Cleaning Institute.

Step 4: Wash at the warmest temperature the label allows

Tide says: "Wash the urine-stained clothes or bed sheets on the normal cycle, at the warmest wash temperature indicated on the fabric care label." Persil gives the same advice and adds: "The dosage should be for "heavily soiled" laundry, as indicated on the detergent packaging."

For pet bedding, the AKC says: "Fabric items like dog beds or crate liners can often be washed with hot water and detergent." For the bed or crate itself, see how to clean a pet bed after an accident and how to clean dog pee in a crate or kennel.

Humane World for Animals suggests this for machine-washable items: "Add a one pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent and wash as usual, air drying if possible."

Sources: Tide, How to Remove Urine Smell from Clothes; Persil; AKC; Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors.

Step 5: Check before you dry

Take the item out of the washer and smell the spot before it goes near the dryer. Persil says: "After washing, check that the urine stain is gone. If not, wash the clothes again before hanging them out to dry."

Tide explains why: "If urine stains and odors persist, repeat steps above before drying as hot temperatures can set-in stains." NMSU puts it plainly: "Heat sets stains. Do not press a stained fabric or dry it in the dryer." The American Cleaning Institute says: "Do not put it in the dryer until the stain is removed." On urine smell, the AKC says: "Avoid heat or steam, which can lock in urine odors".

Once the item is clean, Tide says: "Dry completely before storing to prevent musty and mildew smells."

Sources: Persil; Tide; NMSU Extension; American Cleaning Institute; AKC.

Step 6: Rewash if the smell is still there

The American Cleaning Institute says: "If the stain remains, repeat the steps above." Humane World for Animals says to wash again with an enzymatic cleaner "If you can still see or smell the soiling".

If you only found the accident after it dried, Persil notes: "Older stains can be harder to wash out". Our guide on how to get old, dried pet urine stains out covers that in more detail.

Sources: American Cleaning Institute; Humane World for Animals; Persil.

Items you can't wash at home

Some coats, wool blankets and decorative throws are labeled dry clean only. NMSU says: "For "dry clean only" fabrics, use only a dry-cleaning agent, or ask a dry cleaner for help." Tide's blanket page is direct: "anything labeled "dry clean only" should definitely be dry-cleaned!" Tell the cleaner the item has pet urine on it.

For down comforters and pillows, Tide says: "Check fabric care labels to make sure your down goods can be put in the washing machine."

Sources: NMSU Extension; Tide, How to Wash Blankets; Tide, How to Wash Down Jackets and Bedding.

Comforters too big for the machine

Tide says: "If your blankets are extra large, make sure you're not over-loading your washing machine which can cause it to become un-balanced. For blankets that are extremely large or bulky and don't fit comfortably in your home machine, consider a professional clean." It also says: "If your machine has a "bulky" setting, consider using it for bulky blankets for better results."

The same rule about heat applies: check the comforter for smell before it goes in a dryer. If the urine soaked through the bedding into the mattress, see how to get pet urine out of a mattress.

Source: Tide, How to Wash Blankets.

When to give up on an item

NMSU notes: "Damage created by spots and stains or their improper removal is one of the most common causes of discarded clothing." The AKC says: "If odors linger despite repeated cleaning, or if there are multiple or deep stains, professional cleaning may be the best option."

If a cheap towel or pet blanket still smells after a couple of full rewashes, replacing it may cost less than a professional clean.

Sources: NMSU Extension; AKC.

Keep pets off the bed while you retrain

Humane World for Animals says:

"If your pet soils the sheets or blankets on a bed, cover the bed with a vinyl, flannel-backed tablecloth while you retrain them. It's machine-washable, inexpensive and unattractive to your pet."

"As long as your pet can smell their personal scent, they may continue to return to the "accident zone.""

Asked whether a dog will keep peeing in the same spot, the AKC says: "Yes, if odor remains. Thorough cleaning is essential to remove scent markers and discourage repeat behavior." Humane World for Animals also suggests: "Once the area is clean, make it unattractive and/or unavailable to your pet and make the appropriate bathroom area attractive." Closing the bedroom door is one simple way to do that.

It also says: "If your pet is having regular accidents, have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes." Read more in why dogs and cats keep peeing in the same spot.

For an older dog, see our guide to senior dog accidents.

Sources: Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors; AKC.

Accident on the carpet or couch too?

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." It is not described for laundry; for washable items, follow the care label and the steps above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.