How to Get Pet Urine Out of a Leather Couch

This guide covers dog or cat urine on a leather sofa, loveseat or chair, from the first blot to cushions, conditioning and repeat accidents. It uses what Ethan Allen, American Leather, La-Z-Boy, Bassett, Flexsteel, Room & Board, Leather UK, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Humane World for Animals say.

Blot it right away, do not rub

The AKC's urine cleanup guide 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."

American Leather's first step for spills is: "Wipe any excess liquid up immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge." La-Z-Boy's leather care page says: "If spills do occur, attend to them quickly remembering to blot, not rub, the stain."

Bassett explains why speed matters: "Some types of leather are more absorbent than others. Some leathers may display a darkened spot after a spill that will eventually dry up and disappear, while other leathers can become stained or discolored."

Sources: AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells; American Leather, How to Clean Your Furniture; La-Z-Boy, Fabric & Leather Care; Bassett, Leather Furniture Guide.

Find out which leather you have

Flexsteel says: "You need to make sure you know what type of leather you own to know how to properly take care of it". American Leather says: "First, review the care label of your furniture." Ethan Allen describes the two main kinds:

"Unprotected leathers will absorb spills and stains; they will also develop a patina over time as they absorb hair and body oils and soil. Protected leathers will resist spills; blot them quickly to prevent stains."

American Leather calls its most natural hides "full top-grain, full-aniline hides" and says of its heavy protection leathers: "The heavily pigmented finish coat serves as a barrier to spills, stains and fading."

Nubuck and suede are a separate case. Ethan Allen says of its natural and artisan leathers: "These soft and supple leathers have a slight nap and require special care." Leather UK adds: "Most sofas that are perceived to be Nubuck or Suede are in fact a microfibre fabric that is made to look and feel like the nap." If your couch turns out to be fabric, use How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of a Couch instead.

Sources: Flexsteel, Leather; American Leather, How to Clean Your Furniture; American Leather, Frequently Asked Questions; Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF); Leather UK, Leather care.

Clean with a damp cloth and distilled water

For minor spots and spills, American Leather says:

"If necessary, use a lightly moistened soft cloth with distilled water and let air dry naturally. Do not dry with hair dryers, etc. Do not use soap or soak the stain heavily with water. This may cause more damage than the stain itself."

For its corrected leather, Ethan Allen says: "Blot water-based spills with a soft, clean, slightly damp cloth. Do not rub. Let the stain dry and dissipate into the leather."

Nubuck and other napped leathers need less water, not more. For these, Ethan Allen says: "Keep specialty leathers dry. Do not apply water, soap, solvents, or any other liquids or chemical solutions." It adds: "Blot spills quickly. Use a soft, clean, dry cloth and let the area dry naturally. Do not rub."

Sources: American Leather, How to Clean Your Furniture; Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF).

Mild soap only if your maker allows it

Makers disagree on soap, so follow the care guide for your own piece. Ethan Allen says: "Don't use soap, saddle soap, oil, all-purpose cleaner, or any unapproved solvents when cleaning." For tough or stubborn spots, American Leather says:

"Moisten a soft cloth or sponge with a mild non-detergent soap and lukewarm water. Apply gently to all soiled portions of the leather surface. Remove soap lather by wiping with a clean damp cloth. Blot dry with another soft cloth, and then let air dry naturally."

Sources: Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF); American Leather, How to Clean Your Furniture.

Test first and skip household cleaners and heat

American Leather says: "Always try any cleaning method in a hidden area first to verify the results." Leather UK warns: "Never use household products, hacks or hints and tips off the internet to clean your leather".

Let the leather dry on its own. Ethan Allen says: "Heat can age leather prematurely and may cause it to crack." La-Z-Boy says: "Avoiding intense heat will help prevent the leather from drying and possibly cracking." On urine in upholstery, Humane World for Animals says: "Avoid using steam cleaners to clean urine odors from carpet or upholstery."

Sources: American Leather, How to Clean Your Furniture; Leather UK, Leather care; Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF); La-Z-Boy, Fabric & Leather Care; Humane World for Animals, How to Remove Pet Stains and Odors.

Conditioning after cleaning

Advice on conditioning varies by maker and leather type. Room & Board says: "We recommend specific cleaning and conditioning products based on leather type: top grain, nubuck or synthetic. Confirm which type of leather you purchased before cleaning or conditioning." Leather UK says: "All leather should be cleaned and protected on a regular basis to keep it in the best condition." Flexsteel, on the other hand, says: "There's no need to use a conditioner." Check your own piece's care instructions before you add anything.

Sources: Room & Board, Product Care Instructions (PDF); Leather UK, Leather care; Flexsteel, Leather.

Urine in the seams or cushions

Lift the seat cushions and check the seams, the deck underneath and the sides of each cushion. Ethan Allen says of zippered cushions: "Even though they have zippers, the cushion covers are designed to be cleaned in the same manner as the rest of the upholstery."

If the smell stays, the AKC says: "Urine may have soaked into padding, upholstery, or wood. Repeated treatments or professional cleaning may be necessary." If urine has soaked into the cushion filling, call a professional rather than wetting the leather further. For more on lingering smells, see Pet Urine Smell Came Back After Cleaning: Why and What to Do.

Sources: Ethan Allen, Use & Care guide (PDF); AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells.

When to call a professional leather cleaner

American Leather says: "If the stain persists, we recommend that a professional leather specialist clean the leather to avoid any potential damage to the leather". La-Z-Boy says: "Contact a professional leather cleaning service for more difficult stains." Leather UK says: "Some types of leather (Nubuck and Suede in particular) will always require specialist cleaning services if there is a major problem."

Leather car seats need their own steps: see How to Get Pet Urine Out of a Car Seat.

Sources: American Leather, How to Clean Your Furniture; La-Z-Boy, Fabric & Leather Care; Leather UK, Leather care.

Stop the repeat accidents

The AKC says: "Lingering scent can draw your dog back to the same area, reinforcing accidents." Humane World for Animals says:

"Make previously soiled areas inaccessible or unattractive. If this isn't possible, try to change the significance of those areas to your pet. Feed, treat and play with your pet in the areas where they mark."

It also says: "Before doing anything else, take your dog to the veterinarian to rule out any medical causes for the behavior."

For the full plan, see Dog Marking Indoors: Cleanup That Discourages Repeat Marking and Why Do Dogs and Cats Keep Peeing in the Same Spot? If you smell urine but cannot find it, see Why Does My House Smell Like Dog Pee? Finding the Source. For fabric upholstery, see this guide to cleaning pet stains from couch upholstery.

Sources: AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells; Humane World for Animals, How to stop your dog from peeing in the house.

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 leather; for a leather couch, follow the furniture or leather maker's care guidance above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.