How to Get Urine Smell Out of Clothes and Sheets

Standard washing methods often fall short leaving fabrics with a persistent, unpleasant smell. This guide by Sheets Laundry Club will provide detailed instructions and tips to tackle this common issue. With it and the right products, you can effectively remove urine odor from your clothes and sheets, restoring them to a fresh and clean state.

The Importance of Timely Treatment

Urine contains compounds that can penetrate deeply into fibers. Addressing urine stains and odors as soon as they happen can prevent the smell from setting into the fabric.

Immediate treatment with the correct method helps to break down these compounds before they can bond with the fabric, preventing long-term odor issues and maintaining the quality of your sheets.

How Do You Get Urine Smell Out of Clothes?

You can try the following methods to eliminate the smell from your clothes and sheets.

Pretreating the Affected Garments

Vinegar is a natural deodorizer which can be an excellent pretreatment option. To pretreat using a vinegar and water solution:

• Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water in a spray bottle.
• Spray the solution directly onto the urine-stained areas of the fabric.
• Ensure the affected spots are thoroughly soaked.
• Let it sit for 10-15 minutes so the vinegar can neutralize the ammonia in the urine.
• Then, gently blot the area with a clean cloth to absorb excess moisture.

Alternatively, you can use baking soda, it’s another powerful natural deodorizer.

First, create a paste using three tablespoons of baking soda and a small amount of water. Then apply the paste directly to the urine stain and then leave it for 15-20 minutes.

Baking soda absorbs odors and breaks down urine molecules. Once the paste has dried, brush off any residue before laundering the garment. Baking soda’s odor-absorbing properties make it an effective method for pretreating urine-stained fabrics.

Effective Washing Techniques

When you’re wondering how to remove the urine smell from clothes, one of the most effective ways is to wash them in hot water.

Hot water helps to break down urine proteins and disinfects the fabric by eliminating bacteria that cause odors. To avoid damage, ensure the fabric care label permits hot water washing. Use the hottest setting that is safe for the material to maximize the cleaning power.

Another option is an enzyme-based detergent that can tackle biological stains like urine. These detergents contain enzymes that break down the proteins and uric acid in the urine. It can also effectively remove stains and odors. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.

You can also add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It can further help neutralize any remaining odors. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that works well with detergent, leaving your fabrics smelling fresh.

Lastly, run a double rinse cycle for stubborn odors. This extra step removes all traces of urine and detergent and ensures a completely clean environment, helping prevent any lingering smells.

Choosing the Right Detergents

The right detergents can also help you eliminate odors. Products like mention odor remover in their name like Tide Odor Rescue and Persil ProClean Odor Fighter can tackle tough smells leaving your fabrics fresh and clean.

Or, look for biodegradable detergents with natural enzymes. Brands like Seventh Generation and ECOS are effective and gentle solutions that are harmless to the environment and your fabrics.

For an extra punch, you can add odor-eliminating boosters to your laundry. Products like OxiClean Odor Blasters and Arm & Hammer Laundry Booster can work well with your regular detergent.

Odor-Neutralizing Additives

You can incorporate odor-neutralizing additives to enhance the effectiveness of your laundry routine.

One popular additive is borax, a natural mineral that helps neutralize odors and boosts your detergent’s cleaning power. Add half a cup of borax to your laundry load and it will tackle stubborn urine smells effectively.

There are also specially formulated cleaners designed to combat urine odors. Products like Zero Odor Laundry and Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator can break down and eliminate urine compounds. These additives work with your regular detergent to neutralize the odor.

The Effectiveness of Natural Sunlight

After washing and treating your clothes, you can let them dry under natural sunlight. Sunlight has natural antibacterial properties due to ultraviolet (UV) rays, so it can be highly effective in killing bacteria that may cause lingering smells and further eliminating any remaining urine odors.

Hanging your freshly washed laundry outside on a sunny day allows UV rays to penetrate the fabric fibers, reducing bacteria and deodorizing the material. Additionally, the fresh air and breeze help disperse any residual odors.

Sunlight can eliminate odors and leave your laundry smelling naturally fresh. This method works best for items that are difficult to deodorize fully through washing alone, such as thick blankets, comforters, or heavily soiled clothing. Using natural sunlight, you can ensure your laundry is thoroughly clean and odor-free.