How to Clean Urine the Right Way on Carpets, Mattresses and Couches

Author: Emily Carter
6 min
How to Clean Urine the Right Way on Carpets, Mattresses and Couches

Accidents happen – whether it's a potty-training mishap, a pet marking territory, or a late-night spill. Knowing how to clean urine quickly and correctly prevents stains, odors, and repeat accidents. As a professional cleaning team, we've refined reliable methods for how to get urine out of carpet, how to clean urine from a couch, and how to get urine out of a mattress (even when dry). Follow the steps below for safe, effective results – and remember, for stubborn or old stains, our trained technicians are just a call away.

Before You Start: What You'll Need

  • White, absorbent towels or paper towels
  • Cold water in a spray bottle
  • Enzyme-based urine cleaner (pet-specific for dog and cat urine)
  • Mild dish soap
  • Distilled white vinegar (use sparingly; enzyme cleaners are preferred for pet urine)
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide (for mattresses and light fabrics; test first)
  • Baking soda
  • Soft brush and a wet/dry vacuum (if available)
  • Gloves and good ventilation

Always test any solution on a hidden area first to check for colorfastness.

Fresh Spills: Act Fast

  1. Blot, don't rub: Press with clean towels to lift as much urine as possible. Work from the edge inward.
  2. Lightly mist with cold water and blot again to dilute remaining residue.
  3. Apply an enzyme cleaner, following the label. Enzymes break down odor-causing compounds that simple soaps cannot.
  4. Allow adequate dwell time, then blot or extract. Air dry thoroughly.

How to Clean Urine from Carpet

How to get pee out of carpet (fresh)

  1. Blot the area thoroughly.
  2. Spray an enzyme cleaner generously so it reaches the carpet pad. Pet accidents often soak below the fibers.
  3. Let it dwell 10–15 minutes (or per product instructions).
  4. Blot or use a wet/dry vacuum to extract. Repeat if needed.
  5. Sprinkle baking soda lightly once dampness subsides, then vacuum when fully dry.

How to remove old urine stains from carpet

Older spots and odors may have crystallized in the backing and pad. For how to get dried dog pee out of carpet or how to get cat pee out of carpet, enzyme cleaners are essential.

  1. Pre-wet the area with cool water to rehydrate the stain.
  2. Saturate with an enzyme solution, ensuring deep penetration.
  3. Cover with plastic wrap for 30 - 60 minutes to prevent evaporation and improve digestion of odor compounds.
  4. Remove wrap, blot, and extract thoroughly.
  5. If staining persists, apply a carpet-safe oxygen-based cleaner. Avoid bleach.

For how to remove dog urine from carpet and how to clean cat pee from carpet, avoid steam cleaning. Heat can set proteins and lock in odors. Professional hot water extraction with the right pre-treatments is different and can be very effective – ask us for a targeted pet treatment.

How to Clean Urine from a Mattress

Mattresses require care: too much moisture invites odors; too little won't reach the source. These steps cover how to clean pee out of a mattress, how to get urine out of a mattress when dry, and how to get urine out of memory foam mattress safely.

Fresh accidents: how to clean urine from mattress

  1. Remove bedding and blot the area thoroughly.
  2. Mist cool water, then apply an enzyme cleaner. Allow it to dwell 10–15 minutes.
  3. Blot to remove as much liquid as possible.
  4. Apply a thin layer of baking soda to absorb remaining moisture and odors.
  5. Let dry completely; vacuum up baking soda.

How to get pee stains out of mattress (including dried stains)

  1. Mix a solution: 1 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide + 3 tbsp baking soda + a small drop of dish soap. Stir gently.
  2. Lightly spray on the stain. Do not soak.
  3. Allow to air dry; a light salt-like residue may form. Vacuum it away.
  4. Repeat once if needed. If odor persists, follow with an enzyme cleaner and sufficient dwell time.

For how to get cat pee out of mattress or how to clean dog pee from mattress, prioritize enzyme treatments for odor neutralization. Memory foam is sensitive – apply solutions sparingly and dry thoroughly with fans. For deep or recurring odors, professional extraction helps protect the foam and your warranty.

How to Clean Urine from a Couch

Whether you need how to get pee out of a couch, how to clean pee off couch, or how to get dog pee out of couch, always check the fabric care tag (W, S, WS, X). When in doubt, contact us for upholstery-safe treatment.

Fabric upholstery (W or WS)

  1. Blot thoroughly to remove fresh urine.
  2. Apply an enzyme cleaner appropriate for upholstery; allow dwell time.
  3. Blot with clean towels. For WS fabrics, a mild soap solution can assist with yellowing.
  4. Rinse by lightly misting water and blotting. Do not over-wet cushions.
  5. Air dry with fans; rotate cushions to speed drying.

Solvent-only fabrics (S) and delicate textiles

  • Avoid water-based solutions that can cause rings or color bleed.
  • Use solvent-based cleaners designed for upholstery, or schedule a professional service for safe odor neutralization.

For how to get cat pee out of couch, enzymes are vital, as feline urine contains strong sulfur compounds. Prompt treatment prevents repeat marking.

Troubleshooting Odors and Stains

  • Still smells after cleaning? The urine may have reached padding or the interior of cushions. Reapply enzymes and extend dwell time, or ask for professional deep extraction.
  • Yellow halo on fabric? Try a second pass with the peroxide solution on mattresses or an oxygen-based cleaner on carpet, if color-safe.
  • Multiple pet accidents? Use a UV light to locate hidden spots and treat comprehensively.

Prevention Tips from the Pros

  • Use waterproof mattress protectors and washable couch covers in high-risk areas.
  • Place pet-approved potty pads and maintain litter boxes to reduce accidents.
  • Schedule routine professional carpet and upholstery cleaning – this removes residues that cause remarking.

When to Call a Professional

If you're battling how to get urine out of carpet after repeated attempts, how to remove pee stains from bed that keep returning, or large, older areas like how to get old dog urine stains out of carpet, professional equipment and pet-specific deodorizers make all the difference. We can flush contaminants from the pad, neutralize odors at the molecular level, and protect your textiles. Contact our team for a fast quote and friendly guidance – your home will look and smell fresh again.

Quick Reference: Do's and Don'ts

  • Do: Blot immediately, use enzyme cleaners, allow proper dwell time, and dry thoroughly.
  • Don't: Rub aggressively, use heat or steam on urine, over-wet foam or cushions, or skip a colorfastness test.

Mastering how to clean urine is about swift action, the right products, and thorough drying. For peace of mind – and guaranteed odor removal – book a professional cleaning. We're here to help, from emergency spot treatments to whole-home restoration.

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