8 Ways to Clean Fresh or Old Urine Stains on a Couch

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At some point, whether your toddler, your cat, or your dog had an accident, you may end up with a urine stain on your furniture. That’s why it’s useful to know how to clean urine from couch.

Cleaning urine from your couch and eliminating the smell isn’t challenging. With a mixture of some pantry supplies, like vinegar, baking soda, or detergent, you can easily get the job done.

In this article, we tackle the issue of cleaning urine stains and getting rid of the smell from your dear couch.

What You Should Know Before Cleaning Urine From Your Couch

First and foremost, the method that you should follow to clean urine from your couch depends on a couple of factors. Those factors are: how old the stain is, and what material the couch is.

When Did It Happen?

It’s essential to determine when “the accident” happened. Fresh urine stains are usually easier to take care of. That’s because the urine hasn’t soaked into the couch yet.

If this is the case, all you’ll have to do is use a paper towel to tap the urine stain gently and soak up excess liquid. Then, using some cleaning materials that are available in every household should simply do the trick.

Old urine stains, on the other hand, are tougher to get rid of. Therefore, they require some kind of a stronger treatment.

What Are Your Couch’s Care Instructions?

Obviously, to avoid ruining your couch, you should never attempt to use any products on it without being aware of the care instructions written on its label.

Usually, there are four different letter markings on any couch label showing the care instructions to follow, which are:

1. S: Usually found on microfiber couches, indicating that you should use a cleaning solvent with no water as a spot treatment or dry cleaning solvent.
2. S/W: These letters mean that you can use either a water-based cleaning solution or a dry cleaning solvent.
3. W: This letter means you can use a water-based cleaning solution by mixing any commercial fabric cleaning product with water.
4. X: Indicates that you can’t use any cleaning liquids on your couch. Instead, you can only have it dry-cleaned or vacuum-cleaned. In this case, it’s best to hire a professional.

How to Clean Urine From a Couch

Now that you’re familiar with the care instructions for your couch, it’s time to start with the process. Here’s what you need to do:

Tools Needed

Depending on the method you choose to follow, you’re going to need some of the following tools and products.

• Paper towels
• Microfiber cloth
• A small container
• Sponges
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Dish soap
• 3% hydrogen peroxide
• A spray bottle
• Enzyme cleaner
• A spot cleaner machine
• Listerine
• Borax

Cleaning Fresh Urine Stains

There are a few simple methods you can try to clean urine from the couch. It works with humans’ as well as pets’ urine. So, here are five of these methods:

Method #1: Using Vinegar and Dish Soap

This is one of the easiest methods to clean urine from couches because vinegar and dish soap are always available at any home. Additionally, vinegar helps break down the acid and disinfect the area. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Lightly pat the stain with a microfiber cloth to remove any excess urine.
2. Avoid pressing too hard, as doing so may force the liquid deeper into the couch.
3. Mix a solution of one tablespoon of dish soap, one tablespoon of vinegar, and two cups of cold water in a small container.
4. Gently stir the solution until evenly mixed.
5. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the mixing container and lightly wring it.
6. Wipe the stain with the cloth starting at the edges, and then work your way into the center of the stain.
7. Repeat until the stain disappears.
8. Blot the area with a damp cloth to remove any soap residue.
9. Pat the area with a dry cloth until completely dry.

Method #2: Using Vinegar and Baking Soda

Just like the previous method, this is another easy-to-execute one. However, this time, it’s baking soda instead of dish soap. Here are the steps:

1. Use a paper towel to blot the stain and soak up excess moisture.
2. Keep repeating the blotting process with new paper towels until the spot is mostly dry.
3. Add one part distilled white vinegar and four parts water into a spray bottle.
4. Spray and soak the urine stain with the mixture.
5. Avoid using this mixture on microfiber because water usually leaves stains on it.
6. For microfiber, use rubbing alcohol, as it doesn’t leave any stains and dries quickly.
7. Use a sponge to scrub the urine stain.
8. Sprinkle a fair amount of baking soda (about one cup) on the cleaned area while it’s still wet.
9. Make sure to cover the whole affected spot.
10. Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil to the baking soda before applying it (this is an optional step).
11. Leave the baking soda to sit for 12 hours or more, until the fabric underneath is completely dry.
12. Use a vacuum cleaner over the cleaned area to remove the baking soda.

Method #3: Using Salt

Since this method doesn’t require using water, it’s perfect for those couches labeled “S” on the care instructions. This means that it works on velvet, microfiber, velour, or suede couches.

It’s yet another simple urine-cleaning hack, and all you need is salt.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Use a paper towel and gently dab the urine spot to soak up excess moisture (this is an optional step).
2. Cover the entire urine spot with a generous amount of salt.
3. Let it sit for a few hours until the stain dries out.
4. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the salt.
5. Assess the stain and repeat the process until you get satisfying results.

Method #4: Using an Enzyme Cleaner

This method is perfect for cats, dogs, or other animals’ urine. Not only does it clean the urine from your couch, but it also prevents pets from ever peeing in that same area again.

Remember that although high-quality enzyme cleaners may be more expensive than ordinary ones, they work better. Usually, you can buy enzyme cleaners at any pet supplies stores.

Here are the steps to use an enzyme cleaner:

1. Make sure to purchase an enzyme cleaner that’s specifically formulated for use on the fabric that your couch is made out of.
2. Use a paper towel or old rag and blot the affected spot to soak up excess urine.
3. Avoid rubbing the stain so as not to force the urine deeper into the couch.
4. Spray a good amount of the enzyme cleaner over the urine stain to thoroughly soak it.
5. Let it sit for 15 minutes to allow enough time for the product to seep into the padding and break down the urine’s acids.
6. Press another dry rag over the area to soak up all the remaining liquids.
7. Repeat with other clean, dry rags until there’s no more moisture left.
8. Leave the couch to air-dry.
9. Avoid rinsing the cleaned area, as enzyme cleaners are evaporable.

Method #5: Using Listerine

Not only does Listerine help you get rid of those urine stains on your couch, but it also leaves a minty fresh smell. Here’s the right way to use it on your couch:

1. Press the spot with paper towels to remove excess urine.
2. Pour half a cup of Listerine into a spray bottle and fill the rest with water.
3. Spray the affected area and blot it with a dry cloth.
4. Repeat the process until the stain disappears.
5. Allow the couch to dry (preferably under the sun).

Cleaning Older Urine Stains

Older urine stains are usually more stubborn than fresh ones. That’s why they somehow need a stronger cleaning mix.

Here are three methods for cleaning older urine stains:

Method #1: Using Baking Soda, Dish Soap, and Hydrogen Peroxide

This DIY formula is effective in cleaning older urine stains from couches. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 3 oz of 3% hydrogen peroxide, and a couple of drops of dish soap in a small container.
2. Mix the ingredients until the baking soda dissolves.
3. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
4. Test the mixture on a hidden area of the couch and let it dry to make sure that it doesn’t ruin or discolor the fabric.
5. Spray the mixture on the stain and let it sit for an hour.
6. Repeat the process until the stain goes away.
7. Dab the area with a damp cloth to rinse the cleaning mixture because hydrogen peroxide could bleach or weaken the fabric.
8. Use a towel to pat the area dry so as not to leave behind any soap residue.

Method #2: Using Vinegar and Borax

Borax is a kind of salt that’s usually used for cleaning purposes. It works great in absorbing unpleasant smells from fabrics.

Here’s how you should use it:

1. Use a dry cloth and blot the stain to soak up moisture.
2. Mix one part distilled white vinegar and four parts water into a spray bottle.
3. Spray the urine stain with the mixture thoroughly.
4. Use a sponge and scrub the urine stain.
5. Sprinkle a solid amount of borax over the cleaned area while it’s still wet.
6. Leave it to sit for several hours until the fabric underneath dries out.
7. Vacuum the remaining borax powder.

Method #3: Using a Spot Cleaner

Spot cleaners are effective in cleaning any stains off your furniture. So, if you have one at home, put it to use.

Follow these steps to use a spot cleaner:

1. Assemble the appliance as per instructions.
2. Fill the water tank and add a suitable cleaning solution to it.
3. Connect the furniture attachment to the hose.
4. Spray the solution on the desired area.
5. Let it soak for three to five minutes.
6. Scrub the stain with the brush attachment.
7. Apply pressure on the tool while pulling it towards you to lift away the stain.
8. Allow the area to dry completely.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to clean urine from couch is quite beneficial because you never know when it might come in handy.

Even if your kids are potty trained, or your pet has never done it, accidents happen. So, if they do, you’d better be prepared.

Luckily, urine stains are easily cleaned using household ingredients, like vinegar, salt, baking soda, or dish soap. Whether a fresh stain or an older one, there’s always a way to clean it.

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