Accidents happen. Whether it’s from potty-training toddlers, elderly family members, or pets, dealing with urine stains and odor on clothes can be a frustrating experience. The smell can be quite stubborn, lingering even after several washes. The good news? There are a few tried-and-true methods to help remove the urine smell from clothes and restore them to their fresh, clean state.

In this article, we'll explore some of the most effective ways to eliminate that unpleasant odor and answer a few frequently asked questions.

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Clothes with Urine Smell: 4 Treatment Steps

Step 1: Rinse Clothes Immediately 

The sooner you can rinse the clothes after an accident, the better. The smell becomes harder to eliminate if urine is allowed to sit and dry on the fabric.

Here’s what to do:

• Rinse with cold water: Cold water helps loosen and dilute the urine, making it easier to treat the smell later. Avoid using hot water initially, as it can set the odor into the fabric.

Step 2: Pre-Treat the Clothes

Before tossing the clothes into the washing machine, it’s important to pre-treat them to make sure the urine smell is fully removed. Here are two effective methods to try:

• Vinegar Solution: Vinegar is a powerful natural cleaner that neutralizes the smell of urine. Mix one part white vinegar with three parts cold water. Soak the affected clothing in this solution for 30 minutes. This will help break down the ammonia in the urine and neutralize the smell.
  
  
• Baking Soda Paste: Another option is to create a paste with baking soda and water. Apply it directly to the urine-stained areas and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Baking soda is great at absorbing odors, which makes it perfect for this job.
  

Tip: Both vinegar and baking soda are great for neutralizing urine odors, so using them together in your washing routine provides an extra level of protection.

Step 3: Wash the Clothes Thoroughly 

After pre-treating, it’s time to wash the clothes. Here's how to do it for the best results:

• Use a strong detergent: Choose a high-quality laundry detergent, preferably one that has enzymes. Enzymatic detergents are especially good at breaking down organic materials like urine
  
• Add vinegar to the wash: Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar will neutralize any lingering smells, making sure the urine odor doesn’t return once the clothes are dry.
• Extra baking soda boost: For particularly stubborn odors, you can sprinkle half a cup of baking soda into the drum of your washing machine with your laundry detergent. This will help absorb any remaining smells during the wash cycle.
  

Step 4: Air Dry Your Clothes

Heat from dryers can sometimes lock in smells, so it’s best to air dry your clothes after treating for urine smell. Hanging them outside in direct sunlight can further help neutralize odors, as sunlight acts as a natural deodorizer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Neutralises the Smell of Urine? 

The strong smell of urine comes from ammonia. To neutralize it effectively, you need products that can either break down or absorb the ammonia molecules. Here are a few household items that work well:

• Vinegar: Its acetic acid neutralizes the alkaline ammonia in urine.
• Baking Soda: Absorbs the odor and helps neutralize the smell.
• Enzymatic Cleaners: These contain enzymes that break down the proteins in urine. They're particularly useful for pet urine.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: An excellent disinfectant that also breaks down the smell.

Does Vinegar Remove Urine Scent? 

Yes, vinegar is one of the most effective natural options for removing urine scent from clothes. Its acidic nature helps neutralize the ammonia in urine. You can use it both as a pre-treatment and during the wash cycle.

Here’s how:

• Pre-Treat: Soak the affected clothes in a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water for 30 minutes before washing.
• Add to the Rinse Cycle: Pour about 1 cup of vinegar into your washing machine’s rinse cycle to help eliminate any leftover odors.
  

How Do You Get Dried Urine Out of Clothes?

If you’re dealing with urine stains that have dried, it can be a bit more challenging, but you can still remove the smell effectively by following these steps:

1. Rinse with cold water: Even though the stain is dry, a good rinse in cold water can help loosen up any remaining urine particles.
   
   
2. Soak in Vinegar Solution: Fill a bucket with water and add one cup of white vinegar. Soak the clothes for 30 minutes to 1 hour to break down the dried urine.
   
   
3. Baking Soda Treatment: After the soak, sprinkle baking soda directly on the stained areas. Rub it in gently, and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
   
   
4. Wash as Usual: Wash the clothes in the washing machine using an enzyme-based detergent for maximum effectiveness.
   

How to Get Urine Smell Out of Clothes That Have Already Been Washed and Dried?

If you’ve already washed and dried clothes and the smell of urine remains, don’t worry—you can still salvage them. Here's how to tackle it:

1. Soak the Urine-Stained Clothes Again: Fill a bucket or basin with cold water and add one cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar. Let the clothes soak for at least 30 minutes. This combo will help neutralize any lingering urine smell.
   
   
2. Rewash with Enzymatic Detergent: Enzymatic detergents are specifically designed to break down the proteins in urine, which helps get rid of tough smells. Rewash the clothes with this type of detergent.
   
   
3. Add Baking Soda to the Wash: For an extra boost, add half a cup of baking soda to the washing machine drum with your detergent. This will help neutralize any remaining odors.
   
   
4. Air Dry Outdoors: Avoid using the dryer, as heat can sometimes trap odors. Rather hang the clothes outside to dry; preferably in direct sunlight for additional odor-fighting power.