How To Remove Pet Urine From Your Sofa?

Urine is a very stubborn liquid whose smell can linger for a long time. We all agree that removing urine stains can be very painful. Although urine is primarily composed of water (91-96% to be exact), other elements contribute to its specific properties.

Uric acid is present in all types of urine and is the main reason why it is so difficult to remove urine from upholstery fabrics. While other elements can be diluted in water, uric acid turns into invisible crystals, which are not only difficult to extract from the fabric but also react with it, changing its color over time.

Once urine is absorbed by the fabric of a couch, high temperature or humidity can reactivate the crystals, which then emit a strong odor. This is exactly what attracts cats and dogs to the same spot when they relieve themselves. That's why it is important to immediately remove urine stains. Prevention is even more important if you have expensive couches.

💡 Before you put on your gloves and prepare to clean, take the time to examine the label of your couch. Some materials are more sensitive than others. If you have a suede or velvet couch, be sure to follow the indicated instructions to avoid damaging it.

How to clean urine on a fabric couch

The success of removing urine from a couch depends on choosing the right treatment. Although there are many commercial cleaning products that claim to be the best urine removers, homemade solutions are a good ecological alternative. These solutions are less expensive and beneficial for the health of your family and pets.

Cleaning recent urine stains

As soon as you catch your furry companions relieving themselves on the couch, it's best to immediately treat the stain with one of the following solutions:

Enzymatic Cleaner

This product can create a rapid chemical reaction that neutralizes the urine. While it is recommended for tackling tough urine problems, it can also be effective for removing greasy stains. Its composition allows it to be used safely, not only for cleaning couches but also for removing dog and cat urine from other types of fabrics.

You can buy this cleaner in an eco-friendly store, but it is also possible to prepare a homemade enzymatic cleaner. However, it should be noted that the solution must ferment, which takes about a month.

Salt

This is another simple and effective method for removing fresh urine from your favorite couch. Since it does not use water, this method can be useful for cleaning stains on velvet, microfiber, or suede couches. Due to the specific characteristics of the material, the label may only authorize solvent treatment. Salt can then prove useful. Here's how to do it:

Gently absorb some of the liquid with paper towels, without pressing hard (if you press too hard, the urine may seep further into the fabric of the couch).

Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the affected area (you can do this directly and skip the first step if you're worried about spreading the stain).

Let the salt absorb the urine for a few hours until the stain begins to dry.

• Carefully vacuum up.
• Inspect the result of your work and repeat if necessary.
• Repeat this process until you achieve satisfactory results.
• Treating a dried urine stain on a couch

While recent stains may not last long, older stains can be a real nightmare. There is always a solution, but it requires patience, as it may take much more effort.

Vinegar and Dish Soap

In terms of eco-friendly cleaning, it is impossible not to mention white vinegar. It is a popular universal cleaner that can be useful in difficult situations: removing stains on carpets, cleaning curtains, washing windows, and even jewelry.

Since white vinegar is acid-based, it can break down the urine, thereby improving the appearance and smell of your couch. However, it is preferable to treat only old and dry stains, as the urine smell might intensify when the stain is fresh, complicating the cleaning process.

Here's what you need to do:

• Ensure that the couch label authorizes fabric treatment with water-based products.
• Thoroughly mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle or another container. Add 1 to 2 drops of dish soap, so that the solution does not produce too much foam.
• Treat the smelly area of the couch with the mixture and let it dry.
• Repeat the operation if necessary.

If you need to clean the urine from a couch cushion only, you can remove the cover and wash it with a cup of vinegar and a few drops of lemon essential oil. In this case, you can follow the steps above but add another ingredient: borax. Once the urine stain is covered with vinegar, sprinkle a good amount of borax and let it act for several hours. The powder will absorb the moisture from the fabric of the couch, as well as the unpleasant odors.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

If you have light-colored furniture, you can test this homemade cleaner to remove urine stains.

• Mix 3% hydrogen peroxide (you can dilute it with water if you are concerned about the material of the couch), baking soda, and a small amount of laundry detergent.
• Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray the entire stain.
• Wait 30 to 45 minutes for the solution to work.
• Rinse with water once the stain and urine smell are removed.
• 💡 Remember that hydrogen peroxide can cause some bleaching, which is why you should always start by testing an inconspicuous area.

Other cleaning methods to consider

Manual cleaning of urine on the couch can sometimes prove insufficient, in which case professional intervention is necessary. We recommend this option when you find that the fabric of your couch can only be cleaned dry. It is not always wise to do it yourself, as a wrong approach can permanently damage the fabric.

Cleaning your couch with a steam cleaner is also an option.

If you think you might damage your new expensive couch or if you doubt you can make the delicate fabric of the couch immaculate, it is better not to take the risk. Opt for specialized treatment.

Leather is more durable and waterproof than fabric, making urine less problematic with this type of upholstery. However, even though this material seems reliable, it is not completely immune to stains. Moreover, it is not easy to remove the smell of urine from a leather couch, particularly true for white leather, which yellows when stained.

That's why you should not underestimate the problem and delay cleaning. In addition to the option of professional cleaning, there are also homemade solutions to try. You can try the vinegar and dish soap recipe mentioned above, without the borax.

Just be sure to control the amount of water used for cleaning. Once you have blotted the urine and treated the stain with the solution, absorb the liquid, leaving a bit of moisture on the leather. This can easily be air-dried. You may need to repeat the operation.

How to protect your couch from stains in the future?

Regularly inspect the upholstery of your couches. Indeed, a recent stain can go unnoticed, making it more difficult to clean later. Watch the area under the couch.

In pets, frequent urination can be a sign of a health problem. Therefore, it is best to take them to the vet for a check-up as soon as possible.

Plastic covers on the couch are not very aesthetic, but they can be practical to use, at least for a while.