My Couch Smells like Pee - HELP!

Updated on March 04, 2008
M.D. asks from Salt Lake City, UT
38 answers

I'm in the process of potty training my daughter. She's been doing fairly well, but yesterday she had a huge accident on my couch. I immediately cleaned it with my Bissell Spot Bot, which I thought surely would take care of it. Well, when I sat down this morning to watch the news I instantly smelled urine. Does anyone know how to get the smell of urine out of a microfiber couch? I unzipped the cushion and smelled the pad underneath and it seems fine. The smell seems to be contained to just the microfiber cover. I have guests coming over for dinner tomorrow night and the last thing I want is my guests smelling my daughters pee. Please Please Please someone tell me they can help me.

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H.M.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Oreck makes a wonderful product (meant for dogs) that takes pee (and it's smell) out of about anything. It's called "Pet Odor and Stain Remover." It's $20 a bottle, so it's a bit expensive, but it works really well.

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K.U.

answers from Boise on

Sorry, looks like I may have been too late to help. I found when potty training that usually the smell went away after it was cleaned up. If a little lingered, often something like Febreeze was great at clearing it up. Also, using one of these oxy type cleaners worked well.

Good luck!

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L.R.

answers from Missoula on

Shaklee germacide (basic G ). should be a distributer in phone book. It is the only thing I have found to get the smell of cat pee out and in my opinion cat pee is the worst

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L.S.

answers from Denver on

Try the odor neutralizer at Petco or Pet's Mart. Pee is rough. Those products help neutralize the odor.

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J.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

At Petsmart you can get any number of cleaning products especially for urine. Look in the cat section. If it works on cat urine, it will work on anything.

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C.R.

answers from Denver on

When we have accidents, we sprinkle Borax on the site, and amazingly, it soaks up the urine, vomit, etc. I use it all the time on the carpet with no change in color, but check a small spot on other areas to be sure. Hope this helps!

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

If you can take the cushion cover off and wash it that will help. I just went through this with my daughter throwing up on the couch and it was awful for days later. I took the cover off, washed it, then sprayed the spongy cushion stuff down with lysol, then when I got the cover back on sprayed the couch with Febreeze...good luck.

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S.B.

answers from Rochester on

This may sound funny, but a product called Nature's Miracle works absolute wonders! We just adopted a new puppy and she has peed and pooped in the house too many times to count. It takes the smell and stain completely away. You can find it at Pet Smart. It is all natural and I have never had any problems with it.

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S.B.

answers from Denver on

Hello M.,
Urine is a tough smell to get rid of, but can be done with enzymes. Look for a product called Anti-Icky Poo. It's fabulous. You can find it at some veterinarians. I know that Care Animal Hospital at 8044 Kipling Street in Arvada carries it. Maybe you could call them to see if they know of another vet that carries it close to you. But it is worth the drive if they don't. ###-###-####. I would use it full strength on the couch. Even though you can't smell it on the cushion, I think that I would spray some on that area also. This stuff even works in grout. I've raised 3 puppies now, and I live by that stuff.
Good luck!!
S.

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K.A.

answers from Great Falls on

Hi M.,
Not to worry about the Pee issue. Go to Petsmart and ask for Nature's Miracle. It is an enzyme cleaner that is used for dog and cat urine. You spray it on the affected area and let it soak in for a bit, then you can use some water (maybe a rinse cycle with your spot bot after the cleaner dries) to rinse it a little. It shouldn't hurt the fabric on your couch but test it for color fastness in a hidden spot to be sure. When the cleaner dries you won't smell it or have much residue left behind in the fabric. You cann also use Nature's Miracle on food stains, pet fecies, vomit and any orther organic spot. It has literally been a life saver for me. On a side not, I am at the same stage in my life with my family so if you would ever like to get together for coffee let me know. I love meeting new people especially new moms!! Good Luck

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S.L.

answers from Missoula on

Try a product in the pet section call Miracle oder and stain removal. It's in a white bottle w/red printing. It works great and nuetralizes the smell. I found it at a local feed and supply type store, PetSmart or Walmart.

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J.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

We have a microfiber couch as well which we bought at RC Willey with a cleaning warranty. We are also a potty training...sigh....anyway RC Willey uses We Love Cleaning ###-###-#### and they do a great job, no smell or spots after they come. Not sure the cost as ours is covered under warranty but it may be worth a call. They are in SLC but service the Layton area.
Good Luck
J. D.

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J.F.

answers from Billings on

Keep sprayign febreeze on it and it will go away!

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S.W.

answers from Denver on

You can pour white vinegar on the area and let it dry (the smell of the vinegar will go away, but do this as soon as possible to make sure) or just take off the cover and wash it. See if there is an cleaning instruction tag on it. My couch cushion covers are dry clean only, but I have washed them on gentle and cold and they did fine.

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C.Y.

answers from Denver on

Try going to Vitamin cottage or the pet store and looking for something with enzymes that "eat" the smells from urine! good luck!

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N.P.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I sometimes wet a cloth with febreeze to make my microfiber couches smell better... but I don't know what to do if you need to still clean urine and already tried something.. yikes.. good luck.

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V.H.

answers from Boise on

Hi my name is V., Take and get some Febreeze and spray it on your couch and you will have no more pee smell .This work's great i have had alot of experience from this. ____@____.com

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J.B.

answers from Pueblo on

When we have had pee smells on the bed mattres that wouldnt go away with cleaners we found that putting them outside in sunlight zapped the smell right out. A few hours of sun and fresh air even cold air seems to work.

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M.Z.

answers from Denver on

A good ol' mixture of vinegar and water will do it best. You only need 1/4 C vinegar to 3/4 cup of water for it to work...I have had indoor cats all my life and this simple home remedy works far better and much faster than the Nature's Miracle stuff from the pet store. Let it dry, and as Susan W says, the vinegar smell will go away.

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J.S.

answers from Denver on

Just thought I would say that if you decide to try vinager don't worry about the vinager smell. When vinager dries you won't be able to smell it. I would use Borax though. I use it on matteresses all the time. Just spinkle get wet a little rub around leave to dry and when dry just vaccuum. Good Luck.
Jen

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K.P.

answers from Denver on

You need to get an odor/stain remover with enzymes in it that break down biological "stuff" (vomit, urine, feces, etc.). One such thing is called "Nature's Miracle" and it is sold at places like "Pets Mart" or in the pet section of the store. We used it for our dog/cat accidents, and it works great. When the stomach flu hit our two boys and we had an incident with the couch, we used the same stuff for that mess and it worked great on that, too. The only thing is that it takes time for the enzymes to work--like several days. Your immediate issue might have to be resolved by taking the microfiber cover off and putting a blanket on the couch with "smell good" drier sheets in between. Good luck!

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R.N.

answers from Billings on

If you haven't found a solution yet, try mixing 50/50 distilled vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Saturate the area and let it dry. I don't have personal experience with microfiber but it works wonders on carpet and upholstery. Good luck!

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A.F.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I've never heard that about the vinegar and baking soda. But it kind of scares me. To me, vinegar smells almost as bad as urine! Anyway. I've never tried that, but I have tried this cleaner called "Kids 'n Pets." It comes in a 32oz white pop top bottle with a yellow label and blue lettering (or it did last I bought it). I have 4 kids ages 3 1/2 and younger as well as a Shih Tzu we got as a puppy. We've done the potty training for the oldest child and the dog, and had many gross diaper issues with the two 1 1/2 year olds. All of which were very nicely cleaned up with the Kids 'n Pets. It gets rid of the mess AND the smell every single time. It was made exactly for the issue you're having. If you leave it in the bottle it comes in, you just have to kind of pour some out on the stain. Since you're going to be using it on a sofa, I would just pour it into a small spray bottle and spray the stain rather than drenching it. It will dry faster and won't leave any "wet marks." Either way you use it, leave it on for a few minutes and then scrub it with a soft towel or rag. If your Bissell has a function that can vacuum up the liquid without adding any more cleaning solution, you can do that to help it dry faster. Hope that helps. It's a wonderful product and you can find it almost anywhere. I usually get it at Walmart or Target in their "all purpose cleaner" aisle.

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E.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

So, the spot is gone, but the stench remains, eh? According to the Queen of Clean, who has been doing this for 30+years, in her book Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean to remove accidents from upholstered furniture you must first be sure that the fabric can be cleaned and treated with water. Check the platform of the sofa under the cushion to determine the cleaning code. It should be listed on a tag. W indicates that the piece can be cleaned with water, so it can be treated. Clean the area using a good quality upholstery spotting product.

You would want to use an enzyme spotter such as Nature's Miracle or Outright Pet Odor Eliminator. Accidents are mostly proteins and the only way to get rid of those is to "digest" them with an enzyme.

So soak up as much urine as possible, apply the enzyme product following directions very carefully (don't be afraid to saturate it), cover with plastic with something heavy on top to keep the enzyme from drying before it finishes its job, and keep covered for about 12 hours. Uncover and allow it to dry completely. If the odor is still there, you may have to repeat the process...it probably went really deep into the pad. If not, treat the spot with a spotter that specializes in pet stains (they're usually the culprits).

If you don't have an enzyme product this will get you by until you get it...
First, soak up as much liquid as possible. If you have club soda on hand, pour that on and blot (use cold water if you don't have club soda). Do this repeatedly to remove as much urine as possible. Mix a mild solution of white vinegar and water (1/3 c vinegar in a 1-qt bottle filled with cool water) in a spray bottle and spray onto the stain to help remove the smell. Rinse with clear water and blot. Now go to the store at the earliest possible moment and buy the enzyme product and spotter and use as discussed above.

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H.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Vinegar. Soak it in vinegar, let it sit for awhile, 20-30 minutes and then drench it with water. Hopefully the spot bot will suck most of the water up for you but otherwise its going to take alot of towels to blot the water out and several hours to air-dry. Good luck.

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J.S.

answers from Provo on

The only thing I use is Baking Soda. It takes every smell out. Even when my kids puke. Sprinkle Baking Soda on the area, leave it for about an hour, then vacuum it up.

Good luck

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A.L.

answers from Pueblo on

As noted by other mom's ... both vinegar and Nature's Miracle work well... good luck!

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S.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Ever tried Febreeze? It works wonders and they have an "antimicrobial" one! Good luck- we're doing the same thing with our two year old little girl; only we have a nasty color of carpet that seems to hide "wet spots" pretty well so I cant even tell where she's peed if I'm not right there! Hang in there- it will be over soon!

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M.M.

answers from Denver on

Two things come to mind, can you stick the whole cushion cover in the wash machine to wash it? I do that with mine. Also, try vinegar and water to scrub the smell out. Vinegar has worked on most smells in our house. I have two little girls so we have had lots of messes!

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T.G.

answers from Houston on

I have microfiber sofas and have potty traines 3 of my children with them and have had lots of throw up also. YAY! They atill look good and we are still using them in our main room. So, when after trying to clean it and it still smelled , wash the area with vinegar, let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes, dry a bit off with a towel and then put a generous amount of baking soda on it leaving it to sit for 20 - 30 minutes. I usually would then vacuum up the baking soda. We did finally have ours professionally cleaned this last year. We had so many drool marks and probably other marks also on the sofas. They still look great and smell fine. Good luck

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J.N.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I have heard that vinegar will take out the smell. My mom has a naughty cat in her house, and she tosses anything soiledd with urine in the wash with vinegar instead of bleach. I believe she lets it soak for 30 min, then washes with detergent as normal. Since it seems to just be the cover, you could take it off and run it through the wash like that.
Good Luck!!

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T.D.

answers from Pueblo on

you could try half peroxide and half water, or fabreeze. i wish you luck!!

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J.Z.

answers from Provo on

I have used club soda when my pets have an accident and I love that it's not smelly like other cleaners. Just pour it on let it sit then "sponge" it out. I've also used the baking soda trick if the club soda doesn't get it all out.

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S.M.

answers from Salt Lake City on

If you can wash the cover do so with oxyclean. I use it with regular detergent in the washing machine to keep my sons clothes smelling great after accidents. It even works on animal accidents in carpeting or cars. Completely takes away the smell and doesn't leave a cover up smell. If you can't take the cover off then just take warm water, mix with oxyclean and pour on it then vacuum off after it drys or you can get a oxyclean spray that works pretty good, not as good as the washing machine. S.

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L.W.

answers from Tulsa on

I see a ton of answers here...When I had pet trouble, I tried those products at the pet stores, and I didn't think they worked as well as they claim. Probably one of the grossest days of my life was when my son had an accident on our bed, and while I was taking the sheets to be washed, I came back to find our cat had decided to "cover" the scent. UGH!!!

We have a tempurpedic mattress. The mattress cover is supposed to be waterproof, but I've washed it so many times that I don't think it is any more. So I looked online to see how I was to clean this mattress. And, thankfully, I found it.

Somewhere I read to use peroxide. And, it worked. It's so much less expensive that all those cleaners. Just be sure to soak up as much of the urine first, then you have to be sure the peroxide gets to all parts where she peed. Let it sit for awhile, blot it up, and, then let it dry completely.

Try a small amount on the underside to be sure it won't fade your couch's fabric.

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J.O.

answers from Boise on

Go to the pet section of any store and get the animal urine remover, its a spray, it will get the smell out, it works on humans and animals. With 7 kids and a lot of animals I learned this first hand. You could also try putting baking soda over the area let it sit for an hour then vacuum it up that can work also, but not always I use it in a pinch. I don't use Fabreeze for it cause I find it is only a temopary fix. Good luck!

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E.J.

answers from Boise on

We have seven children, and by far my favorite product for this type of situation is Kids 'n' Pets which we have only been able to find at Walmart in the cleaning products aisle - usually around the carpet cleaner and such. We even used it on our carpet when we had a basement sump-pump overflow and it worked! Good Luck!

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K.E.

answers from Billings on

Hi M.~ I learned this one from my dad (yup, DAD) and it worked for me and my family. Put about a half a cup of warm water, not hot, into a spray bottle along with a couple drops of peppermint extract. Shake it up to mix it and spray a mist on the spot after you've cleaned it. It helped us with accidents from the kids as well as training our male siamese who seemed to leave his "mark" everywhere! Good Luck...

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