Accidents happen, especially when it comes to pets and small children. A pee stain on your couch can be an unpleasant and frustrating experience.
However, with the right approach and cleaning techniques, you can get rid of the stain as the foul odour it inevitably leaves behind.
In this blog post, we will outline some steps to help you remove urine stains from your couch whether it was on the cushion, side of the couch or in some other unexpected location.
Steps for removing pee smell & stains from your Couch
Blot the stain
use a cleaning solution
Rinse the area
Deodorize the couch
Call a professional cleaner
Are the methods safe on microfiber
Leather & Suede Couches
Couch Foam Cushions
Step 1: Blot the Stain
As soon as you notice the pee stain on your couch, grab a clean towel or paper towel and blot the area gently.
This might seem pointless if the stain has already all but dried, if that’s the case then it’s a good idea to spray the stain with water. This will allow you to dab the area and remove some of the pee from your couch.
Avoid rubbing the stain, as this can spread the pee and make the stain worse. Continue blotting until you have removed as much pee as possible.
Step 2: Use a Cleaning Solution
To remove the remaining pee stain, you will need to use a cleaning solution. There are several household items that you can use to make a cleaning solution, including vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap.
Here are some recipes for each:
Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the stain and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then, use a clean towel or paper towel to blot the area. Repeat until the stain has lifted
Baking Soda Solution: Mix equal parts baking soda and water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Then, use a clean towel or paper towel to blot the area. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
Dish Soap Solution: Mix a teaspoon of dish soap with a cup of warm water. Apply the solution to the stain and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Use a clean towel or paper towel to blot the area. Repeat until the stain is gone.
These solutions are also effective on:
Oil stains
Chocolate stains
Soy sauce
Mustard stains
Some makeup stains
Step 3: Rinse the Area
After using a cleaning solution, it is important to rinse the area thoroughly with water. Use a clean towel or paper towel dipped in water to remove any remaining cleaning solution from the fabric.
Then, use a dry towel to blot the area and remove excess water. This will help dry the couch but also lift any odours you may have missed.
Step 4: Deodorize the Couch
Even if you have successfully removed the pee stain, there may still be an odour left behind. To deodorize your couch, you can use baking soda or white vinegar.
Sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and let it sit for a few hours. Then, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda.
Alternatively, you can spray white vinegar over the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a clean towel to blot the area and remove the vinegar.
Step 5: Call a Professional Cleaner
If the pee stain is particularly stubborn, or if you are concerned about potential damage to your couch, it may be best to call a professional cleaner.
A professional cleaner will have the tools and expertise to remove even the toughest stains and odours from your couch without causing damage to the fabric.
The ultimate cheat code for removing urine from your couch
If you want a quick and easy way to remove urine stains from your couch, look no further and buy yourself a steam cleaner.
It doesn’t need to be an extravagant one because you only need a little bit of heat to assist with the chemicals to get the job done more effectively.
If you already have one, take a look at our article on ‘Does steam cleaning remove urine from your upholstery’.
Are these urine removal steps safe on a microfiber couch?
Yes these methods are safe on microfiber and almost every other type of fabric couch. There are slightly varying levels of chemical compounds that you should use, but the methods remain the same.
The only types of couches that you won’t be able to remove urine with these methods are leather and suede.
I’m pretty sure what you’re next question is going to be if you have one of these types of couches so let’s dive right in.
How To Clean Urine From A Leather Or Suede Couch
To remove urine from a suede couch follow these steps:
Blot the excess urine with a clean towel
Use a solution of mild soap and lukewarm water
Rub in gently but quickly to create a foamy surface
If you have a wet and dry vacuum, suck the foamy mixture out of the couch
If not, you will need to methodically rinse out the stained area with cold water, taking great care not to oversaturate the area
*Top tip: if you have a scrubber dubber pad, the agitation process is much more effective and less time consuming.
For Leather Couches:
You can follow these exact steps, however do not use laundry detergent. Leather needs it’s own specific products, otherwise you can dry the leather out and risk it cracking as well as other damage.
Does This Work For Couch Foam Cushions?
Sadly not. If the pee stains are on the couch cushions, then they will likely have penetrated inside to the foam.
This takes a more thorough job to remove properly but it can be done, and since the foam isn’t noticeable, you can use some harsh methods if necessary.
We have wrote an article on ‘how to clean a couch cushion (including the foam’) for this reason so if that’s something you need to know about, everything you need to know is in there.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting pee out of a couch requires prompt action, patience, and the right cleaning techniques.
By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can successfully remove the stain and the odour.
If all else fails, don’t hesitate to call a professional cleaner for help. They can advise you on the best cleaning method and carry it out on any fabric type so you won’t need to worry about damaging your couch.
