How to Eliminate the Odor of Human Urine

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If you are dealing with the unpleasant smell of human urine, there are several effective methods to get rid of it.

1. Clean the affected area immediately: Use a mixture of water and vinegar or a specialized urine odor remover to clean the surface thoroughly.

2. Neutralize the odor: Baking soda or hydrogen peroxide can help neutralize the odor. Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it up. For hydrogen peroxide, dilute it with water and apply it to the area using a spray bottle.

3. Use an enzymatic cleaner: Enzymatic cleaners break down the uric acid crystals in urine, eliminating the odor. Follow the instructions on the cleaner and apply it to the affected area.

4. Improve air circulation: Open windows or use fans to improve air circulation and help eliminate the smell.

By following these steps, you can effectively eliminate the smell of human urine and ensure a fresh and clean environment.


Whether it comes from a human or a pet, urine has a strong and unpleasant smell. To get rid of the odor of human urine, it is important to properly clean and treat smelly clothing, furniture, carpets, and bathrooms. This can be done using homemade or commercially prepared cleaning products. However, it is important to avoid using ammonia when cleaning up urine accidents, as urine develops a strong ammonia smell as it dries.

Removing the Odor of Urine from Clothing

To eliminate the smell of urine from washable items, they need to be soaked and laundered. Start by sorting the clothing or bedding by color, just as you would on laundry day. Then, place the smelly items into the washer along with 1 scoop of oxygen bleach or OxiClean per gallon of the hottest water allowed according to the clothing labels. If the urine has dried into the clothing, bedding, or towels, consider using a specialty product like OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Odor Blasters to help remove the smell.

Soak the items for at least three hours or overnight as needed. If you are soaking in the washer, set the machine to spin and drain the solution. Then, add more oxygen bleach and an enzyme laundry detergent. After washing, cautiously check if the odor is gone. If not, soak again and rewash before drying in the dryer.

Alternatively, you can mix 1/2 cup of baking soda or white vinegar with hot water in a bucket, sink, or washing machine and then soak the clothing overnight. After soaking, rinse thoroughly and wash as usual in the washer with laundry soap. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle. If the smell persists, try adding 1 cup of white vinegar to the washer and rewash the items. In all cases, make sure the urine odor is gone before drying in the dryer.

Deodorizing Upholstery and Carpets

The smell from urine accidents also lingers in upholstery and carpets. There are various enzyme products available specifically for urine odor removal. Before using any product, carefully read the instructions and test it in an inconspicuous spot to ensure it won’t fade or damage your upholstery or carpet.

Start by blotting the area with paper towels or clean rags to remove as much urine as possible. Then, apply the enzyme product according to the package directions. To remove stains, allow it to soak into the fabric or carpet for 10 to 15 minutes and then blot and let it air-dry. For odor removal, saturate the area with the enzyme product and allow it to air-dry without blotting.

Oxygen bleach can also be used on furniture and carpets. Create a general cleaning solution by mixing 1/8 scoop of oxygen bleach with 2 cups of warm or hot water in a spray bottle. Shake to dissolve the granules and then spray the urine spots. Let the solution soak in for five to 10 minutes. Rinse with fresh water, blot with paper towels or clean rags, and allow it to dry before thoroughly vacuuming.

Cleaning Urine on Floors

Bathroom and kitchen floors are relatively easy to clean. Start by wiping up the wet spots and then spray the floor with an enzyme cleaner or urine remover like Nature’s Miracle or Clorox Urine Remover. Rinse and/or wipe with a damp rag. Allow it to air-dry.

It is important to regularly clean bathrooms, including wiping around the toilet base and cleaning inside and under the seat to remove any urine splatters. For tough stains and grout, it is recommended to let urine removers or disinfecting products soak for at least five minutes before wiping dry. Various products such as bleach solutions or oxygen bleach can be used for cleaning, but it is advised to ensure proper ventilation by turning on the fan and opening windows while cleaning.

If you prefer natural remedies, you can spray white vinegar onto ceramic tile or vinyl flooring and let it soak for 10 minutes. Afterward, mop or wipe the floor with damp paper towels or rags. In case there is any lingering smell, scrub unsealed grout with a paste made of baking soda and water, and then rinse. Alternatively, you can sprinkle baking soda over the floor and leave it for up to 15 minutes to absorb the odor. Finally, sweep or vacuum the floor to remove the baking soda.

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