Removing Pet Odor from Bedding, Furniture, Walls, and Carpet

There will be times during a pet owner’s life when your pet has an accident in the house. Accidents are, quite honestly, inevitable. Knowing how to remove pet odor from bedding, furniture, walls, and carpet is essential if you want to get rid of the smell instead of simply covering it up.

While it is frustrating, it’s simply part of owning a pet, regardless of how well trained they may be. The important thing is to clean the accident properly and as soon as possible. The longer urine or other pet waste remains on a surface, the more difficult it can be to completely remove the stain and odor.

The good news is that you don’t have to panic the next time it happens. With the right cleaning method for the surface, you can remove pet stains and odors and get your home smelling fresh again.

How to Get Rid of Pet Odors

The sooner you find a pet accident, the better. Fresh urine is much easier to remove because it hasn’t had as much time to soak into carpet padding, upholstery foam, mattresses, or other porous materials.

Start by absorbing as much of the liquid as possible. Blot rather than scrub. Scrubbing can spread the urine and work it deeper into the material.

For washable items, wash them thoroughly. For carpet and upholstery, an enzymatic pet stain and odor cleaner is often the best choice for urine because these cleaners are designed to break down the organic material that causes the odor.

Different surfaces require different cleaning methods, so here’s how to tackle some of the most common places pets have accidents.

Removing Pet Odors from Bedding

Bedding, blankets, sheets, washable mattress pads, and some pillow covers are usually the easiest items to clean because they can be laundered.

How to Clean Pet Urine from Washable Bedding

If the bedding is wet, blot or rinse away as much urine as possible before washing.

Then:

1. Pretreat the stained area with a laundry-safe stain remover or an enzymatic pet stain cleaner that is suitable for washable fabrics.
2. Wash the bedding using the warmest water recommended for the fabric.
3. Use your normal laundry detergent.
4. Add an extra rinse if needed.

Before putting the bedding in the dryer, give it the sniff test.

If you can still smell urine, don’t put it in the dryer yet. Heat can make some stains and odors more difficult to remove. Wash it again or treat the remaining odor with an enzymatic cleaner according to the product directions.

Can Baking Soda Remove Pet Odor from Bedding?

Baking soda can help absorb odors and freshen washable fabrics, but it isn’t a substitute for properly removing urine.

If you want to use baking soda, you can add some to the wash along with your regular detergent. A small amount is usually sufficient. You don’t need to dump an entire box into every load.

For stubborn urine odors, an enzymatic pet stain and odor cleaner is generally a better choice because it addresses the source of the odor rather than simply absorbing some of the smell.

What About Vinegar?

White vinegar can help with some laundry odors and residue, but I would not make it the first choice for heavily urine-soaked bedding.

If you use vinegar in your laundry, use it separately from bleach and other cleaning products. Never mix cleaning products.

Removing Pet Odors from Furniture

Pet accidents on upholstered furniture can be more difficult because urine can soak through the fabric and into the padding.

The first thing you want to do is remove as much liquid as possible.

How to Clean Fresh Pet Urine from Upholstered Furniture

Put on a pair of household gloves and use clean, absorbent towels to blot the area.

Press firmly to pull the liquid out of the upholstery, but don’t scrub.

Keep replacing the towels until you aren’t getting much more moisture.

If the cushion cover is removable and washable, check the care label and wash it according to the instructions.

For upholstery that cannot be removed, use an enzymatic pet stain and odor cleaner that is appropriate for upholstery. Apply enough to treat the affected area according to the product directions, but don’t unnecessarily soak the entire cushion.

Allow the furniture to dry completely.

Good air circulation can help. Open a window, use a fan, or move a removable cushion to a well-ventilated area if appropriate for the furniture.

Can I Use Vinegar to Remove Pet Odor from Furniture?

A mixture of vinegar and water is sometimes recommended for pet stains, but I wouldn’t automatically use a 50/50 vinegar solution on upholstered furniture.

Upholstery fabrics and dyes vary, and adding a large amount of liquid can push urine farther into the cushion.

For urine odor in upholstery, an appropriate enzymatic cleaner is usually a better choice. Always test a cleaner on an inconspicuous area first.

What If the Furniture Still Smells?

If the odor remains after the upholstery has completely dried, the urine may have reached the cushion padding.

You can try treating the affected area again with an enzymatic pet odor cleaner, following the product directions carefully.

For a large accident or repeated accidents in the same location, professional upholstery cleaning may be necessary.

Baking soda can help absorb surface odors on some fabrics, but it should not be considered a replacement for cleaning the urine from the upholstery.

Removing Pet Odors from Carpet

Carpet is one of the most common places for pet accidents, and urine can soak through the carpet fibers and into the padding underneath.

That’s why simply cleaning the surface may not completely remove the odor.

How to Clean Fresh Pet Urine from Carpet

Start by absorbing as much liquid as possible.

Place several layers of clean paper towels or absorbent towels over the wet area and press down firmly.

You can stand on the towels while wearing clean shoes or slippers to apply additional pressure. Replace the towels and repeat until you’ve absorbed as much urine as possible.

Do not scrub the carpet. Scrubbing can spread the urine and push it deeper into the carpet.

Once you’ve absorbed the excess liquid, apply an enzymatic pet stain and odor cleaner designed for carpet.

Follow the product directions for how much to use and how long it should remain on the carpet.

Give the area enough time to dry completely.

How to Remove an Old Pet Urine Smell from Carpet

Old urine stains can be much harder to remove because the urine may have reached the carpet padding or even the flooring underneath.

An enzymatic cleaner can still be effective, but stubborn stains may require more than one treatment.

Avoid repeatedly flooding the carpet with cleaning solution. Too much moisture can spread the urine farther and create a new problem with damp carpet or padding.

If the odor continues to return after cleaning, the padding underneath may need to be treated or replaced.

Professional carpet cleaning may also be necessary for severe or widespread pet accidents.

Can Baking Soda Remove Pet Odor from Carpet?

Baking soda can absorb some surface odors, which is why it is often recommended as a carpet deodorizer.

However, baking soda won’t remove urine that has soaked into the carpet padding.

If you want to use baking soda, sprinkle a light layer over a completely dry carpet, allow it to sit for several hours or overnight, and vacuum thoroughly.

For actual urine odor, cleaning the contaminated area is more important than deodorizing the surface.

Removing Pet Odors and Urine from Walls

Yes, pets can leave urine on walls, baseboards, and other vertical surfaces, especially if a pet regularly marks an area.

The good news is that painted walls are usually easier to clean than carpet or upholstery because the urine generally cannot penetrate as deeply.

How to Clean Fresh Pet Urine from a Painted Wall

If the urine is fresh, blot away as much moisture as possible with paper towels or a clean cloth.

Don’t rub aggressively because you can spread the urine and potentially damage the paint.

Then:

1. Mix warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap.
2. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with the solution.
3. Wipe the affected area gently.
4. Wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove soap residue.
5. Dry the area with a clean towel.

Don’t saturate drywall or painted surfaces with water.

How to Remove Pet Odor from a Wall

If the wall still smells after cleaning, an enzymatic pet stain and odor cleaner may help. Choose one that is suitable for painted surfaces and test it in an inconspicuous area first.

Follow the product directions and allow the area to dry completely.

If the urine has soaked into unsealed drywall, repeated cleaning may not completely remove the odor because the urine can penetrate the material.

Fixing Pet Odors That Won’t Come Out of Walls

If the smell persists after cleaning and the wall has been allowed to dry completely, the contamination may have penetrated the paint or drywall.

In that situation, simply painting over the area usually isn’t enough.

Clean and dry the area first, then use an odor-blocking primer designed to seal stubborn stains and odors before repainting.

If the drywall itself is heavily contaminated or damaged, replacement of the affected section may be necessary.

Removing Old Pet Odors

Old pet odors can be difficult to find because you may not remember exactly where the accident happened.

You can track down old pet stains by using your eyes and nose, but a UV black light can also help locate some old urine stains.

Turn off the lights and use the black light in a dark room. Areas containing urine residue may fluoresce under UV light.

Keep in mind that not everything that glows under a black light is urine. Other substances, fibers, cleaners, and household residues can also fluoresce.

Once you’ve located a suspected accident, clean the area using the appropriate method for the surface.

For carpet and upholstery, an enzymatic pet stain and odor cleaner is usually the best place to start.

What If Your Pet Keeps Having Accidents?

If your pet repeatedly urinates in the house, cleaning the stains and odors won’t solve the underlying problem.

Repeated accidents in the same location can also make the odor difficult to eliminate because urine may have soaked into carpet padding, furniture cushions, flooring, or other porous materials.

If your pet suddenly starts having accidents or the behavior changes, contact your veterinarian to rule out an underlying health problem.

For pets that are healthy but continue to have accidents, behavioral issues, stress, changes in the household, litter box problems, or other factors may need to be addressed.

How to Prevent Pet Odors from Coming Back

The best way to prevent pet odors is to clean accidents thoroughly instead of simply masking the smell.

A few habits can help:

• Clean accidents as soon as you find them.
• Blot fresh urine instead of scrubbing it.
• Use an enzymatic cleaner for urine on carpet and upholstery.
• Don’t soak carpet or furniture unnecessarily.
• Allow cleaned areas to dry completely.
• Wash soiled bedding promptly.
• Clean pet bedding regularly.
• Look for old stains if your home still smells like urine.
• Use a UV black light when you can’t find the source of an old odor.
• Address repeated accidents instead of continually deodorizing the same spot.

The Best Way to Remove Pet Odor Depends on the Surface

Pet odors can be frustrating, but the right cleaning method makes a big difference.

For washable bedding: Wash thoroughly and treat stubborn urine odors with an appropriate enzymatic cleaner.

For upholstered furniture: Blot first, avoid excessive moisture, and use an upholstery-safe enzymatic cleaner when appropriate.

For carpet: Remove as much urine as possible before treating the area with an enzymatic carpet cleaner. Remember that urine may have reached the padding underneath.

For painted walls: Clean gently with mild soap and water, then use an appropriate enzymatic cleaner if needed.

For old or severe odors: Find the source first. If urine has penetrated carpet padding, upholstery foam, drywall, or other porous materials, surface cleaning may not be enough.

Effective Ways to Eliminate Pet Odors

Pet accidents are one of those things that come with owning an animal. They aren’t pleasant, but they don’t have to leave your house smelling like a kennel. Clean the accident thoroughly, use the right method for the surface, and give the area enough time to dry.

And remember, when it comes to pet urine, covering up the smell isn’t the same as removing the odor. The goal is to remove as much of the urine as possible and use the right cleaner to break down the residue that remains.

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