It helps to fold the towel so you can continually refold it to use a dry side when one side gets damp. After you’re done, the towel will probably stink, but that’s a good thing. It means the thing you’ve blotted hasn’t absorbed the smell—the towel has. After a good wash, the towel should be fine. But just to be safe, maybe don’t use your favorite towel.
Diluted vinegar is generally safe for fabrics, but if you’re concerned, do a spot test in an inconspicuous area before you apply it to the urine stain. You can set a fan to blow on the spot if you want to try to speed up the drying process. Don’t use a hairdryer, though—heat can make the odor worse.
Let the baking soda sit for 5-10 hours, then vacuum it up. It works best if it’s uncovered, but you might need to move the furniture or cover the spot with a laundry hamper or something similar so no one messes with the spot.
This is the least labor-intensive option, so if this is a regular occurrence, it’s better to just invest in a bottle of cleaner and use it first instead of trying other methods.
As long as you caught it pretty quickly and the liquid didn’t soak into the floor, this should be all you need to do.
Wait until the paste has completely dried, then wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth. If there’s still some remaining odor, repeat the process. You may want to put a box or other container upside down over the spot, especially if it’s in a high-traffic area, to keep people from walking on it or pets from messing with it.
Follow the application instructions on the bottle. While specifics differ among brands, they usually tell you to simply saturate the area in the cleaner and let it dry—that’s it! Some products tell you to rub the cleaner into the surface with a rag to produce a lather, then wipe the excess lather off. Enzymatic cleaners also work well to get rid of urine smells outside, particularly on man-made surfaces.
The baking soda will help pick up any lingering odor. In carpets or rugs, simply leaving a little baking soda in the fibers can keep the area fresh. Just rub it in well so that it’s not immediately visible.
You might also be able to rent a wet vacuum or carpet cleaner from your local discount or home improvement store. Don’t run steam cleaners with hot water if you still have an odor—they’ll lock in the odor and make it even more difficult to remove.
If the item says “dry clean only,” don’t take any chances—take it to your local dry cleaner as soon as possible for your best chance at removing the stain and odor. Make sure you tell them the source of the stain so they can treat it properly.
You can also use a bleach detergent if it’s safe for the fabrics you’re washing. [13] X Research source When the cycle’s over, check to see if the smell’s still there. If it is, run the items through the wash again. It’ll be much harder to get the odor out if you let them dry.
Many major laundry detergent brands have enzymatic products. If you’re partial to a particular brand, chances are they also make an enzymatic version you can use to get rid of urine smell.
You can also use this soak to pretreat items that you’re going to wash in the machine. [16] X Research source
Even if it’s not possible to hang your laundry outside, it’s still better to air dry them inside than to put them in the dryer. Heat isn’t great for urine and might cause the smell to come back even if you think it’s gone.
You can also pour vinegar in the toilet bowl and follow up with a little baking soda. The mixture will instantly foam up and you can use the foam to scrub the inside of the bowl with your toilet brush. Cleaning your toilet at least once a week will keep your bathroom clean and fresh and help control odor. [19] X Research source If you see urine on or around the toilet, wipe it up immediately to help keep the urine smell at bay between toilet cleanings.
Using baking soda to scrub your bathroom floor helps get rid of any urine that might’ve dripped there. As a bonus, the floor will be sparkling clean.
