Accidents happen to all of us and urine stains are seldom a popular topic. However, it’s important to remove even small urine stains as soon as possible to reduce odor and discoloration. The longer the acidic urine is in contact with fabrics and fibers, the harder it is to remove.

Project Metrics

Working time: 15 minutes

Total time: 8 hours

Before You Begin

If the garment is labeled as dry clean only, wearing gloves, blot the stained area with a dry white paper towel until the moisture is removed. Sponge the stain with a clean damp white cloth and then blot to dry. Do not add additional water if the fabric is silk because the stain could grow bigger andbe harder for the dry cleaner to remove.

Even if the area looks clean, head to the dry cleaner to point out and identify the stain. The urine can leave acids in the fabric that will affect the fibers with time. If you are using a home dry cleaning kit, be sure to treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer

bag.

When treating urine stains on upholstery, if the upholstery is a vintage fabric or silk, remove any solids and blot up moisture then contact an upholstery cleaning specialist. 

What You’ll Need

• Paper towels or old cloths
• Baking soda
• Heavy-duty laundry detergent
• Laundry disinfectant
• Oxygen-based bleach
• Distilled white vinegar
• Dishwashing liquid

Tools

• Large plastic tub
• Washing machine or large sink
• Soft-bristled brush
• Small bowl or bucket
• Sponge
• Heavy bowl or platter

Remove Urine From Washable Fabrics

1. Pre-Soak if Necessary
   As anyone who has used cloth diapers knows, you should never allow urine-soaked fabrics to accumulate because they can actually mildew. If you can’t treat diapers or bed sheets or any type of washable clothing right away, fill a large plastic container or the washer with cold water and allow the stained items to soak until they can be properly washed. Add one-half cup of baking soda to help reduce and remove the odor.
2. Select Water Temperature and Washing Supplies
   When it is time to wash away urine stains, use the hottest water recommended for the fabric. To your usual heavy-duty detergent, add one cup of baking soda to the wash water.
   If you are concerned about bacteria in the urine, use a disinfectant in the wash water. White, 100 percent cotton fabrics can be disinfected with chlorine bleach. Colored and synthetic fabrics require a different method of disinfecting.
3. Remove Set-In Urine Stains
   If the urine stain is dried or old, soak the fabric in a solution of cool water and oxygen-based bleach, such as OxiClean, Clorox 2 or OXO Brite. Follow the directions on the package on how to mix the solution. After pre-soaking for at least 30 minutes, launder in warm—not hot—water with your regular detergent.
   If the stain remains, mix a new solution of oxygen-based bleach and water and soak overnight, then rewash. This will remove any discoloration but oxygen bleach DOES NOT disinfect fabrics.
4. Inspect and Dry the Fabric
   After washing urine-stained items, check that the stain is completely removed before tossing the item in the dryer. The high heat from the dryer can set the stain making it much more difficult to remove.

Remove Urine Stains from Carpet and Upholstery

1. Blot Away Urine
   As quickly as possible soak up the urine with white paper towels or an old white rag. Don’t use a colored cloth because the dye can transfer to the carpet and that’s a whole new problem.
2. Mix the Cleaning Solution
   In a small bowl or bucket, create a solution of one cup of white distilled vinegar, one cup of water, and two teaspoons dishwashing liquid.
3. Treat the Stain
   Dip a clean white cloth or soft-bristled brush into the cleaning solution and apply it to the urine-stained carpet. Start at the outside of the wet stain and work toward the center to help prevent the stain from becoming larger. Work it in because the solution needs to get deep into the fibers but try not to over-saturate the carpet.
4. Blot and Rinse
   Use a dry white paper towel or rag to blot away the soapy mixture. Next, apply a generous amount of plain water to the stain with a clean sponge to rinse away any residue. Rinsing is important because any remaining soap can attract soil.
5. Absorb Residual Moisture
   When most of the soapy solution seems to be gone, place several layers of paper towels on the stain and weigh them down with a heavy bowl or plate. Allow this to sit for 15 minutes and then discard the towels. Repeat if needed.
6. Air-Dry and Vacuum
   Allow the carpet to air dry away from direct sunlight or heat. Vacuum well to lift carpet fibers.

Upholstery Stain Removal Tips
Urine can be removed from upholstery follow the same steps recommended for removing the stains from carpet. Take extra care to not over-saturate the fabric and the interior cushion. To help the fabric dry more quickly, use a rotating fan to circulate air and remove the cushion from the furniture, if possible.

“Is soap or disinfectant more effective?” The question is one of the most frequently asked questions these days when the Corona Virus epidemic continues. The difference between hand soap and hand sanitizer answers this question. So what is the difference between hand soap and hand sanitizer?

DOES HAND SOAP KILL MICROPES?

The difference between hand soap and hand sanitizer is explained by the microbiologist and Vice President of Scientific Communication of the American Council for Science and Health Alex Berezow. According to the statement, soap does not kill viruses or bacteria on your hands. Soap is a type of detergent. It removes the virus from you with bubbles and bubbles and removes it with the help of water. In other words, he throws the dirt out of your hands like washing a plate. In this way, it does not kill the germs you have, but it reduces their number. Soap is very effective compared to hand sanitizer, especially when your hands are visibly soiled. After eating, exercising or dealing with a dirty job, you should prefer soap rather than hand sanitizer. If you wash your hands properly with soap and water for 20 seconds, you will be significantly cleansed. Cleaning with only water will not be effective. Because soap contains substances that help remove germs from the skin.

– CAN HAND DISINFECTANT KILL MICROPES?

In cases where you cannot reach soap and water, hand sanitizer can help you. However, hand sanitizer is often not used in sufficient quantities or spread around the hands. Correct use is to squeeze a small amount of disinfectant into your palm and then spread it all over your hands until they are dry. Although hand sanitizer is effective in killing some germs, viruses and bacteria, it cannot prevent all of them. (For example, cryptosporidium, neurovirus, clostridium difficile.)

-HELD DISINFECTANT CAN BE DAMAGED IF OVER USED

Berezow explains the dangers of using too much hand sanitizer as follows: “They can dry, crack and bleed your hands. If you have a skin condition such as eczema, it can make the situation worse. ” You can get rid of this problem with a hand cream that helps soften and soothe the skin.

USE SOAP OR DISINFECTANT?

In summary, soap is a detergent that allows germs away from your hands, and hand sanitizer directly kills germs with alcohol. However, soap and water are effective in removing microbes. You can remove germs that alcohol-based disinfectants cannot kill with proper hand washing.