Delicate issue

I am coming out of my realm of gardening in hopes that someone has a remedy for an on going issue in my home. I am looking for a good odor removal for taking the urine smell out of carpet and upholstery. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thank you
  39 answers
  • KrysFL KrysFL on Jun 27, 2013
    I have a hoover steam cleaner and 2 dogs (both not exactly potty trained). I have tried a gazillion products (store bought and homemade). They either only mask the smell and/or leave such a bad film (not visible but its like a dirt magnet). I was about to rip out all the carpet in my home when I tried OdoBan Commercial 3-n-1 Carpet Cleaner. It works like magic!! It removes stains and urine stench. I take some, mix it with really hot water, then spray all the pee spots. Then I mix it according to directions and clean the carpets with my machine. My carpet looks and smells brand new! I bought mine at Home Depot and it was $10-$20 (I don't remember the exact price but Im cheap so I know it wasn't over $20 - lol). Another thing that I LOVE, is it doesn't leave a residue so my carpets don't have that film (which attracts dirt). I would highly recommend this product!! Hope this helps. :)
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jun 27, 2013
    Thanks @KrysFL , this is new territory for me. Does this also take care of the stinkier stuff as well?
  • KrysFL KrysFL on Jun 27, 2013
    It does on mine.. I clean up what I can with paper towels and try the same method as I do with urine.
  • Lorraine M Lorraine M on Jun 28, 2013
    If it is cat urine, the only practical (?) solution is to pull up the carpet. A carpet installer told me that cat urine is 'oily' and pretty much impossible to remove. I had a professional service work on mine, and I bought a Hoover steamer and their special pet shampoo. Nada. The carpet is coming up and wood flooring going down. I have an elderly, sweet cat who apparently has kitty Alzheimer's and forgets where the litter box is.
  • Dcz665 Dcz665 on Jun 28, 2013
    I've been told to spray a mix of vinegar & water ( dilute or the vinegar might bleach) but I still notice a smell, especially on damp or humid days. Im going to try the Odo Ban. We have area rugs that are not "fine" but do hide construction, kids and pet issues. Once the potty training issues are over these rugs are gone! It was hubby's idea to get the puppy so I think I deserve new rugs. LORRAINE....cat urine can get into wood floors too. We had an Alzheimer's kitty with the same issue and had to limit her to one room.
  • Brenda S Brenda S on Jun 28, 2013
    I've used OUT for my cats, which I found at Walmart in the dog isle.It's mainly peroxide,and cannot be used in a cleaning machine. It woks pretty good , but I will definitely give the Odo Ban a try..
  • Kath D Kath D on Jun 28, 2013
    For treating the affected areas, get yourself a black light. I got one at walmart for less than $10. When you turn it on in a very dark room, the areas with urine will glow. So you can see exactly where to treat. You will never completely get rid of the smell from the pet's point of view. Even when you can no longer smell it, your pet can. Restrict them from those areas if you can.When our youngest daughter left for college one of our kitties started peeing outside her bedroom. So after treating and shampooing the carpet about 1000 times we bought a $30 wood frame screen door and put it in that hallway where it goes from tile to carpet. The cat cannot get to the spot to sniff then go again. Her accidents have stopped. Good luck.
  • Janice W Janice W on Jun 28, 2013
    If you can afford to I'd rip up all the carpet and have hardwood installed. I was told by a flooring company that the stains will keep coming up from the floor that has been wet. You have to put a spray of bleach directly on the underlayment to stop this. Then new carpet, but if your cats or dogs keep going on them you will always have the problem. Wood is simpler and easy to wipe up.
  • Teresa Mireles Teresa Mireles on Jun 28, 2013
    I too use regular OdoBan that I get at Sam's and used when my dog had a fight with a skunk and it removed that. We even bathed her in a diluted version. It has removed every smell and not covered it up.
  • Charlotte Des Fleurs Charlotte Des Fleurs on Jun 28, 2013
    The real key is to keep the urine out of the padding. If you have animals AND still want to have carpet, you might consider having padding installed that is water resistant. Lowe's carries this. To remove the stain, I like Natural Orange by Trewax. Apply directly to the stain, let it for 5 minutes, then use the carpet cleaner to extract the liquid. The faint citrus smell is pleasnat to humans but repellant to dogs and cats.
  • David B David B on Jun 28, 2013
    I will have to get OdoBan. The wood floors are eaten away by the ammonia in the urine. It's awful. Keeping the offending animal out of that area is really the only solution once you rip up, tear out and replace.
  • Lillian S Lillian S on Jun 28, 2013
    If your pet is not neutered, then they go around your house spraying musk anywhere on the walls. You will need to clean the walls along the baseboards.
  • Marcia N Marcia N on Jun 28, 2013
    Natures Miricle. It's the ONLY thing I have found that works...and works for good.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jun 28, 2013
    Thank you everyone for your replies. It is not a pet, but my FIL who has Alzheimer and dementia, so there is no spraying involved. He has taken to hiding the pullups under the bed, and I can't seem to get the smell out . I can't block the access because it is a hospital bed. I appreciate everyone's suggestions and will go to work to see what works.
  • Sally M Sally M on Jun 28, 2013
    Something I've tried with success is plain rubbing alcohol with a touch of Dawn dishwashing liquid in it for the initial clean up, then soak the spot with alcohol after I've cleaned as good as I can. The bacteria in urine is what causes the smell, and alcohol is about the only thing that will kill it completely. Hope this may help.
  • Deb Fleming Deb Fleming on Jun 28, 2013
    Enzymes are what neutralize odors. Remove bacteria which is causing odor and it should go away.Get Serious, Pure Ayre are a couple of the enzyme products names. Also, placing a lined garbage can near his bed might help deter placing them under the bed. Also might try putting boxes taped shut under the bed so he can't put anything under there. Good Luck, be strong and remember to give yourself a break.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jun 28, 2013
    thanks @Deb Fleming , I will try the boxes, great idea. I will try putting the trash can closer, but I am afraid of tripping him up and confusing him more if I move things around too much. Will also check out the products you mention.
  • Micki S Micki S on Jun 28, 2013
    My dogs are getting old and a little incontinent. I keep a waterproof surface on my couch cushions and cover the whole couch with an old quilt that I regularly throw in the wash with a little bleach. Works great, smells great and my dogs can still sleep wherever they want. (Very thankful for Pergo floors, carpet is not a dog lover's friend!)
  • KrysFL KrysFL on Jun 28, 2013
    I'm sorry @360 Sod (Donna Dixson) I am familiar with your particular situation.. my MIL has an elderly Alzheimer's patient who lives with her and she does the same thing (except not just under the bed, its back in the drawers, in the closet, etc.). Unfortunately, its nearly impossible to change behavior in an Alzheimer's patient. If there are boxes under the bed, you may end up finding them elsewhere. :( May I suggest cleaning the carpets the best you can with OdoBan, then placing clear plastic on the carpet under the bed? Im thinking the clear, heavy duty kind that is used to cover over a table cloth. I know its sold fairly cheap at fabric stores. That way, should anything leak onto it, its an easy wipe up. And being under the bed (and clear), it may not confuse him. I know it doesn't "solve" the problem but it will make it easier on you to manage. Hope this helps. Sending prayers your way for you and your FIL.
  • Vikki Sebok Vikki Sebok on Jun 28, 2013
    I recently tried Zero Odor, and that stuff really works. No smelly perfumes, just no more odors. I run a small dog & cat rescue, so the odors can be a real problem. Here's a link. https://www.petproductadvisor.com/store/mc/zero-odor-dog-c.aspx
  • Angie W Angie W on Jun 28, 2013
    Donna, I am familiar with the same situation....My Mom just passed away on January 8th...She had been diagnosed with dementia then Alzheimer's 12 years ago....Mom also hid her diapers and her underpants etc....My dad had to finally take up the carpet, have new put in.....I'm sorry you are dealing with this...It is a horrible disease...they become like children, don't know what they are doing.... My girlfriend who's Dad had alzheimers swore by Odo-Ban.....It is the only thing that worked for her....Hopefully this will also work for you....:)
  • Marilyn M Marilyn M on Jun 28, 2013
    Check this website out for using white vinegar for cleaning carpets. It is a natural deodorizer also and will not hurt animals, humans or carpeting. Hopefully this will save the expense of replacing your carpeting. http://www.superpages.com/supertips/carpet-clean-vinegar.html
  • Bonnie Bonnie on Jun 29, 2013
    Donna, to remove urine odors you must use a cleaning agent that destroys the living bacteria in the urine. Vinegar, peroxide, ammonia or bleach, are all good home remedies to use. (NEVER MIX THEM TOGETHER! It will cause harmful gasses!!) Odoban, Zero Odor, Pure Ayre, Woolite urine treatment, are also excellent commercial products to use. When cleaning accidents, blot the urine up before cleaning; Windex original (contains ammonia) or vinegar, etc. can then be sprayed on the surface to kill the urine bacteria and then blotted up again. Repeat until all moisture is removed. A removable plastic trash liner is a great idea, as they sometimes will urinate in the trashcans, and then you have leaks or odors absorbing into the plastic cans .If you have residual odors in the air, a citrus orange spray will kill airborn odors. The key is killing the bacteria in the urine to keep from having odors.
  • April April on Jun 29, 2013
    You could try baking soda or vinegar - I've heard a lot of wonderful things about how they get rid of odor. :)
  • Nancy G Nancy G on Jun 29, 2013
    SCOE 10x!!! This stuff is amazing. It is a little expensive, just under $30 for the bottle, But when you factor in what it would cost you to replace your carpet and upholstery, it is very reasonable. I used this on carpeting and a patio set. It was developed by a cleaning company and I will always have a bottle in my house now. Good luck.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jun 29, 2013
    thanks ya'll :) Lots of options apparently ! i appreciate all the input.
  • Nancy Rhodes C Nancy Rhodes C on Jun 29, 2013
    My aunt lived to be 98. Her daughter, my cousin, was her care giver for 10 or 15 years. She caught her early and taught her to go to the bathroom before she got the urge to go. They had all the carpet ripped out of the house and scrubbed the plywood with Clorox and lived on plywood until my aunt went to diapers. Then they had hardwood installed throughout that big house. You do what you have to do to keep the causes of odors out of the house that take away the joy of living and harm the health of all.
  • Deborah D Deborah D on Jun 29, 2013
    Be sure the area starts from dry. If it is fresh urine, soak up as much as possible and let it dry. Mix peroxide and baking soda and add a drop of handwashing detergent. Pour it over the spots and put a towel over it for 24 hours. It has never changed the color of any anything I've tried it on but it wouldn't hurt to test an inconspicuous spot first.
  • Lou Ann B Lou Ann B on Jun 29, 2013
    I saw a handyman guy on This Old House help a couple who purchased a house where they kept two BIG dogs in the basement and they peed on the concrete floors. After they bought the house they had tried everything and the smell just about ran them out of the house. The handyman had them spray the enzyme treatment (Natures Miracle is one brand) onto the concrete and cover it with plastic drop cloths to keep the mixture from evaporating quickly. As long as it stays moist the enzymes work to eat the urine and you end up without the odor. I tried the treatment on my carpet and it worked for me. I also love the spray carpet cleaner with OXY for pets. it works very well. My 98 year old mother lives with me and we have spills and accidents with diapers, etc., and the same treatments work on my carpets for those accidents. I have an area rug on laminate flooring where my dogs had accidents. I put plastic drop cloths under the rug and wet the places with the Nature's Miracule and kept it moist for a couple of days and the smell is gone.
  • Dawn W Dawn W on Jun 29, 2013
    Main thing on the floors is to seal it after you clean it. Had a male kitten that sprayed... cleaned carpet w/vinegar & water, then pulled carpet up & cleaned foundation w/bleach/water mix (applied this to padding as well) & then sealed the foundation and odor disappeared. I've also used Bissell Tough Stain Pretreat (no water added) on sofa & it got out smell & stain from puppy.
  • Debbie Cooper Debbie Cooper on Jun 29, 2013
    I had Stanley Carpet Cleaner tell me to use a solution of half and half vineage and water. I have used it for stains and smells for several yrs now. It breaks down the smell w\o masking it.
  • Vicki Anderson Pocopanni Vicki Anderson Pocopanni on Jun 29, 2013
    If you can’t clean the carpet fill a spray bottle with the straight Hydrogen Peroxide and spray the area Hopefully that willneutralize it. Since it has probably notgone down into the pad it may be enough. It may take several times or on a regular basis until you can solveit. Also maybe consider putting somekind of hard plastic surface like a desk chair protector so it hopefully won’tget odor on carpet. You could reach that with a sponge mop too dipped in theperoxide. It is cheap too and you canget it at wholesale stores, Walmart, etc. Good luck.
  • Vicki Anderson Pocopanni Vicki Anderson Pocopanni on Jun 29, 2013
    Iwill add this part for the ones who have mentioned pet issues: I have cats for 37 years and I have had toreplace carpet due to urinary problems... We have had some behavioralissues of late that have turned to beginning of renal failure in two of ourthree. Our dining room area rug was the target; a treasure of my husband'smilitary travels. A while back my vet told me the best thing I have evertried. Hydrogen peroxide. Since "whoever" was so sneakyand saturated a place on it I panicked. I have a "little green cleanmachine" so I put straight peroxide for cleaner and vacuumed it up. That is the main thing. To get up as much as possible. I have also put avery damp towel over a place to wick up the damage. I have used vinegarand water before but it leaves an odor. The peroxide leaves a fresh smell. Iam going to send the rug out later and get it professionally cleaned. Amazing it did not damage the hard wood underneath. Another thing I foundwhen some carpet in my basement got wet and before I could get it dry it wasbeginning to get an odor of mildew. I treated it with Fabreeze Pet OdorEliminator and it took the smell out of it. Also had wet carpet upstairsthat I had to pull up and dry by layer. The Fabreeze worked on that also. I have fooled which ever one it is at this time to go to a small area rug thatI can wash. I am thinking of trying those waterproof dog pads.
  • Marie D Marie D on Jun 30, 2013
    Donna......my heart goes out to you, and I'm glad you were given so many great ideas for a solution. My mom had Alzheimer's and we moved her in with us and cared for her for 6 1/2 years before she passed away in March of 2012. It is very challenging, yet I don't regret a moment of it; the bad stuff or the good stuff. Will keep you in my prayers. Blessings.
  • Dianne Dianne on Jul 25, 2013
    I agree that Odoban works well, even or especially, on outdoor decking, pourous tile and cement. Indoors Nature's Miracle works...but, to keep the area from being re-used try vinegar. Let it soak in and dry. It will smell like old wine for awhile but it should do the trick.
  • Comet Comet on Jul 28, 2013
    Try a product called ODOR MUTE--some pet stores have it or AMAZON has it. It is an enzyme that will "digest" the SOURCE of the odor---I have used it forever and never had an issue with it damaging anything I used it on from wall paper to carpet to decking---the "trick" is to get it WET and then let it DRY---a fan is OK but not heat! If you need to get it to the sub pad use a saturation (pour it on and then place a fan) or use a syringe to inject it! Works on urine feces skunk diaper pails etc
  • Gail Miller Gail Miller on Dec 03, 2013
    Gail Fremont Ohio Try the vinegar and Ammonia clear.1cup of each in Gallon water it cleans and takes Oder away.I use only this in carpet machine to clean with.
  • Sewgreat1 Sewgreat1 on Aug 28, 2015
    http://www.petco.com/product/112368/Natures-Miracle-Urine-Destroyer-Stain-and-Residue-Eliminator.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch This will totally solve the problem.. vacuum carpet. after clearing room and SPRAY it on carpet generously. close door.. and windows.. go back next day!! I was shocked.. Odor and greasy marks GONE!! lasted too! IT is from PETCO>
  • Holly Holly on Oct 25, 2015
    Oh goodness! Ammonia and Vinegar make a toxic gas! The fumes can be very dangerous. Maybe a product called Naval Jelly for rust. It works every time. Best luck!