How to get urine smell out of clothes:
- 1. Rinse with cold water immediately
- 2. Pre-treat urine stains with an enzyme-based stain remover
- 3. Soak the clothes in a mixture of baking soda and water
- 4. Machine wash with a laundry pod
- 5. Add a laundry scent booster
- 6. Air dry outdoors if possible
There’s a moment in everyone’s life when the unmistakable, pungent aroma of urine assaults your nostrils, and you realize: “Well, this is happening.” Maybe your kid had a bedwetting incident, your cat mistook your laundry pile for a litter box, or life just threw an inconvenient curveball.
Whatever the source, urine smells and stains are as stubborn. The longer you wait around, the more difficult they can be to remove. The good news? With the right techniques (and a bit of patience), your clothes can smell like they’ve never met a bodily fluid in their lives.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through six simple steps to vanquish the scent of pee from your favorite t-shirt or gym shorts, so you can get back to wearing them without holding your breath.
1. Rinse with Cold Water Immediately
Step one is all about damage control. When you notice a urine stain, your first move should be a cold-water rinse. Why cold water? Because heat will set the proteins in the urine, making them cling to your clothes like they’ve found their forever home.
Hold the fabric under a running faucet and let the water flush through the stain. Bonus points if you aim for the “fire hose” setting on your tap (but avoid hot water at all costs). This step won’t magically erase the stain, but it stops it from spreading and gives you a head start on deodorizing.
2. Pre-Treat the Urine Stain
Grab your favorite stain remover or liquid dish soap with enzymes—those hardworking molecules that break down the urea, uric acid, and other compounds in urine.
Apply the pre-treatment directly to the stain and gently massage it in. Pretend you’re giving your fabric a spa treatment, but instead of cucumber slices, it’s soaking up those enzymes. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. This gives the enzymes enough time to do their thing and prevents the stain from becoming a permanent resident.
3. Soak the Clothes in a Mixture of Baking Soda and Water
Baking soda is the MVP of household hacks, and in this case, it acts like a magnet for smells. Fill a basin with cold water, toss in half a cup of baking soda, and give it a good stir. Submerge the offending garment and let it soak for at least 30 minutes (or longer, if you’ve got time).
This step neutralizes odors and breaks down any lingering urine compounds. Plus, it’s incredibly satisfying to know that the same stuff you use to make cookies can rescue your clothes from smelling like a public restroom.
4. Machine Wash with a Laundry Pod
Now it’s time for the big guns: your washing machine. Toss your pre-treated and soaked clothes into the drum and add an enzyme-based laundry pod. Why pods? Because they’re pre-measured, mess-free, and pack a powerful punch when it comes to tackling tough smells.
Keep in mind, not all laundry pods are created equal. Laundry Sauce pods are ultra-concentrated with bio-enzymes that break down uric acid crystals into smaller, odor-free components. Meanwhile, the pod’s polymers trap and lift away these particles, ensuring they’re thoroughly rinsed out in the wash.
Set your machine to the longest cycle with cold or lukewarm water (never hot). Let the combination of water agitation and detergent chemistry work its magic.
Pro Tip: Wash the urine-stained clothes separately to avoid cross-contamination.
5. Add Laundry Scent Booster
For extra assurance that the pee smell is gone for good, toss in a laundry scent booster during the wash cycle. These little power pellets do more than just smell good—they lock in freshness and act as a final defense against stubborn odors.
Think of it as insurance for your laundry. If the scent booster can overpower stinky gym clothes, it can handle urine without breaking a sweat.
6. Air Dry Outdoors
Once your laundry cycle is complete, resist the urge to toss the clothes in the dryer. Heat can re-activate odors trapped in the fabric and undo all your hard work. Instead, hang the clothes outdoors on a sunny day.
UV rays from the sun act as a natural disinfectant, and the fresh air helps whisk away any lingering smells. Plus, there’s something poetic about watching your laundry flap in the breeze like a flag of victory over stink.
Common Questions About Getting Urine Smell Out of Clothes
Urine has a way of raising a lot of questions—and maybe a few eyebrows. Let’s tackle the most common mysteries behind urine stains and odors.
Are Urine Stains Permanent?
Not if you act quickly. The sooner you rinse, treat, and wash the stain, the higher your chances of restoring your clothes to their former glory. That said, ignoring a stain for weeks could make it tougher to remove completely.
How Do You Get Urine Smell Out of Bedsheets?
Start by rinsing your bedsheets with cold water to prevent the stain from setting. Pre-treat the stain with an enzyme-based cleaner, then soak the sheets in a solution of baking soda and water for at least 30 minutes. Finally, machine wash the sheets on a long cycle with laundry pods, and air dry outdoors if possible.
What Neutralizes the Smell of Urine?
Baking soda, white vinegar, and enzyme-based detergents are all great at neutralizing the smell of urine. Each works to break down the chemical compounds responsible for the smell.
Why Do My Clothes Smell Like Urine After Washing Them?
This usually happens if the stain wasn’t pre-treated or the washing machine wasn’t effective at fully removing the odor. Try soaking in baking soda and washing again with a laundry pod.
Does Vinegar Remove Urine Odor?
Yes, distilled white vinegar is great at neutralizing urine smells. You can add a cup to the rinse cycle for an extra odor-busting boost—but don’t mix it with baking soda unless you’re okay with a science fair volcano situation.
The Best Laundry Detergent for the Worst Smells: Laundry Sauce
Dealing with urine-stained clothes isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. But Laundry Sauce is here to make it easier (and dare we say, almost enjoyable?). Our high-performance laundry pods are designed to tackle the toughest odors and leave your garments smelling like pure luxury.
Next time life happens, whether it’s a toddler, a senior pup, or a late-night accident, you’ll be armed with the ultimate toolkit to clean it up. Laundry Sauce doesn’t just cover odors—it destroys them in style.
