How and with what to wash, remove unpleasant odors and urine stains from clothes and linen

The problem of smell and urine stains is familiar to many, especially when there are children and animals in the house. The insidiousness of pollution lies in the fact that the liquid instantly saturates the fabrics, after which it emits a rather sharp aroma. A completely logical question arises: how to properly remove the stain and remove the smell so as not to damage the item.

If it is dog or cat urine, then it is very unpleasant, caustic, which causes huge problems and inconvenience.

The most common victims of pets are the carpet, bed, sofa, and shoes. Having noticed a puddle on a rug or other product, a person immediately carries a wet rag. If you fill a stain with a large amount of water, the dirt will significantly increase in size and penetrate deeper into the very structure of the fabric.

A number of proven methods will help you get rid of the problem. First you need to figure out who the culprit is, since cat/dog urine and human urine are eliminated in different ways.

Removing old stains

1. Lightly moisten the problem area with a well-wrung out sponge.
2. Dilute one part table vinegar in three parts water. Apply the liquid to the fabric. Wait until completely dry. During the chemical reaction, uric acid decomposes into its constituent parts, transforms into gaseous form and finally evaporates.
3. After the vinegar has completely evaporated, soda powder is applied to the stains. The layer should be thin and uniform, covering an area slightly larger than the stain.
4. Pour 100 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution into a spray bottle, add a teaspoon of powder and add one part of water. Stir until completely dissolved.
5. Rub the fabric over the baking soda until foam forms. Wait a few hours.
6. The reaction between peroxide and soda occurs with the release of oxygen. It is able to break down and ventilate odorous substances and eliminates the smell of urine. The foam from the powder is needed to retain oxygen on the surface of the fabric, which promotes a long-lasting reaction.

Preparing laundry

If you follow simple rules for washing panties, you will be able to maintain their original appearance longer and get rid of unsightly stains.

Important: it is better to soak new colored underwear in water at room temperature for a while to check whether it will shed. If after half an hour the liquid remains transparent, it means the paint is stable.

Useful tips

To remove fresh yellow spots and stains from adult laundry, wash it in a machine with a large amount of powder or liquid detergent. For a good result, you will need a pre-wash and an additional rinse.

Silk linen is washed by hand in warm water with the addition of liquid detergent for washing delicate fabrics.

Clothes with yellow marks remaining from an unsuccessful wash should not be ironed. After this, the urine will penetrate even more into the tissue.

Products containing chlorine should not be used to remove stains from children's clothing. They can cause allergies and skin rashes.

If vinegar is used for cleaning, the procedure is carried out with open windows or in a well-ventilated area.

If there is an odor left on the fabric after cleaning, some antibacterial powder or baby detergent is suitable to remove it. They differ in the content of substances that help remove unpleasant odors.

To combat fresh stains, you can use a mixture of glycerin and ammonia. Old ones are removed by a solution of oxalic acid: a teaspoon is mixed in 20 ml of water. After several hours of exposure, the remaining substances are washed in a soapy solution with the addition of 2 teaspoons of ammonia per liter of liquid.

Lemon juice is effective, dripping onto yellowing areas and waiting for time. Then wash and rinse things as usual.

For successful removal, fresh stains are treated with a solution of table salt or hyposulfite before washing. A teaspoon of the substance is diluted in a glass of water.

Alcohol diluted half with water effectively combats this type of problem. After zonal treatment of the tissue, wait some time. Wash things with laundry soap.

There are enough ways to remove yellow spots. The choice of the appropriate option is influenced by the color and type of fabric, the age of contamination and the availability of the necessary funds at hand.

Removing an unpleasant “aroma” is not always easy. Especially when it comes to urine, because it not only has a persistent unpleasant odor, but can also leave yellow stains on linen and clothes. Cat feces can be especially difficult to deal with since uric acid is more concentrated in animals. However, with a little effort, you can get rid of both the stain itself and the unpleasant odor.

The nuances of cleaning textiles of various colors

The choice of product for treating fabric depends on its color

Recommendations to pay attention to:

1. White matter can be cleaned with aggressive compounds. She is not afraid of contact with acetone, solvent, vinegar and alcohol. Such items are soaked in bleach for as long as possible, but try to avoid using fat-based products, such as kerosene, vegetable oil or gasoline. After applying them, noticeable yellow spots will remain on the white item.
2. Black fabric needs careful cleaning. To remove stains from it, gentle products are used. It is best to use substances that help fix the color: alcohol, vinegar, saline solution. Black items should be washed and soaked in cool water for a short period of time.
3. Colored matter also does not tolerate contact with aggressive substances. Their choice largely depends on the strength of the dye. The weaker its adhesion to the surface, the lower the concentration of the cleaning agent should be. Such products are washed in warm, but not hot water. The average soaking time is 1 hour.

How to remove the smell of urine from bedding and clothes

It is not only animals that can create such difficulties. This also applies to young children who are just at the stage of learning to use the potty. During this period, stains can be found not only on the baby’s clothes, but also on the sofa, bed linen, mattress and in other unexpected places.

Why the smell doesn’t go away and what to do

Urine is a chemical compound that contains uric acid, salts and other substances that are very difficult to remove. Its distinctive feature is that it is practically insoluble in water, so it is very difficult to remove it, much less get rid of the smell. Even if you have removed a stain that has just appeared, this does not provide any guarantee that a corresponding “aroma” will not appear after some time. Very often, neither aggressive chemical methods nor repeated washing help in combating this problem. But don't think that the situation is hopeless. Of course, it can be corrected, but it will require diligence and a certain amount of time to achieve the desired result.

The best means and methods for removing odor

To remove urine, you can use both professional means and folk methods that have stood the test of time and experience.

Potassium permangantsovka

Dilute a little powder in 1 liter of water and mix thoroughly until all crystals dissolve. Treat the stain with this solution. When using this method, you should remember that potassium permanganate has a pronounced color, so it is not recommended to use this method on light-colored clothing or furniture upholstery. Otherwise, test the product on an inconspicuous area first, and only then treat the problem area.

Vinegar

Dilute ordinary table vinegar in such a proportion with water that its smell is clearly felt. Rinse the urine stains with the solution until they disappear completely. This product is universal and can be used on clothing, shoes, furniture and floor surfaces. In addition, if the problem is caused by pets, then the smell of vinegar can scare the animal away from the place where it is accustomed to defecate.

Lemon juice

Squeeze the juice from a whole lemon into a bowl of water and wash the clothes in it. It is recommended to first soak things in the solution for 30-60 minutes. This mixture can also be used to treat problem areas on furniture, carpeting or the floor.

Laundry soap

This product not only effectively removes urine stains, but also acts to eliminate unpleasant odors. To do this, rub a small piece of soap into warm water and completely dissolve it. Next, treat the contaminated areas with soapy water using a napkin, and then rinse with clean water. As for washing, it is recommended to initially soak the laundry in a soapy solution, and then wash and rinse thoroughly.

As for washing in an automatic machine, in this case, damaged linen and clothes must be washed only separately from other, unmarked items. So, you can add a tablespoon of soda or a teaspoon of citric acid to the washing powder.

General tips and rules for washing such items

In order not to aggravate the problem, do not use products that contain alkali to remove urine, since it tends not only to increase the stain, but also to increase the odor.

When choosing special household chemicals, study the composition. The product should not only be suitable for the fabric you are going to process, but also have the property of neutralizing odor. Otherwise, you risk not only ruining your clothes or linen, but also causing an increase in the unpleasant “aroma.”

It is better to dry washed items outdoors. This will create additional ventilation and increase the effectiveness of getting rid of urine odor.

If you smell urine but can't locate the problem, use ultraviolet light. In its rays it is easy to notice, both human and animal.

To neutralize the smell, do not use deodorants, colognes and air fresheners - this will only complicate the problem, and you still will not get rid of the “aroma”. It's best to start cleaning or washing right away.

Wash by hand

The best way to care for panties is to wash them by hand.
It is not recommended to store used linen for a long time. It will be more difficult to get rid of old dirt and foreign odors. If the item is not worn and just needs to be refreshed, you can rinse the item in soapy water, manually rubbing the areas that fit tightly to the body. Laundry soap is used for this purpose.

When soaking is required, proceed as follows:

1. Pour water into a basin.
2. Dissolve powder or other detergent in it.
3. Soak panties for 30 minutes.
4. Rub contaminated areas with a soft brush or hands.
5. They rinse the laundry, wring it out and send it to dry.

You can boil linen and cotton linen. Products made of synthetics and silk are washed in warm water. There is no need to twist your panties too much. Simply squeeze them lightly, shake them and hang them to dry.

What is urine and why does it smell?

Urine is a human waste product that has a rather complex composition. It mainly consists of uric acid, salts and other substances that the body no longer needs. Urine is excreted after processing by the kidneys. They filter the blood, clearing it of proteins, salts, toxins, and waste. Urine does not dissolve in water.

This is why washing the surface is not enough. You just need to get rid of the particles that cause the unpleasant aroma, and not try to kill it.

If we are talking about the toilet, then cleaning agents and neutralizers are constantly used here. But what if the problem is in the living rooms, if urine gets on the bed linen, sofa, clothes or carpets? Here you will have to work hard. Although, knowing proven methods, this will not be difficult to do.

The issue is most acute in premises where elderly people or patients suffering from enuresis live.

Many people wonder why there is no unpleasant ombre in children's urine, but it is so difficult to remove it from adults. This is due to the fact that there is still no “garbage” in the small body, no residues from taking medications and other components.

Note!

The smell of urine in the apartment does not appear immediately after the “trouble.” And after some time, when the water contained in it evaporates, and only decay products remain.

What are the reasons?

• Washing powder. The problem can be both the product itself (when reacting with water) and its concentration. Try changing the powder or using the one you already have in smaller quantities.
• Washing temperature. High temperature provokes many reactions in the microcosm and contributes to the formation and consolidation of existing stains.
• Protein and fat. These are components of your sebum (sebum) that react with tissue to form spots and dots.
• Sweat. The main component of sweat is urea. It forms yellow marks when absorbed by clothing.

Deodorants do not reduce sweating, but only add aroma. At the same time, the cosmetic product itself reacts with sweat, which increases the formation of stains and increases their durability.

• Ironing. When steam ironing, irons can often leave yellow rusty spots, indicating that the water is stagnant and it’s time to wash the iron.
• Bleach. Surprisingly, it can also leave large yellow streaks on clothing. Carefully read the instructions for use of this product before use!
• High water hardness is the cause of stains after washing. Hard water is a result of a high content of metal salts. You can tell that the water in your tap is very hard by the poor foaming of the soap and the deposit of limescale on the kettle or tap.
• High humidity. High humidity may be the reason why stains appear when storing your wardrobe. Clothes should be thoroughly dried before storing them in the closet, as damp clothing is an ideal environment for mold to form. It is also necessary to sufficiently ventilate/ventilate the room so that the total air humidity in your home and closet does not exceed the norm (40-60%).

How to withdraw

Many people try to remove the smell of urine using air freshener, perfume or other fragrances. It ends up getting worse. The chemical components of the selected product react with the liquid on the surface. The aroma not only becomes more intense. Getting him out after this will be even more difficult.

Special means

Have you decided to go to the household chemicals store? The right solution, especially if the problem is not a one-time problem, but other methods cannot remove the smell of urine. There are many options for combating unpleasant odors. But when choosing, you should consider that:

• Alkaline based products are prohibited. When using them, the size of the spot will only increase, and the nasty ombre will be eliminated only for a short period of time;
• conventional means, even if they contain o, are not suitable;
• Some substances can cause an acute allergic reaction in the body. If there are small children, allergy sufferers or pets in the house, you need to be very responsible about your choice.

If you are making a purchase for the first time, you cannot just look at the cost and blindly believe the information on the packaging. Get advice from the store manager, read reviews on the Internet left by people who have also encountered a similar problem.

Note!

Good results can be achieved by using silver-based household chemicals, as well as some animal urine products.

Folk remedies

Many available tools can cope with the problem, you just need to know how to use them correctly:

1. Vinegar. Perhaps this is the most popular remedy. It perfectly kills microbes that cause unpleasant odor in urine, and also destroys uric acid molecules. To treat, you need to mix it in a ratio of 1:5 with water, wet a clean cotton cloth, and wipe the stain well. Then ventilate the room so that the vinegar aroma comes out. Usually works the first time.
2. Soda. Excellent absorbent. It can eliminate odor, even if it is old. If the stain is fresh, sprinkle it well with baking soda, leave it until dry, and vacuum it. If it is already dry, the surface should be slightly wetted by sprinkling with water from a spray bottle, and then do the same manipulations. There is no need to rub in soda.
3. Hydrogen peroxide. Another way to get rid of an old stain. The surface must be moistened, sprinkled with baking soda, and then sprinkled with a mixture of peroxide and water (1:1 proportions). A chemical reaction will begin, as a result of which all the “fragrant” microbes will be drawn to the surface. After drying, you also need to vacuum it well.
4. Iodine. This is a product for removing baby urine stains. It will not be able to cope with more serious contaminants. You need to dissolve 20 drops of iodine in a bucket of water and wash the stained surface.

Important!

Iodine, even in such a minimal amount, can leave stains, so it is better not to use the solution on light-colored materials.

1. Potassium permanganate. This remedy acts like iodine. You need to add a few grains to the water to make a light pink solution and treat the surface with it. It also cannot be used on light-colored surfaces, and it cannot be used to remove strong old stains.
2. Ammonia with vodka. The mixture copes well with ammonia, which can smell like the urine of an old or seriously ill person. You need to mix 2 tbsp. l. ammonia and 200 ml of vodka (or diluted alcohol), wipe the contaminated areas with a napkin or cloth.
3. Lemon acid. To get rid of an unpleasant odor, you need to take a spoonful of citric acid, dissolving it with a small amount of water, or squeeze the juice from one lemon. Use a spray bottle to treat the stain. Leave for half an hour, spray again. Wipe several times with a cloth dampened in clean water.
4. Laundry soap. To treat the surface of human urine, you can use laundry soap. It is quite effective, but it can also leave stains on the surface; rinsing the sofa or mattress will not work. Therefore, it can only be used on multi-colored or dark surfaces. It is enough to lather the sponge with soap, and then treat the stain with it several times. Then blot with a clean cloth and dry.
5. Bleaching. This remedy used to be one of the most popular. But given how aggressive it is, it is recommended to avoid it. It should be borne in mind that the fumes from bleach very strongly corrode the mucous membrane, so if you use it, then in a minimal amount and only for crumpling surfaces that it will not “corrode.”

Remove by drying

This method is simple, but it only helps neutralize the smell of children, and only if the stain was noticed in time. You need to blot the stain with a paper napkin, then cover it with white paper or gauze folded several times and iron it until completely dry.

You can dry the surface with a hair dryer. You need to direct the air flow to the stain from different sides, blowing for 10-12 minutes from each position. In this case, the windows must be open. This way, the smell will go away faster.

Whitening with home remedies

Snow-white things sooner or later acquire a dirty tint. Sometimes it is enough just to boil the product so that it becomes snow-white again. When this is not enough, a variety of homemade recipes and popular folk “stain removers” will come to the aid of housewives to get rid of yellowness on fabric. Let's take a closer look at them.

Baking soda

With the help of sodium bicarbonate, skillful housewives restore the whiteness of even washed bed linen. The fabric is dipped in a solution prepared from 10 tbsp. l. soda, 5 tbsp. l. ammonia and 10 liters of warm water. Sheets and duvet covers should be left in a container with the solution for about 3 hours.

Bed linen must be stirred periodically so that the solution acts evenly on the fibers. In case of heavy contamination, you can increase the “soaking” time by another hour. After all procedures, things must be rinsed to consolidate the result and remove any remaining soda. If bleaching is unsuccessful, it is recommended to repeat all the above procedures again.

For slight yellowing, just add a little baking soda to the powder compartment during normal machine washing.

Hydrogen peroxide

Bedding should first be washed in the usual way. You should rinse your laundry thoroughly to get rid of any remaining powder that can react with peroxide and produce a completely unexpected result.

Then the prepared product is soaked in a solution of water heated to 60°C, peroxide and ammonia. Proportions for solution: 10 l. water, 4 tbsp. l. peroxide, 1 tbsp. l. ammonia.

Mustard

Mustard mixed with water will help restore the whiteness of synthetic underwear. For every 5 l. water, you need to add 400 grams of powdered mustard. The product is placed in the prepared solution and soaked for 10-12 hours. After the specified time, the laundry should be washed in the usual way.

Potassium permangantsovka

A mixture based on potassium permanganate is prepared simply: a glass of pink potassium permanganate solution is mixed with 200 g. washing powder or grated laundry soap. The resulting mixture is diluted with 10 liters. boiled water and used for soaking for 6 hours. Afterwards, the item must be rinsed thoroughly.

Sunflower oil

This product, found in every kitchen, will help remove yellowness from bed linen that even washing powder cannot remove. Pour one cap of oil into 5 liters of boiled water. For a better effect, you can add special powder or crushed laundry soap. Finally, the fabric is thoroughly washed to remove even the smallest traces of the mixture.

Ammonia

Ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and hot water are popular ingredients for making homemade stain remover. It is enough to mix the components and heat them to 70 degrees to get an effective bleach. Proportions: ammonia and peroxide 30 ml each, water – 5 liters. The product must first be washed. The mixture is poured into the laundry for only half an hour, as the solution turns out to be very caustic.

Laundry soap

Laundry soap is an indispensable product in both the kitchen and bathroom. It copes wonderfully with yellowness. Mix the ingredients thoroughly: soap solution - 250 ml, baking soda - 100 g, borax - 125 g. The resulting product is used to eliminate slight yellowing. Linen that has lost its whiteness is soaked in a highly concentrated solution (200 ml per 10 liters of water) for 3 hours, then rinsed to remove any remnants of the prepared product.

Eggshell

Pre-dried and ground shells, the consistency of which should resemble powder, will help get rid of the yellowish tint on laundry. The product is placed in a cotton bag and poured into a drum with laundry.

We told you about several simple methods of traditional whitening. And you already choose the one that you like best.

Getting rid of the smell of baby urine

Children's urine also requires quick removal from any surfaces, although at first and even after a couple of days there is practically no smell. It is best to use baking soda and drying agent for this. Baking soda will absorb germs, and drying will help quickly dry out a mattress or sofa. If the stain has already dried on its own, it is better to use a mixture of baking soda and peroxide.

It's good if the mattress is removable. It must be removed, washed with the addition of concentrated gels, and then dried in the fresh air.

Advice!

The stain can be pre-washed with vinegar, treated with citric acid or laundry soap.

Getting rid of the smell of urine from elderly people and bedridden patients

It is very difficult to remove the smell of urine from the clothes of an old person, and if he is also bedridden, then it is necessary not only to deal with dirt, but also to use interrupting agents. In a room where there is a patient, even the walls become saturated with unpleasant odors.

In addition to washing and treating stains, you must regularly take measures to eliminate the unpleasant odor of urine. To do this, the room must be ventilated every few hours, the floors must be washed at least once a day with the addition of bleach or using special disinfectants. It is better to remove carpets, heavy curtains too.

Change bedding daily and wash separately from other items so that they are not saturated with unpleasant odors.

Of course, you need to wash the patient too. Otherwise, it will be impossible to get rid of the smell.

Ammonia

Ammonia is capable of removing even the most difficult stains. Blood is considered one of the most difficult contaminants to remove. Blood stains, especially if they have already dried, can be quite difficult to remove. To remove blood from linen using ammonia, take one tablespoon of alcohol and dilute it in one liter of boiled water. It is necessary to soak the panties in the resulting solution for at least an hour; the longer they lie there, the better. After this, the items must be washed in a washing machine. In 95% of cases, ammonia helps to cope with even persistent contamination.

How to remove gouache from clothes and fabrics at home

Getting rid of urine smell in the toilet

It is already quite easy to overcome this problem. For processing you can use:

• chlorine-containing products (but not pure bleach). They kill bacteria and germs, perfectly clean the surface of the toilet bowl, and give the room a pleasant aroma;
• products containing acid. Suitable not only for odor removal, but primarily for cleaning heavily soiled surfaces;
• sticks that are glued directly to the surface of the toilet;
• special soap or aroma balls that are immersed directly into the tank.

Important!

When working, be sure to use protective gloves.

To maintain the result, you can use gel or aerosol fresheners after each visit to the toilet.

Universal industrial stain removers: table

If you trust store-bought products more, you can choose from the list the one that is suitable specifically for your situation.

Old smell

If measures to remove the smell of urine are not taken in a timely manner, it will simply permeate the entire room. Moreover, people living here will get used to it and will not feel it. It will be unbearable for guests.

To combat old aroma, drastic measures are needed. In some cases, it is necessary to remove the floors and re-cover the walls; sometimes it is enough to change the mattress or bedspread, or buy new carpets. Although sometimes the smell is absorbed very deeply even into the base of the sofa and bed.

You can try washing curtains, tulle, tablecloths, clothes and bedding. And if it doesn’t help, you’ll also have to buy a new one.

Drying upholstered furniture after treatment

• Natural drying. Don't touch the sofa and just wait until it dries.
• Artificial. Iron. Remember: it should not remain in one place for more than 1-2 seconds, so as not to burn the fabric.
• Hair dryer. Don't forget to turn it off periodically.
• Dry sheet. Cover the sofa with it and wipe thoroughly.
• Fan. You need to place the fan opposite the wet spot.

You can get rid of urine on the sofa quickly and effectively. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations, otherwise you can ruin the sofa.

What to do for prevention

Removing urine odor is a very difficult task. Therefore, we must try with all our might to prevent it or at least reduce it to a minimum. There are special pads and diapers for those suffering from enuresis. And if a person is embarrassed to use them or does not admit the existence of a problem, you can cover sofas and beds with oilcloth and lay down urological diapers.

Waterproof mattress covers are sold for mattresses. Of course, sheets, bedspreads and blankets will get dirty, but washing them is not difficult. Moreover, there are household chemicals that remove stains and odors on sale.

A persistent smell of urine can appear in anyone's home. There are many reasons. These include small children, animals, and sick relatives. Now you know how to get rid of this problem and try to prevent it. Just remember that you cannot use aggressive products such as bleach. They can cause harm not only to furniture, carpets and other surfaces, but also to your health.

Top 3 special tools

If home recipes are ineffective or you don’t want to spend a lot of time with stain removal, ready-made household chemicals will help.

When choosing, you need to pay attention to the list of contaminants that the purchased product can handle. These should include an indication of greasy stains.

Stain remover Dr. Beckmann "fats and sauces"

The stain remover from a well-known German company has a volume of 50 ml and costs from 150 rubles per bottle. The special formula of the product includes active ingredients that cope with greasy stains of plant and animal origin, as well as sauces.

The stain remover can be used to treat almost any type of fabric. The product comes in an easy-to-use form and can be used for washing white and brightly colored towels.

Advantages of the product:

• efficiency;
• convenient form - gel;
• affordable price;
• European quality;
• suitable for all fabrics;
• can be used for washing plain towels and with prints;
• ergonomic bottle.

Disadvantages: small volume.

Mode of application:

1. Apply stain remover to the stain.
2. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Wash as usual.

Sano oxygen Oxygen Stain Remover

The stain remover produced in Israel is available in a volume of 0.75 liters, the cost of the bottle is from 400 rubles. The product is a universal stain remover that can be used at home.

The stain remover has the Israel Institute of Standards Platinum Mark award.

Advantages:

• high quality;
• efficiency;
• suitable for removing old stains;
• contains active oxygen;
• convenient release form;
• suitable for washing colored items;
• A large volume will last a long time.

Disadvantages: high cost.

Mode of application:

1. Using a sprayer, treat the stains.
2. Place the towels in the washing machine drum.
3. Wash using washing powder as usual.

There should be no more than 10 minutes between stain treatment and the main wash cycle. This is necessary in order to prevent the product from drying out on the material.

Amway spray SA8

The aerosol is intended for pre-treatment of stains before washing, copes with oil and greasy stains. Amway can be used at any temperature. The cost of 1 package is from 550 rubles according to the promotional offer.

Advantages:

• the product is suitable for all types of fabrics;
• high efficiency;
• ease of use;
• suitable for colored laundry;
• convenient on the road;
• has a pleasant aroma;
• economical consumption.

Disadvantages: high price.

Mode of application:

1. From a distance of 0.15 m, spray the stain remover onto the stain.
2. Wash by hand or machine.
3. Dry.