How Pet Pros Get Dog Pee Out of Couches

Every dog owner has had to clean up pee at some point. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog, sometimes they simply can't make it outside in time. If they happen to have an accident on your couch, it can be stressful. It's not quite as easy to clean as the floor or a rug, but there is plenty you can do to reduce the risks of staining and long-lasting urine smells.

Even if urine has had time to soak into the couch or there are old pee stains on the cushions, you can usually clean these spots with the right cleaner and cleaning method. Use this guide to find out how to get dog pee smell out of a couch, as well as what cleaning products and methods you should avoid so that you don’t make the problem worse. 

What to Use to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of a Couch

There are several key products you should have on hand to effectively get dog pee out of a couch, starting with a cloth, towel, sponge, or a similar absorbent product that can be used to blot the couch and soak up as much pee as possible. Next, you will want to have a spray bottle with clean water. This will be used to apply small amounts of water to the affected area, diluting the pee and helping to soak it up from the fabric. 

After blotting as much as possible, use an enzymatic cleaner to treat the couch. “Urine contains ammonia and uric acid, which have a strong odor. In particular, uric acid forms crystals that bond to fabric. Uric acid crystals are not water soluble, so they remain in the fabric when certain water-based cleaners are used,” explains Dr. Julie Hunt, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance. 

While vinegar and baking soda have some effect, an enzymatic cleaner breaks down the uric acid crystals more effectively. Once the couch is clean, use a wet/dry vac to suck up any excess water or cleaning solution. 

Related: How to Get Dog Pee Out of Carpet, According to a Professional Cleaner

Products to Avoid When Removing Dog Pee Smell From a Couch

Cleaning dog pee from a couch isn’t as simple as wiping it up with a cloth and some generic cleaner. In fact, if you use the wrong products, you can actually make the staining and scent worse. Never use an ammonia-based cleaner, as this will simply react with the ammonia in the urine and create a stronger smell. Also, you should not use heat of any kind until an enzymatic cleaner has broken down the uric acid crystals, including hot water or steam cleaners, because the heat can cause the uric acid crystals to bind permanently with the fabric, locking in the odor and the stain. 

Additionally, Dr. Hunt notes that you “should avoid using anything that may take the color out of the couch fabric, including any cleaners with bleach in them. If owners aren’t sure whether their cleaning product would do that, they can do a small patch test with the cleaner on part of the couch that is not commonly seen.”

How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of a Couch

Tools and Materials

• Rubber gloves
• Cloth or sponge
• Spray bottle
• Enzymatic cleaner
• Wet/dry vac

Step 1: Blot and Dilute the Urine. 

Blotting is the process of pressing down firmly with an absorbent material, like a paper towel, cloth, or a similar material. This is done with the intent of soaking up excess urine before it can seep further into the couch. Adriana Aziz, operations manager of MaidForYou, says that “as soon as you notice the smell, you should endeavor to blot up as much as you can before it starts to penetrate into the fabric and fibers of the couch.” Spray the area with a bit of clean water to help dilute the urine and make it easier to blot up as much as possible. 

Step 2: Apply the Cleaning Solution.

After blotting to remove as much excess urine as you can, apply a cleaning solution to the stained area. You can work with vinegar and baking soda as a short term solution, but this DIY mixture does not break down uric acid crystals, so, if possible, you should use an enzymatic cleaner for a more thorough cleaning. 

“Spray an enzyme cleaner onto the area that your dog has urinated. Enzyme cleaners break down and remove organic compounds found in pet urine,” notes Aziz. If you don’t have an enzymatic cleaner, then you can use vinegar and baking soda or plan to pick up an enzyme cleaner within about 12 to 24 hours. Alternatively, you can use rubbing alcohol for delicate fabrics, like velvet or chenille, since it will break down the urine quickly and evaporate without weighing down the fabric. 

Step 3: Let the Cleaning Solution Sit.

The cleaning solution should be given time to work before it is rinsed and removed. After applying the enzymatic cleaner, let it sit for about 15 minutes or as directed by the manufacturer. If you are dealing with a heavily soiled couch, then you may need to allow the enzyme cleaner to sit covered with a damp cloth for 12 to 72 hours for it to completely break down any uric acid crystals in the fabric. 

Step 4: Rinse and Extract Moisture.

Once the cleaner has had time to work, you can spray the area with water to rinse the cleaning solution. Just be sure not to apply too much water, because this could cause damage to the fabric and may contribute to mold and mildew issues. Use a wet/dry vac to extract as much moisture as you can from the couch. 

Step 5: Dry Completely.

Give the couch time to fully dry. If you notice that the stain is still there or there is still a urine odor, then you should repeat these steps and consider leaving the cleaner on for a longer period of time. “This is usually enough to ensure that your couch is not ruined. However, if you're worried, utilizing a steam cleaner will go a long way, but you'll also want to make sure that you pretreat the stain with an enzyme cleaner again to ensure you've removed all of the organic compounds from the couch before applying heat to the fabric,” mentions Aziz.

Related: If You Act Fast Enough, These Simple Hacks Can Save Bleach-Stained Clothes and Carpet

Best Cleaners for Removing Dog Urine From a Couch

Enzyme Cleaners

The best choice for handling both old and new dog urine spots is an enzyme cleaner. These cleaners work so well because they are capable of breaking down the uric acid crystals in urine that tend to bond to fabric, while other cleaning solutions really only treat the alkaline ammonia scent. “Fully cleaning urine spots using an enzymatic cleaner is helpful because it also removes the pheromones that may be present, which can attract dogs to urinate in the same location,” adds Dr. Hunt.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Another potential option for relatively new urine stains is a combination of vinegar and baking soda, though it’s important to note that this DIY solution is rarely capable of dealing with the odors produced by uric acid crystals, so even if you do use vinegar and baking soda in the short term, you should eventually follow it up with an enzymatic cleaner treatment. 

Dr. Hunt mentions that “a 1:1 combination of vinegar and baking soda can be applied to urine spots, left to dry for 12 hours, and then vacuumed off the couch.” This method is often used when you do not have an enzymatic cleaner handy and need a quick solution to an immediate problem. 

Commercial Pet Urine Removers

When you are looking for a commercial pet urine remover to keep around the house, it’s important to check the ingredients for any chemicals that may remove the color from the couch fabric or your carpet. Additionally, you will want to decide between an enzymatic commercial pet urine remover and a non-enzymatic product, depending on your immediate needs. 

Non-enzymatic cleaners can be effective for surface cleaning and odor masking, especially if they use advanced surfactants to break down odor-causing molecules. However, these products may not be able to fully break down uric acid crystals that have seeped deeper into the couch fibers. So, for old or set-in stains, it’s always best to go with an enzymatic cleaner. 

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How to Remove Old Dog Urine Stains From the Couch

Find Dried Urine Spots With UV Light

Some stains simply go unnoticed. This could be because the staining occurred on a rarely used couch, like a basement couch, or the stain was covered with a blanket, pillow, or some other object that blocked it from view. However, you can still treat old dog urine stains, but you’ll want to start by finding every bit of staining so you can be sure that your couch doesn’t smell anymore. “Owners need to locate all the spots of urine in order to clean effectively. A UV light or black light can be helpful in highlighting urine spots,” notes Dr. Hunt. 

Treating Couch Cushions

Urine can soak deep into your couch cushions, so you will need to apply an enzymatic cleaner to the area and allow it to sit for up to 72 hours to ensure that it can seep deep enough into the fibers to break down any uric acid crystals. However, Dr. Hunt also points out that “enzymatic cleaners have instructions on them, so owners should follow the instructions for the specific cleaner that they are using.” Following these instructions carefully will prevent any mistakes or damage to your couch. 

If your couch cushions are removable, it’s highly recommended to take them off the couch so that you can also treat the underlying fabric. Some couch cushions even have zippered covers that can be removed and put into the washing machine, allowing you to thoroughly wash the covers while you treat the cushions with an enzymatic cleaner.

After applying the cleaner and letting it sit long enough to treat the old dog pee stains, you should apply water to the area to rinse the cleaner away, then extract the moisture with a wet/dry vac. Repeat this process as necessary until the stain has been removed and there is no lingering odor, then allow the couch, cushions, and cushion covers to fully dry before reassembling the couch. 

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How Often Should You Deodorize the Couch to Treat Pet Odors?

Prevention

There are a few ways you can actively prevent pet hair and odors from building up in your couch. Firstly, you can use blankets or similar covers that can be washed frequently. This could include full couch covers, or even pillow cases that can be removed and put into a washing machine. 

Another good preventative method is to brush and bathe your pets regularly. This will help to remove excess hair, dirt, and scents from their fur before it can be left on your couch. You may also want to simply make the couch an off-limits location for your dog, especially if they have developed a habit of peeing on the couch.

Light Cleaning

To effectively treat pet odors, you should deodorize your couch every one to two months for general maintenance, with weekly vacuuming to manage hair and dander. For stronger smells, use baking soda or upholstery spray every three to four weeks. If pet urine smells tend to linger or reappear during humid days, you should clean the couch with an enzymatic spray to break down uric acid crystals that may be stuck deep within the fibers. 

Deep Cleaning

Households with multiple pets may require a deeper clean, such as using an enzymatic cleaner or a deep-cleaning machine, every two to three months to eliminate trapped oils. Just keep in mind that you should only use a steam cleaner if you have already treated the fabric with an enzymatic cleaner, otherwise the heat may cause any remaining uric acid crystals to bond with the fabric permanently, preventing you from ever getting rid of that urine scent.