How to Get Cat Pee Stains Out of Bedding

How to Remove Cat Pee Stain From Washable Bedding

1. Blot Up the Cat Pee

   If you find a fresh stain, slip on some disposable gloves and blot up the cat pee with several layers of paper towels.

2. Remove the Bedding

   As soon as you discover the stain, remove the bedding from the bed. Check each piece for stains or odor. The sooner you treat the stains and wash the bedding, the more successful you will be in removing the stains.

3. Pretreat the Stains

   Use an enzyme-based stain remover formulated for pet stains or a dab of heavy-duty laundry detergent to pretreat the stained areas. Use a soft-bristled brush to work the cleaner into the fabric. Let the cleaner work for 10-15 minutes before you wash the bedding.

4. Wash the Bedding

   Wash the bedding in the hottest water recommended for the fabrics. Add one cup of baking soda to the wash water to help combat odors.

   Tip

   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, such as a pine oil disinfectant.

5. Check for Stains

   If yellow stains remain, don't place the bedding in the dryer. The high heat may set the stains permanently. Air-dry the bedding if you're not sure if the stains are gone.

   To remove difficult stains:

   • Mix a solution of cool water and oxygen-based bleach following the directions on the package on how to mix the solution.
   • Let the bedding soak for at least two hours.
   • If the stains remain, mix a new solution of oxygen-based bleach and water and soak overnight, then wash again.

   How to Remove Fresh Cat Pee From a Mattress

   When cat pee happens, remove all of the bedding as quickly as possible. Toss the sheets, mattress pad, and any affected blankets in the washer.

6. Blot Fresh Pee

   Wearing rubber gloves, use paper towels to blot away as much of the pee as possible. Press hard to help the towels absorb the moisture and move to a dry towel as the urine is transferred.

7. Treat the Fresh Stain

   • Mix one teaspoon of an enzyme-based stain remover or heavy-duty laundry detergent with one cup of warm water.
   • Dip a soft-bristled scrub brush in the solution and lightly scrub the stained area of the mattress.
   • Work from the outside edges of the stain toward the center to prevent it from getting larger.
   • Blot the area with a dry towel to absorb the moisture.

8. Tackle the Cat Pee Odor

   • While the mattress is still damp, sprinkle the spot with a generous layer of baking soda.
   • Allow the baking soda to air-dry completely. This may take several hours.
   • When the powder is dry, use the upholstery attachment of a vacuum or a handheld vacuum to get rid of the powder.

How to Remove Cat Pee Odor From a Mattress

If the cat pee stains are not caught right away, the pee smell can seep deeper into the mattress fibers and continue to smell. If possible, choose a breezy, dry day to clean the mattress so it will dry more quickly. Try these four methods followed by a thorough cleaning to remove the smell.

1. Baking Soda Paste

   • Mix one cup of baking soda with a tablespoon of water to make a paste.
   • Spread the paste liberally over the areas that smell like pee.
   • Use a soft-bristled brush to work the paste into the mattress surface. Allow the paste to dry completely.
   • Leave the paste on the mattress for at least four hours.
   • When the paste is dry, vacuum it away.

2. Distilled White Vinegar

   • Pour undiluted distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle and liberally spray the areas that have a pee smell.
   • Allow the mattress to air-dry. The vinegar smell will be strong at first but will dissipate as it dries. Distilled white vinegar is a mild acid that helps neutralize the components in urine.
   • Speed the drying time by using circulating fans to move air across the mattress.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

   • Pour fresh hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and liberally coat the pee-stained area.
   • Hydrogen peroxide is a mild disinfectant and oxygen-based bleach. Use the three percent solution sold in drug stores for removing pee odor without damaging the surface of the mattress. Allow the mattress to air-dry.

   Warning

   Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can discolor a printed or colored mattress cover. If that is a concern, dilute the solution with an equal amount of water before using it.

4. Laundry Borax

   Warning

   Borax, found in the laundry product aisle, is an alkaline mineral salt that helps to neutralize acid stains like urine. While natural, it is toxic to humans. Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection when using it, and be sure that the mattress is well-vacuumed before anyone uses it again.

   • Mix one cup of borax with one tablespoon of water or enough to make a thin paste.
   • Spread it over the pee stain and work it in lightly with a soft-bristled brush.
   • Allow the paste to dry completely and vacuum away the residue.

Tips for Removing Cat Pee Stains

With the right products, patience, and thorough cleaning, you can get cat pee stains and odor out of bedding. Here are some tips to get the best results:

• Don't just surface clean. Cat pee can penetrate mattress toppers and mattresses to create a lingering odor.
• Don't use the heavily-scented laundry detergents that mask the odor for you. They don't mask it for a cat.
• Don't use ammonia-based cleaning products. Urine contains ammonia and the cat may think you approve of their actions and return to the spot.