How to Get Pet Stains Out of Clothing

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 06/05/23
Reviewed by
Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk headshot, cleaning RB
Reviewed by Becky Rapinchuk

Becky Rapinchuk is a natural cleaning expert, home-keeping expert, and founder of the lifestyle brand, Clean Mama. She has published 4 best-selling books on cleaning.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Using baking soda and water on the stain

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 - 3 hrs
  • Total Time: 2 mins - 12 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10

If you own a pet, an occasional animal-related stain is to be expected. However, urine, feces, and vomit accidents on clothing are inconvenient but are treatable in most cases.

As always, the sooner the stain is treated, the more successful the removal will be. Accidents left untreated for long periods can permanently discolor and damage any fabric. Remember never to rub a wet stain into the affected fabric, as it can make removal more difficult.

Read up on the following reliable stain-removal methods using items you likely already have in your home. 

Stain Type Protein-based 
Detergent Type Heavy-duty laundry detergent
Water Temperature Cold water

When to Call a Professional

As to be expected, if a garment is marked as dry-clean only or is made of vintage materials or silk, it's best to let a professional handle the stain removal. Take it to your local dry cleaners and explain the stain to them.

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Urine Stains on Clothes

  • Dull knife or spatula
  • Water
  • Soaking basin
  • Washing machine
  • Paper towels or white cloth
  • Outdoor clothing line (Optional)

Feces and Vomit Stains on Clothes

  • Dull knife or spatula
  • Soaking basin
  • Washing machine
  • Soft-bristled brush (optional)

Materials

Urine Stains on Clothes

  • Water
  • Heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent
  • White distilled vinegar

Feces and Vomit Stains on Clothes

  • Water
  • Oxygen-based bleach
  • Heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent

Instructions

items for removing pet stains
The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

How to Remove Urine Pet Stains From Clothes and Linens

Urine damage from pets can be very frustrating. Fortunately, there are effective, at-home measures you can take to treat the stain. Sometimes, the odor from the urine stain is worse than the stain itself.

  1. Flush With Cold Water

    Flush the stained area with cold water. Turn the fabric over and place it under a a cool, running faucet.

    flushing fabric with cold water
    The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa 

  2. Machine Wash With Laundry Detergent and Vinegar

    Launder your garment as you usually would, using the hottest water temperature advised by the care label. Add one cup of white distilled vinegar to the wash water to help reduce any odor that may accompany the stain. 

    garment with detergent and vinegar
    The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa 

  3. Soak Overnight in Vinegar-Water Solution

    If stains or odors are not gone after washing, soak the item overnight. Mix a solution of 1 gallon of cool water and 2 cups of white distilled vinegar. Completely submerge the fabric and allow it to soak overnight. In the morning, repeat step 2 and wash your garment as advised above. Soaking is also especially useful if the stain has already dried.

    letting the garment soak in a vinegar solution
    The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa 

Tip

Line drying items outside is an effective way to lift odors from stained fabrics without the harsh heat of a machine dryer.

How to Remove Feces and Vomit Pet Stains on Clothes 

Pet stains on clothes, especially feces and vomit, should be treated as soon as possible to avoid permanent damage and lasting foul odors.

materials for getting rid of pet stains
The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

  1. Remove Solid Matter

    Remove as much solid matter as possible with a dull-edged object like a butter knife or spatula. Be careful not to rub the vomit or feces with a cloth, as it will drive the stain deeper into the fabric's fibers. If the stain is dried or old, scrape or brush off any crusted matter.

    using a dull knife to remove solid matter
    The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

  2. Flush Under Running Water

    Hold the underside of the stained area beneath cold water from a running faucet and let the stream run through the soiled area.

    flushing a garment under water
    The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

  3. Soak in Oxygen-Based Bleach Solution

    Mix a solution of cool water and oxygen-based bleach according to the instructions on the back of the cleaning product. Submerge your garment and allow it to soak for at least four hours.

    soaking garment in an oxygen solution
    The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

  4. Machine Wash and Dry

    Machine-wash your garment with heavy-duty detergent in the hottest water advised by its care label. Never place a stained item in a hot dryer. You must ensure that the stain is gone before doing so. 

    Washing the garment on the hottest acceptable setting

    The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

Tip

Don't apply boiling water to your stained fabric, as it cooks the protein in the vomit or feces stain, sets it, and makes it more difficult to remove.

Additional Tips for Handling Pet Stains

While there are many commercial pet stain removal products, you can easily make your solution with natural ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Try a variety of at-home methods before consulting a professional cleaner. If a dry-clean-only garment gets stained, blot away urine stains with a white cloth or paper towel before heading to the dry cleaner.

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