How to Get Rid of Urine Smell in an Elderly Home

Urine odors in the house can be embarrassing when you or a loved one is struggling with incontinence issues.

No one wants guests to be met with an overwhelming human urine smell in the house when they enter the home. Thankfully, there are a variety of options you can use to eliminate urine odors and make it a more pleasant place for visitors.

In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss various methods and solutions for eliminating human urine odors in the house. From natural remedies to commercial products, we will cover everything you need to know to get rid of those persistent smells.

Cleaning Up Incontinence Urine Accidents on Furniture

Step 1: Clean Up Urine Stains As Soon as Possible

The most important thing to do when handling a urine accident on furniture is to clean it up as soon as possible. Allowing the urine to sit will only make the odor worse and harder to remove.

Step 2: Soak Up All Moisture With Paper Towels

Use absorbent towels or paper towels to blot up any excess urine on the furniture. Do not rub or scrub, as this can damage the fabric and can even cause the odor to penetrate the material further.

Instead, put pressure on the paper towel against the affected area, soaking up as much moisture as possible. Do not apply urine-treating solutions until you’ve soaked up as much liquid as possible – continue blotting with pressure until no liquid is coming up on the paper towels.

Step 3: Use an Enzymatic Cleaners or Natural Cleaning Solution

Once you’ve removed as much urine from the furniture as possible, it’s time to use an enzyme cleaner to break down uric acid.

For best results, we recommend using an enzymatic cleaner designed to combat urine stains, or a natural cleaning solution like white vinegar and water or hydrogen peroxide.

These solutions are ideal for combating urine stains, and can help break down any lingering odor. Following instructions on the product label and spray the affected area .

Step 4: Wash Yourself (Or an Elderly Loved One)

It’s important to make sure the affected area isn’t just clean — your hands should be cleaned too for proper hygiene. Wash your hands with mild soap and water. Make sure that the senior also washes down with a shower or bath.

Step 5: Use Odor Eliminating Spray

Once you’ve cleaned the affected area, you may still have some slight lingering odors. Use an odor eliminator spray, air fresheners, or natural methods like an essential oil spray or a vinegar spray to quickly combat odors.

If guests are coming over and you want the area to smell better quickly, essential oil diffusers and air purifiers to make the room smell fresh and clean.

How to Get Rid of Urine Smells in a House: Natural Remedies for Eliminating Urine Odors

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can be effective in removing urine smells on fabric, but it’s important to test it in an inconspicuous area first, as it can bleach some fabrics.

To create your own DIY mixture, combine four tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Mix into a spray bottle and add a couple drops of dish detergent. Spray the combined solution on the stain, then rinse the area lightly with water and dry with a towel.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Combine one cup of distilled white vinegar with one cup of warm water and two teaspoons of baking soda. Pour into a clean spray bottle and shake to combine. Then, spray on the urine-marked area and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Blot the area with towels and leave the rest to air dry.

What’s great about this solution is that most people already have these household items on hand, so it’s a great option when you don’t have an enzyme cleaner on hand.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal can be an effective natural solution for eliminating urine smells on fabric and carpet.

Place a bowl of activated charcoal near the area with urine remains and allow it to absorb the odor for several hours. You can also place activated charcoal in a fabric bag and place it in the affected area for a longer period of time.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are known for their soothing aromas, but they can also be used to eliminate urine smells in the house. Add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water and shake it up. Spray the affected area with this solution and let it air dry.

Alternatively, you can use an essential oil diffuser to spray the room with a fine mist of gentle-smelling aroma. This is especially handy when guests are coming over.

Commercial Products for Eliminating Urine Odors

There are many great commercial products available on the market that can be used to eliminate urine odor in the house.

Enzymatic Cleaners

Enzymatic cleaners are designed to break down the proteins in urine, which cause the odor. These can often be found in the carpet cleaner aisle of big box stores.

Apply the enzyme cleaner directly to the affected area and let it sit for the recommended amount of time to clean and remove urine smell. Rinse thoroughly with water and allow the area to air dry completely.

Commercial Odor Eliminators

There are various commercial odor eliminators available that can be effective in removing urine odor on fabric.

Look for a product designed to remove pet urine stains and odors — then, just follow the instructions on the odor eliminator product label (which usually involves simply spraying the product on the affected area).

Other Tips for Eliminating Urine Odors in a Home

We’ve got some other tips for dealing with strong urine smells in a home.

• Black Light. If you’ve walked into your parents’ home and found that it smells like urine (but you don’t know where the accident happened), use a black light to locate soiled areas. Make sure that you’re able to locate and treat all of the urine stain areas. If you miss an area, your odor-killing solutions may not be effective, as areas will still smell of urine.
• Ventilation. Make sure to open windows and turn on fans to help air out the room after cleaning up an accident. This will help to prevent odors from lingering in the area.
• Furniture Protectors and Bed Pads. Consider placing waterproof furniture protectors on chairs and couches, which can help to contain any accidents and make clean-up easier. Disposable bed pads and washable bed pads are additional options for protecting a senior’s sleeping area from incontinence accidents during the night.
• Air Purifier. An air purifier can help to remove urine odor from the air in a room. Look for an air purifier that is specifically designed to absorb smells, and make sure it’s placed in the affected area of the home.
• Consider Adult Diapers. For some seniors, adult diapers can be a great way to help prevent accidents due to bladder issues. Talk to your senior about this option if it seems appropriate.
• Do a Deep Clean. If you’re struggling with persistent urine smells in the house, it might be worth hiring professional cleaners to do a deep clean of the home. They’ll have a host of professional cleaning supplies and may use a wet vac to better penetrate carpets and get rid of any lingering house smells.

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Cleaning urine isn’t always a fun task, but the sooner you clean up the area, the quicker you can eliminate any unpleasant odors.

Urine odors in the house can be a frustrating problem, but there are various methods and solutions for eliminating them. Whether you prefer natural remedies or commercial products, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent health problems and attract pests.

By following the tips and solutions in this guide, you can eliminate urine odors and enjoy a fresh-smelling home., even when dealing with incontinence!

FAQs About Eliminating Urine Odors From the Home