How to Remove Urine Stains: Tips and Guidelines

Anybody who has ever tried to potty train a toddler knows about urine. The smell. The color. Yuck.

These stain removal techniques will erase any trace of urine laundry stains. If only they could do the same for memories of the potty-training process.

After you identify the affected material, follow these tips to make urine stains a distant memory:

Non-washable fabrics such as Acetate, Carpet (synthetic or wool), Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate and Wool
Washable fabrics such as Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester and Spandex
Household surfaces such as Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Glass, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Vinyl Clothing and Vinyl Wallcovering
Alabaster and Marble
Flooring surfaces such as Asphalt, Cork, Linoleum and Vinyl Tile
Stone surfaces such as Bluestone, Brick, Concrete, Flagstone, Granite, Limestone, Masonry Tile and Sandstone
Grout
Leather and Suede
Wood

Non-washable Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove urine stains from non-washable fabrics such as Acetate, Carpet (synthetic or wool), Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate and Wool:

Sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) the area with water or club soda immediately to dilute the stain.
Apply a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia. (Do not use ammonia on silk or wool.)
Cover with an absorbent pad moistened with wet spotter.
Let it stand as long as any stain is being removed.
Change the pad as it picks up the stain.
Keep both the pad and stain moist with wet spotter and ammonia.
Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) with water, then apply wet spotter with a few drops of white vinegar.
Flush well with water and repeat if necessary.
Allow to dry.
On carpets, after following these procedures, apply a carpet stain remover.

Washable Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove urine stains from washable fabrics such as Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester and Spandex:

Flush immediately with water or club soda.
Soak the stain in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent, and 1 tablespoon ammonia for 30 minutes.
Rinse well with water.

If stain persists:

Soak in a solution of 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon white vinegar for 1 hour. (Use white vinegar with care on cotton and linen.)
Rinse well and allow to dry.

If stain is set:

Try applying rubbing alcohol to the area and tamping (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials).
Do not apply full-strength rubbing alcohol to acrylic or modacrylic--dilute with 2 parts water.
As stain loosens, blot the liquid and stain with an absorbent pad.
Keep both the stain and pad moist with alcohol and change the pad as it picks up the stain.
Allow to dry.

Household Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove urine stains from household surfaces such as Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Glass, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Vinyl Clothing and Vinyl Wallcovering:

Wipe up liquid with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water.
Rinse well and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Alabaster and Marble

Follow these steps to remove urine stains from Alabaster and Marble:

Wipe the stain with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water.
Rinse well and wipe dry.

If a stain persists:

Soak an absorbent pad in rubbing alcohol and apply to the stain after wringing nearly dry.
Wait 5 minutes, then apply an absorbent pad that has been soaked in ammonia and wrung nearly dry.
Alternate alcohol and ammonia pads until stain has been removed.
Wipe surface with a cloth dampened with clear water and dry with a soft cloth.

Flooring Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove urine stains from flooring surfaces such as Asphalt, Cork, Linoleum and Vinyl Tile:

Wipe the stain with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water.
Rinse well and wipe dry.

If stain remains:

Cover with an absorbent pad soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Let it remain in place for 5 minutes, then wipe the area with a cloth dampened with ammonia. (Do not use ammonia on linoleum or vinyl floor tile.)
Rinse well with water and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Stone Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove urine stains from stone surfaces such as Bluestone, Brick, Concrete, Flagstone, Granite, Limestone, Masonry Tile and Sandstone:

Wash the stain with a solution of washing soda or detergent (never soap) and water.
Scrub with a cloth or soft-bristled brush.
Rinse thoroughly with water and allow to dry.

Grout

Follow these steps to remove urine stains from Grout:

Wash the stain with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water.
If any stain remains, dip a wet toothbrush into baking soda or powdered cleanser and gently scrub the stain.
Rinse well and wipe dry.

Leather and Suede

Follow these steps to remove urine stains from Leather and Suede:

Blot up the excess.
Mix a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water.
Swish to create a great volume of suds.
Apply only the foam with a sponge.
Rinse well with a clean damp cloth and wipe dry.
For leather only, condition with leather cleaner or saddle soap.

Wood

Follow these steps to remove urine stains from Wood:

Gently wipe the stain with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water.
Rinse with a clean cloth moistened with clear water and wipe dry.
Polish or wax as soon as possible.