
How to remove urine stains from clothes
Life with kids or pets means accidents are inevitable—sometimes in the middle of the night, sometimes during play. Whether it’s a toddler’s bedding or a pet’s favorite blanket, urine stains on clothes and linens are a reality for many families. With the right approach, you can handle these messes, helping to keep your home fresh for your family. This guide covers everything you need to know about removing urine stains from clothes, washing bed sheets after accidents, what breaks down urine stains, and dealing with old stains or stains caused by pet urine.


Why urine stains are tricky
Urine contains proteins and uric acid crystals that can bond tightly with fabric fibers, leading to lingering odors and yellow stains if not treated properly. The sooner you address the stain, the easier it is to try to remove, but even set-in stains can be tackled with the right steps. For busy families, knowing how to wash urine out of clothes can mean less stress when accidents strike.


Is hot or cold water better for urine stains?
Cold water is the best choice for removing urine stains. Using hot water can actually set the proteins in urine, making the stain more difficult to remove. For best results, rinse or soak the stained item in cold water as soon as possible before washing. Once you’ve treated the stain, you can wash in warm or hot water according to the item’s care tag. Always follow the care label instructions to protect your fabric.
Step-by-step: removing urine stains from clothes and bedding
Try these steps the next time you need to try and get urine from bed sheets, pet blankets or clothing. Remember to check your care labels first to be sure these treatments are possible with your particular garment or fabric type.
1. Act quickly when possible
Blot the stained area with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel—avoid rubbing, which can push the stain deeper into the fabric. If the stain is fresh, rinse it under cool, running water to try to dilute and flush out as much urine as possible. Hot water can set urine stains, so stick to cool temperatures for initial removal.
2. Pre-treat with an enzyme cleaner for urine
When it comes to urine stain removers, enzyme cleaners are specially formulated to help break down organic stains such as urine, making them a useful choice for families dealing with frequent accidents. Apply a generous amount of enzyme cleaner to the stain and let it sit for at least 15 minutes, or longer for older stains.
3. Wash with the right settings
Your washer likely offers a range of features and settings that can be used to help remove urine stains and odors. Here’s a step-by-step checklist for how to wash urine out of clothes and bedding using a washing machine:
Check the care label: Always follow the garment’s care instructions for water temperature and cycle type.
Select the appropriate cycle: For most urine stains, try the “Normal” or “Heavy Duty” cycle for sturdy fabrics, or “Bulky/Sheets” for bedding and large items. These cycles typically use more water and longer agitation, which can help flush out stains.
Adjust soil level: If your washer has a soil level setting, choose “Heavy” for deeply soiled items to increase wash time.
Set the wash temperature: Use the warmest water safe for the fabric.
Add detergent: Add detergent, and consider adding a half cup of baking soda for a full load to help boost odor removal. While baking soda is generally safe for most fabrics, you’ll want to spot-test it on a small area first, especially on delicate fabrics.
Use pre-wash or soak options: If available, use these cycles to help loosen tough stains and odors before the main wash begins.
- Choose extra rinse: If your model allows, try adding an extra rinse cycle to help ensure residue is washed away.
4. Check before drying
After washing, inspect the stained area before putting the item in the dryer. Heat can set stains and odors, making them harder to remove. If any stain or odor remains, repeat the pre-treat and wash steps.
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How to remove old urine stains from clothing and bedding
Old urine stains can be stubborn, but they’re not impossible to remove. Always check your care tags first to ensure any treatment you choose is safe for the fabric.
One of the most effective methods for removing old urine stains is soaking the item in a color-safe oxygenated bleach solution. Start by mixing oxygen bleach with cool water according to the package instructions. Submerge the stained clothing or bedding and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. For especially tough or set-in stains, you can extend the soak time to several hours or even overnight. After soaking and rinsing in cool water, wash the item in the warmest water safe for the material, using your regular detergent. If the stain persists, repeat the soaking and washing process. Remember to air dry the item, as heat from the dryer can set any remaining stain and make it harder to remove.
Oxygen bleach is generally safe for most cottons, polyesters, and colorfast fabrics, but it should not be used on delicate materials like silk or wool. Always spot test on a hidden area before soaking the entire item.
How to remove set-in urine stains from delicate fabrics
If your fabric is not compatible with oxygen bleach (such as silk or wool), an alternative method is to soak the item in cold water mixed with an enzyme cleaner. Enzyme cleaners break down the proteins and uric acid in urine, making them especially effective on organic stains. Let the item soak for at least 30 minutes, then rinse in cool water and wash as usual in the warmest water safe for the fabric. Spot-test enzyme cleaners on delicate fabrics to ensure there’s no discoloration or damage.
For added odor removal, you can add half a cup of baking soda to the wash, but always check the care label and spot-test first. After washing, inspect the stain before drying; repeat the process if any stain or odor remains. Air drying is recommended until you’re sure the stain is removed to your satisfaction.


How to remove urine stains from bedding
Bedding often takes the brunt of nighttime accidents. Start by stripping the bed and blotting up as much urine as possible. Rinse bedding in cold water, then pre-treat stains with an enzyme cleaner. After letting it sit for at least 30 minutes, rinse in cold water again. Then, wash sheets and blankets in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Baking soda can be added to help neutralize odors, but check it on a small area of the bedding first, to be sure the fabric can handle it. Always check the stain before drying, as heat can set it. With the right laundry care, you can help keep your family’s bedding feeling fresh and comfortable.
Avoid using vinegar or other acidic solutions on delicate materials or bedding with elastic, such as silk or fitted sheets.
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Whirlpool® Dryers help you finish laundry day and get back to what matters most, with features on select models like Advanced Moisture Sensing, which uses sensors to help protect against overdrying by detecting both moisture and temperature to adapt drying times. Discover which dryer is best for your home and family.


How do you remove pet urine stains?
Pet urine stains can be persistent due to their unique chemistry. For those wondering how to remove pet urine stains on items such as puppy blankets, start by blotting up as much as possible and rinsing with cold water. Then apply an enzyme cleaner formulated for pet stains and let it sit. Rinse thoroughly with cold water, or according to the cleaner’s instructions. Next, wash the item in the warmest water safe for the fabric, adding a half cup of baking soda if the fabric can handle it. Repeat the process if needed.
What breaks down urine stains?
Enzyme cleaners or oxygenated bleach can be effective solutions for breaking down urine stains, as they help target and break down the proteins and uric acid at the source. Alternatively, pretreating an item with baking soda or vinegar can also help neutralize odors and lift stains. Do not mix solutions and always rinse thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
As always, check your care tags and test any treatments on a small area of your garment first to be sure your fabric can handle it. Thoroughly rinse vinegar from items before putting them in the washing machine.
Shop Whirlpool® Laundry Pedestals
Whirlpool® Washer and Dryer Pedestals can raise your laundry pair for easier loading and unloading and provide extra storage for your cleaning essentials. Pedestals help keep your laundry space organized and accessible for the whole family.


Family care, made simple
Caring for your family means being ready for life’s little surprises. Accidents happen, but with a little laundry TLC and appliances you can count on time after time, you can focus on caring for your family members instead of stressing about the mess.
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