How to Get Urine Smell Out of Carpet: Our Top DIY Solutions

Maybe the dog had an accident in the middle of the night, you ran out and sopped it up, yet there's been that sharp urine smell hanging around since then every time someone steps into the room. Or, worse yet: you've washed the same patch three times and the smell returns when it's hot or humid. You can never be sure that your home is clean since you have this one area of your carpeting that reminds you otherwise.

Here's what usually happens: strong, unpleasant odors linger around the house, and you worry you'll never get that urine stench out without compromising your carpet fibers. The good news: with the right tools and a solid plan, you can eliminate both the stain and the smell — even from old patches that seem permanent.

This step-by-step guide shows you how to remove urine smell from carpet completely. It covers what to do with old stains, which cleaners truly deliver results (especially enzyme cleaners), and how to prevent the odor from returning.

Dealing with pet urine is never easy

Got a Minute: How to Remove the Smell of Urine From Carpet in Minutes

If you're standing in a fresh puddle at the moment and can't be bothered to read through the whole manual, here's your emergency action plan:

• Blot the urine immediately.
• Use thick paper towels or a wet/dry vacuum to suck up as much liquid as you can. Press firmly, but don't scrub.
• Pre-treat the urine stain with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, or use a product specially designed for treating pet stains.
• Clean and deodorize with an enzyme-based urine cleaner (recommended in most pet urine cases) or a paste made of baking soda and dish soap.
• Dry thoroughly. Blot up any remaining moisture with cat litter or a wet/dry vacuum and dry the carpet completely using a fan or dehumidifier.

Quick rule of thumb:

Fresh (within 10–15 minutes): Blot > Vinegar or pre-treatment > Enzyme or baking-soda paste > Dry.

Old (days or weeks) stain: Enzyme soaks → Extraction or steam cleaning (possibly twice) → Another enzyme soak (repeat enough times to remove the last traces of odor, alternating dry and wet cycles — 30 minutes each, at least 3 times) → Dry.

Get everything ready before the cleaning process begins

How to Deodorize Carpet From Dog Urine in Seconds

The overall plan is simple:

1. Strip away as much liquid as possible.
2. Dissolve and lift the urine crystals and uric acid (the compounds that create lasting smells).
3. Deodorize the carpet and ensure bacteria are eliminated by drying your rug completely.

Urine isn’t just “smelly water.” It’s a combination of uric acid, proteins, and salts that bond to your carpeting fibers, padding, and even the floor underneath. When it gets hot or humid, bacteria break up the particles of urine and those odorous compounds rise, creating that persistent pet urine smell — the real reason you must understand the chemistry behind how to get pet urine smell out of carpet effectively.

Step 1 – Gather What You Need

Get all the materials first, or you'll lose time as the urine diffuses into the padding.

Essential tools:

• Paper towels or clean cloths
• Cat litter
• Broom and dustpan
• Wet/dry vacuum (if you have one)
• Enzyme pet stain and odor remover
• Baking soda, mild dish detergent, white vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Spoon or rubber spatula
• Fan, low-heat blow dryer, or dehumidifier
• Optional: steam cleaner or portable spot cleaner, UV flashlight

Always check the care label of your carpet (particularly wool or other natural-fiber carpets).

Step 2 – Act Fast on Fresh Pee

The faster you act when tackling how to get urine smell out of carpet, the easier it is to remove urine from dog or cat carpet fibers. Fresh urine hasn’t soaked in or crystallized yet; therefore, you can still prevent it from reaching the backing and the floor underneath. This step is extra important in rentals because lingering odor and yellow stains can put your security deposit at risk.

Step 3 – Blot, Do Not Scrub the Urine

During the first few hours when the accident remains wet and comes off with ease:

• Cover the spot with thick paper towels or a clean cloth.
• Press firmly with your hands — or even put your weight on the towels — to pull liquid up from the fibers.
• Change wet towels and replace them with new ones.
• If you have a wet/dry vacuum, use it on the carpet/area rug/stairs after blotting so that more liquid is removed.

Golden rule: blot and extract, never scrub. Scrubbing pushes the urine deeper into the pile and spreads it, making a single small stain a bigger, more difficult-to-treat one.

Step 4 – Pre-treat Using Vinegar or a Urine Pre-treatment

After you've removed as much of the liquid as you can, begin to break down what's left in the carpet.

You can use:

• A special urine pre-treatment made for carpets, or
• A vinegar solution (approximately 1 part white vinegar to 2½–3 parts water).

Vinegar helps dissolve crystallized ammonia salts and uric acid crystals (the stuff that makes pee smell so strong), and the stain can then be cleaned more easily and prepared for enzyme cleaners or baking soda.

How to apply:

• Add the solution to a spray bottle.
• Spray the area until it's damp but not soaked.
• Spray slightly beyond the visible stain — urine can spread beyond the surface.
• Let it sit for 5–10 minutes.

Don't overdo the vinegar. Too much can leave a strong vinegar smell, which isn't what you want.

Start breaking down the remaining liquid in the carpet after you've extracted as much of it as you can

Step 5 – Dry Off Excess Moisture

After you’ve applied the pre-treatment, dry the area once again with paper towels, or extract it with a wet/dry vacuum. Work slowly and with even pressure to remove as much liquid as possible — this is a key step in how to get urine smell out of carpet. Reducing excess moisture helps the carpet dry quicker and decreases musty odors in the long run.

The blow dryer can be used to swiftly dry your carpet

Step 6 – Clean and Deodorize Lightly Using Cat Litter

Cat litter is convenient for drying the wet spot and making it smell fresher. Work a generous portion of clean, dry cat litter over the damp area and press it into the carpet with your hand. Leave it to sit for about 30 minutes (longer if the spot is very wet). Sweep up most of the litter with a broom and dustpan, then vacuum to remove the fine particles. Once you're done, the area should be drier and ready to address any lingering smell.

Cleaning can also be done with cat litter

Deep Odor and Old Stain: Baking Soda, Enzymes, and Extraction

Difficult smells — particularly those from pets — might require more than just basic cleaning. If you’re wondering how to get dog urine smell out of carpet, you can tackle them with enzyme cleaners and baking soda.

Option A – Enzyme Cleaner (Strong or Old Smells)

In our tests, enzyme cleaners proved best for tackling pet urine odors on carpets, primarily when:

• The odor returns due to humid or warm weather in the room
• Your cat or dog keeps peeing in the same corner
• You discover stubborn, dark stains

Enzyme cleaners work effectively because they contain enzymes and beneficial bacteria that target uric acid, proteins, and other organic residues found in urine, feces, and vomit. They break down urine into smaller, odorless molecules that bacteria can't feed on. As a result, the carpet smells clean rather than heavily perfumed — and your pet is less likely to pee in the same spot.

How to use:

1. Wet the entire area with the cleaner — extend slightly beyond the visible stain.
2. Leave for 10–15 minutes (or longer for deep stains), as directed on the label.
3. Blot dry with a towel or wet/dry vacuum.
4. Allow the area to air-dry and ventilate well.

For older stains, you may need several more enzyme treatments to reach the padding and backing. A UV flashlight can help locate areas where dried urine still glows.

Option B – Baking Soda to Reduce Odors

If you prefer a more environmentally friendly approach that doesn't rely on harsh chemicals, light to moderate cat urine smells may be reduced with baking soda.

Make a simple cleaner:

• 1 cup baking soda + 1 teaspoon mild dish soap
• Stir in a little water until you have a thick, spreadable paste

How to use:

• Apply the paste on the stain.
• Lightly work it into the carpet pile using the back of a spoon or a rubber spatula.
• Allow 5–10 minutes for odor absorption and softening of residue.
• Blot and/or vacuum the dried mixture.

When used on small amounts of uric acid, baking soda won't break it down like an enzyme cleaner, but it's an excellent odor absorber for slight accidents or as a post-enzyme step.

Steam Cleaners, Damage to the Subfloor, and When a Professional Is Needed

If standard cleaning doesn't help and the odor continues to come back, a steam cleaner, spot cleaner, or a professional may be necessary.

Steam Cleaning Properly

A steam cleaner or handheld stain remover can provide great help in how to get urine smell out of carpet by removing dried or old stains from carpets. When used correctly, it will:

• Break up urine crystals
• Remove deep deposits
• Rinse away remaining detergent and dissolved urine

Caution: don't apply hot steam directly to untreated dried urine. High temperature can set the stain and allow uric acid to penetrate deeper. Always pre-treat and remove as much residue as possible.

Basic approach:

1. Prepare the area and remove as much moisture as possible.
2. Use a carpet-safe cleaning solution.
3. Move slowly to allow the machine to remove the dirty liquid.
4. Finish with a few dry passes, then allow the carpet to dry completely with a fan or an open window.

The steam cleaner is truly revolutionary

If the Damage Extends to the Underlayment or Subfloor

Continuous or frequent cat urine in the same corner can spread the odor to the underlayment (the padding under your carpet) and even the subfloor (the wooden floor underneath), so knowing how to get cat urine smell out of carpet is essential.

Symptoms that this may be the case:

• The same area smells bad a day or two later, even after cleaning
• You can smell the odor as soon as you enter the room
• Dark stains appear larger than the carpet fibers

In these cases:

• Try soaking and extracting with enzymes several times
• In severe cases, you may need to replace some of the underlayment and treat or seal the subfloor
• Consider a professional hot-water extraction service, which can reach stains that home machines cannot handle

Common Myths and Mistakes

Certain popular beliefs and practices may actually increase the odor.

Myth: The more shampoo you apply, the less the smell. Fact: A shampoo-only approach can push diluted urine deeper into the padding, leaving residue. The odor tends to re-emerge when the carpet gets damp (humidity, mopping, cleaning, etc.).

Myth: Bleach is the most effective for tough smells. Fact: Bleach can ruin fibers, remove color, and produce harsh fumes. It has little effect on urine odor in carpets and can be unsafe for pets or kids.

Myth: When the carpet smells fine when dry, the problem is solved. Fact: Deep urine can be reactivated if the carpet becomes wet again due to humidity, mopping, or other cleaning.

Mistakes to avoid:

• Substituting enzyme cleaner with generic carpet shampoo
• Over-wetting the carpet, causing old urine to wick to the surface
• Using household bleach or harsh, untested chemicals
• Skipping ventilation and leaving treated spaces damp

When learning to get rid of human urine smell on carpet or pet accidents, use non-toxic and pet-safe products, and provide the room with plenty of air.

How to Select the Correct Cleaner for Your Carpet

To remove dog pee smell from your carpet in the long run and to master how to get old urine smell out of carpet, the surest method is selecting the cleaner that fits your carpet and the situation.

Consider:

Color: never use harsh bleach on deep-colored or brightly colored carpets — it can strip dyes and leave spots. Always patch-test in a discreet location.

Material: natural fibers tend to respond better to gentler, pH-balanced formulas with shorter contact time, whereas synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon) can tolerate stronger formulas and more aggressive extraction; however, test any formula on a small area first.

Odor severity and stain age: fresh, light-odor accidents can often be handled with baking-soda DIY techniques. Older, stubborn odors — frequently cat urine — may require an enzyme cleaner and possibly steam cleaning or professional hot-water extraction.

On the label, look for:

• "Enzymatic" or "bio-enzymatic"
• Pet urine remover / pet stain and odor remover
• Safe for carpets and upholstery
• Non-toxic, pet-safe, and child-safe

Prevent Future Pee Accidents

Good hygiene practices mean you won't need to clean the same place over and over again.

For babies and toddlers:

• Use diapers or training pants on carpeted floors.
• Install a washable play mat or rug in the playroom.
• Keep a spare mat you don't mind washing frequently during potty training.

For dogs and cats:

• Walk your pet regularly and reinforce outdoor potty training.
• Place litter boxes or puppy pads in risky locations.
• Re-clean any old urine spots — pets can return to areas that still have traces of the smell.

During humid weather or in a rented house:

• Run fans or dehumidifiers; humidity can "wake up" old smells.
• When leasing, identify areas prone to accidents so you aren't surprised by odors during inspection or move-out.

Risk Notes and General Disclaimer

When it comes to urine, cleaners, and indoor air:

• Never combine bleach with ammonia or vinegar-based cleaners; this may result in toxic fumes.
• Wear gloves, and use a simple face mask if you're sensitive to cleaning products or dust.
• Keep pets and kids away from wet, treated areas until they're fully dry.
• Choose pet- and child-safe, fragrance-free cleaners, and ensure adequate ventilation if anyone in your home has asthma, allergies, or sensitive skin.

This guide contains general tips on cleaning your home. It should not substitute product instructions, care codes and labeling, or medical recommendations made by the carpet manufacturer. When dealing with expensive carpets or specialty fibers, hire a professional carpet cleaner.

Summary

Whether it's a one-off urine odor or an old, dried-in stain you didn't know how to clean, you now know how to get the pee smell out quickly:

• Blot, don't scrub.
• Pre-treat with a good pre-soak or a vinegar solution.
• Soak up fluid with cat litter or a wet/dry vac.
• Use enzyme cleaners or a baking-soda paste to tackle odor and stains.
• For deep, old damage try steam cleaning or hot-water extraction.
• Avoid harsh chemicals and don't oversaturate fibers, which can set the smell or damage them.

Quick checklist to remember: Find stain → Blot → Pre-treat → Enzyme or DIY paste → Extract → Dry completely → Prevent it from happening again.

This process works in most real-life situations, provided you use the right products — for example: how to remove dog pee smell from carpet, how to get urine smell out of carpet with baking soda, how to rid urine odor from carpet, or how to remove human urine smell from carpet.

When you need more real-world cleaning tutorials, product tests, and tips for busy homes, you can head back to TheKingLive for practical advice.

Questions About Removing the Urine Smell in Carpets

How long does urine odor last on carpet?

Unless treated adequately, urine odor can last several months or years, particularly when it leaks into the pad and subfloor. In most cases, smells are significantly reduced or eliminated within several days with sufficient enzyme treatment, efficient extraction, and thorough drying.

Is it possible to apply these techniques to wool or natural-fiber carpets?

Yes, but you must be more careful:

• Test products on a concealed part first.
• Don't use strong chemicals and high heat.
• Use gentler enzyme cleaners with reduced dwell periods, and ensure the rug is fully dry.

Is dried urine toxic to pets or children?

Occasional exposure tends to be annoying rather than harmful; however:

• Strong, lingering smells can irritate sensitive airways and noses.
• Very old and damp stains may support mold growth and deteriorate indoor air quality.
• Non-toxic, pet-safe cleaners and good ventilation will make your home more comfortable for all.