How To Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Clothes
Oops…
Sometimes accidents happen. Older dogs, puppies, and sickly dogs may have incontinence issues, but even young, healthy dogs mess up on occasion. The real issue is dealing with the fallout, especially since marked clothes can carry a smell for a long time.
So, how can you help remove any urine smell from your dog's clothes (or laundry)?
Why Does Dog Urine Stink?
Most owners are used to pet odors, but most of those come out on a first wash, so why is pee so smelly?
One of the main ingredients in dog urine, the reason for that ‘urine smell’, is ammonia. This is a powerful nitrogen compound that produces that acrid scent and that soaks deep into fabric.[1] It can linger for a long time in fabric and can even act as a bleaching agent if very concentrated.
Most animals produce ammonia in their pee, but a dog’s protein-based diet can make the smell stronger. Pay attention if the smell or color of your dog’s pee has changed dramatically, as this can indicate dehydration or a health issue.
First Things First…
If the accident has just happened, remove the clothes from you or your dog immediately and throw them in the wash.
Fresh urine doesn’t smell that strong, and quickly washing the clothes may remove urine smell before it has a chance to dry and set in. Just wash the clothes or dog clothes on the recommended settings.
Never put clothes with urine odors in the dryer until you are sure the smell is gone. The hot temperature and drying method can bake the smell in and make it even harder to remove afterward. Be cautious about using fabric softener, too, as it can also make it harder to remove stink.
Cleaning Clothes Where the Urine has Dried
Once the clothes have dried with the urine smell on them, it will be harder to get rid of the scent. There are a number of methods that you can try.
Chemical Agents
One of the most common ways to remove pet odors is to use ordinary commercial odor removers. These can be very effective if the urine smell is on human clothes.
However, many of these commercial odor removers contain harsh chemicals that may damage clothes or be too strong for dogs to handle. So it's recommended to avoid them if you are washing dog clothes.
A method that is a little safer for dogs is using enzymatic cleaners and detergents. These enzymatic cleaners may break up the ammonia compounds without damaging the clothes or making them unsafe.
Natural Odor Removers
Baking Soda
For stubborn odors, there are a number of natural methods. One of these is baking soda. Baking soda has a high Ph and can absorb odors like ammonia, which has a lower acidic Ph.
Rinse as much of the urine out of the clothes as you can before sprinkling the powder directly onto the affected areas and leave it to soak. Leave it on for a couple of hours or overnight. Afterward, you can vacuum up the baking soda and wash the clothes to see if the smell is gone.
Baking soda has the added benefit of lessening or removing urine stains that may have been left behind by the pee.
Vinegar
White vinegar is another agent that can be used to remove urine smell. The white vinegar will have to be diluted in a ratio of one part vinegar to three parts cold water and the item left to soak in it before washing.
However, be careful, as vinegar can damage delicate fabrics.
If the vinegar smell is too strong, then the pet may re-pee on the area to make the smell better for themselves. Always use a pet-safe laundry detergent to thoroughly remove any lingering vinegar smell.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another method you can use to fight urine stains and smells. It works very similar to the vinegar method in that the strongly centered acids can combat the ammonia stink.
Lemon juice unfortunately can have a bleaching effect, especially combined with direct sunlight, and many dogs may have an issue with a strong citrus smell.
Preventing Accidents
The best way to get rid of urine stains and smells is to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Visit a Vet
If your dog is an adult, and has been fully potty trained, but is still peeing inside - then it could be a sign of a health issue. Things such as pregnancy, urinary tract infections, anxiety, kidney issues, diabetes, and so on could all cause a dog to need to pee more frequently or struggle to hold it in.
If pee smells very strongly or strange, then it could also indicate an infection of some kind.
An old dog with arthritis or cognitive decline could also struggle to get up out of bed to go pee where they are supposed to.
Keep a Good Schedule
Your schedule may not be working for your dog’s bladder. Consider changing things to make sure that they are able to use the bathroom right before ‘bedtime’.
While dogs should always have access to water, try to avoid feeding them too late in the day. Try to make sure they have water available so they can drink and expel it earlier in the day, and they aren't so thirsty at night.
Older dogs, or nervous dogs, may prefer having a potty break at a different time to other dogs in the house if they are afraid of being harassed while doing their business.
Keep Them Away
If your dogs keep peeing in the same area, such as in your laundry, it may be best to just keep them away from that area. You could try to cordon off the laundry hamper or room using baby gates.
You can also try to keep them out of an area by using smells dogs don’t like. This can include things such as peppermint oil (do not let the dog lick or ingest), citrus smells, or commercial anti-pet stink sprays.
If your dog keeps peeing, then it may mean that they don't like the way the object smells. Urine may smell terrible to us, but a dog may use it to cover up a scent or to make an object smell more familiar.
If you see this, consider changing your detergent or fabric softener to one without an odor. You should also consider spaying or neutering them to reduce marking behavior.
Anxiety
Both scent marking and frequent indoor peeing can be a sign of anxiety.
If it is generalized anxiety, especially at night, you should try to make the room as comfortable and dark as possible. You can also try giving your dog a pair of dog pajamas or a snug jacket to help them stay calm. The material is scientifically proven to cause a swaddling effect that can reduce anxiety at night.[2]
If you are interested in seeing some comfortable and attractive dog pajamas, try Sparkpaws’ Dog Pajama Onesies.
Broken Teddy Bear Dog Hoodie Black
Conclusion
Pet accidents are a normal part of dog ownership that pet parents have to be prepared to deal with. If you notice an accident happening, wash the garments as quickly as you can before the smell sets in.
Avoid tumble drying or using fabric softener until you are sure the smell is gone.
Commercial deodorizers can be good for human clothes, but may not be the best for doggy items. Instead, consider some natural ways to fight odors, such as leaving baking soda to soak, soaking the garment in a mix of cold water and vinegar or lemon juice. Try to follow the care instructions on the product.
A cold wash may also be useful.
Pay attention to unusual indoor peeing, as it could be a sign of a health issue or anxiety. Consider taking your dog to the vet, keeping a consistent schedule, and providing them with anti-anxiety measures.
Happy Walking!
Ext Links
[2]https://www.sciencedirect.com