If you’ve had to clean urine odor, you know how nauseating and hard to remove it is. That is partly due to the use of ineffective odor-removing detergents. However much effort you put into the lingering urine smell still persists. Sounds frustrating, right? It is, I know. Luckily, this is all over now. Because in this article, we will let you into the secret to stamping out urine odor once and for all. Read on to find the 10 best detergents for removing urine odor, and which one is best for you.
The best laundry detergent to remove urine odor is a heavy-duty detergent formulated with a special enzyme capable of cleaning proteinous stains and odors. Such detergents contain enzyme-producing cultures, lime extracts and stabilizers, and organic surfactants.
Best Laundry Detergent for Urine Buyer Guide
Clearly, all detergents for urine odor removal are not made equal. Due to various factors, some are more effective in eliminating urine odor than others. And these are the same factors we considered before picking on the ten best laundry detergents for odor removal below. Below are some of the guiding considerations we used.
Cheap Can Be Expensive
Although this may always not be true, some cheap odor remover detergents are the results of poor formulation. Some detergent makers skimp on the ingredients usage, packaging, and other requirements. And like the old adage, ‘what you see is what you get.’ Therefore, unless you’re totally on a shoestring budget, to get quality odor remover, expect to dig deeper than the standard prices.
Use Environmentally Friendly Odor Remover
Worldwide the trend is to use environmentally friendly products. That is why using eco-friendly odor-removing laundry detergent is no different. Embrace the use of organic detergents, compared to the inorganic ones formulated with harmful inorganic chemicals. For that reason, it is always advisable to read the usage label to learn about the ingredients before buying.
Detergents With Enzymes Are the Best
Urine creates a tough odorous stain that needs strong stain remover detergents. This is because urine permeates into the clothing fiber and continues to emit odors even long after washing. For such stains, enzymatic stain removers are the best for breaking them down.
Should Children and Pets Safe
Quality detergents for removing urine odor should be labeled either child friendly or pet friendly. This is a clear assurance that it is safe from harmful additives in its ingredients. Some of these additives can resort to chemical allergic reactions, especially when used to wash children’s clothes. This results from poorly developed immunity at a certain age.
Buy Combined Detergents
Some detergents are formulated with a combination of active ingredients enabling them to perform more than one function. For instance, an ideal urine stain removal detergent should also have odor removal abilities. That way, you get to buy only one detergent that clears more than one laundry problem.
Below are the ten best urine odor-removing detergents
Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost
Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost works wonders in decimating urine odors. It does this by boosting other detergents to give them that kick required to eliminate urine odors. Therefore it is a must-have for everyone looking to end the frustrations of using detergents with poor urine odor removing power.
This is all thanks to its bio-enzymatic additives that make it not only break down urine stains but obliterate its odors as well. This is not one of those kinds of cleaning agents designed for masking smells but actually removing them completely for a clean, fresh smell. All you have to do is to add one cap with the usual detergent in your usual wash cycle, and that is it.
Persil Proclean Laundry Detergent & Odor Fighter
This is another powerful urine stains and odor fighter. A product from a renowned brand Persil, it is formulated with a 2X concentration. This makes it not only a powerful odor remover but cost-effective as well. All you have to use is a small amount for a load of wash, giving you more loads than other odor removers.
In fact, in a pack of 82.5 oz, you can get 82 loads of wash which is more than sufficient for most family laundry needs for a while. Not only that, it is compatible with both ordinary and HE washing machines. Above all, it’s formulated with odor-removing ingredients that make removing urine odor a breeze.
The secret lies in its Persil Detergent-plus Odor Eliminating Technology. This is an authoritative and deep clean feature that gives it the power to instantly expunge all foul odors leaving a fresh, natural-smelling wash.
Febreze Laundry Detergent Odor Eliminator
If you’re tired of pets’ frequent accidents in the house, causing ever lingering odor from within your house, this one is your solution. Febreze Odor Eliminator is formulated with odor removal ingredients derived from corn and other powerful additives, making it among the best in the market. You can use it to remove odor in pet carriers, car seat covers, and cat and dog beds, among others.
Furthermore, it is a versatile agent whether you use it in the standard washing machine or the HE one. Additionally, it is also wonderful when used as a pretreatment agent for stains and odors. For pretreatment, all you have to do is add a cupful of it in hot water, and soak for 1 hour before washing normally.
Pretreating and washing with a Febreze Detergent Odor Eliminator are one of the surest ways to stamp out any lingering smell from urine-stained clothes.
Zero Odor Laundry Odor Eliminator
If you’re looking for a premium laundry odor remover, look no further. This is a perfect stain remover whether you are eliminating odor from pet accidents, children, or incontinent adults. Courtesy of its powerful patented molecular technology, it kills urine odor with finality.
Whether you use it on pet beddings or children’s diapers, among others, this will not let you down. The surfactants in the formulation deep permeate inside the fabric removing all the urine odors with ease. The only downside is some users may find it pricey, but that is only a small price to pay compared to its high quality.
And due to its organic formulation, it is one of the safest odor removers for both children and pet items laundry.
Odoban Odor Eliminator
Odoban is among the best odor eliminators on the market. It is specifically formulated for cleaning after pets, be it from fecal or urine odor. Thanks to its “power of oxygen” formulation, it permeates into the pet bedding fabrics releasing the pet dirt and expunging all odors.
Furthermore, all its ingredients are organic, making its environment and pet use friendly. And when it comes to versatility, it is one of the most flexible odor-removing agents. You can use it to clean urine from a variety of surfaces. Be it on sealed wood, laminate floors, glazed tiles, countertops, toilets, or sinks, it perfectly works. The result is a natural-smelling clean surface.
Urine B-Gone Odor Eliminator
Just as the name implies, Urine B gone has the power to clear urine soil and the accompanying odor quite fast. Its cleaning power is based on several cleaning enzymes that digest urine and clears off the foul odor.
It does this by attacking the urine odor by deep cleaning from the top puddle, deep into the fiber, to below the carpet at the floor level. And the fantastic thing is, that it is eco-friendly, child and pet-friendly, making it one of the safest to use odor removers.
For this reason, you can use it to safely remove odor from anywhere around your home. Be it on toilets, urinals, pet beddings, carpet, or anywhere around your home. Aside from its effectiveness, it is among the best value-for-money stain removers you can get.
What with its high concentration that allows you to use only a little dose and completely eliminate the odors.
Urine Destroyer Stain and Odor Remover
Aptly named, Urine Destroyer Odor Remover makes short work of urine on any item leaving only a lingering fresh smell. Its cleaning power lies in its complex formulation that combines pro-bacteria and enzymes that dissolve the odor-producing soil from cloth fabric.
And the heavy-duty concentration makes it one of the cost-effective odor removers. The 128oz pack can give you so many loads before you need to reorder more compared to ordinary detergents. “It is a urine magnet! It helps a lot, especially since I have a chihuahua that is a living sprinkler…” That is one of the raving praises from a user on Amazon.
So whether you own just one or many pets, don’t allow yourself to be terrorized by accident-causing pets. All you need is to toss away your ordinary detergent and start using the urine destroyer and get a sigh of relief.
Bio Kleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Remover
Biokleen Bac out odor remover does not need a lot of introduction. This product from the renowned detergent maker is among the toughest odor removers on the market today.
Formulated with a rich blend of enzyme cultures, this is the most appropriate urine odor remover. These enzymes break down the urine matter and diffuse the odor, be it from a pet accident on carpets, clothing, diapers, garbage cans, or anywhere.
Little wonder it is one of the most preferred cleaning agents for most commercial carpet cleaners. And above all, it is cruel-free and contains no artificial fragrances, dyes, ammonia, phosphates, or chlorine. This makes it truly one of the eco-friendly detergents among its peers.
Kids ‘N’ Pets Stain and Odor Remover
If you’ve pets or kids, you cannot afford not to have this odor remover in the house. It is aptly named pets’ n’ kids for a good reason. The presence of pets and toddlers means accidents in the house once in a while.
Whether you’re pot-training your toddler, or you’ve got a pet that marks its territory around the house, urine smells may become a permanent feature in your home. However, with Kids’ n’ Pets Stain and Odor Remover, this should be a thing of the past.
Its power is in the deep penetrating surfactants in its formulation that allows for breaking down the soils and killing the odor. Whether the pee happens on the carpet, mattress or couch doesn’t matter since the formulation will dislodge out the soil and the odor hiding from within it.
Urine Gone Stain and Odor Eliminator
Urine Gone Odor Eliminator truly lives to its billing of making urine disappear. Its active ingredient penetrates deeper into the surface you are cleaning, releasing the soil stain and the urine smell.
That aside, it can act on any surface, be it on carpets, pet beddings, upholstery, sofas, furniture, or floor. This is all due to its fast-acting urine soil digesting enzyme. And when it comes to its application, it is quite user-friendly. All you have to do is spray the surface and let the enzymes sink deeper, and break down the odor-causing soil.
I’ve also written up a guide on what to do if you wet yourself in public that could be really useful to familiarize yourself with (just in case.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Urine Stains Have an Odor?
Once the urine is emitted from the body, it is broken down by odor bacteria and other microorganisms on any surface. Throughout this process, the bacteria release odors which we smell. The smell also results from ammonia gas produced from the composition of urine as it changes to alkali.
Why Do Urine Cause Yellow Stains?
While urine stains may appear yellow due to their yellow pigmentation, the coloration may also result from bleaching of the cloth and not the actual color. This especially happens when urine frequently stains on the same spot. Urine is a strong alkali, and that is why continuous soiling bleaches the color of the garment. Once that happens, only dyeing can help in repairing the spot.
How Can I Stop Recurring Urine Odor in My Carpet?
Mostly the recurring smell results from superficial urine treatment. This happens when people are misled by the size of the urine spot when cleaning. Often what you see on the surface is much bigger under the carpet as it might form a puddle under the spot.
So, unless you do a deep cleaning that includes carpet backing and padding, the smell may continue wafting from under the carpet.
Next, you can check out my list of the 10 best detergents for removing BO or my guide on how to clean up urine stains.