How to Get Cat Pee Stains Out of Bedding

Dealing with cat pee stains in your bedding can be frustrating, but with the right techniques and products, you can get those stains out. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to remove cat urine smells and stains from sheets, comforters, mattresses and other bedding.

Understanding Cat Pee Stains

To effectively tackle cat pee stains, it helps to understand what’s in cat urine that causes stains and smells:

Urea – This is the main component of urine and gives it the ammonia odor. Urea breaks down into ammonia over time, worsening smells.
Bacteria – Cat urine contains bacteria that interact with urea and produce unpleasant smells as they multiply.
Salts and minerals – These give urine its yellowish color and contribute to staining.
Proteins and enzymes – These can bind to fabrics and lead to stubborn stains.

So to get rid of cat pee stains and odor, you need to break down the urea, kill bacteria, dissolve salts and lift proteins with the right cleaning methods and products.

Removing Cat Urine Stains from Mattresses

Mattresses with cat pee require special attention to remove odors and stains from the stuffing and deeper layers:

1. Blot up excess urine

As soon as possible after the accident, blot up as much of the urine as possible with paper towels or a clean cloth. Apply pressure to absorb as much liquid as you can.
Avoid rubbing, which can spread the stain and force it deeper into the mattress.

2. Create a vinegar solution

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar is a powerful deodorizer and stain-fighter for cat pee.

3. Lightly spray the solution

Lightly mist the vinegar solution directly onto the stained area of the mattress. Avoid saturating the mattress.

4. Let it sit briefly

Let the vinegar solution sit for a minute or two to interact with the cat urine. This gives the acetic acid in the vinegar time to start breaking down the urea in the pee.

5. Blot again

After a couple of minutes, blot the area again with clean paper towels or a cloth to lift the vinegar solution and any urine it has loosened.

6. Sprinkle with baking soda

Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the stained area. The baking soda will help absorb both moisture and odors.

7. Let it sit overnight

Allow the baking soda to sit overnight. This gives it time to fully dry out and deodorize the mattress.

8. Vacuum up the baking soda

In the morning, use the brush attachment of your vacuum to suck up the baking soda. This will lift it along with any dried urine, bacteria and odors from the mattress fibers.

9. Repeat as needed

Check if the stain and odor are fully gone. If not, repeat this entire urine-cleaning process until the mattress is free of cat pee stains and smells.

10. Use an enzyme cleaner

For tough, set-in stains, use an enzymatic pet stain-removal spray after blotting up excess urine. Spray it onto the stain, let it sit, blot and vacuum up.

Removing Cat Pee Stains from Sheets

Cat urine can leave stubborn stains and smells in bed sheets. Follow these steps to get pee out of sheets.

1. Rinse the sheets

As soon as possible after discovering the accident, rinse the cat pee stained sheets under cold running water in the bathtub or with a garden hose outside. This dilutes the urine and makes it easier to remove.

2. Hand wash gently

Fill the tub with cold water and add a small amount of mild detergent. Gently hand wash the sheets, being careful not to rub or agitate the stains. This prevents driving the urine deeper into the fabric.

3. Soak the sheets

Once washed, let the sheets soak in the soapy cold water for at least 15 minutes. This gives the detergent time to loosen the urine salts, proteins and acids from the fabric.

4. Rinse and repeat

Drain the tub and rinse the sheets under cold running water. Repeat the hand washing, soaking and rinsing process until no stains or soap residue remain.

5. Add vinegar

For stubborn organic stains, fill the tub with cold water and add 1-2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Soak for an additional 15 minutes before rinsing. Vinegar helps remove traces of urine.

6. Air dry

Line dry the sheets or hang them outside in the sunlight. The heat and UV rays in sunlight have a mild bleaching and deodorizing effect.

7. Wash as usual

Once fully line-dried, you can toss the sheets in with your regular laundry. Use enzyme-based detergent and oxy-powered boosters in the machine wash to remove any lingering odors.

8. Use stain remover

For tough set-in stains, apply an enzymatic pet stain remover before washing. Check the label to make sure it’s safe for machine washing.

Removing Cat Pee Stains from Comforters

Comforters present challenges for removing cat urine because the stains and smell get trapped in the batting. Here are tips on cleaning cat pee from comforters.

1. Blot excess liquid

Immediately after discovering the accident, grab some paper towels and press them down on the damp stain to soak up as much of the urine as possible. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing.

2. lightly spray vinegar

Fill a spray bottle with equal parts cool water and distilled white vinegar. Lightly mist the stain with the solution. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes.

3. Blot again

Blot the area with fresh paper towels to lift the moisture and any urine residue loosened by the vinegar.

4. Apply baking soda

Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the stain. Use enough to fully coat the area. Allow to sit overnight.

5. Vacuum

Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to remove all the baking soda from the comforter in the morning. This will take urine odors and bacteria with it.

6. Flip and repeat

Flip the comforter over and repeat the vinegar, baking soda and vacuuming process on the back side as well, so that you treat both sides.

7. Air out

Hang the comforter outside in direct sunlight for several hours. The UV rays and heat help naturally disinfect, deodorize and bleach it.

8. Machine wash

Wash the comforter on a gentle cycle with an enzymatic pet odor remover. Air dry or tumble dry on low.

Removing Old or Set-In Cat Urine Stains from Bedding

Old or set-in urine stains on bedding can be challenging to remove, but try these methods:

Make a paste of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts baking soda. Spread onto stubborn stains and let sit for an hour before washing.
Fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide and spray it directly on stains. Let bubble for 5 minutes before rinsing and washing.
Soak bedding overnight in an oxygen bleach solution before washing. This helps lift embedded urine salts and proteins.
Use an UV blacklight to locate all urine stains. They glow under blacklight so you know which areas to target.
Steam clean mattresses and bedding with a carpet cleaner. The heat and steam lifts odors and stains from deep in the padding.
Use an extractor machine designed for upholstery and mattresses to deep clean urine-soaked areas.
Try DIY odoban spray: Mix 2 tsp odoban, 1 tsp dish soap and 2 cups hot water. Spray on stains, let sit 5 mins, rinse.
Look for enzymatic cleaners specifically made to break down pet urine and odors on fabric.

Preventing Cat Pee Accidents In Bedding

While getting the stains out is important, here are some tips to avoid cat pee in bed in the first place:

Use a plastic, waterproof mattress protector to create a barrier against accidents.
Wash all bedding, including mattress covers, frequently to remove tempting smells.
Clean litter boxes daily so they remain attractive to your cat over your bed.
Make sure cats have easy access to more than one large, clean litter box.
Take cats to the vet to check for urinary or medical issues causing accidents.
Use calming plugins and sprays to reduce stress that can cause inappropriate peeing.
Restrict access to the bedroom if necessary until litter training improves.

Homemade Cat Urine Odor Removers

If store-bought products aren’t cutting it, try these homemade solutions for removing cat urine odors from bedding and mattresses:

Vinegar Spray

Equal parts white vinegar & water in a spray bottle. Spritz on stain, let sit briefly, blot and rinse.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Spray full-strength hydrogen peroxide directly on stain. Let bubble up. Rinse after 5 minutes.

Baking Soda Scrub

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub onto stain. Rinse thoroughly after 15 minutes.

Enzymatic Cleaner

Mix 1 teaspoon enzyme-based dishwasher detergent with 1 cup warm water. Spray on stain. Let sit then rinse.

Oxygen Bleach Soak

Add 1/2 cup oxygen bleach powder to gallon of hot water. Soak bedding for 6-12 hours, then wash.

Borax Paste

Mix borax powder and just enough hot water to form a paste. Rub gently onto stain, rinse after 30 minutes.

When to Discard Cat-Peed On Bedding

If stains and odors remain after repeated washings and odor removal attempts, it may be time to replace bedding. Mattresses with deep pee stains should also be replaced to prevent lingering smells and bacteria. Look for signs like:

Stains that remain visible after washing
Lingering strong ammonia odor, especially when damp
Visible soaked through areas on a mattress
Aging sheets and bedding with thinning fabric
Bedding that poses a health risk from excessive bacteria
Cat urine that has significantly damaged the inner mattress layers

While cleaning can remove surface stains, cat urine over time compromises the integrity of bedding and mattress materials. At that point, it makes sense to invest in new, more cat-friendly bedding.

FAQs About Removing Cat Urine from Bedding

How do you get old, dried cat urine stains out of sheets and bedding?

For old, dried stains, soak bedding in an enzymatic cleaner or oxygen bleach solution before washing. Use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide directly on stubborn stains. Steam clean mattresses and scrub with an enzymatic cleaner.

How do you get cat pee smell out of sheets?

Rinse sheets immediately upon discovery. Hand wash gently, soak in vinegar water, rinse thoroughly. Machine wash with enzymatic detergent. Add borax or oxygen bleach to the wash. Air dry in sunlight.

How do you clean vomit and urine from a mattress?

Blot up excess liquid immediately. Use paper towels to absorb as much as possible. Create a vinegar cleaning solution and lightly spray the area, then blot again. Sprinkle with baking soda. Let sit overnight then vacuum up.

How do you clean old cat urine from a mattress?

Use a UV blacklight to locate all old stains on a mattress. Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar and gently scrub it onto stains. Use an enzymatic cleaner made for pet stains. Rent a carpet cleaner with an attachment to deep steam clean mattresses.

Why does my mattress still smell like urine after cleaning?

Urine can soak deep into mattress layers over time. Cleaners may only reach the surface. Try using an extractor machine to suction liquid from deep inside. Sprinkle with baking soda between sheet washings. Air out the mattress in sunlight. Replace mattress covers.

Key Takeaways on Removing Cat Pee from Bedding

Act quickly as soon as urine stains are discovered to prevent setting in.
Blot, don’t scrub, to lift urine from fabric without driving in deeper.
Create solutions using products like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
Enzyme-based cleaners work best for breaking down urine proteins and salts.
Soak and rinse bedding multiple times to fully remove odors and stains.
Machine wash with pet stain removing detergents and odor fighters.
Air dry fully in sunlight for a natural bleaching and deodorizing boost.
Discard mattresses and bedding with deep-set stains and bacteria.
Take preventative steps like waterproof mattress covers to avoid future accidents.

With the right cleaning methods, products and some elbow grease, you can get fresh smelling, stain-free bedding again after your cat has an accident. Stop urine odors and stains in their tracks as soon as possible for the best results.