It’s frustrating whenever a dog or cat pees somewhere they’re not supposed to – like on the sofa. Here’s how you can salvage your sofa and your relationship with your pet. Our top animal expert shares her top tips for eliminating pet urine smells from fabric or leather sofa, quickly, safely and for good.
Tip #1 It’s all about the ingredients, not the effort.
We get calls from frustrated pet owners all the time, saying they tried every homemade recipe known to humankind, but with little results. Only products containing an odor neutralizer specific to the odor-causing molecule in animal urine can permanently destroy the smell of urine completely. Other products will only work temporarily, or simply mask the urine odor with scent that will eventually dissipate, leaving the pee smell behind.
Tip #2 Treat the inside of the cushion.
Gravity works on urine, too. To get rid of dog or cat pee smells from a sofa, you need to treat not only the surface of the cushions, but the inside padding as well. You will need to inject the odor neutralizer into the cushions with a needle and syringe. (If you’ve never tried this odor-removing technique before, you’ll be amazed by how easy and effective it is. Just a few squirts and no more pee smell!)
Tip #3 Avoid water-based products.
Injecting a water-based product such as an enzyme or bacteria-based product into a thick cushion is never a good idea because it can cause the cushion to mold. Instead, use an alcohol-based product that evaporates quickly to avoid the risk of mold or mildew.
We recommend using Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer. Here’s why:
- Specifically designed to neutralize the smell of any animal urine permanently
- Easy to use; just spray and walk away
- Alcohol-based: works on contact and evaporates quickly; no risk of mildewing
- Won’t discolor fabrics
- Safe for people and pets
- Leaves behind a fresh citrus scent
Tip #4 Apply odor neutralizer locally.
One of the most common mistakes we hear from pet owners is that they sprayed or injected the product all over the sofa. It’s extremely rare for a couch to be completely covered in urine.
When treating with a product like Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer, there’s no need to treat the entire couch, only the source of the odor.
Eliminating pet urine odor from a fabric sofa – step-by-step instructions
Step 1. Use your nose to locate the exact location of the urine odor.
Step 2. Make a circle with a string around the affected area. Make the circumference of the circle 4 to 5 inches larger than you think it needs to be to give you more room to maneuver. Sometimes the urine molecules will spread beyond the visible pee stain.
Step 3. Inject the product at 1-inch (2.5-cm) intervals. Start at the outer edge of the circle and work your way toward the center.
Pro Tip
When injecting the product into the cushions, make complete circles as you work your way into the center. That way you won’t have to worry about missing a spot. The odor neutralizer has to reach all of the odor-causing urine molecules to completely destroy all of the urine odor.
Step 4. Spray Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer (at a distance of 10 cm) over the entire affected surface area of the couch.
Step 5. Air out the room and allow the product to work. No rinsing or drying required.
Bonus tip: You can also follow these same steps if your cat or dog pees on your fabric car seats.
Pro Tip
What to do if Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer leaves a dark ring on fabrics
Alcohol-based products like Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer can leave a dark ring on some colored fabrics where the dye has not set properly. No need to worry! Simply rub the fabric with a damp cloth and the stain will disappear immediately.
Eliminating pet urine odor from a leather sofa – step-by-step instructions
Follow the above instructions, but for step 3, inject the product through the seams only to avoid damaging the leather. Do your best to inject the product as deep into the cushion as possible.
Bonus tip: You can also follow these steps if your cat or dog pees on your leather car seats.
5 good things to know about removing urine odors from leather sofas
- Before starting any treatment, make sure the sofa is indeed genuine leather and not synthetic leather. Alcohol-based products may cause imitation leather to discolor.
- If you’re certain the sofa is leather, always test the product on a non-visible area first to ensure it doesn’t discolor.
- Never spray products directly on leather. Instead, apply with a clean cloth and rub gently. Then remove the product after the indicated time with a clean, wet cloth.
- Leather is absorbent. Urine will soak through the leather surface and into the cushion.
- Leather absorbs odors more deeply than fabric, so several treatments may be needed to completely get rid of the pee smell.
Removing cat or dog pee smell from floors
Urine can sometimes leak through the sofa (either through the cushion or down the side) and onto the floor below. If you can still detect a pee smell after treating your sofa with Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer, move the sofa aside and take a sniff of the floor below.
If you can smell urine, simply spray the floor with Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer. If the floor is made of wood or laminate planks, use a spout bottle to squirt the product between the boards so that it can reach the urine underneath. Because the product is alcohol-based, it will neutralize the odor-causing molecules on contact and then quickly evaporate without causing the boards to swell or warp.
Pee happens. Be ready.
Rare is the dog or cat that has never had an accident. Get Purodora Urine Odor Neutralizer today so that if your pet suddenly decides to do his business on the sofa, you’ll be able to act right away. You and your family will be glad you did!
Get rid of any odor problem
We want you to be completely satisfied with our products. If you have any questions or comments, contact us by email, phone or live chat! We’re here to help!
Purodora odor neutralizers are available online and at many pet supply stores. Check out our Find Us section to find the retailer nearest you.