Does anyone have any hacks for getting rid of the urine odor in laundry?

Question

Does anyone have any hacks for getting rid of the urine odor in laundry?

Follow

Share

My m.i.l. is in a nursing home. I do her laundry because the facility's laundering beats up her clothing and loses things. We visit once a week, so things pile up and sit in the hamper. I have been setting the washer on pre-soak, heavy soil, extra-rinse. I use medium warm water (setting 4 out of 5). I use Tide Free and Gentle He. I have tried both washing soda and borax. But the odor remains.

Family Caregiver Hygiene Incontinence Skilled Nursing Facility

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

69 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First

1 2 3

You could try a couple of cups of vinegar in the soaking. Some people say there are products out there for just this purpose.

Especially with polyester, a dryer will bring the smell back up. I allowed the laundry to do Moms clothes because whatever they used got those smells out. Ask the laundress what she uses.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I add a cup of vinegar in the wash and also put it in where the fabric softener goes, so that it will be added to the rinse. It was the only thing that seemed to work pretty good. The store bought antibacterial products just didn't cut that urine odor completely out.

Helpful Answer (4)

Report

To remove odors, I've washed, and/or rinsed with vinegar. I've also soaked items in vinegar & water before washing.

If you wash with vinegar, don't add detergent: 1 C. vinegar to the washing machine, & go through the whole cycle. You can wash with detergent afterwards.

The link below talks about using vinegar for smelly diapers - but it's good for just about any clothing. It also explains the chemistry of why it works & why vinegar plus detergent in the wash doesn't work.

https://clothdiapersforbeginners.com/washing-cloth-diapers/vinegar-and-cloth-diapers/

good luck!

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

I've never used anything but detergent when washing, but I'm finding that some of the sweat shirts I bought a few years ago stain easily and the stains are hard to remove, even just slight discoloration from skin contact.

I'd like to try vinegar. What kind do you use? Plain vinegar? Distilled white vinegar (which I use to clear drains)? Thanks for any responses, and I apologise for raising this on someone else's thread, but it seems there are definitely some experienced vinegar users here!

Helpful Answer (4)

Report

White vinegar is the one you should use. To my understanding distilled or plain doesn't matter too much. I've used it for years and years instead of fabric softener.

(1)

Report

See 1 more reply

I add white vinegar in the bleach dispenser and wash with detergent and fabric softener as normal. This removes urine odor and many mild stains.

Helpful Answer (6)

Report

KisaVal - I had to wash my mother's urine soaked clothes many times. What I did was I washed the clothes as I normally washed other clothes. However, instead of using the dryer, I dried her wet clothes in the sun for at least a day. The sun removed all trace of odor. If you have a patio or backyard where you can hang clothes to dry, you can try this method.

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

You’re a very kind daughter. And I bet, a great friend too. They go hand in hand.

I try to be a good nephew. I care for my uncle.

(4)

Report

Research "Nok-Out" and "Sniper." These products might help.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

White vinegar, 1 cup as a pre wash works wonders for urine of any kind.

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

This is a question that comes up a lot and the people of the forum have a lot of different opinions, I'm linking a site search so you can browse through their answers

https://www.agingcare.com/search?term=urine+laundry

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

I use Arm and Hammer OxyClean liquid detergent- it has a very clean fresh smell that lasts quite a while after coming out of the dryer.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

I know this is going to sound very old-school but the best product I've ever tried for getting the urine smell out of clothing and bedding is 20 Mule Team Borax powder. It's cheap too. I've tried everything and this is what really works.
If you have one of the newer washing machines that don't actually fill up with water you will have to dissolve it first. I keep an old milk gallon jug. Fill it up and add the powder. Then pour it in with the laundry.
It also works great to clean your washing machine too.

Helpful Answer (7)

Report

If your machine has a “bulky” (or similar) setting, it usually adds more water to the tub. I use it for almost all loads because the low water settings tore up my clothes.

(1)

Report

Good Morning,

Baking soda and vinegar together works every time. Great for athletes too.

Gets rid of the sour smell. This is great even for clothing that has been packed away. It freshens things up.

I think the problem is the once per week washing. It's too bad the laundry couldn't be done daily. Tide can be too strong on an elderly person's skin.

I know it's a tough call with laundry because if the facility does it oftentimes some clothing can be missing in action.

Hope this helps.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

In addition to laundry detergent pods, I add Lysol laundry sanitizer. I put it in the dispenser normally used for fabric softener.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

Have you tried baking soda? Is that the same as washing soda?

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

No, they are not the same. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and the soda wash is sodium carbonate.

(0)

Report

Oxyclean Armor and Hammer laundry detergent

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

Vinegar soak first. Hope this helps

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

Baking soda or powder....pretty sure it's baking powder should absorb odors.
I pour some in my garbage bags to stop them from smelling if I can't take them
out immediately. You may want to try this.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

I imagine you have to treat her clothes with the same care as diapers to avoid cleaner irritation.
I googled remove urine smell diapers and found an in/depth article at
https://momlovesbest.com/ammonia-and-cloth-diapers

What about a diaper pail and a laundry basket to limit the problem?

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I used Persil or Tide pods and Resolve Urine Destroyer for my late mom’s laundry. She was wearing pull-ups but there was always something going into her bedding and pants. It worked pretty well for us.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

Odoban removes ALL odors. It removed cat urine odor from my garage cement floor. That was full strength. I follow the instructions and use it as a general cleaner, room deodorizer and disinfectant and in my laundry. I use it my my carpet cleaning machine too. You can find gallon size containers at your local big box DIY stores. Spray bottle version can be found at most grocery stores but I make my own using my own spray bottles.

https://odoban.com/

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

Lysol Laundry Sanitizer works wonders for eliminating odors and bacteria/viruses.

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

Even though my father wears nighttime Depends 24-7, he cannot relieve himself without wetting his clothes (congenital stubbornness with Alzheimer’s is a bad combination). Therefore, we often go through two to three pairs of pants and upwards of four pairs of pajamas daily. Needless to say that I wash at least one load of clothes each day. Like someone else, I have found that Lysol Sanitizer works well. It can get pretty expensive, and I have found that OdoBan concentrate works equally as well or maybe better. You can order it through Amazon in gallon-sized containers (it also works to eliminate urine odors in carpet). Just place it in the fabric softener dispenser of your washer so it will be dispensed during the rise cycle thus maximizing its effectiveness. As others have mentioned, washing more frequently would certainly help but if that is not possible, maybe using OdoBan can help.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

I add about a half cup of vinegar to the wash along with Tide and it takes the smell away. You may need more.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

The CNA at assisted living told me to get some fabric dryer sheets for that smell it works.

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

See if you can get the facility laundry people to add baking soda to her laundry

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

Baking soda and vinegar diluted and added to wash separately. If dark colours: try just the baking soda

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

Odoban.
Sold at Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, etc.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

Exactly what I was going to say

(0)

Report

See 1 more reply

Hi

have you tried baking soda? If you have tried, try white vinegar.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I use enzyme soaker powder and COLD water. I do the separate rinse cycle first with the soiled clothes. Then I add the rest of the clothes and still use “heavy soil” option and pre-wash. I add the detergent and use Lavender clothes softener. I find lavender to be quite strong and make her clothes smell fresh. I will say that the front loader washing machine does my head in and that I actually manually add water through the soap dispenser. The clothes have come out so much better after. I get the front loaders are designed to use minimum water with friction BUT when it comes to urine / heavy soiled items, I find more water is better. Having said that, I do so accepting it could break and if it does, I’m off to buy a top loader!
Dont use dryer if you can as it will set the smell but if you do, use the scented dryer sheets.
I have also at times added urine destroyer made for cats to the rinse haha.
Ive got the laundry under grip,.. my frustration is Mum getting pee in places around the house like carpet / chairs.

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

I hardly respond, but this is my area of expertise. I highly recommend using Persil laundry detergent (which has enzymes that break down human protein stains) in the pre-wash and wash compartment. Clorox also has a laundry sanitizer that is safe on clothes and can be added in the softener compartment. This along with heavy soiling, warm water, and an extra rinse does wonders! I also recommend not putting in clothes that take up more than 50-75% of the washers capacity as it inhibits the clothing from being properly cleaned. Out of all the options I’ve tried this one is the best!

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

Let it also be noted that if you are soaking the items while they accumulate it should be done in cold water, but once it’s time to wash the item if should always be treated with warm or hot water as it kills the bacteria. It’s always recommended to wash diapers and underwear on hot water, so while hot water can not be used on all fabrics, warm water is like a compromise between the two extremes.

(0)

Report

1 2 3

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

Does anyone have any hacks for getting rid of the urine odor in laundry?

69 Answers

Recent Questions

Popular Questions

Related Questions