How to Get Urine Out of a Car Seat

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: September 12, 2022

If you spot a urine stain on your upholstery, it may seem near-impossible to get rid of the stain and the lingering odor - but it isn't! The first step in cleaning any fresh urine stain is to gently blot the stain with absorbent cloths or paper towels until they have absorbed all of the stain's moisture, which will help prevent deep staining in the seat. After that, there are multiple ways to clean a stain, depending on what you prefer, what material your upholstery is, and how old the stain is.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Applying a Solution

1
Open the doors and wear rubber gloves. Opening the car doors or windows will help prevent the urine odor, as well as the smell of the cleaning materials, from overwhelming you or your car. Wearing rubber gloves is very useful if you don’t want your hands to smell like urine or the cleaning solution.
2
Combine water, white vinegar and dish soap to create a cleaning solution. Combine in a small bowl 2 cups (470 mL) of cold water with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of liquid dish soap. Gently stir ingredients together. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Vinegar is an important ingredient because it works to disinfect the area as well as break down the acid found in the urine. ^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Baking soda can also be applied directly onto the car seat to soak up the urine, thereafter you’ll want to clean the car seat with dishwashing soap and water and rinse thoroughly.
Advertisement
3
Sponge the urine stain. Do this gently, blotting not wiping or smearing. Dip a cloth into the cleaning solution and dab the stained area. You don’t want the cloth to be soaked in solution or it will soak the seat more.^{[3]
X
Research source} Start at the outside of the stain and work to the center as you sponge and clean the area, to help prevent the stain from spreading.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Make sure to use a clean cloth. If you already used the cloth to wipe some dirt, it will only add to the problem.
4
Blot the stain until dry. Use a dry cloth, with no solution, to dab dry the area and soak up any excess cleaning solution. Alternate between dabbing the area with a damp, cleaning cloth and a dry cloth until the stain is no longer visible. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If urine stain is still visible after cleaning it with the solution, you can apply a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain with an eyedropper, optionally adding a few drops of ammonia as well. Using a clean cloth, dab the area with cold water until the chemicals are removed. ^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
5
Air-dry the seat. Although the seat should be dry now, allow it a little bit more time in the air so that it can be fully dry inside and out before being used again.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Spraying the Stain

1
Combine hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish detergent to create a cleaning solution. If you prefer a different, less hands-on approach to cleaning the stain, you may want to try creating a cleaning solution that you can spray directly onto the stain. This mix includes 10 ounces (280 g) of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 3 tbsp (41.4 g) of baking soda and a drop or two of dish detergent. Mix them together in a small bowl. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- The mixture will likely foam a little, so wait until the foam recedes before pouring the mixture into a spray bottle. ^{[8]
  X
  Research source} This way the liquid you spray from the bottle won't be too thick and foamy.
2
Open the car doors or windows. This will help prevent the smell from becoming too strong and will help the stain dry faster. ^{[9]
X
Research source}
3
Spray the stained area. Spray the mixture onto the entire area affected, being sure to cover the entire stain with the solution. Let it sit for an hour, or more if you choose. ^{[10]
X
Research source}
4
Dab the area with a damp cloth. After the stain has been removed, there may still be detergent or hydrogen peroxide residue, which could attract dirt or affect the coloring of the upholstery. ^{[11]
X
Research source} Use a damp cloth to “rinse” the area of any cleaning residue and then blot the area with a dry towel until all remnants of the cleaning solution are gone and the area is dry. ^{[12]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Cleaning Leather Seats

1
Absorb the stain with a paper towel. Cleaning stains out of leather is different than cleaning stains out of most other upholstery. However, if you notice a fresh stain, you can still use a paper towel to absorb the moisture. Dab at the stain, but don’t wipe so you don’t spread the stain around. ^{[13]
X
Research source}
2
Remove the stuffing. If you are able to, locate the zipper on your chair and take the stuffing out. The stain has likely reached the stuffing, and if so the smell will linger there the most. ^{[14]
X
Research source} If you do not have a zipper that lets you remove the stuffing, you can still follow the next step, but you may want to act as quickly as possible so the stain does not have time to settle into the stuffing. ^{[15]
X
Research source}
3
Clean the leather with a leather-specific deep cleaner. Use just a small amount on a sponge or pad and rub in a circular motion, covering the entire chair not just the stain spot. ^{[16]
X
Research source} Anytime you wash or clean leather, you must wash the entire cushion, even up to the edges, so you don’t end up with a “water stain.” You want the leather to dry evenly so there is no single spot that sticks out.
- ”Nature’s Miracle” is a popular, all-surface cleaner to remove pet-related urine stains because it effectively breaks down the damaging chemical properties of the urine.
- Avoid using products that are not designed for leather. For example, soap that is too alkaline can stain it.
- If you have suede, nubuck, or unfinished leather it is recommended that you use cleaners specifically designed for those materials. They will likely be damaged or discolored if the wrong cleaner is used. ^{[17]
  X
  Research source}
- Try your cleaner on a discreet area of your leather furniture to observe its effects before fully applying it - this will let you know if there will be any adverse effects. ^{[18]
  X
  Research source}
4
Hand-wash the stuffing. Use an enzyme or bacteria-based cleaner and wash the stuffing gently by hand in a sink or bathtub.^{[19]
X
Research source}
5
Dry the stuffing completely. If possible, allow the stuffing to air-dry outside under sunlight which helps the stuffing dry faster while simultaneously helping the odor dissipate. ^{[20]
X
Research source}
6
Dry the leather. Do not dry the leather under the sun, as it could bleach or harden the material. Let it dry in a cool, indoor location. ^{[21]
X
Research source}

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Removing an Old Stain

1
Combine water, white vinegar and dish soap to create a cleaning solution. If the urine was dry when you found it, you can still take measures to clean out the spot. First, create a cleaning solution. Combine in a small bowl ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) warm water,¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) white vinegar, and ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) liquid dish soap. Mix it together until it creates a foam.
2
Apply the foam to the stain with an old toothbrush. Using an old toothbrush both stops you from having to buy a new scrubbing tool, and is soft enough so that the scrubbing won’t damage the upholstery.
- This method involves scrubbing, rather than just dabbing or spraying, because the stain may be absorbed further into the upholstery as it has had time to dry and sit. Scrubbing enables the cleaning mixture to go deeper into the upholstery.
3
Scrape the foam away. You can use a rubber spatula to do this, or any other material that is hard and flat. This will effectively and quickly wipe away any remaining foam.
4
Use a damp cloth to wipe the spot. Get a cloth damp with water and use it to dab at the spot and remove any residue from the cleaning solution.
5
Use a dry cloth to dry the spot. Blot the area with a dry cloth until both the former stain and the cloth feel completely dry and stop picking up moisture.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I get rid of urine smell in my car?

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Answer

If you tried soaking and cleaning with an enzymatic solution to no avail, try hiring a cleaning company that offers TANCS (Thermal Accelerated Nano Crystal Sanitation), as this will remove any remaining odors and disinfect it thoroughly.
Question

I see all of the ways to remove the stain, but what will remove the strong smell?

Community Answer

Try the techniques in Remove the Smell of Cat or Dog Urine from Upholstery .