How to Remove Urine Smell from Clothes & Bedding

Accidents happen — toddlers, pets, late nights, illness, care situations… you name it. At Hamlet Laundry Ltd (London) we see the same pattern again and again: people wash the item once, it smells “fine,” then the odour comes right back after drying.

This guide is our practical, no-nonsense method for removing urine smell from clothes, sheets, and bedding—written for anyone, anywhere (with a couple of UK notes like wee and odour where helpful).

Quick answer (if you’re in a hurry)

Cold rinse → enzyme pre-treat → correct wash cycle → oxygen bleach (if fabric-safe) → extra rinse → air-dry first → repeat if needed.

Why this works: urine contains proteins and uric acid crystals that can bond tightly to fibres, so you need the right sequence—not just “more detergent.”

Why urine smell lingers (and why it comes back after washing)

Urine isn’t just “a smell.” It’s a mix of compounds that can leave residue in fibres—especially if it dries or gets heated. Whirlpool explains that urine’s proteins and uric acid crystals can bond to fabric fibres, causing lingering odours and yellow staining if not treated properly.

There’s also a hygiene side: laundering is a series of steps that affects removal/control of odor-causing bacteria on textiles (not just “one wash cycle”).

Before you wash: what to do in the first 10 minutes

If it’s fresh, speed matters.

1. Blot (don’t rub). Use paper towels or a clean white cloth.
2. Cold water ASAP. If you can’t wash immediately, soak in cold water until you can. The Spruce recommends cold soaking if you can’t treat right away, and notes adding baking soda can help reduce odour.
3. Don’t pile urine laundry. The Spruce warns urine-soaked fabrics shouldn’t accumulate because they can form mildew.

Step-by-step: the 7 proven steps (works for clothes and bedding)

This is the same workflow we rely on when a customer’s goal is: “I want the smell gone, not masked.”

Step 1) Rinse or soak with cold water

Cold water is the best starting point. Whirlpool notes hot water can set the proteins in urine and make stains harder to remove; rinse or soak in cold water as soon as possible.

Hamlet tip: If you’re dealing with bedding, strip it fast and rinse the affected areas in the tub or shower first.

Step 2) Pre-treat with an enzyme cleaner (this is the “real fix”)

Enzymes are designed to break down the proteins and uric acid behind lingering odours. Maytag specifically recommends enzyme cleaners and explains they help by breaking down the proteins and uric acid that cause lingering odours.

How to use it (simple rule):

• Apply enzyme product to the affected area.
• Give it time (follow the label). Rushing this step is the #1 reason smell returns.

Step 3) Choose the right cycle (especially for sheets/bedding)

For bedding, use a cycle intended for bulky/sheets if your washer has it, and avoid overloading. Whirlpool’s guide explicitly covers washing bed sheets after accidents and provides step-by-step guidance for clothes and bedding.

Hamlet tip: Bedding needs room to move. If it’s packed tight, you’ll get poor agitation and poor rinse-out.

Step 4) Use a heavy-duty detergent (and don’t “over-scent” the problem)

A good detergent helps lift residues so the rinse can actually remove them. The Spruce lists heavy-duty detergent and enzyme-based stain remover as the detergent type for urine stain removal.

Avoid this common trap: drowning the load in fragrance boosters. Fragrance can mask odour temporarily, but it doesn’t replace proper breakdown + rinse-out.

Step 5) Add an odour helper if the fabric allows

Two widely used options:

Option A: Baking soda (easy + gentle)
The Spruce suggests adding baking soda during cold soaking to help reduce odour.

Option B: Oxygen-based bleach (for set-in odour/stains, when fabric-safe)
For dried/old urine, The Spruce recommends soaking in cool water + oxygen-based bleach, and notes you may need an overnight soak if it persists.

Hamlet tip: Oxygen bleach is often safer on colours than chlorine bleach, but always check the care label and product directions.

Step 6) Run an extra rinse (this is where a lot of home attempts fail)

Odour problems often come from what’s left behind. A second rinse helps flush out:

• loosened residues
• detergent/cleaner leftovers
• any remaining urine compounds

Whirlpool’s emphasis on a “right approach” and step-by-step process is exactly why this matters—don’t treat it like an ordinary load.

Step 7) Air-dry first (no heat until you pass the sniff-test)

This one step saves people a lot of heartbreak.

The Spruce recommends checking the stain is completely removed and air-drying first, warning that dryer heat can set the stain if it’s still there.

Hamlet rule:
If you can still smell it when it’s damp, do not put it in the dryer. Re-treat and wash again.

If the smell is “set-in” or comes back after drying

When someone tells us “it smelled fine until it dried,” we assume one of these happened:

1. Not enough enzyme contact time (Step 2 was rushed)
2. Heat set residue (dryer used too early)
3. Too much load / poor rinsing (needs extra rinse + space to move)

What to do:

• Go back to Step 1 + Step 2 (cold rinse + enzyme pre-treat)
• For old/dried stains, add an oxygen bleach soak as per product directions (The Spruce notes at least 30 minutes, and overnight if needed).
• Air-dry again and re-check before using heat.

Pets vs humans: is cat/dog urine different?

In practice, pet urine odour can be more persistent. Whirlpool’s guide includes handling stains caused by pet urine as part of the same framework.
Maytag also mentions methods that can help remove urine smells including cat pee odours.

Our approach doesn’t change: enzyme pre-treat + correct washing + rinse + air-dry test. The difference is you may need longer pre-treat and a repeat cycle.

Fabric & item decision guide (use this to avoid damage)

This is where you can be smarter than most generic “tips” pages.

Safety notes (please don’t skip)

• Never mix bleach with ammonia or acids (including vinegar). Health authorities warn mixing bleach with ammonia or acids can create dangerous gases and cause serious injuries.
• Read labels and follow care tags. Both Maytag and Whirlpool emphasise checking care labels first.

London note: when it’s worth using a professional laundry service

Most urine odour problems are solvable at home—but there are cases where people call us because it’s become a cycle of re-washing:

• Bulky duvets that don’t rinse or dry properly at home
• Repeated accidents (care situations) where time matters
• Fabrics that are dry-clean-only or delicate
• Items that still smell after multiple correct attempts (often need controlled processing and thorough extraction)

If you’re in London and want it handled end-to-end, Hamlet Laundry Ltd can help with bedding, duvets, and bulky loads—and we’ll always tell you honestly if it’s a quick home fix instead.

FAQs

Is hot or cold water better for urine stains?

Start with cold water. Whirlpool notes cold is best and that hot water can set urine proteins.

Why does urine smell come back after washing?

Usually: rushed enzyme step, not enough rinsing, or dryer heat used before the residue was fully removed. Enzyme cleaners break down proteins/uric acid, and air-drying first helps you verify it’s truly gone.

What removes old urine smell best?

A combination of enzyme pre-treatment + (fabric-safe) oxygen bleach soaking is commonly recommended for old/set-in stains.

I’m in the UK—how do I remove the smell of wee from clothes?

Same method. “Wee” is just the UK everyday word; the key is cold rinse + enzyme pre-treat + extra rinse + air-dry test.

Ready to stop re-washing and get it truly clean?

Let Hamlet Laundry Ltd handle it — properly, professionally, and conveniently.

If you’ve followed the steps and the smell still comes back, or you’re dealing with bulky bedding, duvets, repeated accidents, or time pressure, this is exactly where a professional laundry service makes the difference.

At Hamlet Laundry Ltd (London), we don’t just “wash” — we process laundry correctly, with the right sequencing, space, and care that most home machines simply can’t match.

Why Londoners choose Hamlet Laundry 👇

• 🚚 Free pickup & delivery across London – no lugging heavy bags
• 🛏️ Specialists in bedding, duvets & bulky items – washed, rinsed, and dried properly
• 🧼 Professional-grade laundering – better extraction, better rinse-out, better odour removal
• ⏱️ Time-saving & stress-free – perfect for families, caregivers, and busy professionals
• 🤝 Honest advice – we’ll tell you if something can be fixed at home or needs pro care

Whether it’s a duvet that won’t rinse clean, sheets affected by bedwetting, or clothes that still smell after multiple washes, we help you get it right the first time.

👉 Based in London? Let Hamlet Laundry take this off your plate.
Clean, fresh, and properly cared for — without the guesswork.

Hamlet Laundry Ltd
Professional laundry. Done properly. Delivered conveniently. 🧺✨