To get pee out of a dog bed, first blot fresh pee, then treat with a vinegar/water solution, apply baking soda to absorb odor, vacuum, and finally use an enzyme cleaner for stubborn smells; for machine-washable beds, soak with detergent/OxyClean and wash in hot water, air drying if possible. Always check the care label and use pet-safe cleaners, avoiding bleach.
Urine. If the urine stain is fresh, first cover it entirely with baking soda and leave it for five minutes to soak up all the liquid. If it's dry, make a solution of baking soda, two cups of vinegar, and water. Combine it all in a spray bottle and spray over the stain.
Urine can dry fairly quickly. In fact, it may virtually disappear within about two to four hours. But even if the mattress is no longer damp, the odds are good that you'll still be able to smell the presence of urine. Understanding how to get the pee smell out of a mattress starts with patience.
Bedding often takes the brunt of nighttime accidents. Start by stripping the bed and blotting up as much urine as possible. Rinse bedding in cold water, then pre-treat stains with an enzyme cleaner. After letting it sit for at least 30 minutes, rinse in cold water again.
Most urine stains can be cleaned either with a homemade vinegar cleaner, or a homemade hydrogen peroxide cleaner. Foams soak up liquids quickly, so all-foam beds can hold onto the smell of urine more than other mattresses. Many urine smells can be removed by making and using a simple baking soda paste.
The combination of the three is often powerful enough to drive away strong urine smells. The solutions is eight fluid ounces of peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of dish detergent. It is best to test a small area first to ensure it does not discolor flooring, carpet or any other surfaces.
Pro tip 2: If vinegar doesn't seem to be working on your stain, you can up the ante by using hydrogen peroxide. By combining ¼ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with your 1:1 combination of vinegar and water (1 cup vinegar + 1 cup of water) you'll create an even more powerful stain and odor-removing cleaner.
If the bed is particularly smelly, sources say to clean the dog bed with baking soda by spraying a solution of baking soda, white vinegar, and water and allow to sit for an hour before vacuuming. Spot clean as well with this solution.
If it's more than 1 time I agree with others that you're going to have to buy a new mattress. It's not even about getting rid of the stains. There's no way stain/urine removing solution will sink far enough into your mattress to get rid of the smell.
That unpleasant stench lingers long after the liquid has been absorbed, and can last months unless treated properly. To effectively remove these offending odors, you'll want to make sure you're eliminating them, not just covering up the smell (as many products do).
The "21-second pee rule" comes from a scientific discovery that most mammals over about 3 kg (like dogs, cows, elephants) empty their bladders in roughly 21 seconds, regardless of their size, due to physics involving urethra length and gravity. For humans, this serves as a loose benchmark: urinating significantly faster (e.g., under 10 seconds) or slower (over 30 seconds) might signal holding it too long or an overactive bladder, though it's not an exact diagnosis.
Here's why urination can feel pleasurable, and sometimes even “orgasmic”: Tension and Release: As your bladder fills to capacity, your urge to go increases—causing real, physical tension. Your pelvic floor muscles tighten to prevent leakage, and just like during sexual arousal or climax, that tension builds up.
Removing older urine stains and odors will take a similar approach—you might need to repeat the process a few extra times, however. Pre-treat urine stains on bedding with an enzyme-based cleaner. Then toss your linens in the washing machine with a pet-safe detergent and a generous scoop of baking soda or vinegar.
Put incontinence pads* (found in the Depends section of your local Target or Walmart) under the outside cover and on top of the actual mattress. This helps keep the unwashable mattress part pee-free. This is a HUGE stress reliever.
Your dog could also be territorial marking, or be experiencing dog anxiety. Peeing on the bed can also be caused by feelings of excitement, stress and fear but all of which can be resolved through dog training.
Vinegar has a strong, pungent smell that most dogs dislike. This makes it a great way to deter them from peeing indoors. To make a simple deterrent, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Then apply it to carpets, floors, furniture, or spots where accidents have occurred.
Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Pee from Your Mattress
Clean With Soapy Water
Fill the container with warm water, pet-safe laundry detergent, and a cup of vinegar. Squeeze and knead soft beds in the water repeatedly or scrub plastic beds thoroughly with a sponge. Empty the tub and rinse the bed until the soap is gone, then thoroughly disinfect the tub.
Biocide Systems' Liquid Shocker™, can be used as the ultimate pet odor remover. Specially formulated for the deodorization of hard surfaces, this powerful solution is perfect for cleaning and deodorizing countertops, walls, floors, and more.
Mix a solution of baking soda, vinegar and water and spray or dab it on the area. Be careful, though — sometimes when a dog smells a strong scent like vinegar, he feels like he has to pee on it again to even things out. Use a room spray or other air fresheners to keep the spot from smelling like a pickle jar.
Use Vinegar and Water Solution
Apply the solution generously to the affected area and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. The vinegar will help neutralize the odor-causing molecules. Afterward, blot the area with a clean cloth to remove the excess moisture.
Mix vinegar with warm water in a clean spray bottle. Spray generously over stain. Over top of the sprayed stain, spread a thin layer of baking soda. Within an hour (or longer for set-in stains), the baking soda will absorb the urine or fecal residue.