The Best Way to Clean Your Bedding (After Your Pet Stinks it Up)

Max Winters
·3 min read
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Dealing with pet odors on bedding can be a real challenge for pet owners. Whether it's bathroom accidents or just general pet smells, no one wants to sleep in a nest of unpleasant odors. Fortunately, regular washing with the right products and techniques can effectively remove strong odors from any stinky blanket and keep your bedding fresh despite a snuggling bed hog.

You'll Need These Products and Tools

  • Enzymatic cleaner

  • White vinegar

  • Baking soda

  • Mild laundry detergent

  • Scrub brush or sponge

  • Vacuum cleaner

1. Washing machine

  • If the bed cover or blanket can fit in the washing machine, launder as usual with your regular detergent and the water temperature advised on the item's care tag. If in doubt, use cool water.

2. Use Enzymatic cleaner

  • Blot up any excess urine with cleaning towels.

  • Follow the product's instructions by applying the enzymatic cleaner to the affected area. Most brands recommend letting it sit for 10-15 minutes.

  • Blot the area again with a clean microfiber cloth.

  • Wash the item in a washing machine if possible. Otherwise, rinse the affected area and air dry.

3. Vinegar Spray (For Small Stains)

  • Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

  • Spray the affected area with the vinegar solution.

  • Blot the area with a clean cloth and let it air dry.

4. Vinegar Wash (For Large Stains)

  • Blot the area with a clean cloth.

  • Put 1 cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener section of your washing machine.

  • Wash the item without detergent on a cold water cycle.

  • Wash a second time with a mild detergent as usual.

  • Dry as advised by the care tags.

5. Baking Soda Deodorizer

  • Sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and let it sit for several hours or overnight.

  • Vacuum up the baking soda.

Can you clean pet urine after it dries?

Much to the relief of everyone dealing with something like dried cat pee smell, yes, you can clean pet urine and urine odors after they have dried. The unpleasant smell of urine can be combated much as above using either vinegar or an enzyme solution. The enzymatic cleaners are best to use on cat urine stains and can be repeated depending on how deep the stain and smell have been set. Interestingly, you should not use steam cleaners as the heat can actually set the odor and stain the fabric.

Related: How to Clean Your Pet’s Bed

Will laundry stripping remove smells from my pillows and comforter?

Yes, laundry stripping can help remove smells from pillows and comforters. The goal is to remove any build-ups on your bedding which may include pet stains, pet smells, pet hair (as well as body odor, soap scum, and general musty smells). The cleaning products used are strong so it's not something that you should do too often, but only 2 or 3 times per year maximum.

  • Check the item's care tag. Laundry stripping is not always advisable for dark fabrics. Additionally, don't do it if the tag instructs to only wash in cold water.

  • Fill a bathtub with hot water.

  • Add a mixture of 1 part borax, 1 part washing soda, and 4 parts laundry detergent to the water.

  • Submerge the sheets, pillows, and/or comforter in the water and let them soak for several hours to overnight. Stir and swish them around occasionally.

  • Drain the water and put the fabrics in a washing machine. Run the machine on a rinse-only cycle.

  • Dry them as advised on the care tag.