How to Get Urine Out of a Car Seat? [Step-By-Step Guide]

Once in a while, your cat, dog, or child can accidentally pee on the car seat. If you don’t clean it in time, the urine stain causes an offensive smell and ugly mark.

Therefore, it’s essential to know how to get urine out of a car seat. Read on for the step-by-step guide on how to handle such a problem.

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Therefore, How Do You Remove Urine From a Car Seat?

You can register high efficiency by cleaning the stain while the urine is still fresh. Also, the cleaning method you choose depends on whether the car seat is of leather or cloth type.

However, in general, the process involves the following:

  • Wicking away excess urine
  • Using the cleaning solution to remove the stain
  • Drying off the surface

How to Get Urine Out of a Cloth Car Seat

Below are the steps to follow:

Open Doors and Windows

Let in fresh air into the car by opening windows and doors. Air helps to blow away the unpleasant smell of cleaning solution and urine.

Blot the Urine

The initial step is blotting the excess urine using a paper towel. While doing so, apply light pressure to the stained area. That way, the urine rises to the paper towel.

Pay attention to seams and other hidden parts where urine might have reached. Repeat the blotting process till the paper towel comes out clean.

Make Your Cleaning Solution.

Measure a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar, 2 cups of water, and a tablespoon of dish soap. Mix them thoroughly in a container and allow the foam to settle.

Vinegar contains acetic acid that’s of a higher concentration than uric acid in the urine. Thus, it disinfects the stain, breaks down urine, and shifts the grime.

Dish soap, on the other hand, weakens the stain and neutralizes the smell.

Apply the Cleaning Solution

First, wear a pair of gloves to protect yourself from harsh vinegar. There are two ways to apply the cleaning solution.

You can transfer the solution into a spray bottle. Then lightly spray the affected part; do not drench it. Let it idle for about an hour.

Alternatively, pour the solution into a bowl. Dip a clean absorbent cloth in the cleaning solution. Wring out the excess liquid and dab the stained spot.

Minimize the spread of the urine by working from the outer edge to the inner spot of the stain. At the same time, light dab so that you don’t squeeze out the liquid from the cloth into the car seat.

Continue spraying and light-dabbing until the stain comes out. After every cleaning round, rinse the absorbent cloth in the cleaning solution and wring out excess liquid.

Dry Out the Spot

The drying phase requires you to have two clean towels; dry and damp towels. Using the dry towel, wick away traces of soap and moisture lingering on the car seat.

You can register higher efficiency by applying more pressure on the towel onto the car seat.

Take the second damp (not drenched ) towel and clean out the residual soap and cleaning solution.

Don’t forget about hidden spots. Swap between the dry and damp cloth till the residue goes away.

Air Dry

The next step is to air-dry the damp car seat. Still, maintain the open windows and doors for faster evaporation.

How to Get Urine Out of a Leather Car Seat

Just like before, follow the below steps:

Blot Using a Paper Towel

Blot excess urine from the surface of the seat using a paper towel. As in the previous case, start from the outward and progress to the center of the stain.

Take Off Leather Stuffing.

Remove the stuffing from the leather seat by unzipping it.

Use an Appropriate Leather Cleaner.

Choose a leather-compatible deep cleaner that matches your car seat. First, perform a test on a small hidden section.

If the response is positive, spread the cleaner to other parts of the seat. Apply the deep cleaner on a sponge and dab the stain.

Follow Circular Pattern

Clean out the entire seat following a circular pattern. That way, you won’t leave ugly water stains on the seat.

Hand Wash Leather Stuffing Using an Enzymatic Cleaner

Next, hand-wash the leather seat stuffing. For best results on pet urine, The Ohio State University recommends you employ an enzyme-based cleaner. Rinse thoroughly and let it dry in the sun.

On the other hand, let the leather seat dry in a cool shade since direct sun rays may damage the leather.

How to Get Stubborn Urine Stain Out of Car Seat

The dry urine on the car seat doesn’t come out easily. If the previous steps have been unsuccessful, proceed to the following tips:

  • Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing hydrogen peroxide with baking soda. For every three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, add 10 ounces of baking soda.
  • You can also add a few drops of liquid soap to the blend. Mix till the baking soda dissolves away.
  • Use a sprayer to apply the solution to the urine stain. Let it rest for about an hour.
  • Check if the map-like stain is gone or not. If necessary, repeat the process, this time rubbing lightly with an old toothbrush.
  • After cleaning the stain, you must clear all traces of hydrogen peroxide from the seat. Therefore, wipe off the spot using a damp cloth. Do it several times if necessary.
  • Finish off by blotting moisture off the seat using a paper towel or soft dry cloth.
  • Allow the seat to dry naturally

How to Remove Urine Smell from Car Seat

There are various ways of eliminating the smell of urine from your car seat:

Using Enzyme-Based Cleaner

Follow the below steps:

  • Sponge off excess urine from the surface
  • Apply a light spray of cleaner on the stained spot
  • Leave it for a while
  • Rub it off using a clean sponge
  • Clean the remains
  • Allow the seat to dry

Using baking soda

  • Apply baking soda to the urine-stained area
  • Let it rest overnight
  • Repeat the process if the stain is still stubborn
  • Vacuum off the baking soda

Using Essential Oil

  • Make a solution of vinegar, essential oil, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda
  • Spray it on the stained area
  • Let it dry and then wipe off the residue
  • Repeat the procedure if necessary

Conclusion

Now you know how to get urine out of a car seat. Begin by cleaning it out while it’s still fresh. Before employing the cleaning solution, blot away the excess urine.

Then dab or spray the cleaning liquid over the stain. Finalize by clearing off the residues using a damp and dry cloth. Let air dry off the damp spot.

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