Help! My Pet Peed on my Couch! What do I do?

Has your pet peed in the wrong place? Here are 5 steps to immediately take care of pet urine stains and odors.

How to Clean Pet Urine from a Couch (2025 Update)

Accidents happen, even to the best pets! If your dog or cat peed on the couch, don’t panic. With these tried-and-true tips (updated for 2025), you can clean the mess, eliminate odors, and save your couch.

Let's get to exactly what to do when it happens—and we’ve also included a quick checklist if you ever need to call in a professional.

Let’s take this one step at a time.

My Pet Just Peed on the Couch—What Do I Do?

You walk into the living room and realize your pet has left a surprise on the couch. Here’s what to do right now to clean it up quickly and avoid lasting stains or smells:

Step 1: Blot, Don’t Rub

Use paper towels or a clean cloth and blot up as much urine as possible right away. Press down firmly, but avoid rubbing—it just spreads the mess or pushes it deeper into the cushions. Standing or kneeling on the towel can help get better pressure.

Step 2: Pour Water to Dilute It

Once you’ve blotted the area, pour a glass of water (filtered or bottled is best if you have hard water) over the pee spot. This helps dilute the urine and prevent staining. If you only have tap water, use what you’ve got—but try not to skip this step.

Step 3: Blot Again

Grab a fresh towel or cloth and blot up the diluted urine and water. Again, use firm pressure. You can even place something heavy (like a book or box) on top for a few minutes if you’re multitasking. The goal is to get the area damp—not soaking wet.

Step 4: Treat with an Enzymatic Cleaner

This is where the magic happens. Use an enzyme-based urine neutralizer like Bac-Out, Rocco & Roxie, or Nature’s Miracle. These products are pet-safe and actually break down the pee at the molecular level, which is way more effective than covering the smell.

Make sure to saturate the area and follow the product instructions (some need to sit for 10+ minutes). If you don’t have one of these on hand, repeat the water flush and blot for now, and order a cleaner to treat it once it arrives.

Step 5: Final Blot & Let It Dry

Use a final dry towel to blot the area one last time, and then let it air dry completely. If you can, open a window or place a fan nearby to speed it up. If the cushion cover is removable and washable, toss it in the laundry according to the care tag.

What About Old or Set-In Stains?

If the pee happened a while ago and you’re just now realizing it (thanks to the smell!), here are some extra steps to tackle those deeper problems:

Find the stains – Use a UV blacklight in a dark room to spot dried urine that you can’t see with the naked eye.
Use vinegar and water first – Lightly spray a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water before applying your enzymatic cleaner.
Try baking soda – After cleaning, sprinkle baking soda on the spot to absorb any lingering odor. Let it sit overnight and vacuum it up.
Avoid steam – Steam alone can actually set urine stains. If you use a carpet or upholstery cleaner, make sure it extracts water, not just heats it.

Some older messes may take a few rounds of treatment. Don’t give up after the first try—it’s worth repeating!

Products Pet Owners Swear By (2025 Favorites)

Here are some of the best-reviewed, pet-safe cleaners that pet owners say actually work:

Mister Max Anti Icky Poo (Unscented) – Lives up to its name. This enzyme cleaner destroys odors with no fragrance to cover them up.
Nature’s Miracle Stain & Odor Remover – A longtime favorite, especially for cat urine.
Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength – Powerful on old, set-in messes.
Biokleen Bac-Out – Plant-based and gentle, with a light citrus scent.
Skout’s Honor – Green-certified and fast-acting, though not enzyme-based.

All of these are great to keep in your pet-care kit for next time (because let’s be honest—it might happen again).

What NOT to Do!

Some things can make a smelly situation worse:

Don’t use ammonia-based cleaners – They smell like urine to your pet and might encourage repeat accidents.
Don’t scrub – It can drive urine deeper into the fabric.
Don’t skip the enzyme cleaner – Soap alone doesn’t break down the stuff that causes long-term odor.

What to Ask a Pro Cleaner if You Need Help

If the smell sticks around, or the urine got deep into foam cushions, it might be time to call a professional. Here’s what to ask when you’re shopping around:

Do you have experience treating pet urine in upholstery?
What cleaning methods do you use for deep odor removal?
Are your products safe for pets and kids?
Can you treat inner cushion foam, not just fabric?
Do you offer a guarantee if the smell doesn’t go away?
How long does drying take, and when can I use the couch again?

By following these steps and knowing when to bring in backup, you’ll have your couch clean, fresh, and pet-approved in no time.

And if you’re in the Portland, Oregon area—we’ve been cleaning up pet messes on couches, carpets, and rugs since 2008.

Mr. Steam Carpet Cleaning proudly serves Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, and surrounding communities.

Need help? Call us for a free estimate or book online today!