Removing stubborn urine smell from blankets can be simple and effective with the right approach, often involving common household items like baking soda.
The key to neutralizing urine odors in fabric is to treat the stain and smell before a regular wash cycle. Baking soda is a powerful odor neutralizer that works by absorbing acidic urine molecules.
Simple Steps to Eliminate Urine Odor
Based on recommended practices, a highly effective method involves pre-treating the blanket.
Reference Insight: According to laundry tips, you should soak your urine-stained bedding in a mixture of warm water and baking soda prior to running them through your washing machine to allow them to neutralize the odors.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Prepare a Soaking Solution: Fill a tub, large sink, or a washing machine basin with enough warm water to fully submerge the blanket.
- Add Baking Soda: Stir in a generous amount of baking soda. A good starting point is about half a cup to a full cup, depending on the amount of water and the size of the blanket. The baking soda helps to neutralize the acidic urine.
- Soak the Blanket: Place the urine-stained blanket into the solution, ensuring it is completely submerged.
- Allow Time to Neutralize: Let the blanket soak for at least a few hours, or ideally overnight. This gives the baking soda ample time to work on breaking down and absorbing the odor-causing compounds.
- Wash as Usual: After soaking, drain the water. Wring out the blanket gently. Then, wash the blanket in your washing machine on a regular cycle using your preferred detergent. Using warm or hot water (if the blanket material allows) can help further sanitize and remove residue.
- Check Before Drying: Before putting the blanket in the dryer, smell it to ensure the odor is gone. Heat from a dryer can set the smell if it hasn't been fully neutralized. If the odor persists, repeat the soaking process or try another odor-fighting agent like white vinegar before washing again.
- Dry Thoroughly: Once the odor is gone, dry the blanket according to its care instructions. Air drying in sunlight is also an excellent natural odor reducer.
Why This Method Works
- Baking Soda: Acts as a natural deodorizer. It's alkaline, which helps to neutralize the acids in urine.
- Warm Water: Helps to activate the baking soda and loosen urine particles from the fabric fibers.
- Soaking: Provides extended contact time for the baking soda solution to penetrate deeply into the blanket fibers and effectively neutralize odors.
By following these steps, particularly the pre-soaking method with baking soda as highlighted in laundry advice, you can effectively remove stubborn urine smells from your blankets.
