Start with the bedding
Remove the affected bedding as soon as you notice the accident, blot excess urine and check the care label. Washable fabrics may respond to a laundry product designed for pet urine; follow its directions and the fabric label. Do not mix cleaning products or use chlorine bleach on urine.
Check whether urine reached the mattress or protector too. Clean and dry each affected layer separately, and keep your cat away from the area while products are in use and until everything is dry.
What you need
- Clean absorbent towels or paper towels and gloves.
- Cool water, your usual laundry detergent and an enzyme-based pet-urine product labeled for the affected fabric.
- A place to air-dry the bedding and a waterproof protector once the bed is completely clean and dry.
A UV light can help locate some older spots, but fluorescence alone does not identify the source. Check the care label and test any treatment on a hidden seam first.
Wash sheets, blankets and covers
- Blot first. Press with a clean towel; avoid rubbing the stain deeper into the fabric.
- Rinse or pretreat. Use cool water where the care label permits. Apply a pet-urine product that is suitable for laundry, following its label for dilution and contact time.
- Wash separately. Use the care-label settings and a compatible detergent. Do not add other cleaners to the enzyme product unless its label permits it.
- Check before using heat. Air-dry and smell the item. If odor remains, repeat a compatible treatment and wash cycle before putting it in a dryer.
For down, wool, silk, weighted blankets or anything marked dry-clean only, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions or ask a professional cleaner. Saturating an insert that cannot be thoroughly dried can cause additional damage.
If urine reached the mattress
Remove the protector and blot the mattress surface with dry towels. Check the mattress maker’s care instructions before applying any liquid. A pet-urine product may be suitable for some upholstery, but it must also be compatible with the mattress cover and materials.
Use only the amount specified on the product label; do not soak the mattress or use a steam cleaner. Ventilate and allow the mattress and foundation to dry fully before replacing bedding. If urine penetrated deeply or odor persists, ask a qualified upholstery cleaner or the manufacturer about the material and realistic options.
See our guide to removing urine from a mattress and our mattress drying guide for more on moisture.
What not to use
- Chlorine bleach: urine can contain ammonia compounds; mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaners can release dangerous gases.
- Multiple mixed treatments: avoid mixing vinegar, peroxide, bleach, ammonia, enzyme products or detergents. Follow one product’s label and rinse as directed before switching.
- Heat before checking: wait until the odor is gone and the care label permits machine drying.
- Essential oils to mask the smell: they do not clean the urine and some are hazardous to cats. Keep pets away from cleaning chemicals.
Vinegar should not be treated as a reliable disinfectant for this task, and peroxide can discolor fabrics. Neither is necessary if a suitable cleaning product and care-label process work.
Why a cat may urinate on the bed
A change in litter-box behavior can have medical or environmental causes. Contact your veterinarian about new or repeated accidents; avoid punishing the cat. Box location, cleanliness, household stress and discomfort are all worth discussing.
Urgent: a cat repeatedly straining or trying to urinate while producing little or no urine needs immediate veterinary attention. Cornell’s veterinary guidance describes urinary obstruction as an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ordinary laundry detergent?
It may clean the fabric, but persistent pet odor may require a product specifically labeled for urine. Follow the bedding and product instructions.
Should I replace a mattress after one accident?
Not necessarily. The amount, penetration, mattress materials and whether it can be thoroughly cleaned and dried all matter.
How can I protect the bed?
A washable waterproof protector can help with future spills. Confirm its pocket depth and laundering instructions.