Dog pee on the couch. Oh my god. It’s so frustrating. Nobody likes its smell or the stains it leaves behind. In addition to this, another headache is cleaning it.
Vinegar is often recommended for cleaning pet stains on the couch or any furniture but it also has many cons. It has a strong, pungent odor that can be unpleasant. It can cause discoloration or stains on some materials, especially on light-colored fabrics. Additionally, vinegar doesn’t always remove the smell of dog pee; sometimes, it mixes with the odor and makes it even worse. Therefore, many hate using vinegar for cleaning dog pee on the couch, including me.
Luckily, after much research and testing, I found some more better and effective ways to clean dog pee from the couch without utilizing Vinegar. So keep reading for effective cleaning.
4 Easy Ways to Clean Dog Pee from Couch Without Vinegar
Way 1: Enzymatic Cleaner
When a dog pees on the couch, the urine leaves behind proteins and smells that regular cleaners can’t fully remove. Here enzymatic cleaner works very well. It contains natural enzymes that readily react and break down urine molecules at the chemical level.
I recommend buying an enzymatic cleaner. I think every pet owner should have these types of cleaning products so you can immediately deal with any accident.
They are also very cost-effective almost the same as other cleaners. But before purchasing remember not all enzymatic cleaners are specially designed for pet messes. So you must consider this before buying.
My research and testing made Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray the best recommendation. It uses powerful enzymes to break down tough stains and odors caused by urine, feces, vomit, or drool. Safe to use on carpets, couches, furniture, floors, and fabrics, this spray removes smells and stains completely without covering them up with harsh chemicals. It is available in three scent options: Neutral, Citrus Splash, and Floral Fresh.
Top Pick

Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
- Removes tough stains and odors.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- No scrubbing is needed—just spray and let it work.
- Its Barkify is 100% impartial and is never paid to promote any brand. But if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee, at no extra cost.
Way 2: Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap (For Light Fabrics Only)


Both dish soap and hydrogen peroxide are commonly found in almost every house. Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic liquid typically used to treat cuts or other skin wounds, and kill germs but peroxide is also used for cleaning, disinfecting, and stain removal.
In this solution, hydrogen peroxide breaks down urine, removes the stain, and kills odor-causing bacteria. Dish soap is excellent at cutting through oils and grime. If urine leaves any residue, dish soap ensures it’s fully removed.
Remember this solution is only for light-colored couches. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach so don’t use it on dark-colored or colored fabrics, it could cause discoloration or bleach them.
How to Use It
- First, take a bowl and combine one 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of dish soap (use a gentle one). You can increase the quantity according to the stain.
- Always apply this paste to a hidden spot on the fabric first to ensure it won’t bleach or damage the couch.
- Use a clean cloth or sponge to blot the solution onto the stain gently. Don’t rub it in—just dab.
- Wait for 5–10 minutes.
- Use a damp cloth to remove the solution and any remaining stains.
Way 3: Baking Soda and Warm Water Paste


Baking soda and white vinegar paste are very effective in removing pet stains. But as we are not using vinegar, we can replace it with water. This solution of water with baking soda is not as effective as it is with vinegar, but it can also work very well, especially for mild stains and odors. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, and when combined with water to form a paste, it can help lift stains and neutralize bad smells.
Banking soda is available in almost every house and water is too. Making it one of the cheapest and easiest ways to remove pet stains.
How to Use It
- First, make a paste of water and baking soda that is thick enough to stay on the couch.
- Now spread it generously over the affected area on the couch.
- Leave it for 5–10 minutes.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe off the paste and remove any residue.
- If the stain isn’t gone, you can do this again.
Way 4: Steam Cleaning


Steam cleaning is another chemical-free method. Not too many people talk about this, but it is very effective and powerful in removing pet stains, even tough stains, from couches.
However, the limitation is that you must need a steam cleaner. It is a machine that uses regular water to produce hot steam which can loosen tough stains like pet pee, mud, food spills, or coffee from surfaces like tile grout, couches, carpets, curtains, car seats, tile grout, etc.
- First, add water to the steam cleaner tank which will be converted into steam.
- Now slowly move the steam cleaner over the stained area. Don’t hold it in one spot for too long.
- Use a clean cloth or towel to gently blot and wipe away the loosened stain.
- Let the couch dry completely before sitting on it.
- Related: Is Leather Couch Good For Dogs
How to Remove Odors Effectively
Maybe if there was a tough stain odor still exists. To remove this odor effectively from your couch after cleaning, you can use baking soda. First, sprinkle a good amount of baking soda over the area you just cleaned. Let it sit overnight so it can soak up any leftover smells. The next day, vacuum the area well to remove all the baking soda. This will help get rid of the odors. If you want to make sure the couch smells fresh, you can also use a pet-safe deodorizer for a nice finishing touch. This will leave your couch smelling clean and pleasant.