How to Clean Up Urine in a Big Rig

Urine smells are hard to eradicate, and the longer they sit, the worse they get. Getting rid of the odor requires a thorough cleanup of the area to remove any urine reside, then a secondary attack on the lingering smell. Even the most diligent attempts may not be successful on the first try, so be prepared to put some time into this job, if necessary. It will be worth the effort when the odor is gone!

• Hand broom or brush
• White vinegar
• Clean spray bottle
• Sponge or scouring pad
• Clean rag(s)
• Baking soda
• Vacuum
• Unused coffee grounds
• Shallow dishes or clean coffee filters

1. Remove floor mats and any other loose items, including trash, from the area to be cleaned.
2. Brush or sweep away any dirt or loose debris from dry spaces in the area. Don’t brush through wet areas, you’ll only spread the smell.
3. Fill the spray bottle with white vinegar, then soak the entire area to be cleaned. Spot test on carpet and upholstery before spraying either area. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer, so it will give you a head start on getting rid of the odor.
4. Use a sponge or scouring pad to clean hard surfaces, including floor mats.
5. Allow vinegar to sit on fabric, carpet and/or upholstery for a few moments before blotting up the excess moisture with clean rags or towels.
6. Wipe hard surfaces dry with cleans rags or towels.
7. By now you should have cleaned all of the actual urine from the truck and can focus on ridding the vehicle of the smell. Before moving on, allow all areas to dry completely.
8. Next, sprinkle baking soda on dry carpets and upholstery.
9. Wait several hours (or a day or two) for it to absorb odors, then vacuum up the loose powder.
10. Repeat steps 8-9 as necessary. It may take a couple of attempts or days to absorb odors, but you should notice a definite improvement over time.
11. If you plan to keep the truck closed for a period of one to several days, you can get rid of lingering odors by placing shallow dishes of unused coffee grounds on the floorboards (unused coffee filters will work as containers). Place one on each floorboard and at least two in the sleeper compartment, if applicable.

• Allow as much ventilation in the truck as possible. The longer you keep it closed up with the urine spill in it, the worse it will smell. Additionally, the lack of ventilation will cause the odor to permeate the truck more thoroughly, particularly in the heat.
• Another product to consider in addition to the vinegar is a pet urine neutralizer. Products such as “Nature’s Miracle” or “OdoBan” are available at pet supply stores. They contain enzymes that are designed to remove the proteins in urine which create the foul smell. They work well for cat urine smells, which can be stronger and more difficult to remove than human odors.
• When you’re working to get rid of odors, don’t forget door and wall panels. If urine didn’t come in direct contact with a fabric surface, lightly mist it with vinegar anyway. The odors can linger even without direct contact. Don’t forget about the ceiling!
• A fabric refresher, such as Febreeze, will help, but it will not get rid of the urine smell. Use it as a last step, not as a substitute for cleaning.