How to get rid of urine smell

easy23 · June 14

My DH's MC room constantly has a urine odor. He changes his wet pants as needed and the aides put them in the open hamper in the bathroom. Laundry gets done once a week and by then the odor is so strong and permeates the room. I just brought home his laundry because I want the room to smell clean for visitors for Father's Day. Any suggestions?

Chris20cm · June 14

I wonder what kind of MC facility thinks this is ok?? I would say it's unacceptable, they need to have exceptions to their usual policy for issues such as this.

harshedbuzz · June 14

Is there some reason he's not wearing disposable incontinence products? If this is happening enough that it's become an issue, it sounds like it's time for Depend.

easy23 · June 14

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/245638#Comment_245638

He is wearing Depends but is resisting letting the aides change him before his pants/shirt get wet. They said it would be considered abuse if they forced him to change. Plus, he is using a male urinal because, due to surgery, he is unable to put weight on his foot and walk to the bathroom. The urinal spills onto his clothing.

I spoke to the MC director and she said they can do laundry more than once a week, if needed. I used pet Lysol spray in the room today and the odor still lingers.

ronda b · June 15

They can put each soiled garment in plastic trash bag and tie it. When it's time to do the laundry it would be in double bag. Large one for the hamper and smaller ones for the wet clothes.

SDianeL · June 15

This might help: https://assistinghands.com/55/florida/sarasota/blog/remove-senior-clothes-urine-odors/#:~:text=Step%201:%20Gather%20Supplies,for%20removing%20odors%20and%20stains.

SDianeL · June 15

I would also search for a better urinal that might not spill as easily.

harshedbuzz · June 15

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/245647#Comment_245647

I see.

I wonder if it makes sense for you to take over laundry until this situation settles a bit.

When mom's cat developed issues, I used this product on the recommendation of the vet and some friends. It can be added to laundry and used on surfaces.

OdoBan 1 Gal. Cotton Breeze Disinfectant and Odor Eliminator, Fabric Freshener, Mold Control, Multi-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate 911801-G - The Home Depot

Good luck.
HB

JJ401 · June 15

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/245647#Comment_245647

If needed?…..It’s needed. Regular laundry can sit in a hamper. Urine soaked laundry needs to be removed to laundry room, not put into a hamper.

easy23 · June 15

I'm going to try putting the wet clothing in plastic bags and bring them home every day or two. Thanks for your suggestions!

tigersmom · June 16

My husband only lived in memory care for a month, but we had this same issue. He was in Depends, but they changed his pants every time they changed him. Since he had eight pairs of pants there, we were always running out of clean ones before laundry day. I took them home myself, gave them a quick cold-water vinegar soak, laundered them, and returned them. For $10,000 a month, it seems like they should have had a better solution. But i did not want him or his room to smell like urine. I would happily be doing this still if he had not left this world so soon after he arrived there.