How can I assist my client who has really bad urine odor? No matter how much soap I use or try and wash him he still smells.

we also give my mom cranberry juice on a daily basis. there is a low calorie one at the store. Ocean Spray.

Add Nature's Miracle Urine Destroyer to the laundry soap. I get it at Ace Hardware in the pet aisle.

Have him drink a glass of lemon water every day. Squeeze a wedge or 2 into an 8 oz glass of water. Add a little ice. It will be very regreshing and make his system alkaline. Also make sure he's not dehydrated. That makes urine smell.

This just hit me-there is a product out called LUME, which is an all natural 'down there' deodorant and comes in deodorant sticks, soaps and lotions. Applied after bathing it REALLY cuts down on the funk. Just the ads on the internet are entertaining enough to waste 2 minutes watching! And this product works!!

Now, again, I have absolutely zero say in anything that mother needs or wants--YB has her under his thumb and has chosen to deal with everything she needs or wants---when he feels like it.

This LUME works for about 72 hours--really does and I think would really help mom. But I know I can't get her to use it as A: YB won't LET her and B: she is exhausted just getting dressed and doing her few little things. She qualifies for in home help but YB won't allow it. I'm the only one of the sibs willing to go to the mat for better care for mom, and so I am always out-voted on everything.

I think I will run the washer cleaner ideas past SIL. She's sick of HER clothes smelling like a 90 yo lady.

This has been a real conundrum for me. Both my grandmothers lived into their 90's and smelled wonderful-seriously--one wore perfume, always, one made her own soap and everything got cleaned with that. So--living your last years smelling so bad no one wants to visit you seems sad, to me.

And THANK YOU for the warning of mixing cleaning products. My SIL cleaned her bathroom with bleach and ammonia mixed together EVERY SINGLE DAY. No wonder she's so batty.

For your client a doctors appointment to rule out urine infection or other illnesses and as for the underwear can't or doesn't he wear pads if incontinent and wetting his underwear.

First, mention the situation to the doctor to make sure there is not something going on.  Secondly, doing a pre-rinse with water and a pre-soak in vinegar prior to washing will help.  I know many of the washers are now "low water" in an attempt to be green, but I find it not helpful for most of my loads! LOL

When you're dehydrated, and your urine is dark, it can smell like ammonia. If it's a really strong odor, it could also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes (sweet and fruity), bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Even certain types of food and drink like coffee, asparagus, not drinking enough water, and even some medications. If it continues to be a concern; they need to see a doctor.

Bleach is your best friend, I also use Gain Original and the fabric softener on my mom's laundry. That really helps to get the smells out.

Jessica, this has nothing to do with your question. I just want to say how beautiful your precious little girl is on your avatar.

Oh my lands, I just want to hug her up and kiss her! she is a darling. You must be very proud.

Probably don’t drink enough water...or possibly a UTI

Imho, use OxiClean.

Lysol!! Keeps smell down and even kill germs!

Metformin, a medicine used by many diabetics, can cause a strong urine smell. I'm sure other medicines can too. If that's causing the problem, there's not much you can do about it.
You do want to check and make sure you're not smelling either the floor or the grout in the bathroom, both of which can absorb urine and retain the odor for a long time.

Bac-Out made by Biokleen. Nontoxic. Natural enzyme stain and odor remover. Good for sensitive skin.

Try using OdorBan. It works for us.

Talk to his doctor, check WHY he urinates so much? Check if he can walk & use restroom, bedpan...... check about adult pads and frequent changing.... check on deodorizers........ Dr Jack Grenan

I had similar problems with my Uncle's laundry for a while. I use tide and downy for laundry, and your right didn't really smell clean. Then I noticed a soaking option on my washing machine and that worked for me.

Hope that helps.

Anytime I see a posting like this about laundry and smells (doesn't matter what the source is), I have to add a WARNING to all!!!

Be VERY careful when mixing ANY kind of cleaning products together, even if in separate "dispenser" parts of the washing machine.

In particular, do NOT mix vinegar and bleach!

There were a lot of suggestions about adding vinegar, which is really more of a food item, not a cleaner, but it is recommended as a safe cleaning product:

https://www.healthline.com/health/ph-of-vinegar#testing

I have used it to cut the odor of urine on items, both for a toddler and for kitties. It's also good for cleaning glass and other items, without a lot of smelly abrasive (at least to the nose!) chemicals!

But it is the pH of it (acidic), which will react with undiluted bleach (an alkaline) to form Chlorine Gas. I found out the hard way many many years ago in a different life (training pants, smelly and also grayish due to hard well water, used both to "freshen" and whiten at the same time, ooops! Lucky for us very little was used, so we were "okay")

There are MANY products, cleaning or otherwise, which should not be mixed, so please read the instructions carefully, including the warnings, or check online first before mixing anything!!

As Many Have said, UTI Is Possible, dehydration is also a problem which elderly REQUIRE extra FLUIDS. Yes they get tired of water. Simple fix is make milkshakes. So have the Doctor also check his B12, and Protein Levels. I added B12 as B12 deficiencies cause a form of dementia...Protein levels on the low end is to adjust protein levels by modifying the milkshakes. My base for the milkshakes are ice cream or ice fruit juice. Ice cream with added milk or protein shakes and a table spoon or two of peanut butter blended in food processor is great to increase protein levels and adds natural fats to increase weight. Add Frozen strawberries or other fruit...don’t throw away a ripening banana as they can be frozen and added to milkshakes in food processor. My point is variety of hydration methods other then milk, water, soda pop....!

buy a box of Washing machine CLEANER and clean once a month, so build up of grime is washed away. Prettiness clothes in washing machine and stop and soak for 20 minutes...as said before Vinegar, Baking Soda, Borax, Pine-sol and 1oz bleach or bleach alternative,..actually with my dad I did a “quick wash in cold water with baking soda and laundry soap”, stopped it for 20 minutes to soak, then spun rinse and treated on real wash in warm water.

Dont forget your loved ones Cardio Walk for 3 minutes every two to four hours. While up take them to restroom to urinate. Exercise will also help them in many ways.

Try adding vinegar to the wash. A lot!

I straight cath my husband and this sounds like a uti. I know when my husband's urine has an odor that always wind up being a UTI.
PLEASE contact your client's doctor before this can lead to something more serious. UTIs are nothing to mess with because it can lead to sepsis.

I don't know the answer but have you checked with nursing homes to find out what they might use/ wishing you luck

You’ve gotten some really good tips here.
Adding a few
1 be careful of scented washing detergents- they can break out sensitive skin
2. just like cloth diapers ( my daughter broke out from pampers) i would rinse out, put in a diaper pail with detergent ( I used Lysol or Pinesol) until I washed
3. is he hydrated? Drink 6-8 (8ounce) glasses of water a day unless he is on fluid restriction from MD
4. See MD and get him assessed. Could be kidney, UTI, Blood sugar levels, Uric acid from early kidney problems etc. My point is there’s a lot that could be happening, may be time for a check up.
best of luck in all you do.

He could have a UTI. My mothers urine has a strong odorous smell when she has a UTI. I would call her doctor for a urine culture.

A small amount of PineSol also is a good smelling laundry booster. Soak in it before washing, but test the fabric first.

i had same problem with my husbands clothes & bedding. I put all his wet clothing, bedding, etc. in washing machine. Then used rinse and spin cycle. Added pine sol, fabulosa - anything with strong scent. Then washed as usual. This seemed to work.

Wow!! Great ideas on this post.
On the uti possibility, there are test strips for over the counter from rite aid and Walgreens and probably others. This may be a good indicator of UTI. Then a medical professional would have to take it from there.
I also suggest that your gentleman wear depends or something like that.
Best wishes.

Definitely need to take your client to the doctor as that’s not normal. As far as the clothes you may need to use extra Clorox Bleach in the wash. Don’t forget to use scented softener. Good luck.

He should be checked for urinary infection - in home health (if he has that) can take a specimen to a lab if the doctor orders it without having to carry him to the drs office. He could also have kidney issues going on. If he can get out of the house, you might encourage a visit to a urologist just to be sure there is not something going on that requires medication or perhaps something worse.

Urine for people who drink a lot of water usually has little to no smell and is clear. Without the water intake, the waste/pee is more concentrated and creates strong odor and darker in color. Getting more water in him each day may help with odor on him and in the clothes. Incontinence may be helped with some pads to keep it off the clothes and bedding. If he already uses pads for this, he is probably not changing them each time they are wet.

You have to be very careful about mixing things to wash laundry so you don't create a dangerous gas, so try one thing at a time. OdorBan works quite well for clothing odors, (Sam's sells it by the gallon) Add it to your washing machine with laundry soap (gain has a great smell). Clorox makes a fabric sanitizer that you spray on - like a spot treatment. Others say vinegar, but I never really was that pleased with results.

Possible UTI!