Removing Foul Urine Odor From Grout And Walls

How can we clean the grout line on the restroom floor to remove the lingering foul urine odor?

Biological cleaners are an excellent choice for cleaning grout. They can penetrate porous surfaces, often contain surfactants, but more importantly contain enzyme producing bacteria that digests the food source for odor causing bacteria. The appropriate biological cleaner must be chosen as different strains are designed for different soils and odors.
— Nicole Livingston, R&D Technical Manager, Rochester Midland, Rochester, N.Y.


If grout is unsealed then it can become difficult to clean. Many acidic products will lightly etch the grout to clean it, but it also makes it more porous for dirt and urine compounds to get embedded in. It may be necessary to deep clean grout by using an acidic-based hydrogen peroxide product and then reseal the grout. Bleach based products can also be effective.

In areas where malodors are a problem, a good floor maintenance program that includes a periodic deep clean and sealing along with a daily maintenance routine is recommended.
— Jason Welch, Microbiologist, Spartan Chemical Company, Inc., Maumee, Ohio



I clean a K-12 school and unfortunately a lot of the younger kids miss the urinals and toilets. I have a foul urine odor coming from the wall. What can I do?

Clearly, this is not an ideal situation, but there are solutions. The key is being able to eliminate odor right from the source, which are urine-covered floors and walls.

Step one is always to eliminate the source of the odor; while it would be nearly impossible to totally alter student behavior, it is important to make sure the affected surfaces are properly cleaned. After that, we recommend using air and surface sprays, which are best for rapid, targeted odor control when applied directly to surfaces. These solutions instantly bond to, and eliminate, odor molecules in the air, as well as those molecules that are resting on the wall itself.
— Amanda Daluga, National Sales Director at OMI Industries, Long Grove, Ill.


Depending on the material the wall is made of, a biological cleaner may be a good option for removing odors from urine. If it can be applied by foam, that will help dwell time on the vertical surface and allow the bio-enzymatic action time to destroy odors.
— Nicole Livingston, R&D Technical Manager, Rochester Midland, Rochester, N.Y.


Clean behind the urinals and the walls the same way you would treat a floor. You can foam areas down to get vertical cling if needed. For preventive measures you can put urinal mats in troubled areas.
— Jason Welch, Microbiologist, Spartan Chemical Company, Inc., Maumee, Ohio