How to get rid of chemical smell in urine? Expert solutions explained

September 25, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 1 in 10 adults may notice a strong or unusual urine odor, sometimes described as chemical or ammonia-like. Understanding the root cause is the first step in learning How to get rid of chemical smell in urine?, whether it's a minor issue like diet or a symptom of an underlying health condition.

Quick Summary

Address a chemical urine odor by increasing your daily water intake to dilute concentrated waste products and by adjusting your diet to eliminate potential trigger foods or supplements. Persistent or accompanied odor, however, requires a doctor's evaluation to rule out underlying medical issues such as infections or metabolic disorders.

Key Points

Hydrate Adequately: The most common cause of a chemical or ammonia-like urine smell is dehydration. Increasing your water intake is the primary solution.
Review Your Diet: Foods like asparagus, garlic, and coffee can temporarily alter urine odor. Monitor your diet to identify and manage potential triggers.
Check Medications: High-dose vitamin supplements and some antibiotics can lead to a chemical urine smell. Consult a doctor if you suspect a medication is the cause.
Don't Ignore Symptoms: If the odor is persistent or accompanied by pain, fever, or changes in urination, seek medical advice to rule out infections or other conditions.
Maintain Hygiene: Proper personal hygiene and prompt cleaning of incontinence products or accidents can prevent odor buildup.
Consult a Professional: For any persistent health concerns, especially when combined with other symptoms, a doctor's evaluation is the most reliable way to determine the cause and get appropriate treatment.

Why Does Urine Develop a Chemical Smell?

Urine is a waste product filtered by the kidneys, and its composition can be influenced by diet, hydration levels, medications, and various health conditions. A strong, chemical, or ammonia-like smell often indicates that the urine is highly concentrated, meaning it contains a greater ratio of waste products to water.

Dehydration is a Primary Cause

When you don't drink enough fluids, your kidneys conserve water, resulting in more concentrated urine. Urea, a compound derived from protein breakdown, becomes more concentrated and breaks down into ammonia, causing a distinct chemical or ammonia-like odor.

Visible Cue: Dark yellow or amber urine is a telltale sign of dehydration.
Solution: Increase your water intake throughout the day. For most adults, this means aiming for 6-8 glasses of water daily, though individual needs vary based on activity level, climate, and overall health.

Dietary Influences

Certain foods and drinks can impact urine odor. The sulfurous compounds found in some foods are excreted through urine and can cause a temporary smell change.

Asparagus: Contains asparagusic acid, which is broken down into sulfur-containing chemicals that create a pungent, distinct odor in some people.
Spicy Foods: Compounds from spicy foods and garlic can be released through urine, contributing to a stronger scent.
Coffee: The metabolic byproducts of coffee can give urine a strong, somewhat chemical smell.

To identify potential dietary triggers, consider a process of elimination. Temporarily remove suspected foods from your diet and observe any changes in your urine's odor.

Medications and Supplements

Several medications and supplements are known to alter urine's smell. This is often due to how the body processes and excretes certain compounds.

Antibiotics: Sulfonamide antibiotics are a well-known cause of strong urine odor.
B Vitamins: High-dose vitamin supplements, particularly B6, can cause urine to have a strong, medicinal odor.
Chemotherapy drugs: These can also produce noticeable changes in urine odor as the body metabolizes and eliminates them.

If you suspect a medication is the cause, speak with your doctor. Never stop or adjust your medication without professional medical guidance.

Underlying Medical Conditions

In some cases, a persistent chemical odor can be a symptom of a more serious health issue. It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional if the odor doesn't improve with increased hydration or is accompanied by other symptoms.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Bacteria in the urinary tract can produce waste products that make urine smell foul or chemical-like. A UTI is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain or burning during urination, frequent urination, and cloudy urine.
Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can cause a sweet or fruity-smelling urine due to excess sugar. However, the odor can also sometimes be described as chemically, depending on a person's metabolic state.
Kidney or Liver Disease: These organs filter waste products from the blood. When they are not functioning correctly, waste can build up and alter the composition and smell of urine.

Comparison of Causes for Chemical Urine Odor


Cause	Key Indicators	Common Accompaniments	How to Address
Dehydration	Dark, concentrated urine	Thirst, dry mouth	Increase water intake
Dietary Factors	Specific odor after consuming certain foods (e.g., asparagus)	No other symptoms	Identify and reduce trigger foods
Medications/Supplements	New odor correlating with starting a new medication	Depends on the drug	Consult your doctor; do not stop medication on your own
UTI	Foul/chemical odor	Painful urination, increased frequency, cloudy urine	See a doctor for antibiotics
Diabetes	Sweet/fruity or chemical odor	Frequent urination, increased thirst, unexplained weight loss	Consult a doctor for management
Kidney/Liver Issues	Worsening odor over time	Fatigue, swelling, change in urine color	Requires medical diagnosis and treatment

Actionable Steps to Reduce and Prevent Odor

Prioritize Hydration: This is the simplest and most effective solution for dehydration-related odor. Carry a reusable water bottle and sip throughout the day.
Monitor Your Diet: Be mindful of foods and drinks that cause a temporary odor change. If a particular food is the cause, it's usually harmless and temporary.
Ensure Proper Hygiene: Maintain good hygiene by cleaning your genital area with mild soap and warm water. For individuals with incontinence, using specialized products or frequent changing of pads can help prevent odor buildup.
Consider Probiotics: Some people find that probiotics can help balance the body's natural flora, potentially influencing odor, especially if related to a history of UTIs.
Track Symptoms: Keep a journal of your diet, medications, and any other symptoms you experience alongside the odor. This information can be invaluable for a doctor's diagnosis.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While a temporary chemical smell in urine is often benign, certain symptoms warrant a visit to a healthcare provider:

Persistent Odor: The smell does not improve after increasing your water intake.
Pain or Discomfort: You experience pain or a burning sensation during urination.
Changes in Urination: You notice an increased frequency or urgency to urinate.
Cloudy or Bloody Urine: The appearance of your urine has changed noticeably.
Fever or Fatigue: You develop a fever or feel unusually tired.

For more detailed information on symptoms of urinary tract infections, refer to a reliable medical resource such as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Conclusion: Your Health is a Priority

While a chemical smell in urine is often a minor and temporary issue caused by dehydration or diet, it should not be ignored. Taking proactive steps to ensure adequate hydration and good hygiene can resolve many cases. For any persistent or concerning symptoms, consulting a healthcare professional is the most prudent course of action to ensure there is no underlying medical issue requiring treatment. Your health is a priority, and paying attention to these small signals can lead to important discoveries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While a chemical odor can be linked to serious conditions like kidney disease or diabetes, it is most often caused by harmless factors like dehydration, diet, or medications. However, a persistent odor, or one accompanied by other symptoms, should be evaluated by a doctor.

Yes. High-dose vitamin supplements, particularly those containing B vitamins like thiamin (B1), can cause urine to have a strong, chemical, or medicinal odor. This is due to the body excreting excess vitamins that it doesn't need.

While cranberry juice is often suggested for urinary tract health, its effect on chemical odor is minimal. It can sometimes help with bacterial issues by increasing urine acidity, but the most effective strategy for a concentrated odor is to increase plain water intake.

The most effective method is a process of elimination. If you notice the odor after eating a specific food like asparagus, try removing it from your diet for a few days to see if the smell disappears. Reintroduce it later to confirm the link.

You should see a doctor if the odor persists despite increasing your hydration, or if you experience other symptoms like pain during urination, increased frequency, cloudy or bloody urine, or a fever. These could be signs of an underlying infection or condition.

Yes, some medications can alter the smell of your urine as your body processes and eliminates them. Certain antibiotics, including sulfonamides, and some diabetes medications are known to have this effect. Discuss this with your doctor if you have concerns.

Poor bladder control or incontinence can lead to lingering urine odor on clothes, bedding, or skin. The stagnant urine can allow bacteria to break down urea into ammonia, intensifying the chemical smell. Proper hygiene and absorbent products can help manage this.

Yes, advanced liver or kidney disease can cause urine to smell strongly chemical or musty. These organs are responsible for filtering waste, and if they are not functioning correctly, waste products can build up in the body and change the urine's odor.