How to remove the smell of cat urine: 21 ways

It can be aggravating to deal with the smell of cat urine. Sometimes the smell remains even after cleaning, which makes it hard to feel at home. Thankfully, there are numerous efficient approaches to dealing with this problem.

Although cats make fantastic pets, if their urine is not properly cleaned, it can have a strong, lingering odor that is difficult to get rid of. You can maintain the freshness of your living space by learning the best cleaning techniques and why this odor is so strong.

We’ll look at 21 doable solutions in this post to get rid of cat poop odor so you can live in a fresher, cleaner space.

1. Use vinegar solution Mix vinegar with water and spray on the affected area.
2. Baking soda Sprinkle baking soda on the spot, let it sit, then vacuum.
3. Enzymatic cleaner Breaks down urine molecules and neutralizes odor.
4. Hydrogen peroxide Apply a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water to clean the area.
5. Lemon juice Rub the area with diluted lemon juice for a fresh scent.
6. Activated charcoal Place charcoal near the area to absorb the smell.
7. Vodka Spray vodka on the spot and let it evaporate.
8. Essential oils Mix oils like lavender or eucalyptus with water and spray.
9. Dish soap Use mild dish soap to scrub the area clean.
10. Laundry detergent Wash fabrics with detergent to remove the urine smell.
11. Cornstarch Sprinkle cornstarch, let it absorb, then vacuum.
12. Air freshener Use an air freshener to mask the smell temporarily.
13. Steam cleaning Use a steam cleaner to deep clean carpets or upholstery.
14. Cat litter deodorizer Sprinkle litter deodorizer on the spot to neutralize the smell.
15. Tea tree oil Mix tea tree oil with water and spray on the affected area.
16. White toothpaste Rub white toothpaste on the surface, then rinse.
17. Sunlight Let sunlight naturally eliminate odors on fabrics.
18. Bleach (only on hard surfaces) Use diluted bleach on non-porous surfaces for a thorough clean.
19. Carpet shampoo Shampoo the carpet to remove deep odors.
20. Professional cleaning service Hire a service for stubborn, hard-to-remove smells.
21. Replace affected items In extreme cases, replacing fabrics or carpets might be necessary.

Removal products

Unwanted smells can be eliminated in a variety of ways on your own.

Household chemicals

The most widely used industrial goods are:

Crucial! It is advised to test for color fastness on the surface before applying any product.

Product Description and instructions for use Approximate cost
OdorGone

600 rubles for 500 ml.

Before using, shake well. Using a cloth to gather pee, apply the product to the soiled area and its surroundings. A new stain will fade rapidly. When a stain is older: Get rid of the urine Apply the cat, cover with a film, and let it sit overnight before removing the film and allowing the product to dry. Do the same process again, but only leave it on for a few minutes as opposed to overnight. Use water to rinse off any product that remains.

Apply a liberal amount of spray to the surface of carpets, upholstery, and carpeting until it is fully moistened. Give it a three-minute rest. Use a rag to remove any product that remains. Vacuum the space once it has completely dried. Repeat all the steps but give the product at least an hour’s rest if the stain still does not come off.

For other surfaces, mix 115 ml with one liter of water, completely clean the stain, and set aside the product for three minutes. Wipe with a rag, don’t rinse with clean water, and wait until everything is dry.

Folk methods

Almost every apartment has a variety of homemade folk remedies that can be used in an emergency to get rid of the urine odor.

Potassium permanganate

Potassium permanganate mixed strongly with warm water will help rapidly remove the stain and smell from the floor. The substance must be diluted entirely because the crystals will leave an imprint.

Vinegar

The most effective way to get rid of marks from fabric structure. Using a spray bottle, fill a container with a solution of one part water to three parts water. Spray the surface, then wipe it down with a cloth.

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

The designated area is covered with a spoonful of soda and then filled with peroxide. The mixture is taken out after two or three hours.

Iodine

Leaves stains on light surfaces; not recommended. It takes twenty drops to make one liter of water.

After a few hours, the liquid is applied to the surface and removed with a wash. Since cats don’t like the smell of iodine, there won’t likely be another attack here.

Citric acid

Pets are also sensitive to the smell of citrus fruits, in addition to iodine. A circle of lemon is steeped in a glass of water for thirty minutes, and the resulting liquid is used to soak a cloth. After lying on the stain for the entire night, another clean rag is used to wipe the floor.

Vodka

Fifty grams will do the trick for any dirt, but extra work will be needed to get rid of the alcohol odor.

Table of products for different surfaces

You should select the material you use based on the following table because not all materials can withstand the reaction of urea with a cleaning agent without being damaged.

Surface Product
Carpets Collect urine with a rag, cover the stain with soda with peroxide or lemon juice, wipe thoroughly, leave for several hours, rinse with clean water.
Upholstered furniture
(sofas, armchairs)
Apply a weak solution of potassium permanganate to the stain, then add a small amount of grated laundry soap there. Remove after half an hour.
Diluted iodine is suitable for dark surfaces.
Linoleum and laminate Dilute vinegar with an equal part of water, then soak a rag and leave on the stain until dry.
Wood Spread a couple of spoons of soda evenly over the spot. After half an hour, remove and apply a paste of grated laundry soap, remove completely after an hour.
Clothing For a washing machine – add one tablespoon of vinegar to the powder.
For hand washing – a spoon per liter.
Plants Dissolve a tablet of activated carbon in 1 liter of warm water and pour the flower.
Bed linen and mattresses Rinse the tag with sparkling water and sprinkle with salt. After two hours, wash the laundry with a spoon of vinegar.

It can be difficult to get rid of the smell of cat urine, but you can do it successfully if you use the right techniques. This guide provides 21 easy ways to get rid of the smell, ranging from store-bought products made especially for pet stains to using natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda. Whether it’s new or old, these suggestions will help you maintain a clean, cat-friendly scent throughout your house.

Smell in shoes

Particularly unpleasant are shoes that are wet. The most important thing is to act fast and get rid of the dirt and odor; else, the animal will try to carry out its repulsive behavior again.

Cleaning techniques that work:

  • For sneakers and fabric shoes: rinse with running water, pour in potassium permanganate, wash in the machine after half an hour. It is advisable to let the shoes dry on the balcony or outside.
  • For leather shoes: wash, rub with laundry soap, wait until dry, then treat with glycerin.
  • Universal method: rinse, treat with a weak vinegar solution and air dry. Take out the insoles, soak for a couple of hours.

We also advise you to read the article about products that help wean cats from urinating; you’ll find reviews of the best ones as well as benefits of using them.

Mr. Cat warns: common misconceptions

The most common error is to punish someone without looking into what caused the offense. They may come in a large number:

  • diseases of the genitourinary system;
  • tail injuries;
  • psychological problems (jealousy, disorders);
  • age characteristics;
  • problems with the tray or filler.

Teaching through physical means won’t be helpful. For example, it’s commonly accepted that the animal should be "poked with the muzzle" into its own puddle rather roughly. Such events will make no sense; rather, the cat will become enraged and carry on with its business wherever it pleases.

The stain can be removed later, tomorrow, after work, etc. is the next common misconception. Urine has an overpowering odor, and since it absorbs quickly, every minute matters. The likelihood that the cat won’t commit crimes again increases with the speed at which the stain is removed.

This brings us to our third error: any means necessary to combat the stench are beneficial in the fight to eliminate it. Since air fresheners and fragrances only cover up odors for humans, they won’t be a permanent solution to the issue. Coffee, different oils and deodorants, aromatic sticks, and so on are effective ones. They are unable to fool the cat’s sense of smell, though.

Cleaning products with a chlorine base represent the other extreme. When this component reacts with urea, the offensive odor is not eliminated but is instead made stronger.

Although eliminating the scent of cat urine can be difficult, it is undoubtedly achievable with the appropriate strategy. There are many ways to effectively address the problem, ranging from specialist cleaners to homemade solutions like vinegar and baking soda.

When dealing with cat urine, it’s critical to move quickly because the longer it sits, the more difficult it is to remove. To prevent scratching surfaces, always test cleaning solutions on a small area first.

You can maintain a fresh scent in your house and prevent your feline friend from making the same mistakes by adhering to these guidelines.

Video on the topic

How to remove the smell of cat urine from carpet, shoes, clothes.

How to remove the smell of urine from a sofa | Life hacks from Nechetov | nechetoff | SUBSCRIBE ⬇️🔔 #shorts

A quick way to remove the smell of cat urine from shoes – soak, squeeze, dry, run

How to remove urine smell from a sofa. #smell #urine #urinesmell #animalsmell #pets

What skill of your pet surprises you the most?
Share to friends
Anna Vetrova

Experience working with pets for over 10 years. Studying the behavior of cats and dogs is my main passion. Advocate of the positive reinforcement method in training and education. I help owners better understand their pets and find a common language with them.

Rate author
Pets World
Add a comment