Hints for Cleaning Cat Urine From Hardwood Floors

Perhaps you opted for a cat over a dog because you are an immaculate sort. House always clean and fresh-smelling, everything in its place. Dogs are bouncy and drool-y and unruly, so you adopted a meticulous, calm cat. Your new addition now grooms himself, sleeps a lot ... and pees on your hardwood floors. Actually, even non-immaculate people would find this unacceptable. Cat urine has a very distinctive, tenacious smell, and can ruin hardwood floors. But, never fear. With a few simple steps, you can have your floor smelling as good as new.

  1. Why, Mittens?

    • There are many reasons a cat might relieve himself outside the litter box. If you can figure out why, you can stop the behavior, and hopefully your hardwood floors will suffer no longer.

      Health problems, such as urinary tract infections, could be the reason your cat is urinating outside the box. Your veterinarian should be consulted to make sure there are no underlying health issues. If you have more than one cat, it could be due to a "turf war," in which the offending cat wants his housemates to know whose home it is.

      Also take a look at the litter box. Cats like clean environments, and prefer to use a bare floor than a stinky, lumpy box that hasn't been cleaned in a while. Stress is another cause for bathroom problems. If a new person has joined the household or you have moved to a new place, the cat's habits are disrupted and he might react by urinating inappropriately.

      If it's an ongoing problem, it's important to get rid of the odor completely. Once a cat has urinated in a spot, he will continue doing so as long as he can smell it.

    Fast Action

    • Until your cat has stopped his habit, though, you need to be vigilant. The faster you get to the puddle, the less damage it will do. Clean up any liquid (and, if necessary, solid), and blot the area with paper towels as well as you can. Wash the area with white vinegar several times, and then rinse with warm water. Blot the area dry again, and then use an enzyme cleaner to help kill the bacteria that cause odor. PetPlace.com recommends Zero Odor, Anti Icky Poo, Nature's Miracle, Odorban, Nilodor F.O.N. and Cat-Off. Baking soda can also help absorb the odor.

      No matter what kind you get, follow the instructions on the label. Before applying any cleaner to your hardwood floor, test it on a hidden area to make sure it doesn't strip or otherwise damage the wood and its finish. Wipe paper towels or cloths over the floor gently to protect the finish.

    Still Smelly

    • Unfortunately, sometimes the odor just won't go away, or the urine---or the products to clean it---damage your hardwood floor. In this case, you may need to sand down your floor and refinish it. In particularly bad situations, you might have to replace sections of the floor.