How to Elimate Cat Urine Odor

Cats urinate outside of the litter box for a variety of reasons; the box may need cleaning or be out of reach at a critical moment, or they may be using urine to mark their turf. Whatever the motive, cat urine can be a challenge to clean. Not only does it stain, leaving dingy yellow marks on everything it touches, it also leaves an aroma that tends to linger long after the urine has been removed. To stop the cat from re-using the same spot over and over again, it is essential to eliminate the urine scent. While there are a number of commercial products designed for this specific purpose, there are also a wide variety of simple household items you can use to safely and effectively to eradicate the aroma of cat urine.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper towels
  • Black light
  • Liquid dish-washing soap
  • Cleaning cloths
  • Sponges
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
  • Old toothbrush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Press paper towels firmly over the accident zone, soaking up as much urine as possible. For urine stains that have already dried, use a black light to identify the target area and moisten the spot by sponging it with cool water. Blot up the fluid, removing surface residue in the process.

    • 2

      Mix 1 tsp. of mild liquid dish-washing soap and 1 cup of cool water until suds begin to form. Dip a cloth into the soap solution. Wring the cloth to remove any excess water and then gently blot the affected area. Rinse the soap away by sponging the area with cool water. Pat with a clean towel to dry.

    • 3

      Pour ¼ cup distilled white vinegar into a small bowl. Add ¼ cup cool water and stir until the two are well blended. Dip a sponge into the solution and then press the moist material against the odoriferous area. Scrub gently, moving the sponge in a small, circular pattern, until the entire area has been thoroughly doused in the vinegar solution. Wait for the area to dry (or use a hair dryer to speed up the process) and then check the results. If the cat urine aroma is still detectable, repeat the treatment or try another remedy.

    • 4

      Place ¼ cup baking soda into a large bowl. Add 1 tsp. mild liquid dish-washing soap and stir until the two are well blended. Pour in enough 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to make a thin paste. Spread the mixture over the affected area. Scrub the paste briskly with the bristles of an old toothbrush to help loosen any stubborn residue. Wipe the baking soda away with a wet cloth and wait for the area to dry. Repeat if necessary. However, peroxide can have a bleaching effect, so to avoid unintentional discoloration, do not leave the paste in place for more than five minutes.