How to Neutralize Cat Spray Odors in the House

When a cat sprays urine in the house, or if it misses the litter box, the smell can become overwhelming. The best way neutralize the urine smell in a house is to clean up urine spots as soon as the cat has an accident; however, it is still possible to get rid of the smell even if the urine spots have been in the house for a long time.

Things You'll Need

  • Towel
  • Vinegar
  • Spray bottle
  • Shampooer
  • Enzyme-based cleaner
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Sponge mop
  • Small bowl
  • Baking soda
  • Activated charcoal
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Instructions

  1. Clean New Urine Spots

    • 1

      Soak up as much urine as possible as soon as you notice the cat had an accident. Use a white towel to do this so you don̵7;t stain your carpet, upholstery or floors with the dyes from a colored towel.

    • 2

      Mix one part white vinegar to three parts warm water in a spray bottle. Vinegar will neutralize the ammonia odor in the cat urine.

    • 3

      Spray this mixture on the carpet, upholstery or flooring and let it set for at least five minutes.

    • 4

      Blot the mixture with a clean white towel until the surface is dry.

    Remove Old Urine Smells

    • 5

      Use a black light to find urine stains on the floor or furniture in each room. Urine and bodily fluids are noticeable because they glow under the black light when other lights in the room are turned off.

    • 6

      Spray a mixture of one part vinegar to one part water onto the spots that glow under the light.

    • 7

      Blot the area lightly with a clean, white towel. Allow the area to air-dry.

    • 8

      Shampoo carpets in the room using an enzyme-based cleaner approved for use with your model of shampooer.

    • 9

      Clean the hard surfaces in the rooms where the urine smell is present. Use a mixture of one part all-purpose cleaner, such as a pine-scented cleaner, and two parts water for hard floors and walls. For the walls, spray the mixture onto the wall and wipe it with a sponge mop.

    • 10

      Place a bowl of white vinegar in the center of each room of the house before you leave for the day. Close all the doors. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer.

    • 11

      Hide boxes of activated charcoal or baking soda in each room of the house. Boxed activated charcoal is available in the fish department at most pet stores. Activated charcoal and baking soda will both absorb odors.