Home Remedies for Removing Cat Urine From Shoes

Cat urine is infamous for producing a lingering, unpleasant odor. Your cat may urinate away from its litter box for a number of reasons, including illness, stress and other behavioral problems, territory marking and unfit litter-box conditions. It is not uncommon for cats, when they do avoid their litter boxes, to urinate in (or on) a pair of shoes or slippers. While there are specialized pet stain and odor removal products available at most pet-supply stores, these can be expensive, and home remedies offer a more affordable alternative.

  1. Hydrogen Peroxide

    • One home remedy for removing cat urine from shoes is to use hydrogen peroxide, which is a common fixture in most bathroom medicine cabinets. According to NoMoreCatOdor.com, you should pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide directly on to the part of your shoe that is stained and allow it to dry. Then you can soak and scrub the area with warm water using a rag or paper towel, and let dry again. However, before using hydrogen peroxide to remove cat urine, you should take into account what material your affected shoe is made from. According to NoMoreCatOdor.com, hydrogen peroxide itself stain may certain color sensitive shoe materials, such as leather and dark fabrics.

    Baking Soda

    • Baking soda has long been used in kitchens not only for cooking but also for removing unpleasant odors from cabinets and refrigerators. According to Cat-Urine.net, baking soda can also be used to remove--or at least deodorize--cat urine stains in shoes. Cat-Urine.net recommends pouring some baking soda directly on to the stained areas and letting sit for a few hours before shaking it out. While this may not eliminate the visible part of the stain, it should remove the associated odor and bacteria.

    Vinegar Solution

    • According to NoMoreCatOdor.com, you can scrub out cat urine stains from shoes using a mixture of two-parts water to one-part white vinegar. You can also throw in a bit of scented dish soap and/or mouthwash to help fight odors. NoMoreCatOdor.com recommends using a clean rag to apply the solution and suggests that you rinse the affected area out thoroughly with water before you allow it to dry.

    Prevention

    • One method for preventing your cat from urinating on your shoes, according to Cat-Urine.net, is to cover them with tin foil because cats do not like its texture or scent. You can also place citronella-scented candles or mothballs in or near your shoes, according to the same source. Also, if your cat is consistently urinating outside of its litter box, this may be because you have not been cleaning the box or changing the litter frequently enough.