How to Clean Cat Urine From Furniture

Cats sometimes miss the litter box; unfortunately, when they do miss it, it smells worse than just about any other creature on earth. Cat urine has an extremely pungent odor that can linger in a home for a very long time. The best course of action is to take immediate action, because the longer it sits the worse it will be. Cleaning cat urine from furniture is a less than pleasant task, but nonetheless must be dealt with.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper towels
  • Kitty litter
  • Baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Dish soap
  • Spray bottle
  • Clean cloth
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Murphy's Oil Soap
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Instructions

  1. On Upholstered Furniture

    • 1

      Blot up as much of the urine as possible with a paper towel. Be sure not to press too hard, you don't want to push the urine deeper into the couch.

    • 2

      Remove the cushions if this is where the accident occurred and take off the covers.

    • 3

      Wash the seat covers in the washing machine and add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle to help eliminate any residual odors. Dry them with a scented fabric softener sheet.

    • 4

      Pour kitty litter on the affected area of the cushion and allow it to sit for at least an hour. The kitty litter will help draw out the urine and absorb it.

    • 5

      Discard the kitty litter and sprinkle the area with baking soda and allow it to sit for another hour before wiping it into the trash with a paper towel. The baking soda will help to absorb the smell.

    • 6

      Mix a solution of vinegar and water in equal parts and add a tablespoon of dish soap. Mist the affected area with the solution and scrub with a clean cloth. Set the cushion someplace cool and dry until it is no longer damp.

    • 7

      Re-assemble the cushion and cover when they are both clean and dry.

    • 8

      Sprinkle baking soda on any upholstery, i.e. the back of the couch or other upholstered furniture that cannot be taken apart and washed. Allow it to sit for at least an hour and brush it away or vacuum it up. Scrub the area gently with a clean cloth and the solution, and allow it to dry.

    For Wooden Furniture

    • 9

      Blot up the urine with paper towels.

    • 10

      Soak cloth in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and place it on the affected area. Make sure that the cloth is wrung out well.

    • 11

      Leave the cloth on the area, checking on it periodically, for at least an hour.

    • 12

      Apply Murphy's Oil Soap to a clean cloth and gently wipe the area to help restore the furniture's shine.