How to Clean Cat Pee From Wood Floors

The smell of cat pee from wood floors lingers in the house because the urine soaks into the wood. There's little you can do to remove the urine, but you can neutralize it. Don't allow it to sit if you can help it. If you don't remove the odor, the spot becomes a toilet for your cat and any future cats you may have that want to mark their territory.

Things You'll Need

  • Rags
  • Paper towel
  • White vinegar
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Enzyme cleaner
  • Oxygen-based cleaner
  • Baking soda
  • Sandpaper
  • Sealant
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Blot the cat pee with a clean rag. Whatever you use, you'll probably want to throw it away afterward. Use odd socks that have been around for a long time without a mate. Dry the floor as thoroughly as you can.

    • 2

      Now use a damp cloth moistened with white vinegar. If the urine has dried before you found the spot, this step is imperative because it opens the wood pores.

    • 3

      Apply the special products with enzymes that mix with the urine to neutralize the smell. If you can't find one, mix 1 tbsp. of an oxygen-based cleaner in 8 oz. warm water. Dissolve it thoroughly. Test the mixture on an inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't damage the finish. You can also use a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. Dampen the cloth and the allow it to sit for a minute on the area.

    • 4

      Sprinkle on some baking soda. Let this mixture sit for a while on the wood floor. This absorbs the water and the urine.

    • 5

      Vacuum the baking soda. If you still find there's a smell, dampen the area again and sprinkle a bit of oxygen-based cleaner on it. Allow it to sit, then vacuum it up.

    • 6

      Sand the area lightly if a stain remains on the floor after it dries. This opens the wood a little. Pour hydrogen peroxide onto a paper towel and allow it to set on the stained area. Allow it to dry. Do it again if the stain isn't completely gone. Restain the floor if necessary to match the rest of the floor after you lifted the black stain. Seal the floor with wood sealer.