Tricks to Getting Rid of Cat Urine Smell

Cat urine is one of the most unpleasant and most difficult odors to get rid of. Not only offensive, the smell of cat urine also causes cats to continually urinate in the same places until you eliminate the scent. Due to the content of uric acid and salts contained in the urine, normal cleaning agents will not work, but certain products can eliminate cat odors permanently.

  1. Vinegar

    • Use vinegar to remove cat urine odors by diluting it with water. Mix two parts water with one part white vinegar and saturate the area with the mixture after blotting up as much of the urine as possible. Let the carpet or fabric dry, or use a wet/dry vacuum on the area to absorb the liquid. Repeat this process as needed to remove cat urine odors naturally. The vinegar kills any odor-causing bacteria that develop as a result of the cat urine and combats the ammonia smell. To remove cat urine odors from clothing, add 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar to your washing machine.

    Baking Soda

    • Baking soda has many deodorizing properties. Sprinkle it on areas where cats have urinated on carpets or furniture, after blotting the areas to absorb as much urine as possible. Let it sit overnight, then vacuum thoroughly. Use it after you have tried the vinegar/water solution and the area has dried or when still damp. The baking soda will soak up any residual odors. You can also mix it with hydrogen peroxide to form a paste and apply to cat urine stains. Let it dry, then vacuum away the dried baking soda. The peroxide helps kill bacteria and deodorize the area. For clothing, add 1/2 cup baking soda to your washing machine.

    Enzymatic Cleaners

    • Use enzymatic cleaners specially made for cat urine, which you can find at your local pet store. These cleaners break down the organic components of the urine that cause odor, converting them to carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, according to Green Irene. Since enzymes reactivate when in contact with water, any enzymes left after use will continue to control odors in your home. Enzymes target specific organic matter, so try to look for products specifically for cat urine. Spray an enzymatic cleaner directly on urine odors, including carpets, fabrics, grout or wood and let it dry to eliminate odors. Always follow the directions on the product you purchase. Enzymes completely eliminate odors, preventing remarking by cats, and are nontoxic to pets and the environment.

    Oxygen Bleach

    • Oxygen bleach, also known as non-chlorine bleach, contains sodium percarbonate, a solid form of hydrogen peroxide bonded with natural soda ash, according to Wonder Paint. Water activates the components in oxygen bleach, which release oxygen and break down stains and odors related to cat urine. Oxygen bleach cleaners come in powder or spray form. Mix the powder with water, as directed, to spray on cat urine stains and odors. Saturate the area completely, blot and leave it for 10 minutes, then rinse and blot. Add it to your washing machine to remove urine odors from clothing, following the directions of the oxygen bleach cleaner. Like enzymatic cleaners, oxygen bleach completely removes odors, preventing remarking, and is nontoxic and biodegradable.

    Warnings

    • Always test a small area first when using any cleaning method to remove cat urine odors, to make sure fabrics, carpets or other flooring remains colorfast. Wood floors may stain or fade from using certain cleaners and may need an application of stain or sealant after use.