You can remove the smell of cat urine using traditional methods, using lemon juice, manganese solution, ammonia, vinegar and vodka, laundry soap and baking soda; mixtures of several components are especially effective. But professional products are best at eliminating unpleasant odors - SmellOff, OdorGone, Odor kill, Dezosan. They are safe for pets and people, eliminate odors and stains, and prevent re-contamination of the area.
The best way to get rid of the smell of cat urine is dry cleaning, but this method has a number of disadvantages.
How to get rid of the smell of cat urine: the best neutralizers
The smell of cat urine is very persistent, you can get rid of it with special neutralizers - SmellOff, OdorGone, Odor kill, Dezosan, and the best ones belong to the category of professional products, because only they can quickly deal with the components of cat urine:
- urochrome – gives a certain color to biological fluid;
- uric acid – ensures rapid crystallization of urine, which gives a sticky coating at the site of urination;
- urea - “responsible” for the pungent odor.
Folk remedies will also give the desired effect:
- Laundry soap + medical alcohol. You need to grate the soap and add a small amount of water to it to make foam. Moisten the stain with water, place foam from laundry soap on it and leave everything for 20-30 minutes. Then wash everything off with a damp cloth and wipe the surface with medical alcohol.
- Baking soda + hydrogen peroxide. You need to mix 2 tablespoons of the dry component, 15 ml of liquid and add 2 tablespoons of any detergent to them. The finished mixture is applied to the dirty area and left for 30-40 minutes until completely dry. Final cleaning involves rinsing the area with warm water.
- Iodine solution. Add 15-20 drops of the drug to 1 liter of water, stir and rinse the stained area with the prepared product. Then you just need to dry everything. This recipe is only suitable for washing on dark fabrics and surfaces because light ones may stain.
Citrus fruits - lemons, oranges - are considered effective in eliminating the smell of cat urine. After drying the stain, you need to wipe the area with a cut of the fruit. You can lay out lemon or orange peels - their aroma literally scares away cats. But you cannot use essential oils with the aroma of citrus fruits for this manipulation - mixing with urine, the smell will only attract animals to this place.
Professional products
For complete cleaning, you can choose one of the professional products:
- Odor kill – produced in the UK, has a pronounced vanilla aroma. The product is diluted with water; the finished solution can be used to treat both hard and fleecy surfaces. It is used economically - to treat 100 m2 you only need 1 liter of solution with water.
- Urine-off Cat & Kitten - produced in the USA, belongs to the category of bioenzymatic products, effective for eliminating odors and stains from cat urine on any surfaces. The components of the product destroy urea, so it can be classified as a cat urine odor blocker. It is allowed to use this drug in homes with small children and allergy sufferers; it is absolutely harmless to pets.
- Dezosan is a detergent that does not contain chlorine, phosphates, or fluorine. The pronounced advantages of the product include the ability to destroy cat urine odors at the molecular level, remove stains from any surface, and remove territorial marks. Safe for children and pets.
- OdorGone - produced in the USA, is a spray that eliminates the smell of cat urine. It differs from other similar products in its natural composition, economical use (only 10 sprays are needed to treat 15 m2), hypoallergenic, safe for children and pets, and bactericidal properties.
- SmellOff - does not contain aggressive substances, a pleasant aroma after use is provided by plant extracts, only 10 ml of product is required per 1 m2 of surface. It does not neutralize the smell of cat urine, but destroys it at the molecular level. After treating the stained surface, there is no need to rinse off the product - it simply absorbs and dries.
You can dry clean soft surfaces - the procedure is very effective against stains and the smell of cat urine, but is expensive. Treating the soiled surface with a dry mist will also give the desired result - the stains will disappear, the air in the room will become as fresh as possible, but for this you need to purchase an expensive device. Steam generators also remove stains, but they are only effective on fresh “marks” while the moisture has not yet evaporated from them.
Detergents
If you need to get rid of the smell quickly, but you don’t have the necessary substances and professional products at hand, then you can use oxygen bleaches:
- SANDOKKAEBI Oxycle;
- CJ LION Beat Pre-treating;
- BioKleen.
They do not contain chlorine and are safe when applied even to colored fabric.
What not to use
It is strictly forbidden to use:
- products that contain chlorine - pets will stain their paws in it, then lick off the remaining chlorine, and as a result severe poisoning will occur;
- air fresheners - the smells will mix and their intensity will become stronger, and the “notes” of the aroma will become downright fetid.
What products should not be used?
Not all substances with a strong aroma are suitable to fight off the smell of cat urine. Here's what you definitely shouldn't use:
- Deodorants and air fresheners - they do not contain any substances that could remove urine. They are also not able to interrupt it, so the smells simply layer on top of each other, creating an unbearable amber.
- Various pharmaceutical herbs. They are not intended for such purposes and their aroma is too weak. Some plants can scare away a cat and it will choose an even less suitable place for the toilet.
- Aroma oils.
- Coffee. It is not able to repel strong odors, but it will create an unbearable combination.
- Products containing chlorine. Not only do they only enhance the smell, their fumes are very harmful to animals and people. In addition, if you treat flooring or furniture with bleach, the color of the textiles may change.
For prevention purposes, it is recommended to toilet train an animal as soon as it appears in the house, from a young age. This must be done persistently, but without the use of physical force. It is necessary to provide the cat with good conditions - regularly wash the tray and change the filler in it.
How to remove the smell of cat urine from various surfaces
In order to quickly remove the smell of cat urine, you need to know what products are appropriate to use on various surfaces so as not to damage it. If professional ones are suitable for any place, then folk ones are used individually.
How to clean up a fresh puddle correctly
If the cat has just “done its job,” then the puddle needs to be removed from the surface as quickly as possible - it is necessary to prevent the absorption of moisture and the persistence of an unpleasant odor for a long time. Important:
- first blot the puddle with a rag or paper napkin;
- cover the “crime scene” with cat litter and after 5-10 minutes collect everything on a scoop;
- wash the area with any detergent or vinegar solution.
When cleaning up a puddle, you should not wave the rag widely - the urine will spread over the surface, and getting rid of the stains and smell will be much more difficult.
From the floor - laminate, linoleum
It is quite simple to remove stains and the smell of cat urine from the floor (laminate or linoleum) - you need to use a solution of vinegar and water. It is prepared in a ratio of 1:3, respectively, the coating is washed three times, each time you need to change the product and thoroughly wash the rag. To prevent vinegar fumes from damaging the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes, when working, you need to open windows and doors wide and create a good draft.
To clean parquet, it is advisable to use a completely different product: pour 1 tablespoon of table vinegar into 1.5 liters of ordinary mineral water and spray the solution over the surface. After 5 minutes, wipe the parquet first with a damp and then with a dry cloth.
On any floor surface, a mixture of Bos washing powder, water and vodka will be effective - all components are taken in equal proportions, then the finished slurry is added to a bucket of water. The floors are washed with the prepared solution 2-3 times in a row.
Watch the video on how to remove the smell of cat urine using improvised means:
How to remove fabrics from clothes
Stains and odors from cat urine can be removed from any fabric and clothing by regular washing and rinsing the item in water and vinegar. When washing, you cannot use conditioners - the odors will mix and you will get an “explosive mixture” of aromas that will be difficult to neutralize even with vinegar.
If your pet has just soiled your clothes and you need to wear them, you can remove the stains and smell with vodka. The only disadvantage of this method is the remaining smell of alcohol, which only disappears outside and within an hour.
How to wash shoes
The biggest problem is removing stains and getting rid of the smell of cat urine from shoes. If the “crime” was noticed immediately after it was committed, then you need to quickly put crumpled newspaper or a thick towel inside the shoes - you need to ensure complete absorption of moisture. After this, it is enough to wash the affected item in warm water and laundry soap.
In case of late action, when urine has been absorbed into the material, you will need to wash the shoes 2-3 times in a solution of laundry soap, then wipe the inner and outer surfaces with vinegar.
If nothing helps at all, then you need to resort to the help of professional means - spray your shoes, dry them completely and only then wash them.
If the cat marked the bag
The bag, if the cat has already marked it, will need to be treated both inside and outside. The exception is those models on the outside of which waterproof material or “traces of a crime” were noticed immediately after their appearance.
In any case, table vinegar will come in handy - you need to dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:3 and use a spray bottle to treat the soiled surface and the inside of the bag (if necessary). After everything has dried, you need to wash the item in the usual way with powder or laundry soap.
The second way to remove cat urine odors and stains is to wipe the surface of the bag with lemon juice. It can be diluted with water in equal proportions or used in “pure form” if the material allows it.
How to remove from a mattress
Carbonated water and regular table salt will help remove unpleasant odors from the mattress. You need to fill the stain with sparkling water (not sweet!) and cover it with a thick layer of salt on top. Everything remains for several hours, after which the salt is removed with a napkin, and the remains are washed off with warm water.
Instead of carbonated water, you can use a solution of boric acid - 1 tablespoon of powder is dissolved in 1 liter of water at room temperature.
How to get rid of the tray
If the smell of cat urine comes from the litter box, there are several ways to get rid of it:
- clean the toilet every day;
- treat the tray before adding the filler with a pink solution of potassium permanganate or vinegar;
- Place a thick layer of baking soda on the bottom of the toilet.
You can also use professional sprays, but not repellers, but neutralizers. You just need to spray the tray and the area around it with the chosen product so that the smell completely disappears.
Watch the video about what you can put in the tray to prevent odor:
If there is a smell in the car
If your car smells like cat urine, you can use:
- citric acid - use lemon juice or citric acid diluted with water in an arbitrary proportion;
- table vinegar - diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio;
- hydrogen peroxide - dissolve in water in a proportion of 10 ml of the drug per 500 ml of liquid.
All surfaces in the car interior are simply treated with ready-made solutions using a spray bottle. 5-10 minutes after application, you need to wipe everything with a dry cloth.
If the location of the puddle is well known, then you need to specifically wipe it with the indicated means so as not to treat the entire car.
From concrete
If cat urine has already soaked into the concrete, it will not be easy to remove the stains and unpleasant odor, but it is quite possible:
- If the puddle is fresh, then it should be thoroughly blotted with paper towels.
- If the stain is old, then paper towels are folded in several layers, moistened in plain water and placed over the old stains. After 5-10 minutes, remove everything and wipe the concrete with a wet rag.
- Mix 1 liter of hydrogen peroxide 33%, ¼ cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap, but not in a metal bowl. Spray the resulting mixture through a spray bottle onto the stained concrete and allow the surface to dry completely.
You can repeat the “procedure” 3-5 times until the smell of cat urine completely disappears. As an additional measure, it is recommended to use baking soda - cover the cat urine stain with a thick layer, and after 20-40 minutes sweep it all away with a broom. This method can be used indefinitely, because baking soda is an effective natural deodorant.
Furniture remover
You can remove the stain and smell of cat urine from upholstered furniture using the following means:
- solution of potassium permanganate - wipe the stain with it if the upholstery is not a light shade;
- vinegar - dilute in a ratio of 1:3, thoroughly wipe the stain and wait until it dries completely;
- baking soda - first moisten the dirty area with a vinegar solution, then pour a thick layer of soda on it.
If the urine has penetrated deeply, then you can use a syringe to inject the prepared solution directly into the upholstery. Once dry, the smell of cat urine should disappear.
Prevention of the problem
You shouldn’t blame your pet for a mistake. In most cases, the owner is to blame for the problem. The reasons why cats urinate in the wrong place are:
- untimely or poor cleaning of the tray;
- inconvenience of the toilet;
- stress: the appearance of a new family member or a long absence of the owner;
- marking territory as a way to attract the opposite sex.
The aroma of urine is especially strong in uncastrated individuals. There is no point in retraining a cat by poking its nose into a crime - this will have the opposite effect. It is better to check whether the tray is positioned correctly and whether its dimensions are appropriate. It should be twice the size of the pet so it can easily hide urine and excrement.
The toilet should not be placed in a crowded place. The cat will not be able to retire and relax. It is better to choose a quiet and darkened corner. If there are other animals in the house, it is worth considering that animals do not like other people's trays next to their own.
Cats may demonstratively go to the toilet past the litter box to signal that they are not feeling well . This is a way to attract the owner's attention. Old cats tend to go to the toilet in places other than the litter tray. If the pet is young, this indicates health problems.
If a guest comes to the house, it is worth considering that cats like to urinate in unfamiliar things with a foreign aroma. To avoid trouble, you need to hide your shoes in a closet.
If the tray is poorly cared for, the animal will refuse to go into it. Cats have a sensitive sense of smell, so the litter box needs to be washed periodically with detergents. By choosing a good litter for the toilet, you can forget about the puddles left by the animal. It must be environmentally friendly, safe, and absorb liquid well. You should not use scented litters - cats rarely like them.
Knowing what smells repel cats, you can forever discourage your pet from going to the toilet in the wrong place. You can apply the following scent to your pet's favorite area:
- citrus fruits;
- onions or garlic;
- vinegar;
- mint;
- rue;
- lavender;
- rosemary;
- cinnamon.
Over time, the “repellents” fade, so the smell needs to be renewed periodically.
How to remove the smell of cat urine in an apartment if it is old
The old smell of cat urine in an apartment is not as pungent as a fresh one, but it needs to be removed - the air in the rooms must be fresh, for this there are several proven ways to solve the problem: with citric acid, mustard powder, vinegar with soda and peroxide, ammonia.
Vinegar, baking soda and peroxide for cat urine odor
First, the stains are wiped with a rag well moistened in a solution of table vinegar - proportions with water 1:2. After drying, you need to use hydrogen peroxide; you can also simply wipe the stained area with it. And the last step is to cover the stain with a layer of baking soda.
You need to wait 10-20 minutes, during which time the soda will be saturated with moisture, after which it can be swept away with a broom and the treated area can be rinsed with plain water. This method helps remove old stains and completely get rid of even the very persistent smell of cat urine.
Lemon acid
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
It is better to use freshly squeezed lemon juice - soak a rag/napkin in it until it drips a little. When treating a cat urine stain, you need to vigorously rub the stained area until it is well wet. Next, everything is covered with a layer of baking soda and after 5-10 minutes you can vacuum the treated area.
If there is no lemon juice, then you need to prepare a concentrated solution of citric acid - take 1 tablespoon of the product per 200 ml of water.
Mustard powder
This product works great on old stains on linoleum and laminate flooring. You need to dilute the mustard powder with water to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the resulting mixture to the “crime scene”, and after 20 minutes, rinse everything off with warm water.
Mustard powder can stain surfaces, so you must first test this property on a coating hidden from view.
Ammonia for the smell of cat urine
Ingredients for preparing the solution
You need to prepare a solution from 1 part ammonia and 2 parts ethyl alcohol. The resulting liquid should be poured over the old stain and left for 20-30 minutes, then wipe everything with a rag soaked in a soapy solution and rinse with warm water.
You can work with ammonia only with free access to fresh air - open windows and doors, create a good draft. Along with the aroma of alcohol and ammonia, unpleasant odors will completely disappear.
Ways to wash fabric
When an item is expensive, it is better to use specialized drugs from a pet store:
- "Dezosan";
- "Mr. Fresh"
- "Odorgon";
- "Animal Gold".
If it is not possible to purchase such products, there are several home methods.
Fresh tracks
The main recommendations will be as follows.
- No brush. Do not scrub the contaminated area with a brush - this will cause the smell to become even stronger. You should immediately rinse the item in a large amount of water with the addition of citric acid.
- Laundry soap. It is enough to rub the stained area with it and put the item in the washing machine.
- Additives to powder. Washing “tagged” clothes in a machine with regular laundry detergent is ineffective, and adding fabric softener can only intensify the smell. It is better to use baking soda or powder with enzymes that break down protein.
Stinging odor
To completely neutralize the absorbed odor, you will have to use not one, but several recipes at once.
- Soda paste. Prepare a thick paste from water and baking soda and treat the foul-smelling area. Wait 12-15 minutes and then wash in cool water.
- Lemon acid. Squeeze the juice from two lemons, dilute it in a bowl of cool water and soak the damaged item for two hours. Then wash the clothes. For bedding, you can use a more concentrated solution.
- Potassium permanganate. Rinse dirty clothes in a pale pink solution and then wash them. But this substance is not suitable for delicate and white fabrics.
By analogy with potassium permanganate, an iodine solution works (ten drops per 1 liter of water). It is able to remove even the most caustic traces.
Will dry cleaning help with the smell of cat urine?
Dry cleaning will not only help get rid of the smell of cat urine, it is the most effective method of dealing with the problem. But it is only suitable for upholstered furniture and carpets, mattresses. Dry cleaning specialists can go to the customer’s home or take the damaged item to their premises.
The work will use specific cleaning products from the professional line, which are not sold in regular stores and have a number of advantages:
- do not reduce the color intensity of the fabric surface;
- do not violate the structure of materials;
- destroy any stains, even old ones;
- completely neutralize odors.
The only disadvantage of this procedure is the high cost of the work. And specialists don’t come to your home at first request - hardly anyone wants to endure unpleasant odors for 1-3 days.
Preparing to Remove Cat Odor in the House
In order for the cat smell to disappear from the apartment without leaving a trace, you need to correctly approach the process of removing “traces” of your pet.
To begin with, the puddle is covered with paper napkins (as they are absorbed, they are collected in a plastic bag). Alternatively, you can use cat litter instead of paper.
The purpose of such actions is to collect urine as quickly as possible, without waiting for it to be absorbed or smeared on the surface.
It is strictly unacceptable:
- cover up the cat’s “traces”;
- rub the surface with a brush or sponge;
- rub the urine on the floor with a wet rag.
Such manipulations will lead to an even greater spread of odor and absorption of urine.
Why does a cat smell of urine and what to do?
The cat itself can smell like urine, and before you understand what to do about it, you need to find out the reasons for what is happening. Normally, felines do not smell of urine, and if such an odor is present, it can be triggered by:
- urolithiasis disease;
- experienced stress (severe fright, prolonged stay without owners or in someone else’s apartment);
- unbalanced diet;
- old age (age-related changes in the body);
- period of puberty of the animal;
- diabetes;
- progression of the malignant process.
It is possible to rid a cat of the unpleasant odor only by carrying out therapy for a detected disease or castration if there are no plans to produce offspring in the future. It is advisable to check the size of the tray/toilet (the cat has grown and it is uncomfortable for him to sit down - urine involuntarily gets on the fur), make sure that he does not leave puddles in unauthorized places.
Removing stains from carpet
If a cat has marked the carpet together, it should be treated in the same way - first, use one of the household or store-bought products to remove the stain and smell, and then hang it to dry in an open space. If possible, it is advisable to clean the rug completely with water and detergent, or take it to the dry cleaner.
Vodka is also suitable for removing urine. You need to blot the problem area and then rub it a little. The smell of alcohol will disappear along with the unpleasant smell with urine.
Is the smell of cat urine harmful to humans?
The smell of cat urine can be dangerous to humans because it contains ammonia. This substance can cause severe poisoning and provoke the formation of burns on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nasal passages and eyes. The concentration of ammonia in cat urine is not very high, but if it is constantly present in the air, then a person can suffer:
- bothered by headaches - mild, unobtrusive;
- the heartbeat quickens - so-called non-pathological tachycardia develops;
- there is a dry, irritating cough.
Unpleasant odors from furry pets pose a great danger to the respiratory system - ammonia can provoke attacks of bronchial asthma. Smells are extremely undesirable for allergy sufferers, even if the main irritant for them is food or pollen.
The smell of cat urine is always unpleasant, and it will not be possible to get rid of it by simply ventilating the room. Puddle stains are also an unpleasant sight, so pet owners need to know how to deal with traces of their presence in the human home. There are both professional and folk remedies - the choice is made on an individual basis.
