How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell: An Ultimate Guide

All is well in the pet world until you find the cute cat you love and start peeing in the house rather than using the litter box. As annoying as this could be, knowing how to get rid of the cat pee smell on your clothes, carpets, rugs, chairs, etc., comes in handy.

While it may seem normal for some animals to squat in odd places, cats are naturally easier to train. If your cat is spraying on your surfaces, it could mean he is calling for attention to a problem you didn’t notice. It could also mean your cat is marking territory, especially amongst male cats.

However, more than knowing why your cat is urinating randomly in the house, the major challenge is how to rid your environment of its notoriously strong smell completely.

Have you been wondering what to do when this happens? Here’s an ultimate guide on how to get rid of the cat pee smell from your house and properties.

Why Does Cat Urine Smell Bad?

The chemicals and substances that make up cat urine smell much stronger when there isn’t much water to dilute it.

Before their urine goes through their kidneys, cats’ kidneys do an excellent job of filtering out as much water as possible. Some chemicals, like urea and uric acid, have a notoriously unpleasant odor wherever you find them.

As aforementioned, cat urine is already quite concentrated. Allowing it to sit increases evaporation and decomposition, resulting in ammonia chemicals and skunk spray odors.

Clean the litter box daily and after any litter box accidents.

Also, a male cat is likelier than a female cat to generate odor problems. Additional steroids are present in their urine, which adds to the stench. Older cats can also stink more since their internal organs don’t perform well.

When an elderly male cat pees and you leave the urine alone for a day or two, you’ll likely be confronted with the worst cat urine smell you’ve ever encountered.

You might also want to know why your dog is peeing a lot

What Kills The Smell Of Cat Pee?

Several items, such as vinegar, baking soda, and enzymatic cleaners, can help neutralize the cat’s urine stench. Here are some options for products you can use to eliminate the smell of cat pee.

Vinegar with Baking Soda

While vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that accumulate in dried urine stains, it also works to remove the lingering odor of sprayed cat urine.

Cleaning walls and floors can be done with a solution of one part water and one part vinegar. Proponents claim that the vinegar smell goes away after a few days, along with the urine odor.

Baking soda is a legendary ingredient when it comes to absorbing unpleasant odors.

Enzyme cleaners

You can use an enzyme-based cleaner to remove odors from carpets, couch cushions, mattresses, and linens. The enzymes in these items help to break down the acid in cat pee while also helping to eliminate the odor, and a Good Housekeeping Seal holder can be used.

Natural enzymes and beneficial bacteria aid in the elimination of harmful bacteria that cause foul odors.

When cleaning any surface, it’s critical to get to the point where you and your cat can’t smell the pee. If the cat can smell the pee, he will most likely come back to that spot to pee.

You Should Also Read Understand Why Dog Pees Blood: What it Means and What You Should Do.

Tips For How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell

Cats can be fussy and nosy. Evacuate the cats from the area so they do not disturb the cleaning process. 

Avoid using a steam cleaner directly on the urine to avoid aggravating the odor and making it last longer. Excess heat makes things worse.  

Cat urine includes significant quantities of ammonia, which can cause respiratory distress in people with bronchitis or asthma. Wear a mask and gloves if possible, and wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning the area.

Many people believe the odor of cat urine is mold. The intense odor can sometimes suggest a mold problem, such as poisonous black mold requiring professional cleanup.

If the cat pee has been on the spot for too long or has become stubborn, seek professional help.

Learn more about this best care center for your pets from this article; All The Best Pet Care: Company History, Products, And Locations.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell In My House?

Cat pee is one of the most revolting and pungent odors you can experience. There are a handful of solutions you can experiment with to eliminate the stench from your house.

However, ranging from DIY solutions to employing the assistance of artificial products and chemicals, the effect will vary depending on the surface the cat peed on in the house.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell On Carpet

Gently blot the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove as much of the stain as possible. 

Scrub the area thoroughly with club soda or spray product and let it dry. Then sprinkle with baking soda. Let it sit so the baking soda can soak up any lingering odors, and then vacuum.

 Cover the spot with a damp towel and let it sit for up to 12 hours.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell Clothes

Place the pee-soiled clothes in the washer and wash them separately at the hottest temperature advised. Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to your washer’s bleach dispenser and your detergent.

Use baking soda’s natural potency to help neutralize cat urine odor in soiled fabrics. Put a half-cup straight in the drum with your clothes, or use a baking soda-based detergent.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell On Linens And Bed Sheets

Start by rinsing the area with cool water in a sink. Then, using detergent and baking soda or cider vinegar, wash them.

Enzyme Cleaner is an option if the odor remains.

Always air-dry linens since the heat from the dryer may seal in the odor before it dissipates fully.

You may have to rewash the item one or more times before the aroma is fully gone.

Finally, never use bleach while washing since it can produce hazardous fumes with ammonia and cat urine.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell In Couch/ Upholstery

If you can remove the cushion cover, do so, then throw it in the washing machine or take them to a dry cleaner as soon as possible. 

If stains are already set in the sofa cushions, use some cleaning chemicals and follow the same procedures as above. In a worst-case scenario, engage a cleaning agency to eliminate the stink from your couch cushions and pillows.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell Wood Floors

You’re in luck if you have a sealer on your wood flooring.

Simply absorb urine with paper towels and clean with your preferred hardwood floor cleaner. Use a pet-specific hardwood floor cleaner or Odor Remover if you’re a little late to the game and didn’t know the accident happened a few hours ago. 

If a black or discolored stain appears, it’s advisable to seek professional help.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell Off Tiles 

Unless the urine has spread to the grout, wipe the mess with a paper towel and clean it with a tile cleaner. Use a bath or kitchen cleaner if the tile isn’t glazed or the liquid has spread to the grout. 

To remove odor, make a thick paste with water and baking soda, rub it into the grout, and wipe it once dry. 

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell On Mattress

Mattresses are made in a similar way to cushions.

To begin with, soak the damaged mattress area in water. Blot up as much of the cat’s urine using a cloth as possible. Then, slowly pour the enzyme cleaner over and around the afflicted region to saturate the mattress.

Allow the enzyme cleaner to remain for 15 minutes before blotting it. Make the bed by layering several layers of clean towels over the mattress.

After that, let the mattress air dry. Replace the towels daily until the mattress is completely dry. When you’re not using the bed, cover it with a wide plastic sheet or tarp to prevent peeing on the spot while the mattress dries.

You can also get a waterproof mattress cover to protect it in case of a repeat.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell On Linoleum

Linoleum, or lino, is a floor covering made from solidified linseed oil, pine resin, ground cork dust, sawdust, and mineral fillers. 

To get rid of the cat pee smell on your linoleum flooring, you need a non-ammonium or vinegar-based solution. Mix the solution in a bucket of hot water. Apply to the affected area and leave it for 1-5 minutes. Use a mop or sponge to clean off the affected spot.

You can now clean the entire floor to make sure it leaves behind no trace of odor. Dispose of the solution and mop the floor again with clean, cold water to rinse.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell In Wooden Furniture

If you caught the cat’s urine odor early, all you have to do now is clean the hardwood furniture with oil, soap, and warm water. After carefully drying the area with a clean, soft cloth, polish the wood with pure orange oil, which can help to eradicate odors.

However, in the case of late detection, apply a mixture of white vinegar, warm water, and dishwashing solutions with a soft cloth and let it dry. Clean with a clean cloth after rinsing with water. To absorb any lingering stink, sprinkle baking soda over the surface and let it on for at least three hours. This step may need to be repeated a few times.

If none of these methods work, purchase an odor-removal kit from your local store and follow the instructions.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell On Concrete      

Washing the area with a mixture of warm water and biodegradable detergent should be your first effort at removing the cat pee smell on concrete. A solution of 1 part distilled white vinegar to 2 parts warm water can also be used.

Using a bristles scrub brush, apply the solution to the urine-stained area and work it into the concrete. Allow the area to air-dry completely before proceeding.

When the concrete is dry, sprinkle some clean clay kitty litter on the area and use a wood block to rub it into the flooring. Rub the litter into the concrete for about a minute to open up the porous material and prepare it for the bleach solution.

Pour a water solution and bleach over the stain, covering it completely. Allow the cleaner to stay on the concrete overnight before scrubbing it clean the next day with a soap and water mixture. While using the bleach, open windows to allow for proper airflow.

Seal the concrete after the cat-pee stain and odor are gone to prevent the occurrence from happening again. The sealer protects the concrete from moisture and gives it a nice gloss.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee On Laptop

Be extremely careful when attempting to get cat pee out of your laptop or any computer.

Dab a cotton swab in alcohol and gently apply it to the urine-affected areas. You could ruin your laptop’s components, such as the motherboard or hardware devices, if you pour alcohol directly. 

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell On Walls

Drywall absorbs urine rapidly and goes undetected until baseboards expand, corner beads rust through, or paint blisters. Urine damage to undetected drywall can cause paint to blister and urine odor to permeate frame members.

Before attempting to eliminate cat urine odor from drywall, use a UV-Black light to find the urine stains.

Combine 50% distilled white vinegar and 50% water in a plastic spray bottle to make a cleaning solution. Spray the solution immediately on the urine streaks, being cautious not to oversaturate the area, as this could spread the stains.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell From Shoes       

You can use various cleaning solutions to get rid of the cat pee smell from your shoes.

Baking soda can be used in shoes to absorb bad odors. Simply squirt some baking soda into the hole. Allow it to sit there for a few hours to absorb the scent. Shake the baking soda out of your shoes after some time has elapsed. Before attacking the odor, you should still clean out the stain.

Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a container or your kitchen sink to treat cat urine in your shoes with vinegar. Dip a sponge, cloth, or cleaning brush in the solution and use it to scrub the liquid out of your shoe.

Hydrogen peroxide, sprays, and deodorizers can also be used.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell In Closet 

Don’t let that cat pee smell sit in your closet for too long. it could contaminate everything else within its reach. You could try using vinegar and water.

Vinegar is an acid that kills off the bacteria in the urine. Dilute white vinegar in water (try one and a half cups of warm water and ½ cup of vinegar) and spray it on the area. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes.

How Do You Get Cat Pee Smell Out Of Air Vents?

If there are any pee stains, clean the area around the vent using a pet urine cleaner (available at pet stores) or a vinegar-baking soda mix.

As a result, the animal can no longer urinate in the vent.

Also, in a spray bottle, combine 3/4 cup three percent hydrogen peroxide and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. It should be sprayed down the air vent.

How To Get Rid Of Cat Pee Smell Outside

The pungent odor of cat pee has a way of following you around, especially when you can’t decipher where the deed was done.

So, to eliminate the annoying odor, it is essential to find out where exactly your cat has peed. The kitty urine odor could be coming from your plants, the garage, your porch, the yard, or quite glaringly on your welcome mat.

Prepare a good mixture of baking soda and water. After stirring, pour the solution into a spray bottle until the baking soda has dissolved in the water. The baking soda solution should be sprayed onto the plants, surfaces, air, etc.

This method ensures that every tough and lingering odor will dissipate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for cat pee smell to go away?

It will only take 15–30 minutes to wash cat pee out of your clothes or belongings. However, getting rid of the smell will depend on how deep the urine has penetrated, the stubbornness of the stain, and the cleaning agent used.

Can you wash out the smell of cat pee?

Yes, you can wash out the cat pee smell. Make sure you dab the pee with a cloth to remove as much urine as possible before applying other washing techniques.

How do I get rid of cat pee smell when I don't know where it is?

Before removing the cat pee smell, you must find the odor’s origin. Try tracing the odor.  If you still don’t know where it is, use a pet urine detector or a special UV black light flashlight. For optimum results from this, your room must be dim.

How can I get rid of cat pee smell on my cat?

If your cat smells like cat pee, it probably means it has peed, or laid on its pee. It could also result from a urinary tract infection.

Take the cat for a bath at once. Once done, wipe it clean with a neat cloth and observe the odor.

Does vinegar stop cats from peeing?

Yes, cats dislike the smell of vinegar. They will avoid any area where this smell is present and will not pee there.

Conclusion

When understanding how to get rid of cat pee smell and prevent the odor from invading your home, the best lesson is to avoid them in the first place. 

Maintain a clean litter box and use baking soda to absorb odors. Consider gradually switching your cat to a meal that helps prevent hairballs and urinary troubles if she looks to be having urinary stress issues. 

After you’ve cleaned a certain area, change the significance of that location to your cat to prevent it from happening again. Place food bowls and treats in previously soiled places, or play with your cat in that space and put toys there, because cats like to eat and excrete in different regions.

Hopefully, this guide has been useful in demonstrating to you how to get rid of the stink associated with your cat’s messes in all the wrong places. To minimize further instances, monitor your cat for urine anomalies.

References

• petmd.com -the ultimate guide to eliminating cat pee smell
• armandhammer.com -ways to get rid of cat urine odor
• bobvila.com -how to get rid of cat pee smell

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