Every cat owner knows the repulsive smell of her urine. The strong and unpleasant smell of cat urine quickly spreads throughout the house, and if the source is not eliminated, it will intensify over time, resembling the smell of ammonia. In addition to an unpleasant odor, cat urine leaves stubborn stains, especially on fabrics and carpets. Skills to quickly and effectively remove stubborn cat urine stains will help you keep your home and furniture clean.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding and fixing the stain
Step 1. Determine the source of the odor
Stains that are fresh and still damp are easier to remove because you can wipe off the urine before it is completely absorbed. However, sometimes it is possible to detect a stain when it has already dried up. To remove fresh and dried stains, even if urine has decomposed and absorbed into the coating, use the same procedure as described below.
- The smell of urine will lead you directly to a puddle, although if it is located on a carpet or upholstered furniture, you will have to feel a little with your hand to find a wet spot; a sticky spot will remain on tiles, linoleum or parquet flooring after the urine dries.
- You can also use an ultraviolet fluorescent lamp. In the light of such a lamp, traces of urine on furniture, walls and carpets will look like yellow spots. An ultraviolet lamp can be purchased inexpensively at a pet store or online.
Step 2. Blot and wipe away any traces of urine
If the stain is on a cloth or carpet, blot it with paper towels, collecting as much urine as possible. There is a risk that urine will be absorbed into the fibers of the carpet or upholstery material. Blot the surface by lightly pressing a towel against it.
- If you don't want to waste a lot of paper towels, use a tissue towel, rag, or unwanted old clothes that you were about to throw away.
- If you have a vacuum cleaner handy, you can use it to suck up urine. This will collect more urine than with paper or cloth towels. Do not use a steam cleaner, as the heat may increase the odor at this stage, making it more persistent.
Step 3. Don't rub the stain
At this stage, friction will only cause the urine to be absorbed deeper.
If the stain is already dry, sprinkle with cold water and then blot
Step 4. If the stain is on the carpet, stand on it
In this case, you must be shod. With your weight, you will squeeze the liquid onto the surface of the carpet.
Step 5. Treat the dirty surface with a stain remover
You can take a commercial product or make your own stain remover from available materials. Follow the directions below for both cases.
Part 2 of 3: Using a store cleaner
Step 1. Get a store tool
Look for an enzyme cleaner. Enzymatic cleaners are specifically designed to remove traces of urine. These purifiers break down enzymes in cat urine and neutralize odors. These can be purchased at any pet store. Common brands include Knock Out and Urine Off.
- Enzyme cleaners break down the uric acid in cat urine into carbon dioxide and ammonia. These gaseous substances evaporate quickly and the unpleasant odor disappears.
- These cleaners are suitable for removing both fresh and old stains.
Step 2. Read the instructions
Methods of using different cleaners may have their own characteristics, so read the instructions carefully before using a particular product.
Always follow the instructions that came with the cleaning product you purchased. Failure to follow instructions can result in serious damage to furniture or other surfaces
Step 3. Test the tool
Always test the cleaner on a small, hidden area first to make sure it will not damage or discolor the surface.
- If you notice anything strange, stop. In this case, purchase another product or prepare the solution yourself (below is described how to do this).
- If you don't notice anything unusual, apply the product to the contaminated area.
Step 4. Moisten the contaminated surface with an enzymatic cleaner
Wait 10-15 minutes for the product to be absorbed. Then dry the surface by blotting it with a paper or cloth towel.
Step 5. Wait until the treated surface is completely dry naturally
This is very important because the cleaning agent takes some time to completely decompose the uric acid salts, after which the decomposition gases must evaporate.
Block the cleaned surface. Cats are attracted to the enzymes in the urine, so your pet will probably try to urinate again in the old spot. Leaving room for air, cover the cleaned area with something, such as aluminum foil or a laundry basket, turning it upside down. This will not only prevent your pet from repeatedly urinating in the same area before the cleaner completely eliminates the odor, but also mark the area so that someone does not accidentally step on it
Step 6. If necessary, repeat the procedure until the stain and the odor caused by it completely disappear
Note that the Enzymatic Cleaner may need to be applied two or three times to completely remove stubborn stains, allowing it to dry completely each time.
Part 3 of 3: Using a homemade cleaner
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients needed to make the cleaner at home
While enzymatic cleaners are your best bet, you can make your own cleaner using white vinegar, baking soda, liquid dish soap, and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. The vinegar will help kill bacteria and neutralize odors.
This solution works well for removing both fresh and old stains
Step 2. Mix water and vinegar in a two-to-one ratio
Pour this solution over the stain and wait 3-5 minutes for it to absorb. Then blot the surface to remove excess liquid. Keep in mind that vinegar should not be used on marble or stone surfaces.
Step 3. Sprinkle baking soda over the stain
Do not spare baking soda - it will absorb urine.
Step 4. Mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with one teaspoon of dish soap
Spray the baking soda with this solution. Use a rag to rub the mixture onto the dirty surface. Rinse the cloth several times if necessary. Rub in different directions so that the solution is well absorbed. Then blot the surface again.
Step 5. Let the stain dry
Once it's dry, vacuum up the leftover baking soda.
If the surface to be treated feels hard and excessively dry, dampen it with a little warm water and wait until it dries
Step 6. Block the cleaned surface
After cleaning the surface and letting it dry, cover it with something, blocking the cat's access to it. This will give you time to make sure the stain and odor is completely gone. You can then reopen the cleared area.
Step 7. If the stain has not completely disappeared, repeat the steps above
Keep an eye on your pet and react immediately when you smell cat urine.
Advice
- The most important thing is to try to find traces of urine and remove them as quickly as possible. The longer a stain stays on carpet, parquet or fabric, the more difficult it will be to clean.
- To avoid the offensive odor of male urine, neuter your cat. Thus, you will not only avoid extremely unpleasant odors, but also frequent puddles in the wrong places, because non-castrated cats often urinate outside their toilet.