Anyone who has a cat sooner or later perceives the intense smell of its urine. It is a pungent, strong smell that spreads throughout the house and, if the "accident" area is not cleaned properly, it can become more and more intense with the passage of time and create unpleasant vapors similar to those of the ammonia. Cat urine, in addition to offending the sense of smell, also leaves stains, especially on fabrics and carpets. Since it is a difficult liquid to remove, it is important to know how to quickly and effectively clean the dirty surface, in order to keep the house and furniture fresh and free from intolerable odors.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Locating and Absorbing Liquid
Step 1. Find the source of the smell
It is easier to clean as soon as your cat has urinated and the stain is still wet, as you will be able to wipe off most of the liquid from the surface. However, it can happen that you come across dry spots. In these cases, follow the same instructions given here, even if the urine has had more time to degrade and penetrate the material.
- The smell usually leads you directly to the area where your cat has urinated, although you will have to touch with your hands to find a damp spot on the carpet or fabric-covered furniture. If the surface is ceramic, wood or parquet and the stain has dried, then you will find a sticky area.
- You can also try using Wood's lamp. This is a special light bulb that shows stains on furniture, walls or carpets by making them glow yellow. You can buy it at pet stores or online for a reasonable price.
Step 2. Rub the stain and soak up the liquid
Use kitchen paper and try to absorb as much of the liquid as possible if the surface is fabric or carpet. When it comes to these materials, there is a risk of urine entering the fibers of the fabric. Gently pat to absorb most of the pee.
- If you don't want to use too much paper because you find it environmentally irresponsible, then use a cloth, rag or even old clothes that can be thrown away.
- If you have one available, you can also use a wet vacuum to "suck up" the urine. This way you get rid of a lot more liquid than you would by hand. Do not use a steam machine at this stage of the process, as the heat prolongs the persistence of the odor and would make cleaning more difficult.
Step 3. Don't rub the stain
Right now you would get exactly the opposite effect: the dirt would penetrate even deeper.
If the urine has already dried, then pour cold water over the area and pat it dry
Step 4. If it is a carpeted floor, put on your shoes and stand on the stained area
This allows you to bring much of the urine to the surface.
Step 5. Treat the dirty spot with a stain remover
You can use a commercial product or make a cleanser with products you already have at home. Read the next section to find out more.
Part 2 of 3: Treating the Stain with a Commercial Cleaner
Step 1. Purchase a cleaner, specifically an enzymatic product
It is a specific stain remover to treat areas soiled with urine. It works by degrading the enzymes present in cat pee, while neutralizing odors. Cleaners of this kind are available in pet stores.
- Enzymatic cleaners break down uric acid in cat pee and break it down into carbon dioxide and ammonia. Both are gases that evaporate easily, taking odors with them.
- They are effective on both fresh and old stains.
Step 2. Read the instructions on the package
Some detergents require special methods of application, so read them carefully before taking action.
Always respect the directions for the specific product you have purchased. Otherwise, you could irreversibly damage the furniture or the surface
Step 3. Test in a hidden corner
Before cleaning, always check that the product does not damage the surface by testing it on a small, invisible corner. Check for stains or other damage.
- If you notice an abnormal reaction, do not use the cleaner. Buy a different one or try making your own, as described below.
- If you don't see any damage, then you can apply the cleaner to the soiled area.
Step 4. Wet the stained spot with the enzymatic cleaner
Let it sit for 10-15 minutes so it can penetrate the stain. Finally try to blot and absorb the largest amount of product using a rag or paper towels.
Step 5. Wait for the area to air dry
This step is really very important, because the detergent needs time to degrade the uric acid salts and then the gases have to evaporate.
Prevent access to the treated area. Cats are instinctively attracted to enzymes in their urine and tend to pee in areas they have already wet. For this reason, protect the area by covering it (without sealing it) with something like aluminum foil or an upside-down laundry basket. This will not only prevent the cat from soiling the surface again, but will prevent family members from walking over the area being treated
Step 6. Repeat the entire process if the stain or stench returns
Be especially careful if it is an old stain; it may be necessary to apply the enzymatic cleaner two or three times (and make sure it is completely dry at the end of each treatment) to completely get rid of the halo.
Part 3 of 3: Treating the Stain with a Household Cleaner
Step 1. Gather the ingredients needed to make a home cleaner
Although enzymatic products are the best choice, you can try replacing them with a mixture of white vinegar, baking soda, liquid soap, and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Vinegar kills bacteria and neutralizes odor.
The mixture is suitable for cleaning fresh and old stains
Step 2. Make a solution of two parts water and one part vinegar
Pour it over the stain and let it absorb for 3-5 minutes. Then dab the excess liquid. Remember that vinegar should never be used on marble and natural stone surfaces.
Step 3. Sprinkle the area with baking soda
Pour in a generous amount as it will allow you to absorb the urine.
Step 4. Mix hydrogen peroxide with 5ml of liquid dish soap
Pour the mixture over the baking soda. Scrub the area with a cloth that you will need to rinse several times as needed. Rub the cloth in all directions to make sure the cleaning solution gets into the stain. Finally dab the liquid.
Step 5. Wait for the stain to dry
Once the area is dry, use a vacuum cleaner to remove excess baking soda.
If the area feels hard or rough, then rinse it off with warm water and wait for it to air dry
Step 6. Protect the area
Once you have cleaned the stain and are waiting for it to dry, prevent your cat from accessing that spot in the house. In this way the surface dries and the odor is eliminated. Eventually you can reopen the room.
Step 7. Repeat the entire procedure if the stain is stubborn
Remember to check your cat and to sharpen your sense of smell to perceive any slight stench of urine.
Advice
- The most important advice that can be given when cleaning cat urine is to intervene as soon as the "accident" occurs. The more the liquid remains in contact with the carpet, parquet or fabric, the more complicated the cleaning operations will be.
- To avoid the very strong smell of male cat urine, you should always neuter him. A whole specimen not only has stronger-smelling urine, but has a tendency to pee elsewhere in the house, outside the litter box.
