Cat urine can cause unpleasant odors in your home. Many people feel nauseous when they smell cat urine. In addition, the smell tends to last longer than other odors. The best way to keep your home smelling good is to prevent your cat from littering or marking the area with his urine in the first place. Fortunately, there are steps you can follow to get rid of that urine odor if your cat is urinating carelessly and spraying urine on items in your home.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the Area Affected by Urine
Step 1. Clean the area exposed to urine
If you know the area or spot where your urine has been exposed, you can start to get rid of the smell by cleaning the area thoroughly. Your first step is to prepare a few sheets of paper towels. If urine soils a very large area or spot, you can use a washcloth that can be washed immediately after use or thrown away.
- Use a paper towel or washcloth to remove urine from the area. When the urine has dried, pour a cup of cold water on the area, then wipe with a paper towel or washcloth.
- If urine gets on the carpet, pour cold water on the area where the urine is. Remove the urine first by pressing a paper towel or washcloth against the area before you add or use cleaning products.
- Press a paper towel or washcloth to absorb the urine. Do not rub or brush urine on carpets, furniture, or other items (eg clothing). This can actually cause urine to settle and, of course, you don't want that to happen.
Step 2. Clean the area that is exposed to urine with a cleaning product
There are many cleaning products that can get rid of the smell of cat urine. It is important for you to choose a product that does not contain ammonia, so before buying it, first read the composition information on the packaging. The smell of ammonia can actually encourage cats to constantly mark the same areas or spots as their urine.
- Choose an enzymatic cleaning product. Several brands or manufacturers produce enzymatic cleaning sprays. The enzymes contained in it can destroy odor-producing compounds in urine effectively.
- If you're not sure whether the product available is an enzymatic cleaning product, it's a good idea to ask the clerk at the store you visit. Almost all pet stores now stock enzymatic cleaning products of various brands.
- Follow the directions for use on the bottle. Spray the area with the urine, then let the product soak in. After that, press a clean towel on the area that has been sprayed to remove the product (as well as the cat urine that is attached).
- If your carpet gets urine, follow the same instructions as described earlier. After cleaning the area with a paper towel, thoroughly clean the area with the urine using a vacuum cleaner to remove the stain.
Step 3. Use a natural cleaning solution
If you don't want to use chemical cleaning products, you can make your own natural cleaning solution. Mix 100 ml of white vinegar with 200 ml of warm water. Place the ingredients in a clean, empty spray bottle and shake until the ingredients are combined.
- After the urine is removed, spray the cleaning solution on the area where the urine is affected. After that, press a clean washcloth or paper towel on the area to remove the cleaning solution.
- You can also mix about 150 ml of hydrogen peroxide with a tablespoon of baking soda. Put it in a clean plastic container (eg a small bucket), then add a little hand soap.
- Mix the ingredients evenly using a wooden or plastic spoon. After that, use the mixture to wipe the urine affected area with a clean washcloth. Rinse with warm water until clean.
- Do not spray or apply hydrogen peroxide-containing mixtures to carpets without testing the product first. In inconspicuous places, such as a toilet, spray the cleaning mixture to make sure it doesn't fade or discolor the carpet.
Step 4. Repeat the cleaning process if necessary
Cat urine stains are one of the most difficult types of stains to remove. If the smell has not gone away, you will need to repeat the cleaning process. Make sure the area affected by the urine is completely dry, then repeat the steps previously described using the cleaning product of your choice.
- Sometimes it's hard to get rid of the smell if you don't know the area or spot where the cat's urine has been exposed. If you don't know the area where the urine is exposed, you certainly won't be able to do a thorough cleaning as expected.
- Use a portable UV lamp to locate the area where the urine is exposed. Cat urine that sticks to furniture usually looks like a yellowish dot or splash. Many pet stores sell small, affordable UV light products.
Step 5. Hire a professional cleaning service
If the urine affected area is not cleaned regularly, it's a good idea to seek outside help. For example, let's say you move into a 'new' house or apartment that has previously been occupied by a family that has a cat (and the cat urinated at one point in the house or apartment). If this happens, of course, it will be very difficult to get rid of the urine smell that has been attached for a long time.
- Look for a cleaning service that specializes in “pet urine odor removal”. Professional cleaning services usually have equipment and chemical products that work more effectively in removing pet urine stains and odors.
- Ask your friends or coworkers for recommendations for a trusted cleaning service. When you contact the service provider, do not hesitate to ask about the estimated cost to be paid.
Part 2 of 3: Reducing Odor Intensity
Step 1. Use an air freshener product
The best way to get rid of cat urine odors is to do a thorough cleaning. However, the cleaning sometimes needs to be done several times, and even involves the help of a professional cleaning service provider. While cleaning, there are several things you can do to reduce the smell of cat urine and make your home more comfortable.
- Use an air freshener product that contains baking soda. Its main ingredient, sodium bicarbonate, is very effective at absorbing odors.
- You can make your own air freshener to sprinkle on the carpet. Mix about 250 grams of dried herbs (e.g. lavender, rosemary, etc.), 1 teaspoon of clove powder, one tablespoon of cinnamon powder, and one teaspoon of baking soda.
- Sprinkle the mixture on the carpet and let it sit for 20 minutes. After that, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the adhering powder mixture. You can make this mixture at any time and store it in an airtight container.
Step 2. Open the windows of your house
Getting fresh air into your home is one of the most effective ways to get rid of bad odors, including cat urine. Open some windows in your home. Try to open several windows at each end of the house to create a cross-flow of air.
- Get in the habit of opening windows in your home for (at least) a few minutes each day, even when it's cold outside. The fresh air that enters can prevent unpleasant odors from settling in the room.
- You can also purchase an air purifying device. Devices like these are useful in keeping the air in the house smelling fresh. Take a look at the different types of devices to find out which type of device works best for you.
Step 3. Light a scent candle
While it doesn't necessarily get rid of the smell of cat urine, using scented candles can help you cover up the bad smell. For example, you may need a refresher after smelling a bad odor while cleaning. Or maybe an employee or an office worker suddenly comes to visit and you need to freshen the air quickly. In those situations, scented candles can help freshen the air and add fragrance to the room.
- When buying a candle, try to smell it first. If you can't smell a strong scent, chances are you won't smell a strong one when the candle is lit.
- Try choosing a candle with a refreshing scent. Many scented candle products have fresh scents such as fresh linen or ocean fresh. Such scents are most effective at masking unpleasant odors (in this case, the smell of cat urine).
Step 4. Clean the house regularly
The important thing to do to keep the air in the house fresh is to keep the house as clean as possible. If you don't know the area or spot where cat urine has been exposed, you will need to get used to keeping furniture surfaces or floors clean. In this way, unpleasant odors will not settle.
- Get into the habit of wiping your countertops and bathroom surfaces every day. After that, once a week (or once a month, depending on the need) wipe and clean the walls and wood floors.
- You can make your own cleaning solution by mixing white vinegar and water (in equal parts). Use a clean rag to apply the solution to a wooden floor or wall.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Cat Urine Smells
Step 1. Clean your cat's litter box
The most effective way to prevent the appearance of urine odor in the house is to first prevent the cat from urinating or sprinkling his urine. One of the most effective preventive measures is to make sure your cat is comfortable in the litter box. Cats are usually very sensitive to the need to urinate.
- If your cat is urinating carelessly, find out if the litter box is clean enough. You may need to change the litter used more often and remove the litter in the box more often.
- If your cat starts littering after you change the litter, there's a good chance that she doesn't like the new litter. Try a new product to see if he might like a different type of litter.
- Try providing an extra litter box. If there is enough space in your home, provide an 'alternative' litter box for your cat. This can reduce the urge to defecate elsewhere, other than in the litter box.
Step 2. Observe your cat's health condition
Often (and most) cats that defecate frequently or mark areas with urine are male cats that have not been neutralized. The release of urine (usually by spouting) is a cat's way of marking its territory. If your cat hasn't been neutralized, ask your vet about a neutralization procedure that can be followed. It is likely that your cat will stop marking places with its urine once it has been neutralized.
Cats also occasionally defecate or mark places with their urine due to health problems. If this behavior is unusual in your cat, consult your veterinarian to find out what is causing the behavior
Step 3. Create a stable home environment
Often cats exhibit the behavior of spitting urine or defecating in the open because they are feeling stressed or anxious. For example, if you recently brought home or introduced a new cat to your home, he may show his reaction to his new environment by spitting out his urine. If this is the case, try giving your cat more attention and affection.
If the cause of anxiety in cats can not be immediately identified, try to consider some things that might happen. Has your cat's daily routine changed? Or, is it possible that your cat is experiencing bullying from other cats in your neighborhood?
Tips
- Keeping the litter box clean can reduce your cat's chances of littering or marking places with his urine.
- Make sure you wear gloves when using chemical cleaning products.
- Neutralize your tomcat before he starts marking the area with his urine.
