How to Clean Cat Urine Odors

Cat urine has earned a reputation for being one of the most formidable of all pet odors. It not only smells horrible, but has a very persistent odor that must be removed entirely. Leaving any trace of it is an invitation for your kitty to re-mark the same area over and over again. Most commercially available pet-odor removers are expensive and also unnecessary unless you’re dealing with an aged urine stain or a fragile fabric.

You will need:

Rubber Gloves
Towels
Scrub Brush
A Bowl
Warm Water
Dish Detergent
White Vinegar
Baking Soda

Removing Cat Urine from Carpet

Caution: Test this method on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t cause damage or discoloration.

1. Remove as much of the urine as possible by blotting the stain with a dry towel, re-wetting it with warm water, and repeating. A shampooer, wetvac, or steamer can make this step much easier.
2. Once you’ve removed as much urine as you are willing (or able) to, re-saturate the area with a 50/50 water/white vinegar solution and allow it to air dry (use a fan if you’re in a rush).
3. Completely cover the area with baking soda – use lots!
4. Fill a container with enough water to saturate the stained area and add a drop of regular dish detergent. Pour the solution on top of the baking soda.
5. Using either your hands, towels, or a scub brush, work the baking soda, water and detergent paste into the carpet - work it in good and deep, then allow it to air dry.
6. Once the area has dried completely and the baking soda has returned to powder form, vacuum it up. If the vacuum isn’t cutting it, it can be blotted up using water and towels.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 as needed to remove any remaining odor.

Removing Cat Urine from Upholstery

Caution: Test this method on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t cause damage or discoloration.

1. Remove as much of the urine as possible by flushing the article/area with clean water and then removing as much of it as possible with either towels of a wet-vac
2. Once you’ve removed as much urine as you are willing (or able) to, re-saturate the area with a 50/50 water/white vinegar solution and allow it to air dry (use a fan if you’re in a rush).
3. Cover the area liberally with baking soda – use lots!
4. Fill a container with enough water to saturate the stained area and add a drop of regular dish detergent. Pour the solution on top of the baking soda.
5. Using either your hands, towels, or a scub brush, work the baking soda/water/detergent paste into the fabric – work it in good and deep, then allow it to air dry.
6. Once the area has dried completely and the baking soda has returned to powder form, vacuum it up. If the vacuum isn’t cutting it, it can be blotted up using water and towels.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 as needed to remove any remaining odor.

Commercial Cat Urine Removers

If the steps outlined above just weren’t enough to kill the odor, the next logical step is either to try an odor-removal product, or call in a professional cleaner to contend with the problem. There are TONS of pet odor cleaners currently on the market, and they tend to be expensive so it’s a good idea to do some pre-purchase research. Also make sure you check the bottom of this page for tips submitted by other users.

How to Select a Cat Urine Remover

Epinions is a good place to start your search for a product that fits your needs. Different cleaners tend to work better in different situations so search for success stories with circumstances that match your own (Old stains, kittens, fabric types, etc). Once you’ve found a few that look good, perform some searches using the product name.