What you should pay attention to
A cloth folded in a secluded corner is an ideal place for your cat to urinate. The kittens think that this way no one will find their tricks, and therefore will not punish them. Therefore, more often, pet owners are faced with the need to wash their clothes.
Before you start getting rid of an unpleasant odor, you need to know the recommendations that will help preserve the item:
- You need to take action as soon as possible after you notice the stain. If it dries too much and is absorbed into the fibers of the fabric, it will be much more difficult to wash it.
- Do not under any circumstances soak the entire item in water! So, the smell will spread over the surface of the entire material and it will be difficult to remove it. For the same reason, there is no need to try to wipe the stain with wet wipes or otherwise increase its scale. First of all, you need to remove the contamination pointwise, specifically where the cat left its “traces.”
- Do not use products containing chlorine (bleaches, bleach). In colored fabrics, this substance will cause fading; on some fabrics, light spots may even be caused by pigments. For white materials, chlorine will also be useless, because after it the item will smell stronger of urine. Ammonia acts on cat fluid in a similar way to chlorine.
A general algorithm of actions for eliminating the smell of cat urine and saving your favorite thing:
- You need to start cleaning as soon as possible. Dry the wet area of clothing with napkins or sprinkle cat litter on top - it will absorb not only the liquid, but also part of the smell. You need to use detergents when the stain is completely dry. If you start earlier, the smell will spread over the rest of the surface of the material.
- Apply the selected product according to the instructions (methods for diluting household products are further in the article, and store-bought products have recommendations on the packaging).
- Once the urine stain has been treated, you can wash the entire item. Use products without chlorine and ammonia for this purpose. It is advisable to wash several times.
Professional remedies for cat urine odor
If you are unable to remove the smell and stain using home remedies, you will have to turn to a professional. The pet industry offers a large selection of domestic and imported odor neutralizers, some of which not only drown out the unpleasant “aroma”, but also destroy it completely.
Read more about the most popular ones below.
SmellOff
The most popular and effective remedy is SmellOff for cat odors.
SmellOff can boast of a large number of advantages:
- Safety;
This neutralizer does not contain aggressive substances or strong chemical odors.
- Environmental friendliness;
The composition contains only natural ingredients, and the pleasant aroma after processing is associated with the composition of plant extracts in the composition.
- Harmlessness;
Does not cause an allergic reaction or chemical poisoning in either humans or animals.
- Efficiency;
The odor-removing effect is achieved by destroying particles with an unpleasant odor at the molecular level, and not by masking the odor with a stronger one.
- Cost-effective;
To remove ingrained odors, only 50-100 ml per m² is required, and for prevention, 5-10 ml.
- Cleaning properties;
In addition to the main effect of odor removal, SmellOff removes even the most stubborn stains.
- Versatility;
The neutralizer is suitable for any surface, including the treatment of fabrics and shoes.
- Easy to use.
To treat the surface, clean it of visible dirt and leave it until completely dry, after which the product does not need to be washed off.
Dezosan
They promise that the product kills any odors, including cat excrement. Unpleasant odors are destroyed at the molecular level, and are not drowned out by deodorizing additives included in the product.
By the way, there are not many additives in the composition - these are nonionic surfactants and food fragrance.
Advantages of Dezosan:
- It does not mask, but destroys odor.
- Recommended for use in washing vacuum cleaners.
Dezosan is not yet sold on the Ukrainian market, but on the Russian market the drug is in demand. 500 ml of product costs from 270 to 450 rubles, and 1 liter - from 790 to 950 rubles.
OdorGone
This remedy for the smell of cat urine is patented in the USA and bottled in Russia.
Advantages of OdorGone:
- Naturalness. The composition of OdorGone is quite simple - it is water and a mixture of plant extracts;
- Economical. Up to 10 sprays are enough to treat a small room (15 m²);
- Safety. Approved for use in rooms with pets, asthmatics and small children;
- Hypoallergenic. Does not cause an allergic reaction;
- Efficiency. OdorGone is able to remove even stubborn odors;
- The drug has bactericidal properties;
- Biodegradable.
In Russia, a 100 ml bottle of OdorGone costs 297 rubles, 500 ml – 815 rubles. In Ukraine, similar packaging is sold for 100 hryvnia and 357 hryvnia, respectively.
Zoosan
A detergent with a disinfectant effect is produced in two lines - for large fur farms and for premises with 1-3 pets. Manufacturers emphasize that Zoosan does not contain chlorine, fluorine and phosphates (which makes it safe for pets and children), but contains only fragrances, antiseptics, food coloring and non-ionic surfactants.
Among the stated advantages, we highlight:
- This product destroys “amber” at the molecular level;
- Capable of removing stains from almost any surface;
- Guaranteed to remove territorial tags.
Zoosan is not sold in Ukraine, but in Russia a 500 ml detergent costs from 400 to 600 rubles.
Urine-off Cat & Kitten
The bioenzyme product from American developers works great on hard and soft, horizontal and vertical surfaces.
Manufacturers carefully hide the composition of their product, but they promise that its ingredients destroy uric acid crystals and work as pheromone blockers - cats will never mark the treated area again.
Advantages of Urine-off Cat & Kitten:
- Contains only natural plant materials.
- Does not contain poisonous or toxic components.
- Harmless. Can be used in homes with small children.
- Enzymes and biological agents included in the composition decompose urine into water and carbon dioxide.
- Allowed for use in homes with allergies
A Ukrainian consumer buys 200 ml for 58 hryvnia, and a Russian consumer buys 200 ml for 315 rubles.
Odor kill
Vanilla odor killer. This can be called a destroyer of unpleasant odors, produced in the UK. Odor kill accurately targets not only the smell of urine and feces of pets, but also the smell of fur (and also cigarette smoke, burning, kitchen and similar problematic odors).
The drug itself smells like vanilla and is completely safe for both animals and people.
Odor kill is diluted in water and this solution is used to treat all surfaces, both hard (floor, walls, tiles) and soft (carpets, bedspreads, tablecloths). A room of 400 m² requires 4 liters of Odor kill.
Advantages of Odor kill:
- Efficiency.
- Suitable for hard and pile surfaces.
A large bottle of the product (3.78 l) in Ukraine costs 960 hryvnia, and in Russia – about 4 thousand rubles.
What not to use
It is not recommended to use chlorine-containing products to clean cat tags (chlorine does not evaporate well in an apartment). This can damage the surface being treated and have a negative impact on your well-being and the health of the animal.
We recommend that everyone read how to train a kitten to use the litter box, and also learn how to stop a cat from crapping.
Wash clothes - remove the smell
You can remove the smell of cat urine from clothes using available household products. Please note that these methods will only help if the contamination is fresh; removing old stains is best done with specialized store-bought products.
It doesn’t matter if the cleaning is carried out with household or store-bought products, it is recommended to test it on an inconspicuous area of clothing before using the substance. Some fabrics may react differently to the selected detergent. This happens rarely, but a preliminary check will not hurt.
Lemon
This method is suitable to kill the fresh smell if there is little urine. Squeezed lemon juice should be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio, moisten a sponge in the solution and apply generously to the stain. The advantage of this method is that the cat will not want to spoil this thing anymore - whiskered cats do not like the smell of citrus fruits.
Alcohol
Used for secondary processing of items in order to create an unpleasant odor for the cat. Should be used only after the main contamination has been removed. It is not necessary to dilute, but you can do it so that the aroma is not so concentrated and disappears faster.
Baking soda
Baking soda is used along with peroxide on thick fabrics, including bags, carpets and upholstery. Can only be used on dyed fabrics, otherwise fading may occur.
2 recipes for using this household substance:
- Sprinkle baking soda in a thick layer over the stain and pour peroxide on top. Leave for 12 hours, and then rinse the residue with water.
- Mix 15 g of peroxide with 2 tablespoons of soda and liquid soap. Treat the stain, leave for 15 minutes, and then rinse with water.
In its pure form, baking soda is poured onto the stain to absorb the liquid and partially remove the odor.
Laundry soap
Suitable in most cases for clothing, shoes and various surfaces. The soap must be grated and mixed with warm water to form a soap solution. Apply to the stain for 20-30 minutes, then wash off with water. Several applications may be required.
Hydrogen peroxide
Peroxide is one of the most effective ways to eliminate cat odors, but it is also harmful to non-dyed materials. This substance works similarly to bleach, so be sure to test it on seam allowances or other inconspicuous places before using.
Why is it so difficult to remove cat smell?
The smell of a cat always refers to the smell of urine. Unneutered pets mark their territory, leaving marks on walls, furniture, curtains, and low-hanging clothes. Animals that have undergone sterilization do not mark, but leave puddles. In both cases, the apartment smells of cats and their urine. The cat scent is very persistent due to its composition, it is especially unpleasant if the pet is sick. Deviations in health can be determined by the color of liquid stool.
Urochrome
There is more of this pigment in urine than others. It is he who colors it yellow. When interacting with air, the substance oxidizes and darkens.
Urobilin
Persistent, yellow pigment. A high concentration of this substance is a symptom of intestinal disease.
Uric acid
When dried, it forms crystals. They do not dissolve in water. Upon contact with it, they begin to smell with renewed vigor. Alkaline solutions and acids dissolve crystals.
Creatinine
This is a product of nitrogen metabolism. In a healthy animal it is normal and is excreted in the urine. A high concentration of creatinine is a sign of disease, a low concentration is a sign of poor, unbalanced nutrition.
Urine with high levels of creatinine smells especially bad.
Sodium
Healthy cats do not have nitrites in their urine. Their appearance indicates an infection that has settled in the urinary tract. Bacteria synthesize them from nitrates found in urine.
Other electrolytic compounds
The kidneys remove urea, a product of protein metabolism, from the body. She smells specific. The norm for a cat is 4-10.5 mmol/l. A low concentration indicates protein starvation, acromegaly, pregnancy; an increased concentration is a sign of kidney disease or urinary tract disease. Urea makes urine sticky and can be easily removed with a cloth and water.
Wash urine off the sofa
If a cat has urinated on a bed, sofa or other furniture, it is more difficult to remove such a stain than from clothing, but it is still possible. The main thing is to do this as soon as possible before the stain penetrates deep into the mattress.
A blanket on the furniture or other elements of the bed is more of a plus than a minus, because then the bulk of the liquid will be on them. You need to wash bedding in the same way as clothes - first get rid of the stain, and then wash it completely.
If there is nothing on the sofa, first of all you need to dry the wet area with napkins. Under no circumstances press hard on the stain - then the moisture will not be absorbed into the napkin, but will get into the inner layers, from where it will no longer be possible to remove it. For the same reason, you should not blow on dirt with a hairdryer.
When the last napkin is dry, you need to use adsorbents to absorb moisture under the upholstery. It can be salt or soda, in extreme cases starch or flour - whatever you can find at home. After this, you can start washing.
Glycerol
You can dilute a few drops with water or use a bar of soap - it also contains glycerin. Grate the soap and add water to create a foamy soap solution. Apply it to the stain and leave for 15-20 minutes.
Alcohol
After treatment with glycerin, alcohol will help remove any remaining odor. It does not remove dirt, but the pungent smell will let your pet know that this place is not for him.
Vinegar
Vinegar will also work instead of alcohol. Do not use it in its pure form! A 1:2 ratio with water will be enough to eliminate the odor.
Neutralization and removal
The goal is to gradually neutralize the main ingredients in the urine so that no odor or stain remains. This method is especially good in the case of cat urine, which is saturated with various thiols, substances that give such a sharp and unpleasant odor.
First, blot the area with napkins to absorb the bulk of the urine, if it concerns an incident in the recent past. The wipes are pressed into the stain without rubbing. If it is a carpet, then you can use rag napkins and simply step on them. Do not use wipes soaked in water to prevent urine diluted with water from spreading further and deeper.
As an option, you can use an absorbent made from cat litter of the finest fraction. Sprinkle it on the stain, press down lightly and let sit for half an hour. It is then vacuumed up completely before removing the urine from the mattress or carpet.
It is more difficult to remove stains that are already dried and ingrained:
When working with vinegar and before washing off the urine, be sure to open all windows wide open or at least provide a large flow of fresh air and even a draft.
This is an excellent option on how to remove the smell of baby urine, and even the pungent and nasty smell of cat urine. However, it copes somewhat worse with old, stubborn stains, which should still be lightly moistened with water first.
Borax is an excellent and versatile disinfectant widely used in the detergent industry. Sodium tetraborate is sold in powder form and is excellent for solving the problem than removing urine. It is especially good for removing urine stains from mattresses, because it allows you to do without using various solutions that can affect the fabric, its color and padding.
First of all, use napkins to get rid of the bulk of the dirt, without rubbing, so that the urine does not penetrate deeper and to the sides. After this, go over the stain with a damp sponge, but do not wet the surface too much.
Next comes borax. Sprinkle it on top and rub it into the fabric so that it ends up inside it. Be sure to carry out this operation wearing rubber gloves; although borax is recognized as a non-toxic and relatively safe product, it still has an effect on the skin, so it is better to avoid direct, prolonged contact.
After the treated area is completely dry, all that remains is to clean it well with a vacuum cleaner. It is best to use a narrow crevice nozzle for furniture. To make everything dry faster, you can put the mattress or carpet in a sunny place in the yard or on the balcony or put a fan.
The methods listed are ideal for cleaning any places where urine has ended up for some reason. This could be a mattress or carpet, furniture upholstered with fabric or chipboard, which easily absorbs any liquids, etc. Simple ways to wash urine will help in any situation where regular washing is not available.
Removing urine from shoes
How to remove cat urine from shoes is a common question among cat owners. Washing shoes damaged by a cat is quite difficult. Products made from natural materials (leather, suede, etc.) strongly absorb liquid, and if the stain was not noticed immediately, it becomes almost impossible to remove the smell. Artificial materials can react unpredictably to detergents, and if shoes are made poorly, they can become deformed after washing. Therefore, you should be especially careful when processing these things.
Shoes can be divided into 2 types according to the characteristics of care: textile sneakers, sneakers and leather boots, shoes. Fabric materials are easier to clean, and the principle of washing is similar, for example, to clothes - first remove the stain, then wash the whole thing. With leather shoes and faux leather, the situation is more complicated, because after using detergents, they still need to be ventilated. Cleaning may be necessary several times.
Some of the effective remedies against cat odor are citric acid and manganese solution. Be sure to check the reaction of the material in an inconspicuous place!
Lemon acid
Dilute the solution to a moderately sour taste and apply to the stain. Lemon juice in a 1:2 ratio with water is also suitable for these purposes. Only suitable for light-colored shoes, dark colors may become faded.
Potassium permangantsovka
Perfect for treating leather shoes and floors (linoleum, laminate) where the “crime” was committed. For leather and leatherette use a bright crimson solution, for textiles - a paler solution. Before use, be sure to ensure that manganese will not stain the material.
After removing the odor, the shoes must be washed in a washing machine or by hand. Cleaning bags is similar to cleaning shoes, and you can also use the same recipes for clothes.
Why do cats do this?
Cats are clean animals; they take good care of themselves, often wash and lick themselves. Why then do they sometimes pee wherever they want? There are several reasons for this, and all of them can be explained.
- The animal marks its territory. If there is more than one animal living in the house, especially if there are two males, they will mark the territory in which they live. In this way they show their superiority over another male.
- Dirty tray. If the tray is dirty, the animal will not go into it, as the smell bothers him.
- Resentment. If the owner offends the animal, it can take revenge. As a rule, cats in such a situation shit on the bed or in the owner’s shoes.
As you can see, the reasons for the actions of pets are very adequate; you just need to look for a way out of the current situation. It is better to prevent a problem than to deal with it later.
Removing stains from carpet
If a cat has marked the carpet together, it should be treated in the same way - first, use one of the household or store-bought products to remove the stain and smell, and then hang it to dry in an open space. If possible, it is advisable to clean the rug completely with water and detergent, or take it to the dry cleaner.
Vodka is also suitable for removing urine. You need to blot the problem area and then rub it a little. The smell of alcohol will disappear along with the unpleasant smell with urine.
What not to use
Do not use products not intended for this purpose to remove odor. So you will harm yourself and your things. Do not use bleach or chlorine-containing products on dark clothes, furniture, or upholstery, as this can damage the item, for example, ruin the color.
You should also not use perfume to eliminate odor. This will help for a short period of time, but then the smell will become even more unbearable, as the substances will mix with each other.
Do not use solvents; they may damage varnished surfaces, leather and fabric.
Watch your pets and try to make sure that they go to the toilet in the right place, then there will be no need to solve problems.
Causes of unpleasant odor
The unpleasant odor from a cat's mark appears for one main reason - the composition of the urine:
When you carefully try to wash away stains and eliminate the smell of urine, you only get rid of the first components of the “mark.”
That is why, after some time, the smell appears again.
The intensity of the odor depends not only on the presence of uric acid in the urine, but also on the surface on which the “tag” is located. It is very difficult to remove the smell of urine from surfaces that absorb moisture well.
