Pets are more than just joy. Some incidents also happen, especially if the animal is not litter box trained. If it does “its business” in the wrong place, which then causes any things to acquire an unpleasant odor.
You need to understand the causes of the problem. This could be either an uncleaned cat litter box or a pet’s desire to dominate a certain place or territory. Despite the fact that washing things is quite simple, it is not possible to get rid of the smell from the first purchase.
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.
Causes of unpleasant odor
The unpleasant odor from a cat's mark appears for one main reason - the composition of the urine:
- Urochrome is what colors urine
- Urea is what makes urine sticky (after it dries)
- Uric acid is what causes cat urine to crystallize quickly. These “crystals” do not dissolve in water, making urine difficult to remove.
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.
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.
Prevention
To prevent the appearance of unwanted puddles in an apartment or house, we recommend taking into account the following nuances:
- Cats prefer to go to the toilet where no one can see them. Therefore, we place the tray where it is convenient for the animal, for example, in the bathroom/toilet. But at the same time, the door there should always be open.
- If the animal has not previously caused any inconvenience and suddenly begins to walk in the wrong place, we recommend taking it to the veterinarian to check for any diseases.
- To prevent your pet from “encroaching” on flower pots, we place citrus fruit peels in them; cats cannot stand their smell.
- Cats are clean animals, so we regularly change the litter in the cat litter.
- If a cat is marking its territory, you should think about castrating it.
To effectively get rid of traces of cat urine and its smell, you need to follow the basic rules for removing such contaminants, as well as adhere to our recommendations for the preparation and use of solutions.
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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 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.
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.
Care tips and advice
Stains from clothes can be easily removed with a vinegar solution; table vinegar will do. It must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. Soak the item in the solution, then wash it. A vinegar solution will come in handy if your textile shoes smell like a cat.
First wash in it, then in regular water using detergent. Leather shoes and boots should be wiped with a napkin soaked in lemon juice. But even after treatment, the smell may not disappear. The cat amber can be felt again when the feet become sweaty.
Sometimes the source of the odor is difficult to find. You can use an ultraviolet lamp to search for the mark.
In its light, a trace of urine acquires a yellowish tint and stands out on the fabric and pile. It is worth contacting a specialist if your cat makes puddles often. It will help you understand your pet's strange behavior.
Remedies for old stains
You can wash old stains and get rid of lingering odor only with the help of special products. If clothing or bedding is damaged, it is recommended to use dry cleaning services. Specialists will be able to more effectively remove stains from carpet, fur, suede and other fabrics, and even from a handbag or shoes.
In pet stores you can find odor control in the form of a spray, liquid or special jelly granules. With their help, you will be able to completely get rid of the “steam” of your pet’s urine, as well as wash the tray. The main thing is to carefully study the instructions before use.
