Ways to effectively eliminate the smell of cat urine in shoes

Despite the fact that cats are the most popular and cleanest pets and quite quickly get used to a certain location of their toilet, situations periodically arise when traces of their vital activity can be found in the most unexpected places. This often applies to different types of shoes. Such a nuisance can be caused by both psychological stress and problems with the cat’s well-being. The consequences of such an incident require immediate elimination in order to avoid a reoccurrence, as well as to preserve the appearance of the product as much as possible. There are several ways to rid shoes of an unpleasant odor and give them their original appearance.

Preparing shoes for processing

To achieve the best results in eliminating unpleasant odors, before treating shoes, it is recommended to use paper napkins or toilet paper to get rid of as much urine as possible on the surface. If the mark is inside the product, use soda or salt. It is important to remember that using a hair dryer to remove excess moisture can lead to deformation of the shoes.

Before you start processing the product, it is worth testing the effect of the product on a small area. It is not advisable to continue using the chosen method if stains appear or the color of the shoes changes. It is also recommended to avoid direct contact of the cleaning product with mucous membranes or skin.

What not to do

Whatever material your shoes are made of, they should never be treated with perfume or cologne. Yes, at first the smell will seem to disappear, but after a few hours it will return in a more unpleasant and intensified form.

Under no circumstances should you treat your shoes with perfumes or colognes - the smell will become even more unpleasant.

The ban also applies to scented wipes for primary treatment. These should be the most ordinary dry paper handkerchiefs that absorb moisture well.

Please note: products to eliminate unpleasant odors should not contain ammonia - it will only worsen an already sad situation.

Ways to remove cat urine odor

Steps to effectively remove cat urine odor from shoes must be done judiciously and promptly. In this situation, water alone will not be enough to solve the problem; the use of auxiliary substances will be required. For example, a vinegar solution can save light leather products, and iodine will effectively eliminate the problem of shoes made of black or dark leather. A material such as suede tends to quickly deform, so when processing it you should be extremely careful and use weak solutions of potassium permanganate or mild glycerin-based soap.

The most convenient way to eliminate unpleasant odors is textile shoes. A delicate wash or laundry soap will help out here. If the pet has chosen a fur product for its offense, it is worth resorting to special cleaning products; a solution of vinegar, citric acid or potassium permanganate may also be suitable here.

There are certain difficulties associated with neutralizing the smell of cat urine, which are directly related to the composition of the biological fluid. For example, uric acid, which is part of it, forms a characteristic unpleasant odor, urochromes give the corresponding color, and urea causes a viscous-sticky structure after drying on the surface.

The crystals that form the structure of uric acid have properties that allow them not to interact with alcohol and not dissolve in water, so they can only be neutralized with the help of sulfuric acid or alkaline compounds. It is quite difficult and almost impossible to remove stubborn old marks; in such cases, the shoes continue to smell of urine even after several treatments.

Using special cleaning products

Professional cleaning products to eliminate cat urine odor can be purchased at pet supply stores. As a rule, they are distributed in the form of sprays and can vary in composition and cost. Products based on natural substances are often harmless, however, they may not provide the desired result, while effective chemical compounds included in sprays may be unsafe and require concentration during operation.

It is almost impossible to remove ingrained traces of cat urine using available household products, so for these cases they resort to special odor eliminators. When using them, it is extremely important to adhere to the appropriate instructions for use, then you can achieve the desired result: the unwanted odor will be eliminated, and the uric acid crystals will dissolve due to special elements.

Use of neutralizing household products

There are several ways to remove the smell of cat urine from the surface of shoes:

• Citric acid solution or lemon juice;
• Alcohol or vodka;
• Hydrogen peroxide;
• Alkaline soap;
• Baking soda;
• Iodine solution;
• Potassium permanganate;
• Vinegar;
• Camphor or boric alcohol.

As a rule, most of the above remedies can be found in everyday life, however, the characteristics of each substance should be taken into account in order to avoid creating another unpleasant situation. For example, lemon juice can ruin suede shoes, and treatment with an iodine solution will lead to stains on light-colored items.

Washing shoes

This method is suitable for processing textile products. At the first stage of eliminating an unpleasant odor, the problem areas of the surface are thoroughly rubbed with laundry soap, after which the shoes are left for some time until the product is completely absorbed. Then the product is washed in the machine on a delicate cycle, which will preserve its appearance as much as possible, preventing high water temperatures and high rotation speeds of the drum. You should dry your sneakers or slippers in the fresh air, and to achieve a better effect, it is recommended to repeat the operation.

It is worth noting that using alcohol to treat washed shoes will prevent your pet from using them as a toilet, while the strong smell of ethanol will quickly dissipate, so you should not be afraid of it.

Laundry soap

Excellent for removing both fresh stains and old odors. You can also use laundry soap if, after using other products, a residual “aroma” still remains.

First way

1. The soap is moistened with water and the inside of the shoes is generously rubbed.
2. Everything is further rubbed to ensure absorption.
3. If the instructions allow, the shoes are washed in a washing machine or cleaned manually with a brush and water.
4. Dry on the balcony or outside.

Second way

This involves grinding the soap on a grater. In this case:

1. Slightly warmed glycerin is added dropwise to the soap dust.
2. Wet rag shoes (sneakers, sneakers, slippers) and wash them.

Third way

Designed for shoes that cannot be washed (for example, leather or leatherette). For this:

1. Laundry soap is finely ground and diluted in water.
2. Wet a sponge and wipe away old stains.
3. Repeat again, then blot with a dry cloth.
4. Shoes are dried in air, avoiding open sunlight.

Use of folk remedies

It is impossible to use the same product for shoes made of different materials, so it is worth considering many features and factors.

Laundry soap

The method is applicable to textile or leather products and is the most effective and widely available for eliminating the smell of cat urine. When processing in this way, the problem area of ​​the shoe should be slightly moistened with water, then rubbed with hard soap. Rags and house slippers can be soaked in a soapy solution with a small amount of warm water.

Iodine

Iodine is the best way to remove the smell of cat urine from dark shoes, including leather ones. For processing, dissolve a few drops of it in water and apply it to the product. In the case of light-colored shoes, it is not recommended to resort to this method, as this may aggravate the situation.

Baking soda

It is important not to use this method for colored and smooth shoes, since the scratches formed after treatment with baking soda will contribute to the rapid contamination of the product. Basically, the method is favorable in case of a fresh stain. Pour soda onto a damp place, leave it for a while, then wash the product with soap and water. It is recommended to dry your shoes in the fresh air.

Lemon

This method is perfect for most shoes not made of suede. However, in this case, processing should be carried out without delay. In order to eliminate the smell of cat urine using lemon, you should use the following recommendations:

• Prepare a solution of citric acid (4 g of powder in 100 ml of water) or squeeze lemon juice.
• Treat the stain by generously moistening a cloth with the solution.
• Leave for a few minutes.
• Wipe the problem area with a damp sponge.
• Repeat the procedure if necessary.

Both citric acid solution and fresh lemon juice are aimed at an identical result, it is only important that specific proportions are observed. It is also permissible to combine lemon with other cleaning products.

Vinegar

Acetic acid completely eliminates the problem of unpleasant odor due to the fact that it destroys the components of biological fluid with its chemical structure. Soda is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2, then applied with a sponge to the problem area.

Camphor or boric alcohol

The method is applicable for most types of shoes in case of stubborn stains, when the smell of urine remains persistent after drying, and any contact with moisture creates the feeling of a fresh cat mark. Boric alcohol is wiped over the surface, or poured into the product and left without rinsing. The principle of camphor alcohol is quite similar, it is also used for old tags and removes odor from various materials. Before processing, camphor alcohol is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2. In this case, it is recommended to work with gloves.

Potassium permangantsovka

To combat odor on suede shoes, the optimal remedy is potassium permanganate. The lighter the shade of the product, the weaker the solution is prepared. A small amount of prepared potassium permanganate solution is applied to the surface, after which the shoes are wiped dry. After processing, you can lift the pile with a special rubber brush.

Hydrogen peroxide

Treatment with hydrogen peroxide is usually used when the problem has arisen inside the shoe product, since the product leaves characteristic white spots on the material. To eliminate the smell of cat urine, soak the insole with a small amount of peroxide, then remove the resulting foam and leave the shoes in the open air until completely dry. Combination with other means is acceptable, only at intervals of use.

Alcohol-containing

The method is available for most shoe products. To process, moisten a napkin in vodka or alcohol and leave it in the shoes for 2-3 hours. The smell of cat urine will be eliminated, while the ethanol will quickly disappear from the surface of the product.

How to prevent the situation from happening again

First of all, it is important to periodically change the filler in your cat’s litter box. Sometimes pets choose a place to satisfy their natural needs because they don't like it. It is important to choose the type of litter that is best for your cat.

Cats are wayward animals. If the owner has offended the pet, he can take revenge on him by marking his shoes. You can't scold or hit a cat!

Sometimes this problem occurs due to the warming up of the cat’s feelings in the spring. Then you need to take care of his castration or selection of a mate. Marked items must be washed or put away in a timely manner so that they do not attract the cat like a magnet.

Chemical substances

Professional means for eliminating the smell of urine are resorted to quite often, even if there are known methods at hand. The cost of such drugs, as a rule, is much higher, however, they are more effective and reliable.

The most common mistakes

There are several considerations when choosing a cleaning product to eliminate the smell of cat urine in shoes. Product processing should be approached responsibly, so it is important to avoid common mistakes.

1. Air fresheners and other fragrance products do not eliminate, but only temporarily hide unpleasant odors. In addition, the problem will reappear in the presence of a small amount of moisture.
2. Do not use products containing bleach, including bleach. After treatment with bleach, a shoe product will become spoiled, and a pungent odor can attract a pet and cause another stain.
3. No effect will follow after using essential oils; moreover, the unwanted odor on shoes can only intensify.
4. Ammonia will not prevent the cat from marking the product again and will not cover the smell of urine due to the ammonia it contains.

First of all, shoes must be treated using reliable methods, and only after removing the ingrained components of cat urine is the use of scented preparations allowed.

Identifying and eliminating the causes of cat behavior

Behavior that is unusual for a pet, in which it poops in various places, is often associated with a specific reason.

Disease

If your pet poops in the wrong place for no apparent reason, the cause may be illness. As a rule, this problem affects older cats. However, in young cats, such a signal may indicate a serious illness. In this case, it would not hurt to contact a veterinarian.

Dissatisfaction with the tray

Failure to keep the tray hygienic is one of the main reasons why a pet goes in the wrong place. To prevent this from happening, you should change the tray filler on time.

Otherwise, the cat will react to strong odors and refuse to relieve itself in the right place.

Territory marker

If the cat went to the wrong place, it may have marked its territory in the apartment or house. To prevent this behavior of the animal, it will need to be castrated.

Response to changing conditions

A new place of residence, new furniture or wardrobe items may be regarded by a pet as a direct threat. And then the animal will begin to mark the situation. Also, changes in the environment often cause stress in cats, which causes them to go to the wrong place to relieve themselves.