How to Remove Cat Urine Stains and Smells from Your Carpet

Cats that do not use their litter box pose a difficult problem for their owners. These people may be torn and unsure of what actions to take: after all, they love their pet, but they just can’t stand living in a house that reeks of cat urine. This stain is difficult to remove, but the following tips have proven helpful in most situations.

1. Find the stain. This can be relatively easy if the urine is wet, but if the stain is dry, you may have to get down on your knees and literally sniff out the source. A black light is an investment that can make this easier, because stains will glow underneath it.

2. Do not rub; blot. If you rub a urine stain, you will only spread the stain. Instead, use paper towels or a clean, absorbent cloth to sop up the wet stain.

3. Use weight. Place dry paper towels on top of the wet stain and stand on top of the stack for at least 30 seconds. Your added weight will apply more pressure and soak up more urine faster. If the stain is dry, just use some water to get it wet again, and follow the process above.

4. Rinse the stain. Use warm water to rinse the stain and blot with a clean cloth. Again, cover the stain with paper towels and stand on them for at least 30 seconds. This will ensure that you soak up and remove as much urine as possible before using an enzyme cleaning product.

5. Use an enzyme cleaner. Make sure to use a product that has “enzyme” or “enzymatic” on its label. Many cleaners have fragrances or cleaners that make the odors undetectable to humans, but your pets have a better sense of smell and will still be able to smell the urine. Enzymes actually consume the odor particles instead of just covering them. Some good product choices are Urine Off (which includes a black light) and Nature’s Miracle. Make sure to test a small, covered area of the carpet or upholstery to be cleaned before you apply large amounts of these cleaners.

6. Cover the stain. After applying the enzyme cleaner, cover the area with foil. These cleaners take some time to work, and they are most effective when the area is saturated and covered. Make sure to follow all instructions on the label.

7. Use Feliway. This product mimics feline facial pheromones, which are natural substances cats use to communicate. Feliway can be purchased as a diffuser or a spray, and it may help calm a stressed cat. This is effective because stress is what causes many cats to urinate outside their litter boxes.

8. Don’t use carpet shampoo. Using a traditional detergent like this may actually work against the enzymatic cleaner and make it ineffective. Wait until after the urine stain is gone to clean your carpets. No matter how tempting it is to rent a carpet shampooer, but steam-cleaning may actually exacerbate the odor problem. (Steam and heat, when coupled with an already bad smell, do not get along very well.)

9. Other tips. Avoid cleaners that are ammonia-based. Because ammonia smells like cat urine, cleaning stains with these products may actually attract your pet back to the same spot. A good alternative is a citrus-scented cleaner, because cats hate the way they smell.

Remember: a cat that stops using its litter box may have a more serious medical problem. You should contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

About the Author

Ian Spellfield, an occasionally frustrated pet owner, tests and reviews urine removal products at his blog Urine Off Reviews.

Stain Removal Tips : How to Remove Urine Stains From Clothing & Comforters

Hoover Platinum Collection Pet Plus Carpet-and-Upholstery Detergent, 50 Ounces, AH30035 $21.99 Concentrated enzyme formula penetrates deeper to eliminate stains and odor. An ideal cleaner for family and pet messes including bed wetting, pet accidents, blood, vomit and grass stains….

BISSELL 2X Pet Stain and Odor Advanced Formula, 32 Ounces, 74R7 $10.00 2X little green pet stain and odor is pet friendly. Patented odor elimination formula penetrates fibers to remove pet odors. Formula deep cleans to remove pet and household soils….

BISSELL Oxy Gen2, 0801A, 32 oz. $5.95 Bissell 32oz Oxy GEN2 Multi Purpose Oxygen Boost Solution. CONVENIENT – No mixing of powder and water. VERSATILE – Use in the Bissell SpotBot,as a pretreater for carpet and laundry, or a spot and stain remover. PERMANENT REMOVAL – When used as directed in the Bissell SpotBot, the system will permanently remove stains like red wine, cola, and fruit juice. POWERFUL – Deeply penetrates to thoroughly …

Natures Miracle Stain and Odor Remover 128oz $16.82 Natures Miracle Stain and Odor Remover 128oz With natures enzymes this product eliminates puppy and dog stains and odors including urine and feces accidents, food, drooling, bedding stains and odors, and other hard to get out dog messes. Safe and effective, will also work on old and deep set stains and odors. The pet stain and odor fighting brand you can trust—-because it works.Eliminates All St…

23-inch Water Stain Resistant Tempered Glass Bathroom Vanity with Wood Pedestal Combo Set $316.99 Freshen your bathroom with this contemporary pedestal vanity. Artistically designed with water stain resistant raised blue tempered safety glass, solid wood pedestal and stainless steel hardware. This modern vanity will breathe new life into bathroom.

Recycled Teak Wood Black Stain Natural Wax 3D Lotus Panel (Thailand) $438.99 This 3D lotus panel features stunning detail that will draw you in and envelope you in its beauty. In Thailand, the lotus symbolizes purity in the Buddhist sense, and as such is a cherished theme to introduce into your home with this panel.

Protec Scale and Stain Preventative and Remover Water Treatment $33.04 The Protec Scale and Stain Preventative and Remover prevents and removes calcium buildup and metal stains from your pool. This water treatment solution also helps maintain the beauty of statuary surfaces without scrubbing.

Recycled Teak Wood Black Stain Natural Wax Lotus Panel (Thailand) $387.99 The awe-inspiring artistry of this lotus panel takes home decorating to a whole new level. Make a statement with the superior craftsmanship of this handmade teak wood panel.