Cats mark their territory, leaving behind an extremely unpleasant odor. The pet owner is faced with the question of how to get rid of the smell of cat urine on the sofa and other surfaces in the apartment. What makes cleaning very difficult is that the smell is absorbed into the fabric very quickly.
An old smell motivates a cat to commit repeated offenses. There are proven ways to solve the problem - from folk techniques to ready-made store-bought remedies. How to get rid of the smell of cat urine on the sofa will be discussed in this article.
Question to the expert
Why is the smell of cat urine so persistent?
Cat urine contains large amounts of ammonia, which gives it such a strong smell. In addition, special pheromones secreted by the animal’s gonads are very odorous. Urea and other substances also enhance the smell.
Professional solutions
Cat urine contains the following substances:
- urochrome, which is responsible for its color;
- urea, which gives a pungent odor;
- uric acid, due to which urine quickly crystallizes, turning it into a sticky coating, which is extremely difficult to remove.
The area of the sofa must be treated as quickly as possible, before the urine is absorbed into the structure of the fabric and thickens. There are many different industrial products that can effectively remove the smell of cat urine from your sofa. They are applied to damaged areas, and after a certain time they are wiped with a damp cloth or sponge. The components of these products dissolve liquid and remove odor.
Dry cleaning
The most reliable and effective way is to dry clean your sofa from cat urine. Specialists carry out home visits, not taking upholstered furniture, but carrying out all manipulations in the apartment. For a cat owner, this option is the simplest and most effective, since professional chemicals are used for cleaning, which are impossible to find in stores. At the same time, this is the most expensive method.
A significant disadvantage of dry cleaning is that the company’s employees will not arrive immediately, sometimes within one or two days.
Cold fog treatment
You can wash off cat urine with a dry mist. This is a simple method to get rid of stains, odors, and also freshen the air in the apartment. This processing has a number of advantages:
- effectively eliminates the unpleasant odor of cat urine;
- a special preparation is used in the form of steam, the particles of which neutralize the molecules of substances that emit odor;
- This method does its job very quickly.
Under the influence of dry fog, urinocrystals completely disintegrate into the simplest harmless substances, as a result of which stains, odors, and marks on furniture disappear.
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Hot steam
You can remove stains from a sofa or any other upholstered furniture using a steam generator. In this case, the use of chemical cleaning agents is not required. The disadvantage of this method is that this method can only be used for fresh dirt that has just appeared, that is, until all the moisture has dried. Old stains are difficult to remove with steam.
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.
How to Remove Fresh Cat Urine Smell
Taking timely measures will help get rid of the problem without much difficulty. To do this, it is better to choose a product that can decompose the chemical components of cat urine, cope with the smell, and not damage the upholstery itself. Many products have such properties, for example, carpet cleaning products. It is better to choose those that do not contain chlorine, which can lighten the color of the sofa fabric.
If you have to deal with an old stain that has already become ingrained, you will have to use several techniques - one against the smell, the other against the stain. The most common home remedies are:
- vinegar;
- ammonia;
- glycerol;
- alcohol;
- laundry soap.
Each of these methods has its own effectiveness. However, they are all available, cheap and can be found in any apartment.
Citric acid and iodine
Citric acid dissolves crystals of urea, uric acid and other substances. This product can be used to combat both fresh stains and old ones. The smell of citrus fruit also has a repellent effect for the animal. After this procedure, the cat will stop shitting in a specific place. Citric acid or juice works well for light-colored fabrics. Before cleaning, it is worth testing its effect in an inconspicuous area. The procedure for removing stains is as follows:
- cut a slice of this fruit;
- put it in a container with water for 30 minutes;
- soak gauze with water;
- apply it to the site of contamination;
- leave overnight.
The main disadvantage of the method is its duration. It is not suitable for particularly contaminated cases. There is another option:
- cut a whole lemon into two equal parts;
- squeeze the juice directly onto the stain itself;
- Use a sponge or napkin to thoroughly wipe off the stain;
If you have to deal with a fresh stain, remove all moisture. If it’s old, leave it for a while – 30-60 minutes. Lemon or citric acid is one of the easiest ways to remove stains and odors.
Vinegar and manganese
Vinegar is an effective remedy for a variety of stains, including pet urine. The acetic acid solution must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 3. Then, using a spray bottle, apply it to the stain and leave for a while to allow a reaction to dissolve the thickened or dried stain. The duration depends on the complexity of the stain; in some cases, repeated treatment may be required.
In the process, crystal decomposition products are formed, which must be wiped off immediately with a damp cloth. It is better to sprinkle this area of the sofa with baking soda and leave it like that until it dries completely. Remaining powder can be collected with a vacuum cleaner or brush.
There is also a recipe with potassium permanganate. In this case, it is necessary to dissolve its powder in water until the liquid acquires a uniform pink color. This method is usually used to clean upholstered furniture, clothing or shoes. There is no need to worry about painting objects this way. It is important that there are no undissolved manganese permanganate crystals in the water. It can be used to remove stains from dark upholstery. There may be a pink coating or stains that cannot be removed on the white one.
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Laundry soap and rubbing alcohol
This technique has become popular because of its high efficiency in removing a wide variety of stains and contaminants, even the most stubborn or complex ones.
It was actively used by housewives at a time when such a huge number of chemical cleaning products were not available.
The soap contains glycerin, which can break down urea and acids, thereby removing stains and odors. The order of execution is as follows:
- the damaged area is moistened with water;
- the soap itself is rubbed on a fine grater;
- brought to abundant foaming;
- foam is applied to the stain;
- rub in with gentle movements, movements should be from the edges to the center;
- leave in this state for 20-30 minutes;
- Wipe with a damp sponge or napkin.
If necessary, the procedure can be repeated several times until the stain completely disappears. This method is well suited for cleaning upholstered furniture and carpets with different piles. The algorithm in this version is the same.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
Based on soda and peroxide, you can independently make a cleaning product that is no worse in quality than its industrial counterparts, but has a much lower cost. To prepare it you will need:
- two tablespoons of baking soda;
- 15 ml hydrogen peroxide;
- liquid dishwashing detergent.
All components are mixed in a container and then applied to the marks. You must wait until it dries completely and then rinse with warm, clean water.
Causes of a pungent odor
Cat urine consists of urochrome, urea and uric acid. When you try to eliminate traces of a cat’s misbehavior, only visible stains are removed, but the smell remains.
Uric acid has the property of penetrating into surfaces that absorb moisture and is not soluble in water. As humidity increases, the smell will spread with renewed vigor. Because of this, even after thorough cleaning, it is impossible to remove the smell and the unpleasant aroma returns again.
Old smell of cat urine
The process of removing old cat urine stains deserves special attention. It is much more difficult to deal with them, but it is still possible. Fresh stains are the main cause of a pungent odor; old stains have a weaker odor, but they spoil the appearance of the furniture. To solve this problem, there are a wide variety of compositions that can be prepared from the simplest means available in any kitchen.
Table vinegar
You need to moisten a napkin or cotton wool in it and wipe the stain thoroughly. The smell of vinegar is much stronger than that of a cat, but after a few minutes it will completely disappear, and with it the reason.
Lemon juice
Freshly squeezed juice can be easily replaced with a 10% citric acid solution. Before starting work, remove excess moisture and debris with a dry cloth. Then a napkin soaked in juice or acid is applied to the surface. After half an hour, the area is generously sprinkled with soda, then you need to vacuum it. Soda will be needed to collect all the acid and neutralize its effect. This technique will quickly eliminate the unpleasant odor, leaving behind a citrus aroma.
Mustard powder
Mustard powder is well suited for hard surfaces, such as laminate or linoleum. It gets rid of urine smell in a few minutes. You need to take its powder diluted in warm water. The consistency should resemble sour cream. Apply this paste to the stain, leave for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.
Before doing this, it is important to check the effect of the powder, as it may stain some materials.
Soaped vodka
In this case, laundry soap is diluted in vodka or medical alcohol. The components of this cleaner quickly rid the room of odor, and the alcohol itself disappears within a short time.
Salty foam
Laundry soap is dissolved in lightly salted water. The effect of glycerin is further enhanced by salt. This technique will perfectly cope with the problem if the cat went to the toilet in the wrong place.
Chloramine
Contaminated areas of furniture, carpets or rugs can be effectively cleaned using chloramine. This smell is perceived negatively by animals, after which these places will be safe. Chloramine can be purchased at a pharmacy or replaced with any chlorine-containing product.
Glycerol
Liquid, laundry, and toilet soap contain glycerin. This substance will help return clean, fresh air to your home. You need to apply soap foam to the fabric. It’s easier to do this with a brush, sponge, and then clean it with gentle, gentle movements. It is advisable to leave for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm, clean water. Moisture can be easily collected with toilet paper.
Ammonia
This product has long proven itself to be an excellent cleaner, even with the biggest problems. Cat surprises are no exception. The main feature is the need to ventilate the room well, since this product has an extremely pungent odor.
You can prepare a solution from ammonia and ethyl alcohol in proportions of 1:2. Pour the resulting liquid onto the stain and leave for 30 minutes. Afterwards, wipe the fabric with soapy water or foam. After waiting for complete drying, it is recommended to vacuum it.
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.
Prevention measures
To prevent such troubles from happening again, there are some recommendations. It is important to monitor the behavior and health of your pet, and follow the rules of keeping. A cat may shit if it is not happy with the litter box. This item must meet some requirements:
- always be in a clean state;
- have high sides;
- have a sufficient amount of filler inside;
- have dimensions corresponding to the size of the cat itself;
- located in a suitable place that is comfortable for the animal.
In order for the kitten to quickly get used to the right place, when an urge or suspicious behavior appears, the person must move it. This process can take from several days to a week. Sometimes there are cases when the animal needs a longer time.
Interesting read: Turkish Van cats.
Antigadin spray
This remedy is well known to all cat owners. With its help, a person points out where the pet should not shit and put marks. This effect is achieved by a special composition to which the animal reacts sensitively. A person does not smell it at all.
It is necessary to treat with it those places where the cat often tries to go to the toilet. You can buy it in veterinary stores or supermarkets, in the pet products department.
DIY repeller
There are special means that protect the apartment, interior items, and furniture from cat surprises. You can use improvised means for these purposes. Cats cannot stand the smell of lemon and orange. The zest of these fruits is perfect for this. It must be placed in fabric bags that allow air to pass through.
If you wrote it, the problem is not only the smell
To summarize: if your cat peed on the sofa, removing the smell, no matter how difficult or unpleasant it may seem, is quite possible, at least in one of these three ways. But having rejoiced at the result, you should also think: cats don’t just pee anywhere.
Understand the reasons: check your pet's health, make sure its litter box is clean, try to reduce the animal's stress level, and if we are talking about marks, then sterilize it - and then only pleasant aromas will always be in your home!
What not to use
Some products can eliminate the smell of urine, but damage the surface itself. Use chlorine cleaning products with caution. Given their bleaching properties, they should not be used to remove stains from colored fabrics.
It is not recommended to overpower odors. Essential oils, fragrances, perfumes will not cope well with this task. They will help mask this problem for a short time. Cats can smell these smells even through others, because the sense of smell in these animals is much stronger than that of humans.
Industrial products
The modern industry is ready to present a variety of special products for cleaning areas where animals live.
Aerosols
Odor eliminator sprays are products that are suitable for treating areas that smell of cat urine. Unlike air fresheners, these products do not mask, but completely eliminate unpleasant odors.
Table: comparison of aerosols
| Name | Mode of application | Efficiency | Volume | Price |
| "DezoSan" | It is most effective if you add it to water in a vacuum cleaner. You can also simply spray the product indoors. | It can not only mask, but also completely eliminate unpleasant odors. | 500 ml | 270 rub. |
| "ZooSan" | The product is sprayed onto pre-washed areas marked by the pet. | Capable of removing odor from any surface. | 500 ml | 400 rub. |
| OdorGone | Natural odor neutralizer. Sprayed into the room that needs treatment. | A large amount of substance is not required. A lasting effect is achieved very quickly. | 100 ml | 290 rub. |
Photo gallery: aerosols to eliminate the smell of cat urine
“DezoSan” is most effective when used in a washing vacuum cleaner “ZooSan” is a highly concentrated detergent and disinfectant for the sanitary cleaning of animal premises
OdorGone is a universal remedy for eliminating any odors
Oxygen bleaches
Oxygen bleach can be used as a detergent when cleaning up cat litter. They do not contain chlorine, effectively remove stains and odors and are safe for colored fabrics.
Table: comparison of oxygen bleaches
| Name | Country of Origin | Volume | Price |
| SANDOKKAEBI Oxycle | China | 400 g | 180 rub. |
| CJ LION Beat Pre-treating | China | 500 ml | 280 rub. |
| BioKleen | USA | 907 g | 460 rub. |
To eliminate the smell of cat urine, you can choose any oxygen bleach without chlorine.
Ozonizers and air washers
An ozonator and air washer can also help you get rid of the smell left behind by your cat's pranks. To do this, cover the affected area with a piece of polyethylene, and run an ozonator or washing hose under it. After a couple of hours of operation of the device, the smell will disappear.
