Most cat owners at one time or another are faced with the task of cat urine odor removal from carpeting, or home furnishings. There are a couple of options available to help remove cat urine odor: commercial products and homemade products.
Commercial products can be a costly alternative to cat urine odor removal, and the results may be no better than if you use a homemade preparation. Homemade solutions are inexpensive to make and are effective. They also have the advantage of allowing treatment to begin as soon as the urine accident is discovered, without having the wait time of procuring a commercial product. Cleaning the area thoroughly and quickly prevents odors from traveling deeper into carpets and surfaces while reducing the chances that your pet will resoil the area.
The Cat Urine Odor Removal Process
If the area is recent you want to first thoroughly blot the area with paper towels. It is important not to rub to prevent enlarging the area of odor. If you are not sure where the areas of soiling are a black light will illuminate the areas and make them visible. Be sure to test all solutions on an inconspicuous location to check for color fastness.
Next, wet the area with a solution of one-half white vinegar and one-half water. Use enough solution to reach deep down fibers and padding. Allow the solution to set until barely damp and blot dry using the same technique used to blot the urine. As an alternative, you can use a water-extracting vacuum or carpet shampoo system to remove excess moisture. Vinegar binds the ammonia in cat urine helping to neutralize it. Never use any cleaning products that containing ammonia when treating cat urine odors.
Next, mix one teaspoon of liquid hand dishwashing liquid with one-fourth cup of liquid 3 % hydrogen peroxide. Liberally sprinkle the soiled area with baking soda and drizzle the peroxide mixture on top. Gently work the mixture down into the fibers as much as possible. Let dry completely and then vacuum up. The oxidation capability of peroxide will kill bacteria, which promote odor while baking soda is a known deodorizing agent.
Tips for Cat Urine Odor Removal in Mattresses
If you are removing the cat urine odor from a mattress, it is best to completely remove the mattress from the bed before treating. Blot the area with paper towels pressing down with pressure to remove as much urine as possible from the deep fibers. Proceed with the cat urine odor removal process as previously described. Make sure that the mattress is thoroughly dry before placing back on the bed. The mattress can be dried by placing in the sun or by standing it in front of a fan or heater. If you use a heater, do not place the mattress to close and do not leave it unattended. If the surface of the mattress is becoming warm, it is too close to the heater.
Many people who have used this formula for cat urine odor removal have reported that they have had better results using the homemade solution than they did using commercial enzymatic cleaners. Give it a try; there is nothing to lose.