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3 Simple Ways to Get Rid of Cat Urine Odor

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You love your cat. But that love can be tested when you walk into a room and smell the unmistakable odor of cat urine. Why did your cat pee outside the box? How do you get rid of the cat urine smell? Here’s how to clean cat urine and remove the cat pee smell from carpet, non-carpet surfaces and bedding.


First, there are 3 things you should know about why your cat might be peeing outside the litter box:


  1. Cats often go outside the litter box to let you know about a health issue, their feelings about changes in the house, or their displeasure with their litter box. Another possible reason? Unneutered males spray urine to mark their territory, and unspayed females spray to let male cats know they’re in heat. Stopping cat urine odor before it starts is another good reason to spay or neuter your feline friends.
  2. The sooner you clean up the cat urine, the sooner you will get rid of the odor and help prevent your cat from peeing in that spot again. You’ll need to neutralize the cat urine odor, not just cover up the smell with perfumes or fragrances.
  3. You don’t like the ammonia smell in cat urine, and neither does your kitty. If your litter box smells of urine, your cat may prefer an inappropriate place to go over the dirty litter box. For 7-day odor control and a litter that absorbs cat urine in seconds, try ARM & HAMMER™ AbsorbX Lightweight Cat Litter. The right litter and a clean litter box reduce the cat urine smell in your home and encourage your cat to use their box, not your carpet, floor, or bedding.

 

If you’ve found cat urine in your home, here’s how to clean it up and get rid of the cat pee smell safely and effectively.

1.Cleaning Cat Urine Odor from Carpet

Getting rid of the smell of cat urine from carpeting can be challenging, because it can soak right through the carpet fibers to the carpet padding. And since cats have a strong sense of smell, it’s important to clean and deodorize the area completely to prevent a return visit!


For a DIY solution: Scrub the area throroughly with club soda, and let dry. Then sprinkle with ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda. Let it sit so the baking soda can soak up any lingering odors, and then vacuum.


For an easy solution from ARM & HAMMER™:
Try ARM & HAMMER™ Pet Stain & Odor Remover Plus OxiClean™ to remove even the toughest pet stains* and destroy odors on the spot with a combination of ARM & HAMMER™ deodorizers and OXICLEAN™ stain fighters.

2.Getting Rid of Cat Urine Odor from Non-Carpeted Surfaces

If your cat is peeing on non-carpeted surfaces such as ceramic tile, grout, vinyl plank, or linoleum, here’s how to get a deep clean that removes the urine odor.


For a DIY solution:

 

Cleaning non-carpet surfaces requires a non-ammonia and non-vinegar based solution, whether it’s homemade or commercial. Note: Make sure any product you use to get rid of cat urine does not contain chlorine bleach. Cat urine contains ammonia and when it mixes with bleach, dangerous gases are created. OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover uses the power of oxygen to remove stains and help neutralize odors. Most people think of OxiClean™ VSR as a laundry booster, but it can also be used to clean many types of flooring, including ceramic tile, grout, vinyl plank, and linoleum. It’s chlorine-bleach-free and can be used to clean up cat urine. Follow these steps to clean up cat pee and eliminate odor on solid flooring.

  • Fill a gallon bucket with hot water. Using the provided scoop, pour one scoop filled to Line 1 of OxiClean™ into the bucket. Stir the solution with a long-handled spoon until the OxiClean™ dissolves.
  • Apply solution to the floor and allow it to stand 1-5 minutes. Use a mop or sponge to clean the affected spot – go ahead and clean your whole floor while you’re at it if you want! You don’t want any lingering cat pee smell in the air or on your floor.
  • Dump the solution and fill the bucket half-full with cold water. Remop the floor with water to rinse.

3.Removing Cat Urine Odor from Bedding and Clothes

While it may feel like a spiteful insult, a cat spraying or urinating on your mattress, bedding or clothing is their way of letting you know they need your attention. Don’t get mad — get clean!

  • Put the urine-soiled items into your washer and wash separately in the hottest temperature recommended by the item’s care label. In addition to your detergent, add a quarter cup of a white vinegar to your washer’s bleach dispenser.
  • Use the natural power of baking soda to help neutralize cat urine odor in soiled bedding and clothes. Add a half-cup directly to the drum with your clothes, or use a detergent that has baking soda in it.
  • Optional: Use ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ 3-in-1 Power Paks, combining ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda with OxiClean™ Stain Fighters. You can also add a scent booster, such as ARM & HAMMER™ Clean Scentsations™ In-Wash Scent Booster with Odor Blasters for even more urine odor removal power.

Note: Use caution when cleaning delicate fabrics. Also, remember never to use chlorine bleach when washing items soiled with cat pee. Mixing bleach with the ammonia in cat urine can create dangerous gases.

No matter why your cat is peeing outside of the litter box, getting the area clean and fresh is key to getting them to stop this behavior — and reclaiming your home. ARM & HAMMER™ specializes in absorbing and neutralizing odors, including pet urine, with a variety of products from carpet cleaners, to laundry detergents and scent boosters, to good old baking soda, the simple solution to many home, health, beauty, and baking needs.

 

 

To help understand why your cat might be peeing everywhere all of a sudden, read our resource about this frustrating, though not uncommon cat behavior. Follow these litter box tips and be sure to set up the litter box properly to help prevent future urine mishaps.

*When applied promptly as directed after an ordinary pet stain has occurred.

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