How to Get Rid of Cat Pee Smells in Homes
- 1). Keep the litter box clean. Not only is this the most obvious place to look, but it also is linked to whether your cat will be tempted to relieve himself elsewhere in the house. If the box is dirty and poorly maintained, he may refuse to use it even though he is trained. Also, when cleaning the box, it's important to be thorough; avoid simply scooping the clumps and calling it good. Dump out the litter and pour in the fresh stuff every time you clean it.
- 2). Catch the accident as soon as possible. While it's unreasonable to spend all of your free time scouring every square inch of carpet and furniture, it will help to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Much of the pungency of the odor is attributed to the fact that the urine dries up without the owner ever realizing that her cat didn't use the litter box.
- 3). Blot the spot, but don't rub it, as you want to absorb the moisture without further incorporating it into the carpet. Use a dry cloth or sturdy towel. In essence, treat it as if it were red wine on white carpet. Apply a commercial enzyme pet urine cleaner or save money and make your own, using 1 qt. of warm water and 1/2 cup white vinegar. After blotting, sprinkle the cleaner on the stain, and place a new dry towel over it, with a book or something heavy weighing it down. Check back in a few hours.
- 4). Turn to other household products if the smell proves to be especially stubborn. Baking soda works the same magic on cat pee smell as it does in your refrigerator with food odor. Sprinkle some on the spot after you've dampened it with water, then rub it in and let air-dry. Peroxide can be effective when a small amount is applied to the soiled area. After it dries, apply warm water and dry with a towel. Add a few drops of mouthwash to either if the odor lingers.