How to Get Cat Urine Odors Out of Carpets

Here's a simple method for getting cat urine out of carpets using vinegar and baking soda.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Cleaning rags
• Water

1. First, clean the cat's litter pan. The number one reason cats anoint carpets is that they're not satisfied with the cleanliness of their cat box, or they don't like the scent of scented litter. Try an unscented litter if your cat repeats it. The second reason is that non-neutered males spray their territory to warn off rival males, so unless he's a purebred stud, have him neutered.

2. If it's fresh, clean as much of it off as you can with paper towels and spot clean with water first. This will reduce the amount that has to be chemically changed by the baking soda and vinegar combination. This method will also work for dried cat spot stains too, just dampen the spot first.

3. Sprinkle baking soda on the entire spot. Don't heap it up, but don't be stingy either. Make sure to cover the whole stain and any spots that it may have splashed.

4. Spot clean it with vinegar, scrubbing it in with a soft cleaning rag. If the odor's too strong, spot clean again with water.

5. Let it dry and use an air freshener in the room to help get rid of the vinegar scent.

6. Pet deodorizer solutions are more expensive, but this costs very little to try first before investing in them -- and the ingredients don't cause any environmental harm or risk to your pets. If the problem persists, try spraying the area with a scent your cat doesn't like or something like Off.
   
   Orange oil works very well as a cat repellent on furniture, many cats hate the odor. Test it on an unobtrusive spot before using it on a carpet though.

Tips & Warnings

• Repeat as needed for any spot any cat has anointed. Other cats will react and consider that as the correct place to urinate. If it's at all possible, move the litter pan there as the cat may be trying to tell you that's where he wants it.
• Test this treatment on an unobtrusive or hidden area of the carpet before using anywhere people will see and tread. Some fibers don't react well to it and it's better to know that in a spot way under the couch than out where it can be seen.

[Mexindian]

on 6/12/2008 I will try this. Thanks.

[Bizzylizzy]

on 10/23/2007 Thanks so much! I have 2 cats in the house!!

[robertsloan2]

on 10/9/2007 That is so great! Thank you for letting me know how it worked for you. Good tip about the steam cleaning afterward, that's good for any kind of stain removal -- steam cleaning will get any last residue right out.

I live with my daughter's family, and they just bought a steam cleaner. My son in law used it last night on the living room and the results are stunning. My grandkids have done far worse things to that poor carpet than my cat has, since he was neutered before I moved in and he's a good boy now. But it all came up great.

[stinkypets]

on 10/7/2007 Thanks so much robertsloan2 your information really helped. I did what you suggested yesterday, then I steam cleaned the carpet with "woolite oxy deep steam pet". So far there is no odor. The minute I did the baking soda step then the vinegar step, I couldn't smell anything. Then I used the steam cleaner and I couldn't smell any odor at all.
Thanks again for all your help. stinkypets