Things You'll Need:
- Dry rags or paper towels (optional)
- Ultraviolet light
- Enzymatic cleaner formulated for pet stain removal
- Bucket
- Sponges
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Step 1
If the urine stain is fresh, tend to it immediately by blotting excess urine from the rug with dry rags or paper towels. Once you've removed as much urine as you can from the carpeting, proceed to Step 3.
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Step 2
If cat urine stains are old and you can't locate where they are in the rug, purchase an ultraviolet light. (You can find these at most brick-and-mortar pet stores or through online vendors that specialize in pet supplies, such as Doctors Foster & Smith) Woodard advises turning the lights off in your home while you use UV light to locate areas where your cat has house soiled. (Old urine stains will fluoresce.) Remember to check vertical surfaces, such as baseboards, walls, cabinets and soft furnishings for the presence of cat urine as well. Unaltered (whole) cats are prone to marking their territory while standing. Find a way to mark the spots where you see urine stains. (Woodard suggests using chalk.)
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Step 3
Peel up the rug in areas that are accessible, such as carpet containing cat urine stains around the perimeter of the wall or that are in corners. Urine stains in the center of your rug will pose more of a challenge; you can clean the surface of the rug but not the underlay and flooring--which is necessary to removing cat urine completely.
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Step 4
Liberally apply an enzymatic cleaner formulated for pet urine stain removal to the carpet, underlay and base flooring. The Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine recommends Nature's Miracle, Anti-Icky-Poo, Outright Stain and Odor Removal Products and Oxyfresh Pet Deodorizer. Use a damp sponge to blot the cleaner into all areas of the carpet and underlay.
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Step 5
Allow the carpet and underlay to dry. Blot the area again with a wet sponge to rinse out excess cleaner. Repeat with another application of enzyme-based cleaner if odor is still noticeable. You may notice some residual color staining; uric acid contains tannin, which you cannot remove with enzyme-based cleaners.
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Step 6
Hire a professional carpet cleaner if stains remain. As noted by the Winn Feline Foundation, home steam cleaners cannot do a thorough job. A professional can also tell you if it's possible to salvage your rug. A simple test you can do at home is to feel the texture of the rug fibers. If your fingertips come away with a waxy/oily residue, this is a sign that your cat has used the same spot numerous times. You'll probably need to cut out that area of the rug or replace it entirely.
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Step 7
Prevent your favorite feline from future house soiling. Even if you manage to get cat urine out of the rug effectively, house soiling behaviors can continue. These may be remedied with a simple fix, such as a change in cat litter or more frequent litter box cleanings. Unaltered pets will typically "mark" areas outside of the litter box; spaying or neutering your cat can prevent this behavior. House soiling can also be the result of an underlying medical condition that requires prompt veterinary treatment.
