How do I Get Cat Urine Smell Out of Wood?

Cat urine odor can be removed from wood with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.

Wood is a very porous material, and unfortunately it easily soaks up cat urine. Whether you have found the urine stain immediately or well after the fact, it is possible to remove the odor from your wood. The key is to clean and neutralize the odor thoroughly, and make sure the cat does not revisit the area to recreate the problem. Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar each neutralize urine. If your cat has been urinating in the same location for quite a while, you may need to refinish all or part of the wood.

Things You'll Need

• Clean towels
• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• 1/4 cup vegetable-based soap
• Bucket
• Mop
• 3 percent hydrogen peroxide

Instructions

Vinegar Method

1. Soak up any standing puddles of urine with clean towels.

2. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

3. Spray the vinegar and water mixture liberally over the urine-stained area.

4. Let the vinegar and water stand on the wood for at least 10 minutes.

5. Blot the wood with a clean towel.

6. Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup vegetable-based soap and 2 gallons warm water in a large bucket.

7. Mop the floor with a barely dampened mop.

8. Dry the wood immediately after mopping.

9. Examine the area and determine if any urine odor remains. If any scent is still present, repeat the vinegar and water spray and blot dry.

Hydrogen Peroxide Method

1. Soak up any standing puddles of urine with clean towels.

2. Mix equal parts 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle.

3. Spray the hydrogen peroxide and water mixture liberally over the urine-stained area.

4. Let the hydrogen peroxide and water stand on the wood for at least 10 minutes. Blot the wood with a clean towel.

5. Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup vegetable-based soap and 2 gallons warm water in a large bucket.

6. Mop the floor with a barely dampened mop. Dry the wood immediately after mopping.

7. Examine the area and determine if any urine odor remains. If any scent is still present, repeat the hydrogen peroxide and water spray and blot dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Test the vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solutions in an inconspicuous location before using if you are concerned about your floor's finish.

• Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning solutions because ammonia smells like urine to cats.

• Rule out medical problems before punishing your cat for inappropriate urination.

• If you do not have white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, you can also use a mixture of equal parts rubbing alcohol and water.

• Keep all cleaning supplies out of the reach of children and pets.

References

• Kansas Kickapoo Tribe: Safer Cleaning
• Oregon Metro: Green Cleaners