How to Get Cat Urine Out of Wood

Cat accidents on wood can happen for many reasons.

Cats typically urinate in the litter box or outside but when certain stressors enter the picture, your cat may have urine accidents on your wood surfaces. Young and old cats alike can have accidents, as well as healthy cats and sick cats. Introducing another pet or family member into the home can also cause stress, resulting in your cat urinating elsewhere. Remove cat urine stains from wood completely so the cat is not attracted back to the spot, thinking it has been approved as a regular bathroom spot.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Liquid pet-enzymatic cleaner
• Clean cloths
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Plastic wrap
• 80-grit sandpaper
• Wood finish touch-up
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Lay paper towels over a fresh cat urine stain to wick up the urine. Change to fresh towels as needed, and continue to soak up the moisture until it's gone.

2. Dampen the urine-stained wood with liquid pet-enzymatic cleaner. Allow the enzyme cleaner to sit on the wood for 20 minutes. The enzymes in the cleaner remove odor-causing bacteria that can cause urine odor to remain even after the stain is cleaned up.

3. Wet the stained area with hydrogen peroxide, applying the peroxide only to the stain that remains. Pour some peroxide on a clean cloth and put the cloth on top of the remaining urine stain. Cover the cloth and floor with a piece of plastic wrap.

4. Allow the peroxide poultice to sit on the stain over night. Remove the plastic wrap and cloth in the morning. Dampen a clean cloth with water, squeeze out the excess, and wipe the floor at the site of the urine stain.

5. Let the wood dry completely. Check to see if there is any discoloration of the wood. Use 80-grit sandpaper to gently rub out any discoloration by sanding back and forth with the grain of the wood.

6. Wipe up the dust from sanding with a dampened cloth. Dry the wood with another cloth. Apply wood finish touch-up with a paintbrush, if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• After wiping up cat urine, place the soiled paper towels in the litter box so your cat understands where to use the bathroom. Praise your cat when it urinates in the right location.

• A lower-grit sandpaper may wear down the wood.

References

• The Humane Society: Removing Pet Stains and Odors
• Old House Web: Best Solutions for Removing Old Pet Urine Stains From Hardwood Floors