How to Remove Cat Urine Smell From a Blanket

Fresh cat urine doesn't smell, so you may not notice it right away.

Some cats, especially unneutered males, mark their territory by spraying urine. Cat urine is different from human urine, because it contains a sulfur molecule. Because of this, it has an especially pungent odor after it dries. If you fail to clean the surface immediately, removing the unpleasant odor later may be impossible. When fresh, cat urine is acidic. After it dries, it becomes alkaline. Each type of urine requires a different cleaning method. While white distilled vinegar cleans dried urine, it makes the odor worse if used to clean fresh cat urine.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Laundry detergent
• Enzyme stain and odor remover
• White distilled vinegar

Instructions

Wet Urine

1. Blot (don't rub) the excess urine from the blanket using paper towels.

2. Wash the blanket in the washing machine with laundry detergent, using the recommended amount for one load.

3. Hang the wet blanket on a clothesline and allow it to thoroughly dry.

4. Apply an enzyme stain and odor remover to the blanket, following the manufacturer's instructions. This will help remove any remaining urine and help eliminate the odor by actually eating the organisms causing the stain and odor.

Dry Urine

1. Put the blanket in the washing machine with 1 cup of white distilled vinegar and no laundry detergent. Wash the blanket with the vinegar, running it through a complete wash cycle.

2. Run the blanket through a second wash cycle, adding laundry detergent.

3. Hang the wet blanket on a clothesline and allow it to thoroughly dry.

4. Apply an enzyme stain and odor remover to the blanket, following the manufacturer's instructions. This helps remove any remaining urine and helps eliminate the odor by eating the organisms that cause the stain and odor.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to test the blanket for colorfastness, before applying the enzyme stain and odor remover, following the manufacturer's instructions.

References

• "The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Cat Care"; Wendy Christensen; 2004
• Ohio State University: How to Clean-Up Cat Urine
• Smithsonian: Stain Removal
• Fort Valley State University: Removing Urine Stains from Carpets and Upholstery