Comments on: How to Remove Cat Urine From Hardwood Floors

on 9/28/2008 CAT URINE STAIN - NO ODOR - I recently moved into a new home and have been scooping the litter and leaving what I scooped in a brown paper bag next to the litter box on the hardwood floor. When I went to trash the bag today and lifted it up, there was what I believe to be a urine stain underneath the bag. However, there is no odor. It almost feels waxy where the bag was. The bag never seemed to be wet or show any signs of having been wet. Meanwhile, there is now the seemingly common black stain. Does anyone know if the white vinegar solution will work on a stain that has no odor? HELP!

on 9/16/2008 http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=5990 I would go for murphys oil soap for wood floors.

on 9/16/2008 In studies - plain simple soap kills bacteria. It doesn't have to say anti-bacterial to be anti-bacterial.

on 9/16/2008 I'm sure the people posting for "odor-nix" are selling it too. In lieu of replacing the subfloor or floor, soap & water & a good dry do wonders - you don't need expensive cleaners. But the cat/dog will definitely still smell where they went.

on 9/16/2008 Those products that claim to neutralize cat/dog odors don't work, period, they are rip-offs and so many people delude themselves into believing anything that is written on a label (especially when it claims to be a "miracle"). It's the hype of the pet supplies industry - don't believe everything you read. Nothing can truly get rid of the odor including enzymes or vinegar. Replace the wood or subfloor. Your dog/cat will just urinate in the same spot again.

on 7/29/2008 Just bought a great victorian era house that used to be owned by an 80 year old that obviously didn't have a sense of smell anymore. She had from 10 to 13 cats, and the basement is a real gas chamber. The wood floor (parquettery) is totally ruined and there is pee stains everywhere, down to the plywood subfloor.

We started removing the parquet tiles and it is just awful... We believe we might have to remove the plywood also.

Anyone has suggestions ? We have bought a gallon of Nature's miracle, but I don't think it works great on very old stains.

If there is no good ventilation, wouldn't using vinegar be dangerous ?

I just hope to be able to get rid of the smell, as the house is so amazing !

on 7/25/2008 Is it possible to love a bunch of complete strangers? ..Cuz I think I do! I had noooo clue what to do about the nasty 12" x 12" BLACK urine stain my cat left smack-dab in the middle of my DINING ROOM the other night...until I came across this thread, that is! Thank you all for saving my floors/sanity. :) The kitty thanks you too -- Believe me, his days were NUMBERED! (OK, not really... I couldn't hold a grudge against the little guy to save my life. But I sounded pretty convincing, didn't I?)

on 2/28/2008 Odor-nix is great for cat urine. It works immediately.

on 2/28/2008 Odor-nix is great for cat urine. It works immediately.

on 9/17/2007 I am so glad that I found this site and took all the recommedations to heart. I had a roommate with 3 dogs and when he moved out I decided to do a lot of painting and pull the wall to wall carpet since I discovered hardwoods under them. The bedroom was beautiful, but when I got to the hall, I could have cried. Huge black stained areas all up and down the hall. The padding from the carpet was gross, and it literally fell apart. So, I bought lots of Hydrogen peroxide and papertowels (thank you Costco) and started pouring the peroxide and covering with the paper towels. I did not sand as the wood grain was fairly open from all of the urine. Well, I am totally amazed. The black is gone, the floor is smooth, it will need to be sanded and stained to match the rest of the floors in the other rooms, but I have brought my hardwoods back to life. Good luck to all who find the same problem.--

on 9/12/2007 I don't have stains but I have a musty urine odor from the previous owner who I have come to find out bred dogs in this home. When it rains or there is humidity is present. I had a guest tell me my house smelled like play-dough. I played dumb because I can't say "Oh, it's just dog urine" My floors are beautiful, 100 year old heart pine with no stains, just a lingering odor. Since the floors are old, the cracks between the boards vary and I'm afraid to pour vinegar straight on the floors because it will seep into the wood, or is this what I need to happen. If anyone can help me please email me at jeepinmudgirl@yahoo.com. This is an ongoing process so if you find this email a year later please respond.
Thank you!

on 7/19/2007 but what do u do to prevent the cat from continuing to urinate on that spot after? does anyone know of a good floor covering that could be laid down in the area (vinyl, laminate, ceramic)?
my place is a rental and if my landlord discovers this problem, my cat will be out the door for sure!

on 7/17/2007 Kenneth Brown on 07/17/2007--I am so happy my wife found this website. The white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide worked wonders on the hardwood floors in our rental house. The odor and the stains are gone. We had to stain the floors to make them blend. I am going to put a coat of polyurethane on to finish the floors. We tried this as a last resort and was so happy to find something that worked. The floors had been covered with wall to wall carpet. When we pulled out the stinking carpet, we were appalled at the looks of the floor and the odor. Thanks for helping us restore the floors to their original condition.

on 12/27/2007 Just tried the hydrogen peroxide (It has been on for 6 hours - about 1/4 a bottle on a towell) and haven't seen any results? Do I need to sand the spot first and then apply the peroxide OR do I just need to be even more patient? Thanks for any help. Pulled carpet up in new home with several black stains that had penetrated the old finish. Thanks again for any help.

on 3/8/2007 Oops, concerning the Zinsser's Bulls Eye Amber colored shellac, I meant to say,"Follow directions and apply a coat, let dry (it dries very quickly)THEN sand lightly..." Sorry - hopefully you didn't try to sand before it dried.