How do you get cat urine smell out of wood walls?

On the list of unpleasant odors, cat pee lingering in your home ranks pretty high. If you happen to have a feline housemate you know all too well the challenge of getting that cat urine smell out of a couch or carpet.

So, what works best? Are there any proven home remedies? Here’s everything you need to know about how to get rid of the cat pee smell.

How to get rid of cat urine smell

First off, the rule of thumb is the sooner the better. If your cat pees outside of the litter box, you will need to ‘neutralize’ that spot immediately after, not just cover it up with a better smell. It's important that you don't just spray perfume and call it a day. 

Blot up the mess first and foremost, then spray the spot with an bacteria or enzyme-based cleaner. These will break down the bacteria that is causing the odor. You can also use a vinegar solution – a mix of vinegar and water. Arm & Hammer also advises that using club soda to scrub the area and the sprinkling baking soda can be used as a home remedy. 

The best route depends a bit on whether you’re dealing with clothing, carpets, or furniture. 

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How to get cat pee out of carpet

Act fast. Blot out the stain. If you can, put some pressure on the spot so the towel fully soaks up all of the urine. The last thing you want is remaining urine that builds that pervasive ammonia smell the longer it sits there. 

Then, either spray on an enzyme or bacteria-based cleaner or a vinegar solution with water, vinegar, and optionally a bit of dish soap. This will break down the odor which attracts cats to come and pee in the same location over and over.

How to get cat pee smell out of clothes

Once again, act fast. You can try to rinse it in cold water and then throw it in the washing machine. If this doesn’t work, soak the clothing with water and a cup of baking soda or a bit of apple cider vinegar.

It’s best to keep the clothing out of the dryer as heat can exacerbate the smell – opt for an air dry instead. Repeat these steps until the odor is gone.

P.S. An enzyme cleaner can be used in this process as well.

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How to get cat pee out of the couch

For a home remedy, you can use a vinegar solution. According to Yahoo news, the vinegar smell deters cats from peeing in that same spot again and as it evaporates takes the cat urine odor with it.

Does cat urine ever go away?

Yes, you should be able to neutralize old cat urine smell with the methods above. If it isn’t working, make sure you are using a detergent with enough enzymes to break down the smell and make sure you are covering the entire area of the stain. 

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What stops cats from peeing in the house?

If your cat is continuing to ‘miss the litterbox’ you might want to consider taking them to the veterinarian as this could signal an underlying health condition.

How often do you take a cat to the vet?:How to meet your feline friend's veterinary needs.

WedMD offers a guide to some easy at-home solutions you can use to stop cats from peeing in the house, including:

• Spending extra time with your feline to reduce their anxiety
• Making sure your cat has plenty of room to explore and a healthy supple of toys
• Cleaning all spots your cat has peed inappropriately before so they can’t return to those marks
• Placing treats near common areas your cat pees. Your cat will not want to pee near where they are eating
• Increasing the number of litterboxes and making sure they are clean

Just curious?:We're here to help answer life's everyday questions.

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Cat smells stinking up your home? Here are five DIY ways to get rid of the stink for good.

Lingering cat smells can be a headache for homeowners. Even if residents of the home become so used to the smells they no longer notice, you can bet guests and potential buyers will.

Plus, cat smells can be offensive to cats themselves. Cats mark territory with their urine. And a cat smelling the scent of another cat, particularly one from a different household, may develop behavioral issues such as aggression, agitation or urinating in inappropriate places, such as peeing outside the litter box. If a cat keeps peeing on carpet, it could be because there’s a lingering urine odor in that spot.

That’s why understanding what causes a cat smell to linger, and learning how to get rid of it, can make your home a more pleasant place to live and visit.

• Why Is Cat Smell So Hard To Get Rid Of?
• How To Get Rid of Cat Smells
  • Vacuuming and washing
  • Baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Enzymatic cleaners
  • Hydrogen peroxide
• Still Can’t Get Rid of Cat Smell?

Why Is Cat Smell So Hard To Get Rid Of?

Cat smell, particularly cat urine, is hard to eliminate because of its chemical makeup.

“Cat urine contains uric acid, along with other compounds such as pheromones, especially if the cat is claiming its territory,” says Bruce Vance, a certified house cleaning technician with Town and Country Cleaning Services. “Common cleaning agents don’t remove the uric acid, which can linger in a home for years.”

Cat urine also contains urea, a different compound created when proteins break down. Urea itself is odorless. But as it ages, it breaks down into ammonia, which has a strong odor. That’s why cat urine tends to smell worse over time.

How cats evolved makes matters worse. “Cats originated from desert animals, so they are very good at conserving water,” says Dr. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian. “This makes their urine very concentrated.”

Cat hair, vomit, dander and feces can also cause a home to smell. Your cat’s litter box may be another cause. Keep cat litter clean to reduce odor.

How To Get Rid of Cat Smells

While cat smells new or old can be pesky, it’s possible to remove them. It can be particularly difficult to learn how to get cat pee out of clothes, furniture, carpets and other materials. If the mess is fresh, first blot or wipe away as much of the cat urine, vomit, etc. with a paper towel or old cloth. Then consider one of the following five options. All but the first can be used on any surface.

Vacuuming and washing

Vacuuming can be especially helpful for cat hair or dander smells, Bonk says. If your cat sheds, vacuum your home at least once a week and be sure to empty the vacuum cleaner bag right away so the smell doesn’t linger.

A vacuum that catches cat hair can go a long way toward keeping smelling fresh. Regularly cleaning washer-safe cat beds or cat blankets can also help control smells while getting rid of hair and dander at the same time.

Baking soda

Baking soda, Vance says, neutralizes acidic properties, such as the uric acid in cat pee. Sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the severity of the smell. Then wipe or vacuum it away.

Vinegar

Because vinegar is acidic, it can neutralize bacteria in fresh cat pee and alleviate odor, Vance says.

Mix equal parts white or apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar cleaning solution on the affected area, whether your floor or furniture. Blot away the solution with a paper towel or old cloth. Repeat until the smell is gone.

Enzymatic cleaners

Enzymatic cleaners, Vance says, are effective because they break down ammonia, sulfur and other compounds in cat urine, vomit and feces. That’s also why they remove old cat smells better than baking soda or vinegar and water.

Follow label instructions for use. Instructions for how to get cat pee out of carpet might differ from getting it out of laundry. In general, thoroughly spray the affected area and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Then blot or scrub away the solution and let it air dry for a few hours.

Hydrogen peroxide

Finally, Vance recommends hydrogen peroxide because it oxidizes the ammonia smell. Pour it directly on the affected area, let it rest for five minutes, then wipe or scrub it away.

For a fresher smell, add a teaspoon of dishwasher detergent to the solution. Be sure to thoroughly remove the product because it can discolor if left sitting too long, especially on fabric or carpet.

Note: To avoid staining, test this method on a spot you can easily cover.

Still Can’t Get Rid of Cat Smell?

Sometimes, you may not know exactly where an old cat smell is coming from. Sprinkling baking soda on several suspected areas, giving your home a good vacuum and cleaning your hardwood floors with vinegar and water may help you find the source.

If these DIY options don’t remove cat smells, or if you can’t find the affected area, you may need to hire a cleaning company.

“In extreme cases where the odor has dispersed through the furnishings and even walls of a room, it may be necessary to bring in a professional to treat the area,” Vance says.

Does cat pee smell come out of wood?

How do you get rid of cat urine smell on wood?

How do you get the smell of cat pee out of the walls?

Will cat urine smell ever go away?