Add baking soda to the litter: Surprisingly, baking soda is a great all-natural deodorizer that is both safe for cats and can help manage the litter box smell. By mixing a little bit of baking soda with the litter, you can help absorb any urine odors also.
The most useful application of baking soda in a home with cats is to deodorize. Baking soda may be mixed in with cat litter to help absorb any offensive odors from the area. To use baking soda in this manner, simply stir in a few teaspoons to tablespoons with the cat litter, depending on the size of the litter box.
The No. 1 rule, and the only thing that will keep litter box odor at bay, is constant cleaning. That means scooping the box out at least twice a day, removing the solids and liquid clumps if you use clumping litter.
First, I took a tablespoon of baking soda and dissolved it in some water. Baking soda has a pH of around 9, which means it's a moderately alkaline substance. I poured the liquid into the Pretty Litter, and within a few minutes, the crystals had taken on a slightly blue-green hue.
Baking soda has great properties that deodorize the smell of urine. Sodium bicarbonate is the substance baking soda is made of, and it's amazing at soaking up odors. You can sprinkle it on the carpet or furniture after you've cleaned your cat's urine, make sure the area is dry before doing so.
When urea, the main component of urine, decomposes, the highly volatile ammonia is released, and as cats have higher levels of urea than dogs, or even humans, this is multiplied in the litter tray. Humans can detect ammonia at very small concentrations, and it has a particularly fishy smell.
Cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might surprise you (and you probably have them in your kitchen). Try orange and lemon peels, cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.
Sprinkle the mixture onto fabric surfaces, including carpeting, and let sit for 30 minutes or overnight. Vacuum up the baking soda mixture, and with it, those bad smells.
Use the natural power of baking soda to help neutralize cat urine odor in soiled bedding and clothes. Add a half-cup directly to the drum with your clothes, or use a detergent that has baking soda in it.
Baking Soda Can Cause Health Problems. As mentioned earlier, adding baking soda can cause the release of ammonia, which not only smells, but also can be detrimental to your cat's respiratory health. Ammonia is an irritant gas.
Use an old towel to absorb as much of the cat pee as possible and throw it away when you're done. Sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and let sit for about ten minutes. Pour some vinegar on the baking soda and let it fizz for a few seconds before blotting the liquid with a fresh rag.
Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate, a fine white powder that has many uses. You may wonder about bicarbonate of soda vs. baking soda, but they are simply alternate terms for the same ingredient. If your recipe calls for bicarbonate of soda, it is simply referring to baking soda.
“In between wet shampoos, baking soda may be used for dry shampooing dogs and cats,” says Pickard. “Start by brushing your pet to remove any dirt or loose hair. You may want to do the next step outside. Rub baking soda into your pet's fur and massage it into their skin, making sure not to set it into their eyes.
Cleaning the area thoroughly with vinegar first and then applying an enzyme treatment will break down and evaporate the uric acid and your home will be free of cat odors. Vinegar and enzyme cleaners work on all surfaces: hardwood floors, carpets, mattresses.
Don't reach for the bleach or other common household cleaners. Instead, grab a good enzymatic cleaner that is manufactured specifically to neutralize the odor from cat pee and poop. Most quality enzymatic or bio-based cleaners will do, but we prefer the Unique Natural Products Pet Odor and Stain Eliminator.
Vinegar, with its strong and soury smell, is said to be effective in removing the smell of cat's poop and preventing cats from coming back again. It's really easy to use. Simply mix vinegar with warm water in a spray bottle. Then spray the plants or areas where cats often poop.
Multiple things can cause your house to smell like cat urine, even if you don't have a cat. Investigate if there is mold, leaking Freon, sewer gases, smelly plants, spoiled food, or even stains from previous pet owners.
Note that while many people use scented litter or air freshener to mask litter box odors, these odors can be off-putting to cats. A thin layer of baking soda placed on the bottom of the box will help absorb odors without repelling your cat.
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.
Neutralize it!
Then you're going to want to douse the spot with an enzymatic cleaner or simply make your own cleaning solution by combining (white or apple cider) vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. Because the vinegar is acidic, it will neutralize the bacteria in the cat pee, offsetting its odor.