Vinegar, while a bit smelly itself, works to remove the lasting odor of sprayed cat urine because vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. A solution of one part water and one part vinegar can be used to clean walls and floors.
Hydrogen-peroxide is best for hardwood floors suffering from cat urine smells but also works for carpets, couches, and even clothing. According to CatCentric, hydrogen peroxide is 30% more oxidizing than chlorine. This will allow the elimination of the ammonia smell coming from cat urine.
White vinegar is great for cleaning cat urine as it's highly acidic and neutralizes a cat's alkaline urine. It's also strong smelling and will kill most bacteria left behind.
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The hydrogen peroxide will remove stains and eliminate the cat urine odor. You can also give baking soda and white vinegar a try. These ingredients are a safe way to get cat pee out of floors and furniture because they won't damage most wood — but spot-test an out-of-the-way area first to ensure your finish is safe.
Baking soda and vinegar mixture: mix one part water and one part vinegar with some baking soda and apply it to the affected area. The scent in vinegar is actually an acid that will get rid of the scent of cat pee as it fades!
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.
Does cat urine odour ever go away? If you've cleaned the area thoroughly using an enzymatic cleaner, you can successfully get rid of the smell of cat urine permanently. However, on a very hot day the smell may resurface.
Cleaning Hard Surfaces
Sealed tiles and grout can usually be cleaned thoroughly with dish soap and water or a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar. Allow it to sit on the tile for 15 minutes and then scrub and dry the tile. Grout cleanser is necessary for cleaning affected tile grout that isn't sealed.
Mix one cup white vinegar with one cup water (1:1). Coat the urine-stained item with this solution and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Cover the stained area with baking soda, if you wish. Baking soda will work along with vinegar to absorb and neutralize odor.
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Vinegar Rinse
One simple approach is to dampen the area with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water, let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then blot up as much of it as possible with paper towels, like you did before.
Overexposure to Ammonia
Cat pee is full of ammonia, a toxic gas that can cause headaches, trigger asthma attacks, and even result in serious respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia. Children, older adults, and people with weak immune systems are at particular risk of illness due to overexposure to ammonia.
Vinegar, while a bit smelly itself, works to remove the lasting odor of sprayed cat urine because vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. A solution of one part water and one part vinegar can be used to clean walls and floors.
Vinegar and Water
Combine white or apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio. Spray or soak the urine spot with this solution and let sit for up to five minutes. Blot with a paper towel or clean rag, repeat until the smell is gone, and then allow to air dry.
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.
The vinegar acts as a loosener for the ammonia particles that cause that pungent smell. The trick is to be careful not to soak the carpet as to cause damage but at the same time use enough so that the solution gets to work. Once applied, allow the solution to work its magic for 5-10 minutes.
If your floor has developed a slight film or waxy buildup on it (which happens over time when the wrong cleaning products are used), you can instead combine a gallon of hot water with a cup of white vinegar. Vinegar, which is a natural cleaning agent, will break down the film without hurting the laminate surface.
You do not need too much baking soda, only a spoonful. Sprinkle it over the area, leaving it overnight. It will take about eight hours before the odor is completely removed. After that, you can sweep or vacuum the baking soda off the floor.
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Add about 25 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir to combine. Lemon and lavender are great choices, but eucalyptus is my favorite because of the refreshing scent. Pour the baking soda and essential oil mix into the water and stir. Then funnel the water into your spray bottle.
Baking soda absorbs bad smells from old food scraps and other garbage before it reaches your nostrils. If you're all out of baking soda, try using dryer sheets for stinky trash cans. The fabric softener from the sheets will grab smells and replace them with a pleasant laundry scent.
Cleaning non-carpet surfaces requires a non-ammonia and non-vinegar based solution, whether it's homemade or commercial. Note: Make sure any product you use to get rid of cat urine does not contain chlorine bleach. Cat urine contains ammonia and when it mixes with bleach, dangerous gases are created.
Some of the most effective household cleaners aren't meant to be mixed. You probably already know never to combine harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia (or really, bleach and anything). But common pantry essentials that are often used for cleaning — like baking soda and vinegar — shouldn't be mixed either.