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You’re having your neighbors over for dinner for the first time tonight – you’re so excited that you’ve been preparing all day. You’ve cleaned every single room of your home, prepared a delicious three-course meal, and even bathed your pets for the occasion. But when they finally arrive and you welcome them in, you watch their smiles gradually (yet noticeably) transform into an expression that reads loud and clear, “what in the world is that smell?”
Sometimes, spraying that cat pee stain with a cleaning product and applying a little scrubbing action doesn’t always do the trick. The visual stain may be gone, and you may no longer smell it because you’ve gotten used to it, but your neighbors sure do. Don’t worry – they’ll understand. But you’ll probably want to get it fixed for next time.
Here’s how to get rid of cat urine smell so that your next dinner party – or just the next time you have friends over – won’t have the same awkward beginning:
Locate the Stain
Beware: this is not a glamorous step, but it is one of the most necessary. You’re probably going to need to get on your hands and knees and sniff around in order to locate the pee stain. Sure, it’s easier to just try to remember where your cat had its last accident, or to guess where it is by the strength of the odor in different parts of the room. Unfortunately, that leaves you with the obvious risk of not actually locating the stain, so you’ll go on living in a urine-scented home. Trust me, you definitely don’t want that.
Spray with Enzymatic Cleaner
It’s crucial that the product that you use is enzymatic, which has special biological enzymes that greatly reduce the smell of cat urine, and sometimes remove it completely. Remember that it’s important to follow the instructions on the bottle very carefully – they’re there for a reason. Applying too much of certain cleaners can have a negative effect on some carpets and fabrics.
Use Vinegar Solution
This step in the process is incredibly important, as the vinegar is one of the best ways how to get rid of cat pee smell and prevent future recurrences in the same spot. Compose a homemade solution that contains ½ vinegar and ½ water, and use it to soak the spot as well as the area around it (just in case!). Let the mix sit for a few minutes, and then dry the spot with a clean rag or a paper towel.
Use Baking Soda
In case you didn’t know, baking soda does wonders when it comes to absorbing odors. So go find your Arm & Hammer box of baking soda and sprinkle a generous amount of it on the spot in order to remove the deep-down moisture that causes the urine smell to linger.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Detergent Mixture
When these two come together, magic happens. Form a mixture that’s composed of ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide and a teaspoon of dish detergent. Then pour it over the cat pee stain, and scrub away! A toothbrush or bristle brush will do the job with great results and the least amount of elbow grease.
Vacuum It
Last but not least, vacuum the spot thoroughly! A normal vacuum cleaner will do just fine – there’s no need to waste tons of money on a special pet vac. We only advise that you don’t use a steam cleaner, as the heat that they produce can actually cause the odor to permanently nestle itself into your carpet.
How to Get Rid of Cat Urine Smell – Wrapping Up
By following these easy steps, the next time that your neighbors come over for dinner, they’ll be able to breathe easy, and so will you. We hope that these tips helped you learn how to get rid of cat urine smell, and keep your home smelling fresh and clean for a long time to come.
