Getting Rid of Cat Pee Odor on Furniture

Cats are cuddly and warm household pets. More often than not, they are considered great stress-busters because they can change the mood of their owner whenever they are around. Cats are considered clean creatures by many because they wash themselves by licking their fur frequently and bury their feces each time they eliminate. However, there are occasions when cat owners have to deal with offensive cat urine odor on the furniture where the cat frequently stays.



Most cat owners often find it exhausting to remove cat urine stains and odor, since they are very hard to remove especially when the furniture is heavily padded. If you are one of those cat owners experiencing this problem, don’t throw the furniture away or get used to the smell because there are solutions below which might save your furniture from ending up in landfills.



The following cleaning procedures are appropriate for furniture with fabric upholstery only (other upholstery materials should be cleaned with appropriate cleaning procedures):



1. As soon as you notice a cat pee in your sofa, don’t leave it to dry if you don’t want to have a hard time removing cat urine stain and odor. Immediately, soak up as much moisture as you can with the use of a white cloth diaper or a paper towel on the affected area. Repeat these steps if you deem it necessary. If you own a vacuum, point the vacuum’s hose attachment over the moistened area to suck up dirt and dust which might interfere with cleaning.



2. Since ordinary water alone cannot dissolve the crystals derived from the cat’s urine, you need a special homemade cleaner to dissolve it. This special homemade cleaner can be made by mixing a varying amount of cleaning agents such as baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, castile soap or hydrogen peroxide. Apply the mixture with a soft-bristled brush by gently scrubbing the soiled part in circular motion. Let the solution stay for several minutes, then soak it up with white cloth or with a damp sponge, whatever you have handy. Warning: Do not use colored cloths as it may discolor your furniture.



3. Using a commercial cat pee odor remover is another option to remove the smell out of furniture. Some commercial odor removers are enzymatic cleaners which will also help dissolve uric acid crystals and are therefore effective in eliminating all traces of pet urine smell.

Whether you use a homemade cleaner or a commercial one, always make it a habit to do a practical test application first on the hidden area of the furniture to make sure that the solution will not cause any fabric discoloration. Indeed, with the right mix and solution, it is still possible to maintain the look of your furniture even after removing cat urine odor and stains.