I’m embarrassed to admit it.
Eight years ago, my Siamese cats peed everywhere but their litter box.
On my couch. On my handwoven Turkish rug. On the bookshelf that held a prized music collection. Piece by piece, cat pee destroyed my handsome furniture and cozy home.
To say it stressed me out is an understatement.
It frustrated me that my cats were peeing outside their litter box. And that there were no quick fixes.
So, I dusted off my psychology degree to investigate the possible root cause of my cats’ troublesome behavior. At the same time, I was determined to prevent our house from smelling like a jumbo litter box.
In this post, I’m going to share with you the cleaning recipes I use to get rid of cat urine smell.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission on your purchase.
Follow your nose: How to Find The Cat Urine Smell
Cat urine is pungent and yet, it’s not always obvious where it’s coming from.
A black light highlights cat urine in a pale shade of purple. But, this works best in the dark.
The best any time method I have found is to channel my inner Inch High, Private Eye. In other words, I get down on all fours and use my sniffer and my hands.
I won’t lie. It’s gross. But, the goal is to act fast and avoid letting the cat urine sink in.
Once you’ve confirmed the location, let the cleaning begin.
Cats are habitual. They might urinate outside the box once because of a specific incident. But the scent lures them back.
That’s why it’s so important to annihilate the cat urine smell.
Regardless of where you find the urine, soak up as much of it as you can with towels. Then, break down the uric acid that causes the foul odor.
How to remove cat pee from hardwood floors, tile, and concrete
For hardwood floors, or tile, a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water followed by isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide will do the trick.
- Mix 1:1 ratio of vinegar to cold water in a spray bottle
- Spray soiled area and let sit for 15 minutes
- Wipe and air dry
If the smell persists, repeat. When cat urine has seeped beneath the floor or sat for a period, start with an enzyme cleaner.
When you no longer smell cat urine, wipe with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
For tile floors and concrete, I alternate between an enzyme-based detergent like Free & Clear, and an enzyme cleaner, like Odor Xit. It usually requires several cleanings over several hours and even days to allow for drying in-between applications.
How to clean cat urine from fabric and rugs
If the soaked area is fabric—couches, rugs or clothes—use an enzyme-based solution. And be quick. The longer it sits, the harder it is to remove the odor. Don’t be shy. Spray it or pour it right onto the carpet and brush it in. Then use a small carpet & upholstery cleaner to soak it up. Let it air dry. Repeat multiple times, if needed.
Tip: Remove cushion covers quickly to avoid urine seeping into the cushion which is almost impossible to remove!
This is also true for mattress covers. If you act fast you may be able to prevent urine from seeping into the cushion. Then, simply toss the cover into the washing machine.
If the item is machine washable, even better. Use cold water so the stain or odor won’t set.
My favorite enzyme cleaner is Free & Clear Method laundry detergent. It contains the protease, cellulase, and amylase enzymes which break down the odors in cat urine. And doesn’t leave behind a toxic or perfumed aroma.
Tip: Add a 1/2 cup of baking soda to neutralize the odor.
See related:
3 stress-free spring cleaning for you and your cat
An ounce of prevention
The best way to get rid of cat urine smell from your home is to keep it where it belongs.
In the litter box.
Truth is there will be accidents. But when your cat develops a habit of peeing outside the litter box, it’s time to dig deeper.
First, have your vet rule out medical issues. Urinary issues in cats can be deadly.
Second, follow this simple checklist to keep your cat happy:
- Set up one litter box for every cat, plus one extra
- Keep litter boxes in a quiet, yet convenient location
- Make sure your cat likes his litter
- Scoop litter at least once per day
- Clean the box, the surrounding area and refresh the litter monthly
- Avoid scented deodorizers in or around the box
See related:
Stop litter box stress with 3 easy tips
Cats communicate with their scent. While the stench is unpleasant to us it is natural for cats. So give your cat a desirable place to soak their scent without destroying your home. And for those unfortunate times when the cat pees outside his litter box, act fast and neutralize. It’s the best way to keep your home fresh and prevent future accidents.
What are your best tips for getting rid of cat urine smell? Share them in the comments below.
Save this post for later:
Did you find this article helpful? Let me know by tapping the heart below or leaving a comment. Or, buy something from amazon by using my affiliate links (it doesn't matter what you buy and it doesn't cost anything extra.) Thank you 😺10
12 Comments
Hope this works!
I hope it works for you. Let me know.
Do you dilute the “The Method Free and Clear” laundry detergent? I have 4 cats who keep peeing in one spot on a laminate floor that’s by their litter boxes. Litter boxes are kept clean.
I generally wipe up the urine, and then I put a dollop the size of a nickel or quarter onto a wet towel and spread it onto the floor. I let it sit for at least 15 minutes before removing it with wet towels.
Sometimes, I will alternate between the odorXit and the laundry detergent. It can take multiple applications with time in between to dry. If the smell is stubborn, I’ll usually sprinkle some baking soda on it and let it sit for hours. Then I start the process again (detergent + odorXit).
One thing you can try is to put a pee pad under (or around) the litter box so that the cats don’t keep hitting the floor while you are trying to remove the odor. I hope it helps.
Cat pees in box but poops on the floor. Has done this since a kitten (past owner). Usually in the pathway to and from box or by his food and water. Mostly right where we walk. Done by the book, outside/inside the “box”, talked to people in the parking lot, HELP.
One of my guys does this sometimes when he gets “backed up”. My vet suggested giving him something to loosen the stool every few days and that mostly works. It’s a flavorless powder that I add to his wet food. Ask your vet about it.
I have five cats and five litter boxes the advice given above is very useful ..thanks
Thanks! I’d suggest adding one more box, if you have the room.
Another thing to consider, if your cats normally do use the litter, is if they start all of the sudden peeing on your couch or other places there may be a health problem going on. I had my cat for a year, when she started peeing on my couch. Taking her to the vet, I found out she had kidney stones. Now she’s on prescription cat food. Recently she started peeing on the couch again, 5 years later. This time it was a UTI. If you don’t fix the health problem, they will just keep doing it,
This is such an important point. The first thing to do when facing litter box avoidance is to rule out medical issues. I wrote about it in “Crystals in Cat Urine: How to Spot Early Warning Signs.” Thanks for your comment!
My Boy Cat (fixed) has started spraying after we brought in a new kitten. He seems to like her but continues to spray. I’m at wits end… it’s an emotional thing, definitely not physical. I’ve bought a black light and clean, clean and clean more. I’m ready to move out and leave the house to the cats ! Any ideas ????
I’ve been there, and it’s stressful! Assuming your vet has ruled out a medical condition, you can try giving your cat more territory by building up vertical space with tall cat trees and climbing walls. And, you might try some pheromones to help your cats relax in each other’s presence. Here’s a list of the cat calming aids I use to help keep the peace. Good luck and keep me posted.