One is breaking popularity records on the Internetfunny demotivator: a kitten is marching around the room on its hind legs, and below there is a caption: “I’m walking around the room like a crazy person, because I took a dump in a human slipper!” Funny... And most importantly - relevant. Many, many of our dearly beloved cats are capable of such blasphemous ingratitude as taking a dump in completely unexpected places. What motivates these ugly creatures is a second question. And the first question that puzzles us is how to remove the smell of cat urine. Even if you immediately “sweep away” all traces of this disgrace, the smell may still remain. And if you don’t notice and clean up the puddle right away, then the place will definitely stink. And it’s okay if the cat pees on the linoleum or tiles... But if she wets the carpet, sofa, parquet or wooden floor, then - write it off! Any absorbent surface can hold the smell of cat urine for a long time and firmly. It is difficult to remove this smell, but in many cases it is still possible. Let's find out how to do it.
Why is it difficult to remove this smell?
This is not an idle question.If you know the composition of cat urine, it will be easier to get rid of the smell left by the cat. In any case, you will be able to understand how to do it. To begin with, let's note that it stinks not only for us. Cats do not like the "foreign" smell either, and they are not thrilled with their own. For example, most cats are disgusted to use the same litter box with another cat living in the house, and do not like it when their personal litter box smells. By the way, this may be one of the reasons for the cat to look for a new place for the toilet. The main reason for the persistent smell of cat urine is its ability to quickly crystallize. The crystals that form do not dissolve in water and, as a rule, are not removed by detergents. And the following main components are included in the composition of cat urine: Urea - makes urine sticky when dry, but dissolves well in water; Urochrome - gives urine color, comes from the coloring substances of bile; Uric acid is a crystalline, colorless substance that is practically insoluble in water. It is the latter that makes urine difficult to remove. When we wash the places in the apartment or things (bed linen, clothes, shoes) marked by a cat, water and detergents (alkali) dissolve and remove the first components well. And poorly soluble crystals of uric acid remain and dry. There is no moisture or color in the marked place, and the crystals are invisible. By the way, the smell is also absent at first or is simply masked by strong smells of detergents. However, as soon as uric acid is exposed to any moisture (sweat, water, urine), the smell appears again. This is why clothes and shoes soiled by a cat do not smell after washing, but begin to stink again after the first wear. The intensity of the smell also depends on what surface the urine got on and how long it remained there. It is very difficult to remove the smell of cat urine from porous and rough materials, as well as from surfaces that absorb moisture well. Sometimes only professional dry cleaning can help with this. But if the puddle is fresh, and you managed to quickly blot it, then it is still possible to remove the remaining smell. And you can also try to remove the smell from more problematic places, using home or special means.
Aids
At first glance, the most effective home remedybleach seems to be the best remedy. Indeed, it helps to get rid of the smell of cat urine quickly, but not for long. Chlorine-containing products themselves have a very strong smell, which simply drowns out the smell of cat urine. But it does not dissolve uric acid crystals, and as soon as the chlorine evaporates, the smell coming from the stain is renewed. In addition, chlorine is a very aggressive and even poisonous substance. Therefore, such products can damage the fabric and leave whitish marks on any other surface. Ammonia and any perfumes, widely advertised on Internet forums, do not get rid of the smell either. Although, it should be noted that perfumes and colognes based on alcohol are really capable of dissolving uric acid crystals, but imagine how much of them you need to use to completely destroy traces of cat ugliness. All kinds of oxidizers will “work” much more effectively in this case. From improvised home remedies, the following will help to cope with the smell of cat urine:
- Potassium permanganate (manganese), whose aqueous solutions act as oxidants and deodorants.
- An aqueous solution of vinegar, capable of oxidizing uric acid crystals and neutralizing the smell.
- Lemon juice (acts like vinegar);
- Hydrogen peroxide (oxidizes and has a bactericidal property);
- Aqueous solution of iodine (15 drops per liter of water).
By the way, many improvised means are capableneutralize the action of bacteria that multiply in urine, which, in fact, cause its unpleasant odor. Therefore, any alcohol, tea leaves, mouthwash and an aqueous solution of baking soda can be used as such means. But, note that all these means are good only as emergency aid and are effective only for fresh marks left by a cat. Laundry soap also has a bactericidal property and contains glycerin, which breaks down uric acid crystals. By analogy with laundry soap, you can use glycerin soap or soap with a bactericidal effect. But all kinds of fragrances (Zvezdochka balm, aromatic oils and bath salts, ground coffee, dried herbs) are not able to remove the smell of cat urine. They will muffle it for some time, but after the aroma has evaporated (or even earlier), cat marks will begin to smell again. When using home remedies, it is best to combine several components at once, one of which will act as an absorbent, another will help oxidize or break down uric acid crystals, and a third will neutralize the smell. For example, apply a water solution of vinegar (one to four) to a fresh urine stain, blot it with a paper towel and sprinkle with baking soda. Then make a solution of laundry soap and hydrogen peroxide and rub it into the stain. Then vacuum the stained surface. And do not forget about the aggressive properties of many of the listed products and their ability to "eat" paint. Therefore, before using, test their effect on small (inconspicuous) areas.
Special Tools
The modern market offers us simplyan incredible number of products for neutralizing pet odors. But, unfortunately, not all manufacturers produce truly high-quality products, and you can only verify the effectiveness of the product in practice. Therefore, when purchasing such products, carefully study their composition, which should include not only alkalis and oxidizers, but also special enzymes that can break down uric acid and neutralize odor. Here is just a short list of products that you can try to remove the smell of cat urine:
- Zoosan is a detergent, a biological killer of odors;
- Urine Off (Urine Off) - safe biological cleaner;
- Just for cats Stain&Odor Remover – removes the smell of cat marks;
- Complete Pet Stain&Odor Remover – stain and odor remover;
- Pet Stain&Odor Remover – a spray that removes even old stains and urine odor;
- DesoSan - a means to destroy any odors,
- Odor Kill&Stain Remover – liquid and spray for odor neutralization;
- Bio-G is a smell remover.
Using any professional means,read the instructions carefully: not all of them are suitable for upholstered furniture and carpets, some can cause irritation and allergies. There are simply no absolutely safe industrial products, no matter how much the manufacturers and sellers of these products try to convince you otherwise. Unfortunately, sometimes no products help at all. Then, perhaps, it is worth asking for help from professionals and taking the item to a dry cleaner, or inviting specialists to your home. Just be sure to voice your problem so that professional help is targeted and effective. And to avoid such problems, keep the cat litter box clean and convenient (for the cat) its location. True, sometimes illnesses, stressful situations, as well as instincts can provoke a cat to leave a mark on the carpet, sofa or shoes. But what can you do, such is the nature of these animals, and, as we know, you can’t argue with it. And if you have settled such a "crazy" mustachioed-striped happiness in your house, then be prepared for everything, including the fight against the smell of cat urine. How could it be otherwise? We are responsible for those we have tamed. We advise you to read:
