How to Get Cat Urine Smell Out of Carpet [4 Effective Ways]

If you are reading this, you are most likely a cat owner. Every cat owner struggles at some point with the problematic issue of cat urine smell. It can be embarrassing having friends and family over your home when you know there is an odor. The last thing you want is to be known as the “cat house.”

In this article, we are going to talk about how to get cat urine smell out of carpet because that is where these odors linger. With the right materials in strategies, removing cat urine smell is simple.

Cleaning up an Accident

If you just noticed that your cat peed on the floor there are specific actions you take to ensure the smell doesn’t linger once you have cleaned up.

Start by soaking up a majority of the urine using a right amount of paper towels. Pat the area with gentle pressure and continue this until the paper towels have soaked up most of the urine.

If the accident has been there for a while already, then you won’t bother with this step.

Tackling the Mess

If you have cleaned up a significant portion of the urine or it has been soaking into the carpet for a while, you need a robust cleaner that is going to eliminate the smell. Using a potent pet odor neutralizer like “oxyclean for pets” or “Nature’s Miracle” breaks down proteins in pet urine.

Using the cleaner, spray a liberal amount on the affected area and give it a chance to soak into the carpet before scrubbing. Once the soap has sat for a few minutes – rub the area vigorously for at least five minutes.

These two strategies paired together should remove the majority of pet urine odors.

Additional Strategies

If you find that you’ve still got some lingering issues, not to worry. There are other things you can try.

Vinegar and Water

Using a spray bottle spray the area thoroughly with the mixture and using a stiff scrubbing brush scrub the area until the carpet is wet. The smell of the vinegar over time neutralizes the cat urine smell.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Mix a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with a tablespoon of dishwasher soap into two cups of warm water. Apply this mixture to an abrasive sponge and scrub the affected areas. When using hydrogen peroxide, be sure to test the mix on an unnoticeable area of carpet to ensure that it will not stain.

Once you have scrubbed the area for a few minutes, let the carpet dry and vacuum up any remaining baking soda.

Black Light

Sometimes the number one issue associated with removing cat urine smell from carpet is finding exactly where the odor resides. You may think you found the right spot and did everything you could to remove the smell when, in reality, you aren’t even scrubbing the right area of the carpet.

If the smell is very overwhelming, it may be beneficial for you to get a black light to find precisely where any urine-soaked areas are in your home.

Stopping the Accident Before it Happens

The best way to eliminate cat urine odors is to stop the problem before it starts. It’s easier said than done, but there are a few ways you can reduce the chances that your cat will have an accident.

Relocate The Litter Box

Cats are picky, and there’s a chance your pet may not be happy with the location of their litter box. Move the box and bring the cat to the box repeatedly to show them where it is. Always offer positive reinforcement for a job well done.

Clean the Litter Box More Often

The cleaner the box is kept the higher chance you have of your cat using it correctly. If the litter box is often dirty, your cat won’t want to use it.

Get Your Cat Fixed

If the problem persists and becomes a nuisance – consider getting your cat fixed. Male cats that are not neutered spray to mark their territory.

The smell of cat urine can linger in a house and is very difficult to remove once it rests for a while. Locate all the sources of the odor and tackle it using a variety of these methods.

These smells are not only embarrassing when acknowledged by guests, but the strong smell of ammonia is not pleasant in large quantities.

Use a Carpet Cleaner for Pets

Carpet cleaning machines that are specifically designed for pet stains are also recommended to use when your are dealing with pet stains. We reviewed the best machines here.