Ways to get rid of the smell of cat urine on the couch

Despite the fact that domestic cats are very clean animals, sometimes incidents happen, and your beloved pet can mark furniture or carpet. As the cat urine dries, it turns into a crystal, making it harder to neutralize the stain. In order to get rid of the unpleasant odor, you need to use special products that will help dissolve the urine.

cat on the couch
Even though cats are very clean, it does happen that your pet can mark its territory on your favorite couch.

The reason for the pungent smell

Every cat owner at least once was faced with the question of how to remove the smell of cat urine from a sofa or other surface. It has a strong, persistent odor that does not fade even after a long time. Such properties are inherent due to its constituent components:

  • Urea (sticky, viscous substance).
  • Urochrome (gives the liquid a yellowish tint).
  • Acid (gives a pungent unpleasant odor).

Some time after urinating, the acid begins to decompose and reacts with urea, the latter crystallizes and turns into a sticky spot. After that, it is very difficult to withdraw it and you need to make an effort.

Water cannot dissolve substances that have entered into a chemical reaction; this requires more aggressive and active agents. You need to start active actions as soon as possible, otherwise, after a long time, it will be impossible to remove the stain.

cat urine stains on furniture
A fresh stain is much easier to remove. So try to remove it right away.

In addition, you should understand the reason for this behavior of the pet, since, after removing the stain, the situation may repeat itself. Since it can be the presence of an infection in the urinary tract, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and more.

your cat is sick
The reasons for urinating can vary. You should immediately exclude various diseases for which this can occur.

Psychological reasons can also affect: disorientation, designation of one's own territory, resentment towards the owner. It should be borne in mind that the cat can re-describe the same place and this is just the same normal.

how to clean cat urine from furniture
Having marked the place once, the cat can write there constantly.

Rules for removing the smell of cat urine from upholstery

In most cases, cats mark exactly sofas, armchairs, beds and other pieces of furniture. How to remove the smell of cat urine from the couch at home without the help of dry cleaning? In this situation, improvised and ready-made chemicals should be used.

sofa cleaning precautions
Various professional remedies and folk methods are used to remove stains and eliminate odors.

Trying to mask cat odor with scent sprays is not recommended, as this is only a temporary measure, and most of these aerosols will not be able to properly eliminate it. And after a long time, it is almost impossible to remove the stain.

Important! It is not recommended to use too much liquid when cleaning. The upholstery of the sofa absorbs moisture well, but does not dry out well, which is often the cause of mold.Therefore, when working with a cleaning agent, carefully treat the stain, and then dry the upholstered furniture.

When carrying out cleaning, you must be guided by the following rules:

  1. Blot the urine with a towel or tissue to reduce the amount of liquid absorbed.
  2. Cover the stain with baking soda or starch and wait a couple of minutes for an absorbent effect.
  3. Use a vacuum cleaner or brush to gently remove the mass.
  4. Apply a furniture cleaner.

Before doing the last step, try the substance on an inconspicuous area of ​​the furniture. Some chemicals can react with the upholstery and damage it. If, after the test, the upholstery has changed its original appearance, then use another tool.

sofa cleaners
In order not to spoil the furniture, you should first try the product on a small inconspicuous area.

In no case should you use substances containing chlorine, as it reacts with ammonia and corrodes the upholstery. In addition, the use of a chlorine-containing agent is very harmful to human and animal health.

If the use of finished chemical products is not possible, then improvised substances can also be used. It can be a solution of potassium permanganate, vinegar, alcohol, iodine, lemon, soda, hydrogen peroxide. The use of these funds will be discussed later.

Removing odor using folk remedies

It is not necessary to use ready-made chemicals, since there are quite effective folk remedies. They are able to eliminate not only an unpleasant odor, but also a stain from the upholstery of upholstered furniture. They can be used only when removing fresh stains, if it is old, then removing it with folk remedies is problematic.

Sometimes you need to apply the same product several times to completely remove the dirt, so don't be disappointed if the stain didn't go away the first time.

soda and peroxide to eliminate the smell of cat urine
Folk remedies are usually only effective if the stain is fresh.

Soda and hydrogen peroxide

Many people wonder how to remove the unpleasant smell of cat urine from a sofa or mattress at home. These components are able to quickly and effectively solve the problem, they are mixed into a homogeneous consistency, which consists of:

  • Hydrogen peroxide in a volume of at least 10 milliliters.
  • Liquid soap for increased effectiveness - about two teaspoons.
  • Baking soda - 40-60 grams

The components are mixed in a container until a homogeneous mass is obtained. After it is applied to the stain and left to dry completely. Hydrogen peroxide reacts actively with baking soda, which destroys urine crystals, and soap allows you to completely clean the sofa.

cleaning the sofa with soda
Peroxide and baking soda can quickly remove the stain and get rid of the urine odor.

Alcohol

It is advisable to use medical grade ethyl alcohol of at least 70%. In order to eliminate the smell, you need to moisten a towel with alcohol, apply it firmly to the stain and leave for about one hour. Then you need to remove the towel and clean the area with water or soap.

cleaning the sofa with alcohol
It is better to use ethyl alcohol of at least 70%.

Glycerol

Glycerin dissolves urea, which completely eliminates unpleasant odors. To remove the stain, apply the product to the surface and lather with glycerin soap using a soft bristle brush. Leave it on for about an hour and then wash it off with water.

glycerin for cleaning furniture
Glycerin completely dissolves urine and eliminates odor.

Laundry soap solution

Laundry soap consists of simple but rather aggressive ingredients. To do this, you need to grate a bar of soap and mix it with warm water so that you get a thick mass. It is applied to dirt and rubbed with a soft sponge, after which it is left for at least 30 minutes.

After half an hour, you need to remove the mass with a damp cloth. The surface of upholstered furniture must be well cleaned of the product, and then thoroughly dried.

cleaning the sofa with laundry soap
It is better to apply a thick mass of laundry soap and water with a soft sponge.

Vinegar and manganese

These substances are not mixed, but used separately. When using vinegar, you should:

  1. Dilute vinegar and water in half.
  2. Treat the surface with a solution.

After that, you need to clean the sofa from vinegar with soda, carefully sprinkling the surface. After waiting a few minutes, the mixture is removed with a wet cloth.

how to clean a sofa with vinegar
After cleaning the sofa with vinegar, remove it with baking soda.

When using potassium permanganate, you need to dilute it with water so that you get a not very bright pink tint. Blot the stain and let sit for a few minutes. You should not use potassium permanganate for light furniture, as there is a possibility that pink spots will remain.

elimination of the smell of cat urine with potassium permanganate
The potassium permanganate solution must be very weak. Otherwise, you may leave stained stains on the furniture.

Citric acid and iodine

Citric acid and iodine have an oxidizing effect that destroys urine crystals. To make a solution, you need to dilute the acid with a small amount of water, add two drops of iodine. With this solution, you need to wet a sponge and wipe the upholstery of furniture, repeat the procedure after half an hour.

Citrus will leave a pleasant smell for humans and unpleasant for a cat, which will immediately be a measure of prevention of such behavior of a pet.

Citric acid can be substituted with fresh lemon for an even better effect on the result. In this case, the juice can be squeezed directly onto the sofa. You need to act carefully, as it is quite aggressive and capable of lightening the tissue.

how to clean a sofa with citric acid
Citric acid can be replaced with fresh lemon. This effect will not get weaker.

You can use iodine separately by diluting it with water (add 20-25 drops of iodine to a glass of warm water). The method of application is the same. It should be used only on dark furniture, as it can paint the surface in a dark shade.

Effective professional products for combating unpleasant odor

If the use of folk remedies has not brought success, then it's time to use more active ready-made chemicals. Most professional products remove stains and unpleasant odors without any problems.

Important! When choosing a product, pay attention to the composition: the presence of chlorine, ammonia is not recommended, the content of enzymes and bacteria is recommended. The latter destroy urine crystals.

The most effective and popular remedies:

  • OdorGone. It is hypoallergenic and non-toxic, has bactericidal properties. Made on the basis of herbal ingredients.
  • Odorkill. Not a bad way to smell vanilla in the room.
  • Dezosan. Works at the molecular level, completely safe for humans and animals.
  • Zoosan. Safe, neutralizes odor.
  • Urine-off-Сat & Kitten. Based on bacteria that destroy urine crystals.

You can also use: Hartz Pet Stain & Odor Remover, Just for Cats Urine Destroyer, Just for cats Stain & Odor Remover, Complete Pet Stain & Odor Remover, Tri-bio.

The rules and conditions for the use of a particular product are described on the packaging. It is recommended to use a substance with a citrus scent, as it repels cats and is a preventive measure.

What should not be used for odor cleaning

A number of remedies should not be used, as they will only aggravate the situation. These include:

  1. Chlorine. It emits fumes that are harmful to health and can damage furniture. Products containing chlorine are not able to remove urea from the fabric and eliminate the pungent odor.
  2. Odor masking agents. They do not in any way destroy harmful bacteria, but only temporarily mask them. This can provoke the animal to re-write.

Carefully approach the question of choosing a product, do not forget to test it in an inconspicuous place.

rules for removing the smell of cat urine
You should not use products containing chlorine and preparations that simply mask odors.

Nuances and precautions

There are a number of misconceptions that should be dispelled before you start cleaning. Do not delay cleaning the stain, as after a while it will be very problematic.It will also help your pet stop urinating. Do not think that it is enough to eliminate the unpleasant odor. It is necessary to destroy harmful bacteria that multiply very quickly in furniture upholstery.

how to properly clean your sofa from cat urine
Remember that it is very important not only to eliminate odor and stain, but also to kill harmful bacteria.

Preventive measures

In order to prevent this situation from happening again, it is necessary to take preventive measures. First of all, you should pay attention to your pet. It could be due to a mental condition, illness, or other more common causes. Let's consider them in more detail.

This may be due to the fact that the tray is not properly organized, it should always be clean, comfortable for the cat, and in a suitable secluded place. Try to monitor his behavior, if necessary, take him to the tray. Change the tray at least every two days.

rules for arranging a cat litter
Your pet's litter box should be comfortable and always clean. Then he will not have a desire to “go” somewhere else.

If the animal continues to urinate in the wrong place, then it is worth visiting a veterinarian. Poor cat behavior can be related to a recent move, separation from the owner, or resentment. You can also use the smells of coffee, citrus or other to scare the animal away.

How to get the smell of cat urine out of the couch and other furniture became obvious. Removing the smell is not easy and you need to make an effort, but you can do it yourself without the help of specialized services. Knowing the subtleties and tricks described in the article, you can easily get rid of the stain and neutralize the pungent odor.

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