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Pets bring plenty of joy to the home, but they can also be the source of unpleasant messes now and again. We tapped cleaning pros to explain how to remove cat pee odors and stains from different surfaces in the home.
"The best way to get rid of cat urine smell for good is to use a stain remover with enzymes," Carolyn Forté, former executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, explains.
Enzyme cleaners will not only remove the current mess, but also deter your cat from peeing in the same spot again. If cats can smell pee, they’re more likely to urinate in the same spot again. Enzyme-based stain removers break down organic matter like urine, so your cat won’t smell it.
Once you’ve dealt with the mess, it’s worth trying to determine why your cat is peeing outside of the litter box. According to PetMD, it may be due to medical conditions, a dirty litter box, a litter box that’s difficult to access, a new brand of litter your cat dislikes, or anxiety, among other issues.
Ahead, learn more about the best ways to eliminate cat urine stains and odors from carpets, wood, tile, and more.
Carpet
An enzyme-based cleaner like Bissell Pet Stain & Odor Remover is your best bet for cleaning carpets and area rugs.
Before using, soak up — don't wipe! — as much of the stain matter as you can with a paper towel or rag. Spray the product (which also removes stains and smells from feces, vomit, and blood, FYI) on the trouble spot until the area is thoroughly saturated. Gently blot the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove as much of the stain as possible. Cover the spot with a damp towel and let sit for up to 12 hours.
Upholstery
If the cushion covers are removable, stick them in the wash ASAP or take them to the dry cleaner. For stains that have set into the sofa cushions, try the Bissell Pet Stain & Odor Remover and follow the same steps above. If all fails, hire a cleaning service to deep clean your couch cushions and pillows to remove the odor.
Wood
If your wood floors have a sealant, you're in luck. Simply use paper towels to absorb urine and clean with your favorite hardwood floor cleaner like Bona Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner or Simple Solution Hard Floor Cleaner. If a dark or discolored stain forms, it may be best to call a professional.
Ceramic Tile
Unless the urine has spread to the grout, you can simply wipe up the mess with a paper towel and clean with a tile cleaner like Lysol Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner. If the tile isn't glazed or the liquid has spread to the grout, use CLR Cleaner Spray to remove discoloration. To remove odor, make a thick paste with water and baking soda, rub into the grout, and wipe once dry. After cleaning, spray the grout with Lysol Disinfecting Spray.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
Laura Millar (she/her) is a freelance lifestyle journalist for Good Housekeeping. She holds a degree in Film, TV & Media from the University of Michigan, and was previously the assistant lifestyle editor for GH, where she covered home design. Her byline has appeared in NBC's TODAY.com, PEOPLE, Real Simple, and Business Insider.
