The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rid of Cat Pee Smell
We love our cats, but few smells are as stubborn as cat pee! That sharp, ammonia-like whiff gets into carpets, sofas and rugs, and if it hangs about, your cat may be tempted back to the same spot.
The good news? With the right steps you can clean it up properly and get your home smelling fresh again. This guide covers how to get rid of cat pee smell from carpets, rugs, sofas and floors, plus how to stop it coming back.
Why Does Cat Pee Smell So Strong?
Cat urine is more than just liquid waste. It’s a complex mix of chemicals that becomes more pungent over time. Fresh urine contains urea, which breaks down into ammonia as it decomposes. Over time, bacteria in the urine produce mercaptans, the same compounds that give skunk spray its notorious odour. If not dealt with quickly, these compounds seep into surfaces, making the smell harder and harder to shift.
Factors like dehydration, diet or age can also make your cat’s urine smell stronger. Senior cats tend to produce more concentrated urine, while male cats often have a stronger scent due to hormones.
How to Get Rid of Cat Pee Smell: Step by Step
1. Act Quickly
Fresh urine is far easier to deal with because it hasn’t yet soaked deep into carpets, upholstery or wooden floors. The longer it sits, the more it breaks down into ammonia and the stronger the smell gets. As soon as you spot it, get blotting!
2. Blot, Don’t Rub
Resist the urge to scrub. Rubbing pushes the urine deeper into the fibres and spreads it further. Instead, blot gently with paper towels or a clean, absorbent cloth. For bigger puddles, layer up the paper towels and press down firmly. Keep going until the area feels dry to the touch.
3. Clean the Urine Itself
An air freshener can’t clean up a wee. The urine needs cleaning out of the fibres first, or the smell will keep coming back.
Vinegar and baking soda: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, dab it onto the spot and leave it for 5–10 minutes. Blot it dry, sprinkle baking soda over the top and let it dry completely, then hoover it up.
A cleaner made for pet urine: For older or stubborn patches, use a cleaner designed specifically for pet urine and follow the instructions on the label.
4. Get Rid of the Lingering Smell
Once the spot is clean and dry, that’s where we come in! Our Odour Eliminating Multi-Purpose Powder is made with patented odour-eliminating technology developed by our fragrance house, and it eliminates odours for up to 48 hours. Sprinkle it over the dry carpet or rug, leave it to work its magic, then hoover it up. It leaves a gorgeous scent behind too, like Sweet Blooms.
For the rest of the room, a spritz of our odour eliminating room and fabric sprays freshens the air, curtains and cushions in seconds.
How to Get Cat Pee Smell Out of Carpet
Carpets and rugs are the trickiest, because urine can soak right through the pile and into the underlay. Here’s how to tackle it:
Blot: Soak up as much as you can with paper towels, pressing down firmly. No rubbing!
Clean: Treat the patch with the vinegar solution or a cleaner made for pet urine, making sure it reaches as deep as the wee did. Then blot it dry.
Dry: Let the patch dry completely. Open a window or pop a fan on to speed things up.
Deodorise: Sprinkle our odour eliminating powder over the area, leave it to work, then hoover. Our carpet deodoriser range has four scents to choose from.
Tip: Steam cleaners are brilliant for carpets, but avoid high heat on a fresh urine patch, as it can set the smell into the fibres. Clean it first, steam later.
Want more carpet tips? Read our guide on how to make a carpet smell better.
How to Get Cat Pee Smell Out of a Sofa
Upholstery needs a gentler touch, and urine can sink into the cushions, so act fast.
Blot: Soak up any fresh urine with a clean, absorbent cloth.
Clean the stain: Mix a little of our powder with warm water to make a paste. Work it gently into the stain with a soft cloth or sponge, without soaking the fabric.
Rinse and dry: Wipe the paste away with a damp cloth so there’s no residue left, then let the area air dry completely.
Freshen up: Once it’s dry, give the sofa a light spritz of our Sweet Blooms Room & Fabric Spray.
Tip: Always test any cleaning solution or spray on a small, hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t mark the fabric.
How to Clean Cat Pee off Wooden and Hard Floors
Urine can seep into wood and cause staining or warping if it’s left, so wipe it up quickly.
Wipe: Clean the spot with a damp cloth and a vinegar and water solution (equal parts).
Dry: Dry the area straight away with a clean cloth so the wood doesn’t soak up any moisture.
Freshen the room: A spritz of room spray in the air keeps the whole room smelling lovely.
Tip: If the urine has soaked deep into the wood, the floor may need professional refinishing.
How to Stop Cat Pee Smells Coming Back
Check In With Your Vet
Cats can wee outside their usual spot because of stress, territory or a health issue. If it keeps happening, it’s worth a trip to the vet to rule anything out.
Keep Their Toilet Spot Clean
Cats are fussy creatures and may go elsewhere if their toilet isn’t clean. Scoop daily and give it a proper wash-out every week with warm water and a mild, unscented soap.
Keep the Whole House Fresh
Clean accidents quickly, hoover often and give carpets and rugs a regular sprinkle of powder. Want the lot in one go? Our odour kit sends an odour eliminating spray, a powder pouch and a hanging air freshener every month, made with patented odour-eliminating technology that eliminates odours for up to 48 hours.
Making Your Home Smell Fresh Again
Cat pee smell can take the shine off a cosy home, but with a proper clean and the right products, you can get things smelling fresh again. Clean the urine first, dry it fully, then let our odour eliminators do the rest.
Ready to say goodbye to stubborn smells? Shop our odour eliminating range and enjoy a fresher home for you and your feline friends!