
Cats are great, but cat pee? Not so much. If your cat has made a mess of your furniture, you'll want to get rid of the stain and the smell as soon as possible. Cat pee has a powerful, long-lasting odour and can impregnate anything with its smell. Here's what to do if your cat has peed on your couch.
What You'll Learn
- Blot the area with a cloth or paper towel to absorb the urine
- Use a vinegar solution
- Sprinkle baking soda on the area and leave for 10-15 minutes, then vacuum
- Use an enzymatic pet-odour removal product
- Locate all potential stains with a black light
Blot the area with a cloth or paper towel to absorb the urine
Blotting the area with a cloth or paper towel is an important first step in removing cat urine from your couch. This will help to absorb the urine and prevent it from seeping further into the fabric or cushion of your couch. It is crucial to act quickly, as cat urine can leave stubborn stains and a strong odour that is difficult to remove.
If the urine is still wet, use an old towel, cloth, or paper towel to gently blot the area. It is important to dab at the couch rather than scrub, as scrubbing can drive the urine deeper into the fabric and cause colour bleeding or damage to the material fibres. Blot as much urine as possible until the area is mostly dry. You may need to switch to a clean part of the cloth or towel to ensure the fabric is as clean as possible.
If the urine has already dried, you can use a cloth or folded paper towel to absorb any remaining odour or residue. This is an important step to ensure the cat does not continue to smell its previous urine and continue to urinate in the same spot.
Once you have blotted the area, you can move on to the next step of your chosen cleaning method, such as using an enzymatic cleaner, vinegar solution, or baking soda. These methods, in combination with blotting the affected area, will help to effectively remove cat urine and odour from your couch.
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Use a vinegar solution
Vinegar is a great natural product to use to get rid of cat pee on your couch. Its acidity makes it a fantastic odour neutraliser and stain remover.
To make your vinegar solution, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, depending on what you have available.
Before you apply the vinegar solution, blot the affected area with a paper towel or cloth to absorb as much urine as possible. Then, spray the solution onto the stain. Use a cloth or paper towel to blot the solution into the stain and absorb the urine. Repeat this process until the stain is dry and the odour has been removed.
If there is still a lingering odour after cleaning the stain, don't worry. Cat urine can leave a stubborn and overwhelming scent even after a thorough cleaning. To tackle this, first, clean the affected area with your chosen cleaner and allow the area to fully dry. Then, sprinkle a light amount of baking soda onto the upholstery and allow it to sit for about 15 to 30 minutes. Be careful not to use too much baking soda, as it will be difficult to remove. Finally, vacuum the area thoroughly, making sure to remove all of the baking soda so that no lingering odours remain.
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Sprinkle baking soda on the area and leave for 10-15 minutes, then vacuum
Baking soda is an effective remedy for removing cat urine from couches. It is a safe, natural cleaning solution that can be easily found in most pantries. To use baking soda to eliminate cat urine from your couch, follow these steps:
First, locate the affected area on your couch. If the urine is still wet, use a cloth or paper towel to blot and absorb as much of the urine as possible. It is important to act quickly, as cat urine stains can set in and ruin your furniture.
Next, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda directly onto the soiled area. Ensure that you cover the entire surface, as this will help absorb the odour. Leave the baking soda on the couch for at least 10 to 15 minutes. For more stubborn odours or stains, you may need to let it sit for up to 30 minutes or even overnight. During this time, the baking soda will work to neutralise the odour and absorb any remaining moisture.
Once the baking soda has had sufficient time to work, it's time to vacuum. Use a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly remove the baking soda from the couch. Be sure to vacuum the entire area, paying close attention to the affected spots. It is important to remove all traces of baking soda to prevent any lingering odours.
If, after vacuuming, you still notice the smell of cat urine, simply repeat the process. Continue sprinkling, waiting, and vacuuming until the odour is completely gone.
While baking soda is an effective solution, it is important to note that it can be dangerous to cats if inhaled. Therefore, ensure your cat is not nearby during the cleaning process and that all remnants of baking soda are removed from the couch before allowing your cat back onto the furniture.
Additionally, combining baking soda with other household products like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide can boost its odour-fighting power. These natural solutions can be safely applied to the affected area, following a similar process of waiting and then blotting or vacuuming to remove.
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Use an enzymatic pet-odour removal product
Enzymatic pet-odour removal products are designed to eliminate pet stains and odours from couches, mattresses, carpets, and linens. These products are effective because they contain enzymes that break down the acid in urine, which helps to get rid of the foul smell.
There are many enzymatic pet-odour removal products on the market, including the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray, Anti Icky Poo, Nature's Miracle, Angry Orange Concentrate, Skout, Biokleen Bac-Out, and Jackson Galaxy's spray.
To use an enzymatic pet-odour removal product to get rid of cat pee on your couch, follow these steps:
- Locate all potential stains. If you cannot detect any stains by sniffing, use a black light to help find them. Cat pee will show up as a yellow-green colour under a black light.
- Thoroughly saturate the stain with the enzymatic cleaner, as well as the area around the stain.
- Follow the instructions that come with the product for best results. Typically, you will spray the area liberally and then let it dry.
- Once the product is dry, vacuum the area.
- Repeat the process as needed until the stain and odour are gone.
It is important to note that you should not use an ammonia-based cleaner to clean up cat urine, as cat pee contains ammonia, and the scent may attract your cat back to the area to pee again.
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Locate all potential stains with a black light
If your cat has been urinating on your furniture for a while, there could be multiple stains on your sofa. If these stains are not detectable by smell, you can use a black light to help locate them. Cat urine will show up as a yellow-green colour under a black light.
If you don't have access to a black light, or there are too many stains to deal with, it may be time to call a professional to deep clean your couch.
If you are able to locate the stains, you can then treat them with an enzymatic cleaner. This is a cleaning agent that uses bacteria to create enzymes that will break down the stain. You should follow the instructions on the cleaner you are using, but generally, you should thoroughly saturate the stain and the area around it.
You can also try a DIY spray method using a mixture of vinegar and water. Blot the affected area until most of the urine has been removed, then spray the solution onto the stain. Use a rag or paper towel to blot the solution into the stain and then absorb the urine. Repeat this process until the stain is dry and the odour has been removed.
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Frequently asked questions
If the pee is still wet, start by blotting it with a towel or rag to soak up as much urine as possible. If the cushions have removable covers, take them off and put them in the wash. If not, sprinkle baking soda liberally on the affected area and let it sit for an hour or overnight, then vacuum. You can also apply a vinegar solution (one part vinegar, one part water) to the couch, waiting a few minutes before wiping it with a cloth and repeating if necessary.
If the cat pee is still fresh, blot it up with paper towels. Then, spray a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water onto the leather and let it dry. Wipe with a damp, soft cloth, then apply a commercial leather conditioner and buff.
Blot the affected area with a paper towel or microfiber cloth, then sprinkle baking soda on the area and leave for 10-15 minutes before vacuuming. Next, use an enzymatic pet-odor removal product to eliminate the stain and odor.
Enzymatic cleaners are recommended, as they use bacteria to create enzymes that break down stains. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, as the smell of ammonia can attract cats back to the area. Other natural remedies include vinegar and baking soda solutions.