Getting Out Cat Pee (Urine)

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

21 Jul 2008 04:58 PM

When the cat is out of control and decides to leave you a little present of cat pee, what do you do? Your first response might to throw the item out or replace it. This would be completely understandable, since cat urine is one of those things that is usually impossible to get out. Even if you wash the item or clean it, the odor has a way of coming back, especially when it is hot or humid.

Today, I got to experience the issue of cat pee in two forms: on a garment and on the floor. Here is how I solved the situation to get the odor of the cat urine out.

Our cat is the ripe old age of 16. We went out of town for the weekend, leaving him alone in the house with extra water and food and access to his litter box. My husband tossed his rain coat on the floor in the front hallway. Perhaps the cat was trying to tell us something because when we got back, the coat and the floor were victims of cat presents.

In my experience, the best thing to get out the odor of cat urine is vinegar. First, we picked up the presents and mopped the floor with an antibacterial cleaner to disinfect it. Next, I took a damp rag and applied full strength vinegar to the floor, rubbing it in well. Only a little bit of vinegar is needed. I let the vinegar sit for about five minutes until it was almost dry. Then I took another cloth, slightly wetter, and used it to wipe down the floor, rinsing the cloth often. I then dried the floor, since it was in a high traffic area, but you could let it dry naturally.

For the raincoat, I did the following. I filled up the utility sink with hot water and added some vinegar to the water. Then I added the coat, swishing it around and agitating it a bit. I allowed the coat to soak for 40 minutes (at least 30 is a must) and then rinsed it well. Later, the coat will be laundered in the washing machine.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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