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How do I get rid of old cat urine smell?
Posted: Sep 16, 2013
Long story short, we had a male cat in our house for 3 years. Before he was fixed, he sprayed or urinated everywhere. This cat has been gone for over 2 years (roommate moved out and got rid of cat because we did not want it after all that mess but he went to a very nice home so he is happy). Anyway, since the cat left 2+ years ago, we have repainted every room in our house with that Refresh paint, shampooed every carpet 2-3 times a year, threw out anything he peed on, ripped up carpet in the dining room and replaced with laminate. Bleached, scrubbed, deodorized, washed, dry shampooed, wet shampooed, tried every animal urine stain/smell product on the market, Resolve, Oxyclean, Lysol, Febreze, even baking soda and coffee grounds like sachet in all the closets and yet whenever I open the windows to get fresh air in the house, there is still a faint urine odor! I can't stand it! And I know if I can smell it living here that guests can smell it too. We got rid of furniture, rugs, carpet, etc that he peed on or near and it's still in our house. Short of replacing carpet (expensive), what else can I do to get rid of it? Today is a cooler day and as soon as I opened the windows, I got that faint ammonia smell. Even burning candles in every room just covers it up and when they burn out the smell is still there. I feel like I've tried everything! I'm a very clean person, neat freak, OCD cleaning schedule and yet it still lingers. Any suggestions on how to finally get rid of the odor, before having to replace all my carpets? I also have a dog now who has never peed in the house so I know it's not her and this smell was there before she came. Whatever I try naturally or industrial also needs to be safe around my dog. TIA;
Unless I misunderstood what you wrote...sm - KC
[ In Reply To ..]It sounds like you notice the smell only when you open the windows? That seems odd, unless the smell is coming from outside. Maybe other cats sprayed outside your house, which could also have caused your cat to spray and urinate in the house. Maybe look into something to detract cats from the outside of your house and yard?
Good point, thought of that too. Will check into that... - AMT
[ In Reply To ..]Also though he did pee in our closet and every time I open it to grab clothes, I smell it in there too.
I used a product called OdoBan - worked great
[ In Reply To ..]And it was sold in a gallon jug at the hardware store.
forgot to add... - OdoBan
[ In Reply To ..]You can go to odoban dot c ok m and read skme testimonials about the product. It really works well.
I used Kids and Pets from Walmart found in the - curiousMT
[ In Reply To ..]rug cleaning area. Cheap at less than $3 a bottle and better than that pet specialized enzyme stuff. Also, if you have floor vents for heating and cooling the kitty may have used those to pee on also. I had a cat do that before and never could get rid of the smell.
I will tell you how I got rid of cat urine smell - Karlie
[ In Reply To ..]I really don't know how much you have to get rid of but my cat decided to leave her scent behind in a brand new piece of luggage that I bought. I read on line about using mouth wash and I poured a whole bottle of mouth wash in the luggage, could not ruin it anymore than it was already and left overnight, the next day poured out any remaining and then opened up to the sunshine. You could not even tell she had ever been there. I did not use the most expensive mouth wash either, got at the dollar store. It surely worked for me. I love my cats but the odor is so bad. I have also used the mouth wash on a granite covered top furniture where she also decided to go. Let me know if this works out for you like it did me. Good luck.
Thanks. Never tried mouthwash. Will let ya know how it turns out. - AMT
[ In Reply To ..]Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I'm trying to get rid of it once and for all (hopefully) because when winter comes and the heat kicks on, it's not so nice in the house for a few days after we seal the windows in plastic first. Maybe cheap dollar store mouthwash will do the trick. The name brand stuff certainly didn't. Thanks again!
White Vinegar & Water - Rose
[ In Reply To ..]That breaks down the urine so that the cat cannot smell it, but not sure how to dilute it.
When it comes to carpeting even if you replace the carpet it can still be in the baseboards and subfloor. There is one product called Kilz that is a white primer paint. Be sure to buy the one made to get rid of pet odors. You have to paint the subfloor, baseboards, walls, anything the cat peed on before laying new flooring.
Hope that this is just coming from outside but sounds like you may need to pull carpet and use Kilz in the closet. Good luck.
Odor Mute. It's safe. - Me
[ In Reply To ..]It really works, works on skunk. It's a powder, might have to get at a pet shop or groomer. You follow directions, mix with warm or hot water if I remember right. It's only good I think while warm. Just spray it on. It really does work.
Try underarm deoderant - Cat lover
[ In Reply To ..]Some years ago, I took my aunt's kitty to the vet in my brand new car. He got out of his carrier and sprayed my car. As I was on my way to work out after I dropped kitty off of the vet, I had some underarm deoderant in my car. Wanting to get rid of the smell ASAP, I sprayed the area thoroughly with the deoderant and it worked beautifully. I did subsequently clean the carpet and upholstery but thank goodness, only the new car smell remained. I don't recall now the brand now, but it was a spray deoderant, and had a nice baby powder scent.
TY so much all. I may have to try each thing... - AMT
[ In Reply To ..]I want to be pee free! I swear I'm not crazy, I can still smell it very faintly whenever I open my closet. Hopefully these products work. My dog doesn't seem to smell it or pay attention to it. That was my worry when we adopted her, my first thought was she will smell cat pee and then pee or mark herself. She never has. Thank goodness. I just hate opening my closet to grab a shirt and smell it every time I go in there. I'm at my wit's end. It's been over 2 years and it's still there. Come on!!
Anyway, Thanks again all!
once I thought it was cat pee but it was really - sewage gas coming up through the ground
[ In Reply To ..]Once it gets in the pad under the carpet, nothing you can do will get rid of the smell except taking up the carpet and replacing the pad. I had to paint the cement floor with a sealant and then put down a fresh pad, then I treated the carpet with an enzymatic. This was in my closet, too, and it stayed until I got tired of it and did all that work. I couldn't keep my clothes in there because the smell penetrated my clothes.
Here is a solution - nakedandafraid
[ In Reply To ..]I saw this on Hotel Impossible. Get a little ultraviolet light (like a flashlight) and shine it on everything in the dark. You will be able to see where the urine stains are and you can attack them straight on.
Getting of cat urine smell - outahere
[ In Reply To ..]The padding under the carpet if probably saturated and should be replaced. I had to do that with mine and the carpet layers spread baby powder down on the exposed floor boards, then over the padding before theylaid the carpet. If you catch it before the urine dries, damp clean the carpet with ammonia and let it dry. You won't smell anything, urine or ammonia once it's dry.
i just moved into a house that has that same smell - curly
[ In Reply To ..]i, too, have tried EVERYTHING to get rid of it. the whole house used to stink to high heaven, but now it's mostly in the bedroom, where the only carpet is. i have literally shampooed the rugs four times since i moved in ONE month ago. i also tried all sorts of candles and air fresheners, but, like you said, once they're gone, the smell is back. can also smell it big time in the bedroom closet and in the basement. i'd love to hear the things that can get rid of this disgusting smell once and for all. i also think it's possible it's on the walls in the bedroom, where there is a hideous paneling on the walls. help!!
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