Getting Rid of the Smell of Cat Urine?

[fire_breeze]

A while back, my parents opened their home to my kitty for a bit. While she had her litter, which was regularly cleaned out, she did have an accident on the nearby Oriental rug - something which neither my parents nor I noticed (and I do have a sensitive nose).

Anyway, my Mother's cleaning lady, when vacuuming the area, noticed the stain and used a half water-half vinegar solution to clean it out and in the process, it released the most pungent, vile smell.

I tried many of the gentler home-remedies without any success. I am a bit hesitant in going stronger, as this is a very delicate, very old rug, with stunning craftsmanship and I don't want to ruin it.

Does anyone have any suggestions, tips or warnings? While Mother and Father tell me to forget about, that cats are bound to have accidents, particularly at her age, I do feel a bit guilty. Not to mention, the smell is absolutely nauseating.

Thank you all in advance.

ETA: The water/vinegar obviously did not work as it was what released the smell in the first place. I did try the baking soda one, again, nothing.

This is a very old, very delicate rug; any other, I would not hesitate in using harsher solutions, but I do not want to ruin a priceless rug.

 

[o_so_wet]

A while back, my parents opened their home to my kitty for a bit. While she had her litter, which was regularly cleaned out, she did have an accident on the nearby Oriental rug - something which neither my parents nor I noticed (and I do have a sensitive nose).

Anyway, my Mother's cleaning lady, when vacuuming the area, noticed the stain and used a half water-half vinegar solution to clean it out and in the process, it released the most pungent, vile smell.

I tried many of the gentler home-remedies without any success. I am a bit hesitant in going stronger, as this is a very delicate, very old rug, with stunning craftsmanship and I don't want to ruin it.

Does anyone have any suggestions, tips or warnings? While Mother and Father tell me to forget about, that cats are bound to have accidents, particularly at her age, I do feel a bit guilty. Not to mention, the smell is absolutely nauseating.

Thank you all in advance.

Blot on tomato juice (concentrated diluted with water is best...,) do this until you don't notice the smell. I don't know what makes this work (ph levels have something to do with it, probably)..but it works ,

 

[NightL]

http://www.catsofaustralia.com/urinestainremoval.htm#.UUe_txdTBc0

 

[fire_breeze]

Thank you both for your answers!

Blot on tomato juice (concentrated diluted with water is best...,) do this until you don't notice the smell. I don't know what makes this work (ph levels have something to do with it, probably)..but it works ,

That hopefully won't cause any colour staining? (hopeful yes? )

http://www.catsofaustralia.com/urinestainremoval.htm#.UUe_txdTBc0

This website I did use, but what gave me pause is the hydrogen peroxide - will the rug withstand the chemical? The rug is about 95 years old, and deep, vibrant red and blue. Will the hydrogen peroxide cause the colours to bleed or fade?

I just don't want to ruin the rug any more than I have to...

 

[blulilacgrl]

Thank you both for your answers!



That hopefully won't cause any colour staining? (hopeful yes? )



This website I did use, but what gave me pause is the hydrogen peroxide - will the rug withstand the chemical? The rug is about 95 years old, and deep, vibrant red and blue. Will the hydrogen peroxide cause the colours to bleed or fade?

I just don't want to ruin the rug any more than I have to...

I have used a hydrogen peroxide/baking soda concoction with mixed results. It took the smell away for a while. Either that or the sneaky buggers went right back at it. Ugh! Since it is an old rug and you don't want to ruin it, I would suggest trying it in a small obscure area first and see what happens.

It did not discolor my carpet, but mine is new and machine made and, to be honest, cheap... so I wasn't too concerned.

Are there any companies in your neck of the woods that specialize in this, maybe? Perhaps some rug cleaning companies that can clean it for a fee. That way you can have a warranty and some sense of security?

 

[NightL]

Will the hydrogen peroxide cause the colours to bleed or fade?

I just don't want to ruin the rug any more than I have to...

well - yes that should be a statement not a question

you obviously did the same as I did - first non-commercial return in Google.

You could weigh up the amount of time spent in researching this and worrying about the risks compared to getting professional cleaners in and perhaps offsetting the cost by getting all the carpets and furniture done. At least that chore will be over and done with for a year or so.

 

[Emerson40]

Regarding the hydrogen peroxide, get a weak concentrate. A strong concentrate will discolor the fibers, especially if they are natural.

If you decide on the homemade remedy, make sure you use dishwashing detergent and not dishwashing soap. Soap will leave a residual film on the fibers, whereas detergent crystalizes when it dries and can be vacuumed out.

Something else to consider. Is this rug one of those hand-knotted oriental ones? If so there is a good chance the fibers are wool, silk, or a combination of the two, knotted on a warp / weft of cotton. If this is the case and is a big part of what makes the rug valuable, it would be a good idea to have the stain addressed by a pro. Not your average, everyday carpet cleaner, but someone who specializes in hand-knotted, wool, and Oriental / Persian rugs. A retailer who specializes and sells these type of rugs should be able to recommend someone reasonable, who does good work. I only suggest this because you mentioned this rug was "priceless", and damage (bleaching / discoloration of fibers) to these types of rugs can be pricey to fix, or even impossible.
You can only have that potted fern placed over the hole for so long.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Drugstore peroxide is only a 3% solution, which is pretty mild. You could dilute it even more with straight water if you want to. Always, always, always do a test spot first, either in an obscure location or on the underside that won't show if there is any discoloration/lightening of the area.

I would also recommend trying Natures Miracle - cat formula. It is an enzymatic neutralizer that will attack both the stain and the smell. Again, test it first before you use it broadly. Nature's Miracle can be found at Amazon or any pet store.

 

[Bramblethorn]

A while back, my parents opened their home to my kitty for a bit. While she had her litter, which was regularly cleaned out, she did have an accident on the nearby Oriental rug - something which neither my parents nor I noticed (and I do have a sensitive nose).

I've had good results with Urine-Off for dog urine. They make a version specifically for cats, although not having cats I haven't tested it myself.

Urine has several different compounds in it. Some come out pretty easily (basically, you leech them out in water) but uric acid is hard to remove; UO and other enzymatic cleaners are formulated to break down the uric acid directly.

http://www.vetstop.com.au/info/Urine-Off.aspx

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Charcoal works well on items you can enclose, like car carpets. Place a bag of regular charcoal in a container, inside the car, close all the windows, and let the charcoal absorb the odors. Larger items might fit inside a mini-van with 2 bags of charcoal, but I havent tried it. DONT USE QUICK LIGHT CHARCOAL.

 

[1Browneyedguy]

( this is my business )

There are LOTS of specilaity products on the market!

NEVER, NEVER use a product that's not meant for cleaning up cat urine. Lots of household products have ammonia. Urine has ammonia.

NATURES MIRACLE, SIMPLE SOLUTION, to name two. These products usE enzymes eliminate the odor !

You may have to use some elbow greese.. just don't pour it on. It's better to use smaller amounts then blot it up and dry and repeat.

The other problem is that depending on what's underneath ... a bare floor? foam ? That has to be treated as well...

IF the problem is the cat not going to the litter box.... IF it's a large house, maybe 2 or 3 litter pans are required. They also have to be left clean! There may be other cats in the house
that's rivalry possibly..

Depending on where you live, there is a GREAT litter to bring them back to the litter box. CAT ATTRACT.

Also, be consistant in the brand pf litter you use. and try not to use litter with those colored crystals in it.... Cats do not like that

 

[Emerson40]

Charcoal works well on items you can enclose, like car carpets. Place a bag of regular charcoal in a container, inside the car, close all the windows, and let the charcoal absorb the odors. Larger items might fit inside a mini-van with 2 bags of charcoal, but I havent tried it. DONT USE QUICK LIGHT CHARCOAL.

Knowing this could have helped with a Toonces catastrophe.


http://static.lockerz.com/decalz/mobile/image0013382448587712mk5kr.gif

 

[DrHappy]

I highly recommend an enzyme based solvent over a home remedy. The best that I've found so far is a product called Urine Away. You can find it at various internet vendors. If you want something today, there is Nature's Miracle, which you can find at PetCo or PetSmart, but it doesn't seem as effective as Urine Away for cats. My wife has an elderly cat that has been a nightmare. We've tried lots of things.

 

[fire_breeze]

Thank you all for your responses and suggestions. While some of them are wonderful, and I'm filing it away for any future accidents, others I just cannot risk. It is an old rug, with natural fibers and dye and handwoven. Put it this way: it was acquired when there still was a Persia.

Something else to consider. Is this rug one of those hand-knotted oriental ones? If so there is a good chance the fibers are wool, silk, or a combination of the two, knotted on a warp / weft of cotton. If this is the case and is a big part of what makes the rug valuable, it would be a good idea to have the stain addressed by a pro. Not your average, everyday carpet cleaner, but someone who specializes in hand-knotted, wool, and Oriental / Persian rugs. A retailer who specializes and sells these type of rugs should be able to recommend someone reasonable, who does good work. I only suggest this because you mentioned this rug was "priceless", and damage (bleaching / discoloration of fibers) to these types of rugs can be pricey to fix, or even impossible.
You can only have that potted fern placed over the hole for so long.

This is a very good idea - and I took it. I spoke with a dealer in antique handwoven rugs, and he suggested some of the same: bicarb soda and half water and half vinegar, but not to rub too much. He also suggested in airing it out, which I think I might do. In the meantime, he will be looking into someone who he can recommend that cleans and maintains Oriental rug, so here's hoping!

The other problem is that depending on what's underneath ... a bare floor? foam ? That has to be treated as well...

IF the problem is the cat not going to the litter box.... IF it's a large house, maybe 2 or 3 litter pans are required. They also have to be left clean! There may be other cats in the house
that's rivalry possibly..

Depending on where you live, there is a GREAT litter to bring them back to the litter box. CAT ATTRACT.

Also, be consistant in the brand pf litter you use. and try not to use litter with those colored crystals in it.... Cats do not like that

The floor has been cleaned - it is an area rug. And it was simply an accident: at my place, she has several litters, whereas as at my parents' who took her in for a bit, she had one but the place she was in was pretty small.
And no other cats, thank Gods! She's enough of a prissy queen in sharing my bed, can you imagine if I added another kitty to the mix?!



Lesson learned - roll away all rugs if I have to bring the little miss to the parents' again. At least I now know she has good taste .

Thank you all once again

 

[XdOu™]

get rid of your cat

 

[ImpishSeraph]

odoban over and over again

or vinegar

 

[drtyyoleman]

A while back, my parents opened their home to my kitty for a bit. While she had her litter, which was regularly cleaned out, she did have an accident on the nearby Oriental rug - something which neither my parents nor I noticed (and I do have a sensitive nose).

Anyway, my Mother's cleaning lady, when vacuuming the area, noticed the stain and used a half water-half vinegar solution to clean it out and in the process, it released the most pungent, vile smell.

I tried many of the gentler home-remedies without any success. I am a bit hesitant in going stronger, as this is a very delicate, very old rug, with stunning craftsmanship and I don't want to ruin it.

Does anyone have any suggestions, tips or warnings? While Mother and Father tell me to forget about, that cats are bound to have accidents, particularly at her age, I do feel a bit guilty. Not to mention, the smell is absolutely nauseating.

Thank you all in advance.

ETA: The water/vinegar obviously did not work as it was what released the smell in the first place. I did try the baking soda one, again, nothing.

This is a very old, very delicate rug; any other, I would not hesitate in using harsher solutions, but I do not want to ruin a priceless rug.

I've used a product with calcuim carbonate (meant for litter boxes).
I make a paste out of it and scrub the area.
After it's dry, I vacuum it up then I use Woolite carpet cleaner with Oxy.
This seems to work fine withour any issues of color bleeding but test it our first, just to be sure.
GL