How to Remove the Smell of Cat or Dog Urine from Upholstery
Find the soiled spot as quickly as possible., Soak up the urine with newspaper or paper towel., Soak the soiled area with enzymatic cleaner., Cover the area while the cleaner takes effect and while it dries.
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Find the soiled spot as quickly as possible.
It can become extremely tricky to remove urine if your pet's urine soaks deep into the upholstery and even into the wood frame.
In most cases, you can spot the urine spot right away.
If not, you can try:
Using your nose.
Pet urine has a very distinct smell and often smells like ammonia.Using a blacklight.
Because of its chemical properties, pet urine shows up under a blacklight, specifically its scent-creating chemicals even when the stain has been dried or are days old.
Outline these area in chalk or mark then with a sticky note to help you clean then when you turn on the lights. -
Step 2: Soak up the urine with newspaper or paper towel.
Soak up as much urine as you can by pressing newspaper or paper towels against the upholstery with gloved hands.
Press down hard and deep.
You can place the soaked up newspaper or paper towel where you'd like your pet to urinate.
This is a positive way to help let them know where to urinate as you'll be transferring their urine smell to the appropriate location. , Leave it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then blot up as much cleaner as you can with newspapers, a towel, or paper towels.
Finally, leave it to dry.
You may need to repeat this step again if the enzymatic cleaner doesn't get rid of the odor or stain the first time.
Urine is composed of things that require enzymes to break down its chemical bonds.For example, when a pet pees, urea in their urine breaks down into a bacteria that produces the distinct scent of urine.
As the urine is left longer to decompose, the smells become worse.
Fortunately, most chemicals in urine are easily removed by water and other household detergents.
However, uric acid is the only component that is not water soluble and must be broken down by enzymes. , Some pet owners will cover the area loosely with aluminum foil or lay their laundry basket upside down over the stain to prevent their pets from urinating in the area again.
It also helps to remind family members not to step or sit on the stain while it dries.
It can take a long time, even days, for the stain to completely dry, especially if the stain is particularly deep and more enzymatic cleaner was needed.
Aluminum foil is a great deterrent tool to use to discourage your pet from urinating in the upholstery again.
The crinkly sound and feel of foil when your pet steps on it is not pleasing to your pet or might even scare them off of the upholstery completely.
For pillows or cushions, you can leave them out in the sun to dry as long as you can. -
Step 3: Soak the soiled area with enzymatic cleaner.
-
Step 4: Cover the area while the cleaner takes effect and while it dries.
Detailed Guide
It can become extremely tricky to remove urine if your pet's urine soaks deep into the upholstery and even into the wood frame.
In most cases, you can spot the urine spot right away.
If not, you can try:
Using your nose.
Pet urine has a very distinct smell and often smells like ammonia.Using a blacklight.
Because of its chemical properties, pet urine shows up under a blacklight, specifically its scent-creating chemicals even when the stain has been dried or are days old.
Outline these area in chalk or mark then with a sticky note to help you clean then when you turn on the lights.
Soak up as much urine as you can by pressing newspaper or paper towels against the upholstery with gloved hands.
Press down hard and deep.
You can place the soaked up newspaper or paper towel where you'd like your pet to urinate.
This is a positive way to help let them know where to urinate as you'll be transferring their urine smell to the appropriate location. , Leave it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then blot up as much cleaner as you can with newspapers, a towel, or paper towels.
Finally, leave it to dry.
You may need to repeat this step again if the enzymatic cleaner doesn't get rid of the odor or stain the first time.
Urine is composed of things that require enzymes to break down its chemical bonds.For example, when a pet pees, urea in their urine breaks down into a bacteria that produces the distinct scent of urine.
As the urine is left longer to decompose, the smells become worse.
Fortunately, most chemicals in urine are easily removed by water and other household detergents.
However, uric acid is the only component that is not water soluble and must be broken down by enzymes. , Some pet owners will cover the area loosely with aluminum foil or lay their laundry basket upside down over the stain to prevent their pets from urinating in the area again.
It also helps to remind family members not to step or sit on the stain while it dries.
It can take a long time, even days, for the stain to completely dry, especially if the stain is particularly deep and more enzymatic cleaner was needed.
Aluminum foil is a great deterrent tool to use to discourage your pet from urinating in the upholstery again.
The crinkly sound and feel of foil when your pet steps on it is not pleasing to your pet or might even scare them off of the upholstery completely.
For pillows or cushions, you can leave them out in the sun to dry as long as you can.
About the Author
Evelyn Ruiz
Writer and educator with a focus on practical lifestyle knowledge.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: