How to Clean a Cat Urine Stain

A cat urine stain on the upholstery is an unpleasant matter, especially in an apartment where space is limited and you’re more likely to smell the stain. Simply draping a blanket over the stain once it’s dried won’t take care of it. The smell will linger, and your cat will be compelled to continue marking the area. Not to mention, it isn’t sanitary to leave a urine spot on the floor or on an item of furniture. Learn how to take care of a cat pee stain with proper couch cleaning.

Supplies Needed for Upholstery and Couch Cleaning

To get a cat urine stain out, you will need:

• Paper towels
• Hand towel or cloth
• Scrub brush
• Vacuum
• Hair dryer or fan (optional)
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 teaspoon dish detergent mixed with 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup cold water
• A commercial cat odor and stain remover (particularly one that attacks enzymes) or
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar and
• 1/4 cup warm water

Step 1 – Blot and Rinse

As soon as you notice the cat urine stain, blot (don’t scrub) as much of the stain as you can with paper towels. Then, slowly dump your cup of cold water over the stain (as much as needed to thoroughly cover the stain) and blot the excess water out.

Step 2 – Use a Cleaning Solution

Next, use your commercial cat odor and stain remover or a solution of equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water. Pour the solution onto your hand towel or cloth (not directly onto the stain) until it is saturated, and wipe the stain in a circular motion. Allow to air dry, or use a hair dryer or fan to speed the drying process.

Step 3 – Apply Baking Soda and Dish Detergent

Once the cat urine stain has dried, cover the area liberally with baking soda. Then begin applying the dishwasher detergent and warm water solution directly onto the upholstery, until the area is covered. Work as much of the baking soda and dish detergent solution as you can into the upholstery using the scrub brush. (Make sure the bristles are soft.) Allow to air dry or use the hair dryer or fan.

Step 4 – Vacuum

After the baking soda mixture has dried and is mostly powdered, vacuum the baking soda up. If any odor still lingers, you can repeat Steps 3-4 a few more times.

If you still experience difficulty getting rid of the odor, and you used the vinegar and water solution instead of a commercial cat odor and stain remover, repeat the process with the commercial cleanser. Because of the high ammonia content in cat urine, a commercial cleanser with an ingredient that actively attacks enzymes may be necessary.

One cat urine stain can become a consistent problem if you don’t take care of the stain as soon as possible. You can also dissuade your cat from urinating outside of the litter box again in the future by having him neutered or spayed and/or using a commercial cat pheromone spray solution on or near the upholstery. If problems persist, have your cat looked at by a vet for possible medical problems.