Last Updated on August 5, 2023 by Ellen Christian
Wondering about removing cat odors? We have two cats that I love very much and am blessed to have them as part of my family. Most of the time, I’m very happy having two cats. Occasionally, when I walk in the front door, I’m reminded of one reason having two cats can be a challenge: cat odors.
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Removing Cat Odors from the House
We scoop that cat box constantly. You really have to when you have cats otherwise the odors are noticeable. In the summer, all the windows are wide open which encourages a fresh breeze to clear out any stubborn odors. On very humid days or in the winter when the house is closed up, it becomes more of a challenge. Even on the toughest day, removing cat odors from the house is possible with these tips.
How do I get rid of a cat urine smell in the house?
Remove the waste as soon as possible. As soon as you notice your cat has used the litter box, remove the waste. If you notice they’ve had an accident outside of the litter box, clean it up quickly and neutralize the smell with baking soda. Learn more about how to clean naturally. Removing cat odors is possible even with natural cleaners. Learn how to make your own DIY baking soda air freshener. Here are a few natural solutions to removing cat odors that should work for you.
- Baking soda air freshener with a few drops of vanilla (see below)
- Vinegar used to mop the floors and clean the cat box
- Enyzme cleaner to break down the cat proteins from stains
- Sprinkle baking soda with a bit of cinnamon on your rugs and furniture and then vacuum up
- Open the windows to allow fresh air in
- Offer more than one cat box to avoid concentration
- Use a scoopable litter so that solids and liquids can be removed more quickly
- Remove messes and treat stains as soon as possible. The longer the stay, the more difficult they will be to clean.
Removing cat odors after accidents
Break down the stain with an enzymatic cleaner. If your cat has an accident on a rug, blanket or furniture, you will need to break the protein in the stain down with an enzymatic cleaner for cat urine. You can use this cleaner on carpets, floors, and furniture.
Mop hardwood or vinyl floors. If your cat has had an accident on a hardwood or vinyl floor, mix a gallon of hot water with a cup of white vinegar and mop as usual to remove the odor. The vinegar scent will disappear when the floor dries. Sprinkle the carpets with baking soda and vacuum. The baking soda will help neutralize the odor which makes removing cat odors easier.
How do I keep my house from smelling like cat?
Wash or air pet bedding. If your cat has a special blanket or bed she likes to sleep on, make sure that is vacuumed, aired out or washed regularly. Clean pet food bowls and water bowls regularly. Help remove pet food odors by keeping their bowls clean. When possible wash their toys as well. Removing cat odors from fabric is something that needs to be done regularly. Or, make them a new cat toy like this one from Muslin and Merlot.
How many litter boxes should I have?
If you are noticing a cat odor in your house, add an extra litter box. If you have more than one cat in the house, you may need more than one. This will help prevent future accidents or territory issues. You should use one litter box per cat. Removing cat odors with more than one cat is more challenging, but can be done.
Regularly change the litter. Even with scoopable litter, you need to change all the litter regularly. We scoop daily and then change the entire box every few days to keep it fresh. When you change the litter completely, be sure to wash out the cat box with hot water and vinegar to neutralize odors. This will help quite a bit when it comes to removing cat odors.
So, why not learn more about emergency preparedness for cats. Find out how to clean up after a messy carpet spill.
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Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
