As a cat owner, you’ve likely dealt with the unpleasant surprise of finding your furry friend has had an accident on the carpet. Cat urine can leave behind stubborn odors and stains. Thankfully, with the right products and techniques, you can get cat pee out of carpet completely.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to clean both fresh and old cat urine from carpet, the best products to use, prevention tips, and answers to common questions. With a bit of elbow grease, you can banish unsightly stains and foul smells and restore your carpets to their former glory.
Supplies You’ll Need
Before tackling cat pee stains, arm yourself with the right tools:
- Paper towels or clean rags
- An enzyme-based pet stain cleaner
- White vinegar
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- Small bowls and spray bottle
- Shop vacuum or carpet shampooer
How to Clean Fresh Cat Urine from Carpet
For the best results, start cleaning fresh stains immediately. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Blot Up the Urine
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Using paper towels or a clean rag, gently blot up as much of the urine as possible. Avoid rubbing, which can push urine deeper into carpet fibers.
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If you have a shop vacuum, use it to suction up as much liquid as possible.
Step 2: Create a Cleaning Solution
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In a bowl, mix 1⁄4 teaspoon of clear dish soap with 1 cup of warm water.
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Pour the solution into a spray bottle if you have one.
Step 3: Apply the Solution to the Stain
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Spray or gently blot the cleaning solution directly onto the stain.
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Avoid excessive soaking, which can spread the stain.
Step 4: Blot and Rinse
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Use paper towels or rags to blot up the cleaning solution, repeating with fresh towels as needed.
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Rinse the area with fresh warm water and blot again to remove suds.
Step 5: Treat with an Enzyme Cleaner
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Once the stain appears gone, apply an enzyme cleaner made for pet stains, like Nature’s Miracle.
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This will break down any lingering urine compounds and help neutralize odors.
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Let the enzyme cleaner soak for 5-10 minutes before blotting.
Step 6: Allow Carpet to Dry
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Place fans nearby to fully dry the carpet. Once dry, the stains and odor should be gone.
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If any hints linger, reapply the enzyme cleaner until fully eliminated.
How to Clean Old, Dried Cat Urine Stains
For dried or stubborn stains:
Step 1: Liberally Apply Enzyme Cleaner
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Soak the stained area with an enzyme cleaner formulated for pets.
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Let it soak in for 15-20 minutes to penetrate deep and break down old urine compounds.
Step 2: Extract the Enzyme Cleaner
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Use a carpet shampooer to extract all of the enzyme cleaner along with any lifted stains.
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Or, blot up as much liquid as possible with rags or paper towels.
Step 3: Rinse with Vinegar Water
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In a bowl, mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Use a spray bottle if available.
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Spray the vinegar solution onto the stain and let sit 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Rinse and Blot Dry
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Rinse the area with fresh warm water and blot dry.
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The vinegar smell will dissipate as it dries.
Step 5: Evaluate and Repeat if Needed
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Once completely dry, check for any lingering stains or odors.
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Repeat steps 1-4 if the stain persists. Old or heavy stains may take multiple treatments.
Helpful Cleaning Tips and Tricks
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Act quickly: The faster you can clean accidents, the better. Cat urine can settle in and become harder to remove over time.
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Blot, don’t rub: Rubbing forces urine deeper into carpet fibers. Gently blotting lifts it up.
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Mix solutions fresh: Mix your DIY cleaning solutions as you go. Don’t use mixtures that have been sitting overnight.
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Dry thoroughly: Trapped moisture can reactivate urine odors. Make sure carpets are completely dry after cleaning.
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Use a blacklight: A blacklight helps uncover old or hidden urine stains you can’t see otherwise.
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Shampoo regularly: Even if you don’t see stains, shampoo carpets every 3-6 months to remove built-up odors from accidents.
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Consider replacing padding: Severely soaked padding may permanently hold odors. Replace it to truly eliminate smells.
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Hire a pro for heavy stains: For pet urine issues beyond a quick clean, professional carpet cleaners have the tools to get the job done.
Preventing Future Cat Pee Accidents
The best way to keep cat pee off your carpets is to stop it in the first place. Here are some tips:
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Keep litter boxes extremely clean. Scoop daily, change litter weekly, and deep clean boxes monthly.
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Provide one more litter box than you have cats. For 2 cats, have at least 3 boxes.
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Try different litters. Your cat may not like the texture or smell of the current litter.
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Add more litter boxes on each level of your home. Cats don’t like to climb floors to find a box.
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Rule out medical issues. Infections, illness or pain can cause inappropriate peeing. See your vet.
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Reduce stress. Anxiety, new pets, clutter and more can trigger marking. Make your home calmer.
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Clean accidents with enzymatic cleaner. This removes odors that draw cats back to pee there again.
FAQs About Cleaning Cat Pee Out of Carpet
How do you get old, dried cat urine stains out of carpet?
Use an enzyme cleaner meant for pet stains. Let it soak 15-20 minutes to penetrate deep into fibers and break down old urine. Extract the cleaner with a carpet shampooer or blot thoroughly with rags. Rinse with a vinegar solution to further remove stains and odors. Allow carpet to dry fully in between steps.
What is the best carpet cleaning solution for cat urine?
Look for an enzyme cleaner formulated specifically for pet stains, like Nature’s Miracle. Avoid using vinegar, ammonia or homemade cleaners, which are not powerful enough. The enzymes in pet stain cleaners work best to fully neutralize cat urine compounds.
How can you keep a cat from peeing on the carpet again?
Clean any accidents with an enzyme cleaner to remove all traces of odor. Restrict access to soiled areas until carpets are fully dry. Improve litter box cleanliness and add more boxes. Evaluate whether stress, illness or litter preferences are causing issues and address those. Place treats and catnip on problem areas to retrain good behavior.
Will vinegar get cat pee smell out of carpet?
Vinegar can help remove some staining and reduce odors, but it isn’t strong enough on its own to fully eliminate cat urine smells. Use it as a rinse after treating with an enzymatic cleaner. The acids in vinegar help lift residual odors, but enzymatic action is still needed to break down all the compounds in cat pee.
The Takeaway
A little cat pee on the carpet doesn’t have to be the end of the world or the end of your carpets. With some basic cleaning products, quick action and elbow grease, you can completely remove fresh stains and eliminate old urine odors embedded in carpets. Stop your cat from peeing outside the litter box in the first place with some simple preventative measures. Follow these steps and tips and your carpets will be fresh and clean in no time.