Eliminating Cat Spray: Effective Solutions For A Fresh Home

Cats are usually clean animals, so finding urine or faeces elsewhere in the house is a sign that something is wrong. There are many reasons why your cat might be spraying, from illness to stress, but the important thing is to act quickly to remove the smell. Cat spray is difficult to tolerate and challenging to eliminate, so here are some tips to get rid of the smell quickly, easily, and effectively.

Act fast to prevent repeat spraying

Cats are very clean animals and usually go to the toilet outside or in a litter tray. So, if you find signs of urine or faeces elsewhere in the house, it's a sign that something is wrong. If your cat has started to spray or urine mark outside of their litter box, it's important to act quickly to remove the smell and prevent repeat spraying. Here are some steps you can take:

Clean it quickly

If you catch your cat in the act, act fast! The urine smell will get more concentrated over time and be harder to remove. Thoroughly clean the area by wiping it down with warm soapy water or a mixture of alcohol and water. Use a clean towel to blot it dry, let it dry naturally, or use a vacuum. Do this a few times if necessary until there's no trace of the smell.

Try non-toxic, natural cleaners

If soapy water alone doesn't work, you can try using baking soda, which is a natural cleaning agent and odour absorber. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda evenly over the spot and leave it for a few hours or overnight. Then, vacuum it up. Baking soda is non-toxic and won't harm your cat if they return to the spot.

Use an enzyme-neutralizing cleaner

An enzyme-neutralizing cleaner helps break down molecules in cat urine, getting rid of the smell. First, dilute the area with water, then apply the enzyme-neutralizing cleaner and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Blot the area with a towel and let it air dry. Prevent your cat from returning to the area by covering it lightly with an upturned box.

Repeat as needed

If your cleaning efforts haven't completely removed the odour, you may need to repeat the process, especially if your cat has peed on thick surfaces like carpets. It's important to ensure all of the scent is gone to prevent repeat spraying.

Air out the house

While it's not a long-term solution, opening the windows and turning on fans can provide quick relief from cat spray odour. Creating a cross-breeze will help push the urine smell out of the house.

Use a blacklight to find spray areas

Cats will re-spray in places that bear their urine smell, so it's important to find and clean all sprayed areas. Use a blacklight to pinpoint the spray marks, as the phosphorus in dried urine causes it to glow neon yellow or green under UV light. Sweep the light over floors, walls, and baseboards to reveal spray patterns.

Use natural, non-toxic cleaners

Baking soda and vinegar

A solution of one part vinegar to one part water can be used to clean walls and floors. You can also sprinkle baking soda on a dried stain, leave it for a few hours, and then vacuum it up.

To make the solution, mix one part water and one part vinegar. Gently blot this over the area. The vinegar smell should disappear within a few days, taking the stench of cat pee with it.

Detergent and club soda

This home remedy is recommended by the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. First, soak the area with water mixed with a few drops of detergent. Leave it for one to two hours, then gently blot. Rinse with tap water on a sponge, then soak the area with club soda for 10 minutes. Leave the area to dry overnight and follow up with an enzyme cleaner if possible.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

Mix 5.5 oz of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of baking soda. Add a squirt of liquid hand soap to a clean plastic container, such as a small bucket, and mix the solution with a wooden or plastic spoon. Apply the mixture to the stain and then rinse the area with warm water.

Air freshener

Use an air freshener that contains baking soda. The main component, sodium bicarbonate, is very effective at absorbing odours.

You can make your own air freshener by combining one cup of dried herbs (such as lavender or rosemary), one teaspoon of ground cloves, one teaspoon of cinnamon, and one teaspoon of baking soda. Sprinkle the mixture onto the carpet and leave it for 20 minutes, then vacuum.

Open the windows

Fresh air is one of the most effective ways to get rid of any household odour. Open windows at each end of your home to create a cross-breeze.

Light scented candles

Candles won't remove the odour, but they can help to cover it. Opt for scents like fresh linen or ocean fresh, which will likely cover the odour most effectively.

Try an enzyme-neutralising cleaner

Enzyme-neutralising cleaners are an effective way to get rid of cat spray odours. They work by breaking down the molecules in cat urine, helping to get rid of the smell.

How to Use an Enzyme-Neutralising Cleaner

First, dilute the area where your cat has urinated with water. If the urine has dried, you may need to repeat this step several times. Be careful not to get the area too wet, as this may cause the stain to spread. Use a towel to blot the area and soak up the water. You may need to change the towel a few times as it will start to absorb some of the odour.

Once you have diluted the stain, apply the enzyme-neutralising cleaner. Make sure you apply enough to saturate the area. Leave the cleaner on the area for 10-15 minutes, or as directed by the manufacturer. After the cleaner has had time to work, blot the area well and leave it to dry naturally. Do not apply heat to the area. To prevent your cat from returning to the same spot, cover the area lightly with an upturned box, ensuring that the area still has access to natural airflow.

Enzyme Cleaners vs Enzyme-Neutralising Cleaners

It is important to note that there is a difference between enzyme cleaners and enzyme-neutralising cleaners. While both contain enzymes that break down the compounds in cat urine that cause odours, enzyme-neutralising cleaners also contain ingredients that neutralise the odour, rather than simply masking it. Enzyme cleaners are effective at removing odours, but your cat may still be able to detect some scent and be driven to re-spray.

Using an Enzyme-Neutralising Cleaner in the Washing Machine

If your cat has sprayed a machine-washable item, you can also add an enzyme-neutralising cleaner to the washing machine cycle. First, rinse the item in cool water. Then, add the item to the washing machine along with your regular detergent and 1 cup of baking soda or ¼ cup of vinegar. If the odour persists after the wash cycle, add an enzyme cleaner to the load and run the item through the wash again. Allow the item to air-dry, as the heat from a dryer may lock in the smell. You may need to rewash the item a few times to completely eliminate the scent.

Air out the house

If you're looking for a quick fix to alleviate the smell of cat spray, opening the windows is a good place to start. While it won't have a long-lasting impact on the odour, it will make your home more bearable while you work on a more permanent solution.

To air out your house effectively, open the windows wide and turn on any fans you have to create a cross-breeze. This will help push the cat urine smell out of the house. If you can, open windows at each end of your home to encourage airflow. Even if you're dealing with cold weather, it's worth airing out your house for a few minutes each day to prevent scents from lingering.

In addition to opening the windows, you can use air purifiers or air fresheners to help neutralise the odour. Look for air fresheners that contain baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), as this is effective at absorbing odours. You can also make your own homemade air freshener by combining dried herbs, ground cloves, cinnamon, and baking soda. Sprinkle this mixture onto your carpets and vacuum it up after 20 minutes.

While airing out your house can provide temporary relief, it's important to remember that the only way to truly get rid of cat spray odour is by cleaning the affected areas thoroughly.

Use a blacklight to find spray marks

One of the best ways to find cat urine stains is to use a blacklight. Blacklights emit a longwave of UV radiation, which makes cat urine glow in the dark. The urine will appear as a green or yellow spot, splatter, or drip.

To use a blacklight to find cat urine, follow these steps:

• Purchase or borrow a UV light between 365-385 nm. For best results, look for a handheld LED light with 9-12 bulbs.
• Wait until evening and get the room as dark as possible. Turn off the lights in the room you want to check, as well as any nearby rooms or hallways.
• Turn on the UV light and sweep it over the floors, walls, doors, and furniture in the area.
• Look for a glowing yellow or green spot, which could be in the form of a spot, puddle, splatter, or drip.
• Mark the edges of the stain with tape or chalk so you know where to clean.

Once you have found and marked the urine stains, you can start treating them with an enzyme cleaner to neutralize the odour.

Frequently asked questions