How to get old cat pee smell out of carpet

Cat pee has one of those smells that is unmistakable — if you have cat pee in your home, you know it. Thankfully, most of our feline friends stick to peeing in their litter boxes. However, sometimes an accident can happen.

Cat pee in the carpet is the worst because it seeps in and can take a great deal of effort to remove. To help, we look at different methods to properly clean cat urine from your carpet and remove the unpleasant odors that go along with it. Let’s get started.

Before You Begin Removing Cat Urine Smell & Stains

Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

You may be tempted to break out the carpet steam cleaner for this job, but cleaning up cat urine is not a job for a steam cleaner. The heat and steam from these machines will bond the protein in cat pee to the carpet fibers. Instead, keep the following supplies on hand in the event of a cat pee emergency.

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Dishcloths
• Dish soap
• Enzymatic cleaner
• Paper towels
• Water
• Carpet shampooer

Unlike the steam cleaner, the carpet shampooer uses cold water and soap to clean the carpet and then suck out out the excess, dirty liquid. It’s scrubbing the fibers clean instead of using steam. Carpet shampooers are acceptable if you wish to use them on cat urine spots. If not or if you don’t have access to one, there are still plenty of ways to remove the pee from your carpet using other household items.

First, blot as much of the stain as you can with paper towels. Then, spray the enzymatic cleaner onto the stain, covering it completely. You’ll have to follow the directions on the bottle, but most cleaners need to sit for 10–15 minutes to reach their maximum effectiveness.

Then, use a clean cloth to blot up the cleaner. Change to a dry cloth when necessary, and repeat the blotting until the stain is dry.

You may have to repeat these steps if you still notice a stain or odor after the area is thoroughly dry.

If you're trying to find an enzyme cleaner that does it all, we highly recommend our favorite cleaner, the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray.

It permanently removes the very worst stains and smells you can imagine and makes clean up a breeze. There's even a 100% satisfaction guarantee! Click here to order a bottle today.

At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!

Image Credit: FotoHelin,Shutterstock

Start by mixing 1.5 cups of warm water with ½ cup white vinegar. You can leave this solution in a bowl or add it to a spray bottle.

Blot as much of the pee up from the carpet as you can by using a clean cloth.

Saturate the stain with the vinegar mixture by pouring or spraying it on. Let it sit for 5 minutes. The vinegar will neutralize the odors and kill bacteria. Your carpet may smell like vinegar afterward, but that fades away much quicker than cat pee odor.

Blot up the vinegar mixture and cover the area with baking soda. Let it sit overnight to absorb the rest of the cat urine odor.

Vacuum the baking soda up in the morning, and your carpet will be stain-free.

Image Credit: Polina Tankilevitch, Pexels

Blot up as much of the urine from the carpet as you can with a clean cloth.

Cover the stain with baking soda. While that’s sitting, mix ¾ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of dish detergent. Make sure the dish soap does not contain bleach.

Pour the solution over the baking soda, and use a cloth to gently push it into the carpet. Don’t scrub! Scrubbing can push the urine out into a larger area, creating a bigger stain. Blot up any access liquid, and let the solution sit overnight to dry. In the morning, vacuum up any remaining baking soda.

Repeat Cleaning

If you notice that the odor still isn’t gone, repeat the cleaning process or try a different one. You want to make sure no trace of the pee odor is lingering. This could be a sign to your cat that it’s okay to pee there again.

If all else fails, use a carpet shampooer. You can rent one if you don’t own one. Most carpet shampoos have options for pet odor removal that are made with ingredients to fight urine stains. Remember not to use a steam cleaner!

When to Be Concerned

Cats don’t like to pee outside of their litter box, but they will sometimes for various reasons. One of these reasons is an underlying health problem. If you notice that your cat is peeing repeatedly outside of the box, have them seen by a veterinarian.

Your cat could be trying to alert you to a urinary tract or bladder infection. Crystals in the urine could also be the cause of this behavior.

If you notice blood in their urine, take your cat to the vet immediately.

Other symptoms, such as straining to urinate or hissing, growling, or crying while they pee, are signs that something is wrong.

For Dried Cat Pee Stains

Image Credit: Syda Productions, Shutterstock

Sometimes we don’t notice soiled areas on the carpet right away. For dried stains, it’s best to use an enzymatic cleaner and baking soda.

Spray the stain with the cleaner and blot up any excess liquid. While the stain is damp, thoroughly cover it with baking soda. Allow it to sit overnight. Vacuum up the baking soda the next day.

Keep the Litter Box Clean

Cats pee outside of their litter boxes when the insides are too dirty for their liking. If your cat pees outside the box, check to see if it’s clean. You may want to completely empty the litter, wash the box, and refill it with fresh litter to see if that stops the issue.

If the litter box is clean, consult your vet for an exam to rule out health issues.

Conclusion: How to Get Cat Urine Smell & Stains Out of Carpets

Cat pee on the carpet can be frustrating. No one wants to deal with that stinky mess. It is possible to get rid of the stains and odors, though. By following these methods, you can get back to having an odor-free home in no time.

If these methods don’t work completely the first time, it may take a few tries before all the odors are eliminated. Once you get rid of them completely, your cat will be less likely to pee there again.

If your cat is still peeing outside of the litter box, have them checked by a veterinarian. Sometimes, behavior or health issues are to blame for this behavior. Eliminate any medical issues right away.

Featured Image Credit: Pixel Shot, Shutterstock

Download Article

An in-depth guide to clean and deodorize a bad-smelling carpet

Download Article

Cats make incredible companions, but when they have accidents, the smell can linger. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to eradicate the smell of cat urine from your carpet. By carefully cleaning up the urine and then working hard to deodorize the area, you can remove the smell of cat urine from your carpet and home. This method can be done at any time, but it works best if it is done as soon as possible after the accident.

1. 1

   Blot up the urine if it's still wet. Using a paper towel (or a cloth towel that you can discard), press down on the spot where your cat urinated to blot up the liquid. Repeat this method until the area is mostly dry.[1] X Research source Go to source

   • If the spot has happened a while ago, you can skip this step.
   • If you have a blacklight, you can use this to find old, dried cat urine.

2. 2

   Use an enzyme-based cleaner. You can purchase an enzyme-based cleaner specifically formulated for pet stains in many pet stores and online.[2] X Expert Source

   Haim Shemesh
   Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 12 May 2020. Go to source Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Most pet enzyme cleaners can be applied liberally to the affected area and left to dry completely.[3] X Research source Go to source

3. 3

   Create a vinegar solution from equal parts vinegar and water. If the enzyme product did not completely remove the smell, you can try using a vinegar solution. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and apply this to the affected area. Vinegar will further breakdown the smell and help it to dissipate.[5] X Research source Go to source

   • Pour the vinegar solution directly onto the soiled area.

4. 4

   Scrub the vinegar into the stain. Using a scrub brush, work the vinegar solution into the stain.[6] X Research source Go to source

5. 5

   Allow the vinegar solution to sit for 10-15 minutes, then blot. Use a paper towel or old rag to blot up as much of the mixture as you can. Allow the area to dry completely, then assess if the stain is cleaned, or if further action is necessary.[7] X Research source Go to source

1. 1

   Cover the area with baking soda and let sit for 1 hour. To further deodorize the area, you can use some other household products. Baking soda can be used to absorb any remaining vinegar and further remove smells.[8] X Expert Source

   Haim Shemesh
   Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 12 May 2020. Go to source Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the soiled area.[9] X Research source Go to source

2. 2

   Pour a mixture of 0.5 cups of hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of dish soap on top of the baking soda. Hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda with create a foaming action that is very effective at removing odors. Create a solution from 0.5 cups (120 ml) of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of dish soap. Pour this solution over the baking soda and allow it to foam.[10] X Research source Go to source

3. 3

   Scrub the peroxide and baking soda into the stain, then blot. Using a scrub brush, work the baking soda and peroxide solution deep into the stain. Then blot the area with a paper towel to remove as much of the solution as you can. Allow the area to dry.[11] X Research source Go to source

4. 4

   Vacuum the carpet once the area is totally dry. This removes any lingering baking soda, as well as any lingering smell. A wet vac works best, but a traditional vacuum cleaner can be used in a pinch.[12] X Research source Go to source

   • Avoid using a steam cleaner, as this can actually further set the stain.

• Question

  Should I use an enzyme cleaner to remove a stain on my carpet?

  Enzyme cleaners can be effective, but you need to find the right type for your carpet. Make sure to read the instructions on the back of the package and test a discreet spot on your carpet before using it on a stain.

• Question

  Where can I get enzymatic cleaner for cat urine?

  Most pet supply stores, hardware stores, or superstores like Walmart or Target.

• Question

  Would I be able to do this without the enzyme cleaner?

  No, and even with the enzyme cleaner, good luck! The smell of cat urine is extremely difficult to get out of any surface.

See more answers

• Paper towels or cloth towels
• Scrub brush
• Enzymatic cleaner made for pet odors
• White vinegar
• Water
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Dish detergent
• Vacuum
• Black light, optional
• Disposable gloves

Co-authored by:

Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

This article was co-authored by Haim Shemesh. Haim Shemesh is a Carpet and Rug Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a business based in New York City. Haim specializes in Oriental, Persian, handmade, and antique rug cleaning and repair. He also conducts rug restoration along with fire damage care. He has over 17 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration has been awarded Angie's List Super Service Award in 2017 and 2018. Their clients include Staples, Ace Hotel, Momofuku, Banana Republic, and more. This article has been viewed 60,247 times.

Co-authors: 7

Updated: May 23, 2022

Views: 60,247

Article Rating: 95% - 17 votes

Categories: Cleaning Up After Cats

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 60,247 times.