My friend has four cats, and keeps the litter box on the landing of his stairs. He’s been sick, and didn’t clean the litter box enough. End result was cat pee up and down the carpeted stairs.
He’s planning to eventually pay to have the carpet replaced. For now he just needs to get rid of the shocking, thick, dense ammonia stench. I was looking at reviews of OdoBan, but some people said it left behind a weird smell of its own.
Nature’s Miracle. They make a formula specifically for cat urine.
If you can’t find it, pick any enzymatic cleaner specifically formulated for animal messes. Other cleaners just mask the smell and don’t eliminate the smells that signal another animal to pee in the same place.
Amazing stuff. Really works.
It can’t be done. Nothing really works.
I’ve been a cat owner for 40+ years and once they pee regularly in certain carpeted spots, there is NO way to get rid of the smell. Part of the problem is the carpet pad. Even if you could clean the carpet, the pee has gotten down into the pad where it will remain for millennia.
I’ve used Nature’s Miracle to no avail. Bed, Bath & Beyond has a product called Urine Gone, which also doesn’t work.
Sorry.
Not only will it get down into the pad, but it’ll eventually get into the wooden floor underneath. Found this out the hard way.
I’ve used vinegar and water with fair success.
Yup.
Waiting to replace the carpet only guarantees that the cats will become habituated to peeing on the stairs, and the urine will soak into the wood flooring underneath.
At the very least, he needs to pull up the carpet and pad, move the litterboxes, and be hyper-vigilant about keeping the stairs clean.
Litterboxes belong in low traffic, easily ventilated areas, and if you’re not scooping them every day, they need to have enough litter in them to handle that much waste without getting really stinky.
The correct answer is "nuke it from orbit, it’s the only way to be sure ". The second most correct answer is “replace the carpet yesterday, before the cats become accustomed to re-marking and decide to pee on the stairs forever.” The third most correct answer is “buy stock in Natures Miracle Urine Destroyer” and use it to soak every inch of surface that might have touched a molecule of pee. This will take a couple gallons on an area as large as you’re describing, so expect it to run $70-$100.
Good luck, you’ll need it.
My niece the vet tech recommends Anti-icky-poo.
Here’s what needs to be done-
Pull back the carpeting to access to the pad
Cut out the affected area of the pad and throw it away
Allow subfloor (or stair treads) to dry if they are urine soaked
If/when subfloor/steps are fully dry, apply a sealant (KILZ Primer/Sealant/Stainblocker is the best) to the area
When sealant dries, install new padding over the area
Put the carpet back down over the pad
At some point in this process, you also will need to clean and deodorize the carpeting. I suggest applying white vinegar directly to the stained spots and/or where the urine smell is strong. It takes a day or two to dry, then you will need to clean it, ideally with a professional-grade cleaner or have a pro come in and do it.
This will work if you follow all the steps! Otherwise, the smell will remain or, even if it seems gone, it will return when warm/humid weather return…
That last post above is the best. Once they go in a certain corner they will keep returning and once it’s soaked through to the pad and the floorboards it’s all over red rover. For a quick accident that hasn’t soaked in, white vinegar is a cheap and easy way to neutralise the smell. In my new house I’ve put down vinyl plank which looks like floorboards with a rug each side of the bed and one under the coffee table in the loungeroom. Looks great - I’ve got the white oak version. I have a paralysed cat that has to be toileted 2-3 times a day and occasionally “dribbles” so it’s the best solution for me. I actually prefer it to carpet because it can be washed and I know every bit of dirt is gone, nothing to embed and smell. Great for pet owners. Other than that there is no real solution except what Beelzebubba has written. Good luck.
Make a paste of vinegar and Baking soda, spread it on the places, let it dry and vacuum it off. I had a cleaning service many years ago and this worked for me.It works on dog urine spots as well.
If it doesn’t work (and it may not), you’ll need to replace the subfloor.
And the house’s foundation.
Next time, call for help before the house is destroyed around you. Always kn ow how long the litter is good for and call before that. Or spend $$$$$$
We are down to 7 cats. Ask me why … Bawahahaha
My uncle is a contractor and once dug out the basement concrete in a house due to serious “cat lady problems.”
Cat pee is one of the most potent and powerful substances in the universe. Some smart person should develop a good use for it.
Adding baking soda to that can’t hurt either. I had a friend who had a little over ten cats. The stench of urine was unbearable.
Agrees with the “nuke it from orbit” suggestion. While your friend isn’t a collector, if the pee has managed to soak into the floorboards, nothing will help.
I’ve helped clean out several collector’s houses, they were ruined and had to be torn down because the stench never went away.
Bicarb will just neutralize the acid. Why would you want to do that?