Yes, I realize I should probably just throw them out, and I may end up doing that.
I have some big beautiful fake poinsettias that my mom bought for me last year, and that I was going to use in my Christmas tree. Unfortunately, one of my cats had a bad urinary infection and started peeing on a chair in the basement - a chair I had set these flowers on for a few hours while cleaning out the closet full of Christmas decorations.
They’re plastic/fabric flowers, not expensive silk. They look like this one, only red with some gold sparkles. I don’t care if I wash off the sparkles, I can re-sparkle them later. I tried spraying them with Febreze, but it didn’t help.
What are my options for washing them and getting the smell out? Would my washing machine kill them? Soak them in a tub with Oxyclean? I don’t know what I can use that will remove the stink but not hurt the color.
You could put them in a plastic bag and a lot of baking soda, shake well, shake it all off, then let them sit in the sun.
That, however, is for the lurkers - this is how you clean fake flowers for regular cleanup. For cat pee, if Febreze didn’t do it, I don’t know what would. Spray with Nature’s Miracle, perhaps?
Yeah, I’m afraid that might be the answer, but I will try a couple of the ideas here first. They weren’t too expensive, but I still hate the thought of throwing them out if they can be rescued. I can try soaking in a baking soda slurry, maybe. I thought of the dishwasher, but it’s hard to get over the ick factor.
There are spray cleaners specifically for artificial flowers you can get at crafts stores such as Michaels or Hobby Lobby. I’m not sure if they’re up to cat pee…
I know what you mean about tossing them. Give them a wash and then spray with Nature’s Miracle-- it’s good stuff. If that doesn’t get rid of all the odor, try re-purposing them. Maybe a wreath to hang outdoors, that sort of thing. They’ll air out and be far enough away to avoid offending anyone’s nose.
I’d be hesitant about using the dishwasher, would be afraid it would be too hot for the plastic, might deform them somehow. If it were me I would try some oxygen cleanser/water solution, mix a couple tablespoons with 2 or 3 qts of water, use something like a watering can to sprinkle the stuff on. Or if you think it’s possible to do without damaging the flowers, a dip in the solution might solve the problem.
Btw, oxygen cleaner is sodium percarbonate, popular trade name Oxy-Clean®; but that is expensive, there are generic brands avail like this Sun® Oxygen Cleaner
And if none of these tips work, there is a great thread running at IMHO about the “Worst Christmas Gifts”, and I think you might have a winner with these if you wrap them nicely and present them to your boss/MIL/ex-husband, etc.!
Try the Nature’s Miracle. You need an enzymatic cleaner that will “eat” the urine proteins. There are also some enzymatic/bacterial cleaners that use two avenues to “eat” proteins and ammonia and whatever else makes cat pee smell. I use “Anti-Icky-Poo” and it works great. Get thee to a pet supply store and look for the urine remover aisle!
Bumping a slightly-elderly thread, but i didn’t have this info at hand earlier …
Mirazyme Odor Eliminator - made by Gear Aid, via the MoNETT Corp. Holy non-stinky guacamole, Batman - this stuff is hard-core. It’s made for climbers/hikers/backpackers to take mildew or other smells out of climbing gear, but I’m here to tell you: it works on cat pee. Tested by our cat, approved by our noses.
I tried soaking the flowers in an Oxyclean and baking soda solution for a few hours, then rinsing them and letting them dry, and they’re much better but the smell is still lingering a little. I’ll try one repeat treatment, this time not rinsing them before drying them, and if that doesn’t work I will pick up that Mirazyme product. The reviews seem pretty good, and I can probably use it for other stinks, thanks for the tip!
