That Nasty Cat Pee Smell: How Do I Kill It?

Factual Questions
1

Mrs. RickJay and I have three cats, and over time, even if you keep the place clean (As we do) the cat urine smell starts to seep around. I HATE that smell. Absolutely hate it.

So we recently embarked on a massive apartmentwide cleanup. All the floors were washed with ordinary Mr. Clean, and the sofa and rugs (there is no carpeting) were subject to a (probably poorly done) cleaning with a steam cleaner I rented using some Easy-Off steam cleaning solution.

The smell is improved, but not gone. What other tactics should I employ?

  • Should I get the sofa done professionally, or use another method myself?

  • What can you wash floors with that will kill that smell?

  • How can you clean futons? I tried the steam cleaner but I don’t think it did a very good job.

  • What else have I not thought of?

  • What cleaning products are particularly effective for this sort of thing?

Note: “Get rid of the cats” isn’t an option, and anyway, even if I got rid of them I’d still have to clean the place. One of them IS moving away with Mrs. RickJay when she goes to school.

2

Curtains and drapes hold a lot of odors. Get them cleaned, too.

And you can cut down on the source of the odor if you toilet train your cats

3

Do not ever, ever give your cats milk. It is not good for them, and contributes to that horrid cat pee smell. If it stinks like ammonia, then it’s because of the milk.

4

Once in a great while, my cat will find a towel or piece of clothing that has been carelessly left on the floor - and pee on it. It’s the damnedest thing. I have had great success using white vinegar to remove the stain and odor. YMMV

5

Your local pet store should have any number of enzyme-based products specifically designed to remove cat pee smell. Nature’s Miracle is one, but I’m sure there are others.

6

Duplicate thread