How do I get rid of the smell from cat urine?

Angie Forster
by Angie Forster

We had cats and they urinated in rooms. The cats are gone and the smell is still there faintly. Re removed carpet and padding. How do I get rid of the smell. Also it’s in the basement. I bleached where there litter box was, but sometimes when I walk in the door I still smell it. The cigarette smoke lingers also. It’s been over a year since I quit. I would blow the smoke in the stove hood.

  6 answers
  • Kay Cloninger Kirby Kay Cloninger Kirby on Dec 08, 2018

    Charcoal absorbs odors ...put some briquettes in maybe a paper plate set it in the room hopefully that will help

  • Barbara Dimmick Barbara Dimmick on Dec 08, 2018

    Never bleach anything with a urine smell. Nature’s Miracle makes an excellent product called Urine Destroyer. We joke that it’s Urine Killer. Be certain to purchase the highest strength; and do buy a gallon to start. Follow the directions very carefully! Good luck!

  • Kauai Breeze Kauai Breeze on Dec 08, 2018

    Clean the floors with straight white vinegar to neutralize the urine, then mop again with clean water. You can safely spray white vinegar on basement floors and walls without scrubbing or rinsing. It should also take care of the smoke smell. Small bowls of white vinegar placed in the rooms will also absorb odor.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Dec 08, 2018

    Pour kitty litter and let sit. The charcoal in it should absorb odor for good. Then sweep/vacuum.

  • Cosmobindi2 Cosmobindi2 on Dec 09, 2018

    For carpet cleaning, buy Pet Smarts " Natures Miracle"Just for cats stain & odor remover in red container. Spray carpet covering all stains, scrub stubborn areas. If bad, cover sprayed area with plastic bags for a few days. Then Clean carpet with regular carpet cleaner.

  • Jw5576 Jw5576 on Dec 09, 2018

    Use a black light flashlight, usually available at the per store. Turn off the lights and turn on the black light, shine over floor, walls and any furniture or shelving the cats may have been on. Everywhere you see it glow, spray that area with an enzyme cleaner, specifically made for removing cat urine stains, let dry. Repeat if necessary. You need the black light to see the urine crystals that are left wherever an animal goes. You can't see them in plain light. This should locate all the "kitty tags" so you can get rid of the odor once and for all.

    • See 3 previous
    • Jw5576 Jw5576 on Dec 24, 2018

      They will stay until they are "eaten" by the enzymes in the cleaner and as the humidity in the area fluctuates, so will the leftover odors.