There are a lot of pet odor removers out there and manufacturers claim that they work one hundred percent.
You may have tried some of these products. Some can work on dog urine but some may not be able to remove cat urine smell. Others may be able to remove both. There are some products that are highly effective but their availability is not convenient.
Problems with Commercial Cleaners
There are a few commercial pet cleaning products that will do the job for you. Those that work effectively usually contain live bacteria or enzymes. This has something to do with the chemical composition of your cat’s urine. The cat’s urine is able to cling to surfaces because of the crystals they form, and they are very difficult to remove. If you use household solutions like bleach, or even water, the smell will not be removed. You will need something that can break down the chemical composition of the urine. There are, however, a few household products that can do the job.
White Vinegar
This is a good first-line cleaner that you can find in your home. It is very simple to use and will lift out the odor. The vinegar will leave its own odor but will disappear after a few hours. You can use brown vinegar but it is not recommended as it will leave a yellow or brown stain.
Hydrogen Peroxide
This is one of the most powerful products and contains oxygen and hydrogen. It is very powerful and is ideal for cat stains. Pick 3% hydrogen peroxide from your nearest drug or grocery store. Make sure you don’t use stronger solutions because they can cause nasty markings on your hardwood floor. Basically, it can do more harm than good.
Other Ingredients
There are other fairly common products in your household that can clean up the smell and stain. You can make use of lemon juice, baking soda, certain types of mouthwash, and liquid castile soap. If these products are used alone it won’t help much, but the right combination can be made with other ingredients to create a chemical reaction that will break down the cat urine crystals.
There are proven effective recipes that will be able to help you get the proper mixture. However, always remember that you should not mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar because they can create a toxic acid. Also remember that effective removal also depends if the urine stain is a dry or wet spot.