When your cat spends too much time on the couch, it can develop an internal chemical balance that allows them to associate the scent with their home. This sometimes happens when cats are left alone in homes for long periods of times.
Cats who spend more time on sofas may also feel uncomfortable being surrounded by other animals’ smells. If you notice your cat acting or looking nervous on the sofa, she may need some help getting rid of the smell.
Fortunately, there are several simple ways to get rid of the odor without having to buy expensive products.
Sprinkle baking soda on the couch
For many people, their living room sofa or chair is one of their favorite places to sit. Unfortunately, though, your cat may not like it very much because it smells like pee.
If you are trying to get rid of cat urine smell from your couch, then start by sprinkling some baking soda onto the surface of the furniture.
The natural acid in baking soda will begin to neutralize the ammonia that comes from the cat’s waste. Once it has done its work, scrape off the baking soda and wash it with water!
Make sure to rinse the area several times so that all the bits of baked material are removed. Also, be careful not to scratch the surface of the furniture as this could cause more damage later.
Use cat litter that has deodorizer in it
For many people, their couch is their favorite place to sit. Unfortunately, though, your sofa can become too attractive for some nasty bacteria or odor-producing microorganisms. When this happens, you will want to get rid of the couch!
If your furniture comes with cleaning instructions, follow them. But if not, we have tips here for how to get rid of pet urine smell off of sofas and other leather furniture.
One of our most effective tips is to use an old-fashioned box of cheap, regular kitty litter as a coverup. Simply spread out a few inches of soft fluffy kitty litter on top of any dirt or stains on the surface of the leather and let it set and dry.
This works because the kitty litter absorbs excess liquid and takes away part of the source of the stench. It also changes the color slightly, which helps mask the original stain.
Use a cat odor eliminator spray
Getting rid of pet urine smells can be tricky, but there are some things you can do to help!
One of the most common ways that people get dog or cat pee smell onto their couch is by bathing them while they go through their elimination process. When dogs and cats urinate, it usually takes longer for it to completely dry, so leaving these wet patches will only make the problem grow bigger.
It is very important to try your best to prevent this from happening in the first place, though. If your dog or cat has no access to a bathroom, then trying to take care of the liquid as soon as they come home is the best solution.
For more difficult cases, there are many different products designed to remove the scent of animal waste. Some work immediately, while others require repeated applications until the product de-sensitizes the fabric.
Run the dryer on high heat for a long time
After you wash your couch, run it through a hot cycle in your washer or drop it off at a professional cleaning service that can do this for you. If possible, hang dried clothing up to air-dry!
Making sure the couch is completely dry will help prevent any wet areas from staying soaked with cat urine and smelling more heavily. In fact, some people use an odor-masking powder in these wet spots to help neutralize the smell!
Cat owners often say that getting rid of their cats’ scent takes longer than just washing the sofa once. This is because there are several components of feline pee that don’t go away even after repeated water rinses.
Get a cat odor absorbent pad
If you are spending lots of time in front of the television or computer, then your couch will be covered in their pee as well as yours.
Fortunately, there are some easy ways to get rid of this urine smell. One of these is getting an odor-absorbing mat for your furniture.
You can find such mats at most home improvement stores and pet supply stores. These mats contain chemicals that suck up excess moisture and neutralize odors.
Some have sayings like “Clean with care” or “Keep in clean” so they clearly mean to recommend them.
Wash the couch in hot water
For many people, their sofa or recliner is an integral part of their home. They use it for watching TV, resting after work, or just because it feels comfortable. Unfortunately, though, your beloved couch can sometimes become too close to some other item that produces strong odors – like cat urine.
If this sounds familiar, you may be wondering how to get rid of the smell of cat pee on a leather surface such as a couch. Luckily, there are several simple ways to do so!
First, wash the couch in very hot water. Doing so will remove most of the grime and residue that could contribute to the odor. Make sure to agitate the material slightly as well to help launder the whole piece.
Next, try using a natural deodorant instead of commercial ones. Many brands contain baking soda which helps eliminate excess moisture. This also works to reduce the risk of dry skin or rashes due to the chemicals used in the product.
Use a cat bed that has a sealed cover
The size of your couch will determine what kind of cover you need for this bed. If your sofa is small, then a large blanket or wool throw can be placed over it as a protective layer. For a bigger couch, consider getting a mattress-sized cushion with a removable cover or even making one yourself!
Some people suggest using an empty plastic bag as the top coat, but we do not recommend this because they may get stuck in the fur when he moves around later. A washcloth lined fabric sleeve is a much better solution since it can be wiped down easily and disinfected if needed.
Once the bed is protected, have it air dried and put away so any pee that drips off the bed does not sit and dry.
Get a new couch or carpet
If you are trying to get rid of cat pee smell, one of your first steps should be looking for sources of the urine. You can check all cushions of the sofa and bed-size carpets to see if it’s visible.
If you find some in the future, try washing them with an enzymatic cleaner and then wash again under hot water. Make sure to pull out any stuffing too!
You may also want to consider getting new furniture or investing in a mattress protector. Both of these will help prevent wet marks from sticking in the next time there is liquid waste present.
