It is very common to find that your carpet still smells like cat urine after cleaning. This problem can be very frustrating. You clean the carpet, but the bad smell stays. Why does this happen? In this article, we will explain the main reasons for this and how to fix it.
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Why Does Cat Urine Smell Stay After Cleaning?
When a cat urinates on a carpet, the urine goes deep inside. It does not stay only on the surface. It can get into the carpet fibers, the padding under the carpet, and even the floor below the carpet. If you only clean the top part, the smell will stay inside. Over time, the smell comes back.
Also, some cleaning products do not fully remove cat urine. They may clean dirt but not the urine chemicals. Urine has special parts called uric acid crystals. These crystals stick to the carpet and are hard to remove. When the crystals dry, they can stay for a long time and cause the smell.
What Happens When You Clean the Carpet?
Many cleaning methods only clean the surface of the carpet. They do not reach the deep layers. When you clean, you may make the crystals wet again. This wakes up the smell. So, even after cleaning, the bad smell can become stronger.
To fix this, you need special cleaners that can break down the uric acid crystals. These are called enzymatic cleaners. They use enzymes to change the urine parts into safe, smell-free parts. This is the best way to get rid of cat urine smell.
How to Remove Cat Urine Smell Deeply
Here are the steps to clean the urine smell deeply using enzymatic cleaners:
| Step | What to Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Soak the Area | Pour enzymatic cleaner deeply on the stained area. | The cleaner reaches deep to break down urine crystals. |
| 2. Let it Work | Wait as the cleaner label says, usually 10-15 minutes. | Enzymes need time to break urine and stop the smell. |
| 3. Blot or Extract | Use a clean cloth or vacuum to remove liquid gently. | Removes urine and cleaner without spreading stain. |
| 4. Rinse and Dry | Rinse with clean water and dry the carpet well. | Prevents mildew and stops new bad smells from forming. |
What If Smell Still Stays?
If the smell does not go away, the urine may have gone deeper. Sometimes it reaches the carpet padding or even the floor under the carpet. In this case, surface cleaning is not enough. You may need more work.
More Intensive Solutions
- Professional Cleaning: Call a carpet cleaning company. They use special tools and chemicals. They can find all urine spots with a blacklight. Blacklight makes urine stains glow in dark.
- Address the Padding: Sometimes urine soaks into the carpet padding. You may need to lift the carpet and clean or replace the padding.
- Seal the Subfloor: If urine reaches the floor under the carpet, it must be sealed. A product like white shellac can stop the smell from coming back.
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DIY Alternatives to Try at Home
If you want to try cleaning yourself, here are some good home methods. These are simple and use easy-to-find items.
Vinegar Solution
Mix one part white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. After blotting the urine, spray the vinegar solution on the spot. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then blot again with a clean cloth. Vinegar helps neutralize bad smells.
Baking Soda
After using vinegar, sprinkle baking soda on the area. Let it sit for several hours or overnight. Baking soda absorbs bad smells. After that, vacuum the baking soda from the carpet.
Hydrogen Peroxide And Detergent
You can mix hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a small amount of baby detergent. Apply this mixture carefully on the stain. Let it sit for some time. Then blot and dry well. Be careful; test this mix on a small carpet spot first to avoid damage.
Tips to Prevent Cat Urine Smell in the Future
It is better to stop urine stains before they start. Here are some tips:
- Clean accidents quickly: The faster you clean, the less the smell stays.
- Use enzyme cleaners early: These cleaners work best on fresh stains.
- Keep litter boxes clean: Cats prefer clean places to go.
- Train your cat: Teach your cat to use the litter box only.
- Check health problems: Sometimes cats urinate outside the box if sick.
Summary
Cat urine smell stays because urine goes deep in carpet layers. Surface cleaning cannot remove all the uric acid crystals. Enzymatic cleaners break down these crystals to stop smells.
Sometimes, you need professional help for deep cleaning or padding replacement. Home methods like vinegar and baking soda can help too. Quick cleaning and good cat care can prevent future problems.
With these ideas, you can make your carpet smell fresh again. It may take time and care, but the smell can go away for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Carpet Still Smell Like Cat Pee After Shampooing?
Your carpet still smells like cat pee because urine soaked into the padding and subfloor. Shampooing only cleans the surface, reactivating odor. Use enzymatic cleaners to break down uric acid crystals or hire professionals for deep cleaning. Severe cases may require replacing the carpet pad.
How To Get Old Cat Pee Smell Out Of Carpet?
Saturate the carpet with an enzymatic cleaner to break down urine crystals. Let it sit, then blot dry. Use vinegar and baking soda to neutralize odors. For deep smells, consider professional cleaning or replacing the carpet padding. Seal subfloor if urine penetrated beneath.
Why Do I Still Smell Cat Pee After Cleaning?
The cat urine odor remains because it soaked into carpet padding and subfloor. Surface cleaning reactivates the smell. Use enzymatic cleaners to break down uric acid crystals. Deep cleaning, professional treatment, or replacing padding may be necessary to fully remove the odor.
Will The Smell Of Urine In Carpet Go Away?
The urine smell in carpet can fade with proper treatment. Use enzymatic cleaners to break down uric acid crystals. Deep cleaning or professional services help remove odors from padding and subfloor. Severe cases may require carpet pad replacement or sealing the subfloor to stop persistent smells.
Why Does My Carpet Still Smell Like Cat Urine After Cleaning?
The urine likely soaked into the carpet padding and subfloor. Surface cleaning may only reactivate the odor.
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