Cat Peed On the Couch? Here’s How to Clean It
Cats are adorable to look at but when they pee on a couch it requires pretty deep cleaning and can be tough to deal with. Especially when you find cat urine stains on your fabric couch. The stain is followed by odour that can be tough to get rid of and the stain can be stubborn too. Cats tend to pee where they have urinated before. Hence it is advised to train your cats to prevent such accidents. If your cat is well-trained and is still peeing outside the litter box then you should get it checked as this could be a symptom of stress or any health issue. Here you will get the answer to the question ‘How to clean cat pee from a couch?‘ Let’s begin.
How Cat Pee Harm A Couch?
Cat pee can harm a couch in several ways:
- Odour: Cat urine has a strong and pungent smell that can be difficult to remove. If a cat repeatedly pees on a couch, the odour can become deeply embedded in the upholstery, making it challenging to eliminate completely. The lingering smell can make the couch unpleasant to sit on and create an uninviting atmosphere in the room.
- Staining: Cat urine contains uric acid, which can leave behind stains on the couch fabric or upholstery. If not promptly cleaned, the urine can penetrate the fibers, leading to discoloration and potential permanent staining. This can affect the appearance and overall condition of the couch.
- Damage to materials: Some couch materials, such as certain types of fabric or leather, can be more susceptible to damage from cat urine. The urine can cause the material to break down, leading to weakened fibers, discoloration, and even structural damage in severe cases. Leather, in particular, can be challenging to clean and may require professional intervention to prevent long-term harm.
- Attracting repeat incidents: Cats have a strong sense of smell, and if they can detect their urine scent on the couch, they may be more likely to use it as a designated spot for elimination. This can lead to repeated incidents of urination, exacerbating the damage to the couch over time.
It’s essential to address cat urine on a couch promptly to minimize the potential harm. Clean the affected area thoroughly, following appropriate cleaning instructions for the couch material. If the odor or staining persists, it may be necessary to seek professional upholstery cleaning or consider replacing the affected parts of the couch. Additionally, addressing the underlying reasons for your cat’s inappropriate elimination behavior and providing appropriate litter box options can help prevent future incidents.
Follow These Ideas To Easily Clean Cat Pee From A Couch
Vinegar With Water
While vinegar itself can have an odour, it’s still very effective in breaking down the urine molecules, thus getting rid of the urine stain and odour. It is also safe for your couch as this is a natural remedy. You can make a mixture by adding one part vinegar to one part water. Let it sit for a few minutes and wipe the area with a damp paper towel. Vinegar being acidic can be a bit corrosive so don’t leave it on the couch for a long time.
Products Without Ammonia
As mentioned above cats generally pee where they’ve peed before. Using an ammonium-based product will only make the smell stronger thus increasing the chance of your cat peeing there again. The ammonia will set the stain deeper on your couch rather than removing it. So, it’s better to use stain remover that is ammonia-free. You can use some lemon juice and detergent to remove cat urine stains and odours.
Use An Enzymatic Cleaner
You must be wondering ‘what an enzymatic cleaner even is?’. Well, the answer is simple, it is a chemical-based odour and stain eliminator especially made for cat/pet urine. The chemicals present in this cleaner break down the ammonites present in urine and eliminate the odour and stain within no time. You can easily find an enzymatic cleaner in a nearby store. They are pet friendly and do not contain any toxic substances so they are not harmful to you either.
Invest In A Good Vacuum Cleaner
There are vacuum cleaners specially designed to get rid of deep-seated stains from couches. The machine uses hot water to seep into the fabric and break down the stain and then suck them out. You can buy a vacuum cleaner. Make sure you’re not steam cleaning the stain as it can give you results opposite to what you were expecting.
Baking Soda
This is another natural remedy to remove cat urine stains and odours. Start with damping the area with warm water. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the stain and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Vacuum the baking soda after and wipe the area with a damp cloth or paper towel. This way has been proven to be very effective.
Buy An Odour Eliminator Spray
There are many great products available for odour removal. But before buying an odour Eliminator Spray, you should first look into the kind of fabric your couch is. There is a high chance the fabric may be sensitive to some specific compound present in the product. You can use this spray for cat wee odour removal.
Hydrogen Peroxide Trick
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent oxidant. It reduces itself and oxides the given compound. The oxidation of urine breaks down its molecules which eliminates the smell. Start by mixing 1 cup of water with 4% Hydrogen Peroxide. You can also add any good-smelling detergent of your choice. Pour this mix into a spray bottle and spray over the stained area. Start blotting the area with a paper towel, you will eventually notice the pee stain and odour fading away.
Couch Steam Cleaning
Couch steam cleaning is a highly effective method for deep cleaning and sanitizing couches. It involves vacuuming, applying a pre-treatment solution, and using a steam cleaner to inject hot water and cleaning solution into the couch fibres. The steam agitates the couch, loosening dirt and grime, which is then extracted. This process easily removes cat pee stains and odours, allergens, and bacteria, revitalizing the couch and improving its appearance and hygiene. If you have all resources required for it along with expertise in using a couch steam cleaner- then you can use it.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this blog answered your question: how to clean cat pee from a couch? Various stain-cleaning ingredients like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and vinegar are shared. Ranging from homemade tricks to hiring a professional couch cleaning company, these are the most effective options for cat pee stain and odour removal. Based on your situation, you can also call for a cat pee stain and odour removal service.