The smell of cat urine in shoes: getting rid of it effectively and easily

Photo from the site: Ymadam.net

Cats are strange and even mystical animals that once came to a person’s house to improve their living conditions. They still, for many centuries, continue to delight us with their playful and mischievous character, help fight pests, and simply calm our nerves with a pleasant purring, for which we are very grateful to them. However, the owners of such fluffy and funny pets know firsthand that these shaggy friends can cause a lot of trouble if they confuse their litter tray with the owner’s sneakers or boots. True, there are several proven methods for removing the smell of cat urine from shoes, so even if your pet gives you an unpleasant surprise, don’t be upset, the problem can be solved, and we’ll talk about how exactly to do this today.

Why is it important to quickly eliminate the smell of cat urine from shoes?

Cat urine is not only the result of removing waste products from the body, but also a method for marking your personal territory. This is one of the reasons why the liquid has such a pungent odor that does not dissipate for a long time. If the cat has marked the boots, it means that he is showing the other “inhabitants” of the apartment who is boss.

The composition of urine explains its smell and properties:

• urea provides stickiness to the liquid after drying;
• urochrome has a coloring effect;
• uric acid is the main “culprit” of cat odor, which is so difficult to get rid of if the cat marks the shoes.

Acid becomes a problem because its crystals do not dissolve even in soapy water. This leads to the need to search for more effective options. In this case, you need to choose a product so that it does not enter into a chemical reaction with uric acid, this threatens to increase the odor. To remove the smell of urine from shoes, it is important to rescue items damaged by a pet as quickly as possible. Firstly, it will be easier to remove dirt. Secondly, cats, having discovered that they are not being cleaned up after them, will begin to constantly mark the same territory.

Cleaning different shoes

Sneakers, moccasins and fabric slippers

If the shoes are made of fabric, they are easiest to clean. If the stain is fresh, it is enough to simply wash the product in a machine, making sure to carry out some preparatory measures. To be sure to save your shoes, you should start cleaning immediately after an unpleasant embarrassment has occurred. It is recommended to first wash your shoes with laundry soap. The water should be cool. Instead of laundry soap, soap with glycerin is suitable; it is of higher quality and more effective.

A weak solution of potassium permanganate is suitable - soak shoes in it for half an hour. After preparation, take a special washing bag, put damaged sneakers or moccasins into it, and wash it in a machine on a suitable setting. You can add 0.5 tsp to the rinse aid container. alcohol or vodka - a person will not feel the smell, but it will scare away the cat.

Suede or nubuck

Shoes made from these materials are more difficult to clean due to the capriciousness of suede and nubuck. If done incorrectly, the products will lose their appearance and it will be difficult to restore them. You must act carefully to avoid deformation.

It is best to use products based on glycerin; you can even use soap based on it. It is enough to rub the spoiled products with soap from the inside. After this, squeeze out the lemon juice and sprinkle it on your shoes. After 20 minutes, the mixture is washed off with a damp sponge.

Fur boot

Getting rid of the smell of cat urine in fur shoes is more difficult; this process requires a careful approach. If you notice unpleasant damage to your shoes, you need to immediately take out the insoles - you won’t be able to save them.

Then the inner surface of the products is treated with vinegar, a solution of potassium permanganate or citric acid. It is much more convenient to clean using a spray bottle, then stuff the shoes tightly with clean newspapers or paper and leave them to dry in the fresh air.

Within 2 hours the solution will be absorbed into the paper and the smell will go away. If it doesn’t work the first time, you can repeat the procedure. This method is not suitable for every shoe. And in order not to spoil the product, it is better to first try the product on an inconspicuous area.

How to remove odor from leather boots, ballet flats or shoes

Removing cat urine from leather shoes is quite difficult. Natural material absorbs unpleasant odors, so you need to act as quickly as possible.

For treatment, you can use a solution of potassium permanganate or iodine. It is enough to prepare a solution of 1 liter of water and 10 drops of iodine. However, this product is best used for dark shoes: light-colored shoes may become covered with unsightly stains. Damaged surfaces can be treated with lemon juice or vinegar solution. This smell will kill and scare away the animal. Hydrogen peroxide also helps. However, this product is only suitable for light-colored shoes.

There is another effective technique:

1. Wipe the surface thoroughly with a clean cloth. If the animal has marked the shoes inside, add salt or soda for a couple of minutes. You need to repeat the procedure until the color of the powder turns white.
2. Dilute 1 tbsp. vinegar with 4 tbsp. water, moisten the sponge with the composition and wipe the product.
3. Wash off with a damp, clean cloth.
4. Dry the damaged product for 24 hours on the balcony.

Leatherette shoes

The main feature is the inability to understand how the material will react to the compositions used. Also, such shoes need to be aired for at least a day. And before using any solutions, you should test them in an inconspicuous area. To wash leatherette shoes from cat urine, you need to start cleaning immediately after detecting a stain. There are several effective methods:

1. Iodine solution. Mix 1 liter of water with 5-10 drops of iodine and treat the surface of the shoes with it.
2. Vinegar. Wipe with a solution prepared with water in a ratio of 1:4, then moisten the cotton wool with water, wipe again and dry.

You can use parsley, coffee, tea leaves. True, such means are not so effective. It is recommended to test any product on an inconspicuous area before use.

Basic removal methods

Traces of urine from soft surfaces are removed both with industrial chemicals and with improvised products found in the medicine cabinet or kitchen cabinet. Before removing a fresh puddle, blot it with a napkin until the liquid is absorbed into the fabric. The remaining liquid will be well absorbed by starch and talc. Powders are poured onto the dirty area.

Weak manganese solution

On dark upholstery, a pinkish solution of potassium permanganate crystals helps get rid of stains. The sponge is moistened in the liquid and the contaminated area is thoroughly wiped. After 5 minutes, you need to walk with a clean damp cloth and blot with napkins.

Boric acid

You can remove urea crystals with boric acid by mixing it with soda. An alternative would be sparkling water. A solution of boric acid or soda is poured onto the stain. Then sprinkle soda on top. A reaction occurs that causes the odor to evaporate. Finally, rinse the mattress and upholstery with clean water and dry.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Fresh lemon juice can wash away any stains, even old ones. If the puddle has just been made, you need to remove excess liquid and drip lemon juice onto the area. When the puddle has already dried, drop lemon juice onto it and sprinkle baking soda on top. When the mixture dries, clean it with a vacuum cleaner.

Laundry soap

A bar of laundry soap helps remove odors and restore freshness to your sofa after a kitten has ruined it. The soap must be grated, then moistened with warm water. The soap paste is rubbed into the upholstery fabric. The mixture should be washed off after 30 minutes. This method is only suitable for fresh stains.

Glycerol

Glycerin can easily clean urine from a sofa. The substance decomposes urea well without leaving an odor. You can wipe with glycerin solution or soap. You need to scrub with a brush and rinse with clean water.

Citrus fruits or coffee

If the smell remains after cleaning the upholstered furniture, you can kill it by sprinkling ground coffee on the sofa or placing pieces of citrus fruit on the table next to the bed. By roasting coffee beans in a frying pan, you can eliminate all unpleasant odors in the house. The peels of oranges and tangerines have the same property.

Folk remedies for odor removal

Lemon

Another effective option that will scare away your pet. Simply wipe your shoes with lemon juice or a solution using citric acid. And as a deterrent, you can drop 1-3 drops of citrus aroma oil into your shoes.

Laundry soap

To remove the smell of cat urine, including old urine, from fabric sneakers, it is better to use this method. Rub the product thoroughly with soap, leave for 20 minutes, then wash. If it remains, you can repeat the procedure.

Alcohol or vodka

These products are suitable for shoes made of any material. Soak a clean cloth in the liquid, wring it out, and place it inside the boots. They take it out in 2-3 hours. After processing, the product must be washed and dried.

Iodine

Make a concentrated solution of 500 ml of water and 15 drops of iodine. The product is applied to the contaminated area for 15 minutes. All that remains is to wipe the surface with a clean cloth. However, you can remove the smell of cat urine in this way only from dark-colored shoes; traces will remain on light-colored items.

Hydrogen peroxide

Suitable for winter fur shoes. Take a bottle of the product and pour it inside the product. After the reaction begins (the liquid begins to foam and hiss), pour out the peroxide. All that remains is to rinse the shoes and air dry them.

Boric or camphor alcohol

Effective products that will help cope with old stains. You need to pour a little mixture into the shoes and wipe the surface of the shoes with it. Camphor alcohol is used similarly. To prepare the cleaning composition, take the main component with water in a 1:1 ratio.

Soda

This product is not suitable for cleaning patent leather shoes or items with a glossy surface: after treatment, scratches may remain on the shoes.

The contaminated area is moistened, soda is applied on top for a couple of minutes, during which time it will absorb uric acid. All that remains is to wash the shoes with soap and dry the product with a clean cloth.

Vinegar

This product will help cope with the unpleasant odor and scare away the animal. To prepare the solution, take vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:3, moisten a cloth in it and wipe the stained area. If the unpleasant odor remains, the treatment must be repeated. Suitable for leather - natural and leatherette.

Potassium permanganate solution

A bright crimson liquid should be used to treat surfaces that do not absorb much liquid. After preparation, apply the composition to a clean cloth and wipe the foul-smelling area. The advantage of using potassium permanganate is that the composition breaks down ammonia, which leads to the destruction of odors.

The most important tips on how to act

The ability to eliminate odor depends on two factors:

1. How quickly did you find the place the cat marked?
2. The material from which the shoes are made.

The most important thing is to detect urine in time. It needs to be cleaned to remove the smell and stain. Since plain water and soap do not help, you must either buy a special product that removes urine, or prepare a solution yourself.

It is not recommended to treat urine with the following means:

1. Perfume.
2. Cologne.
3. Scented napkins.
4. Any products containing ammonia.

The smell of urine may go away for a couple of days, but then it will return and most likely intensify.

Professional odor removers

It is not always possible to remove the old smell of cat urine from shoes using folk remedies. In this case, you should use household chemicals. Such drugs are expensive, but they are effective. Available in spray form, they are easy to use: just clean the surface from sand and dust and spray the spray several times.

After treatment, it is important to leave the shoes or boots in the fresh air for several hours to allow the smell to dissipate.

The most popular compositions:

1. Mr. Fresh. The product can cope with stains and odors. It is enough to spray the composition at a distance of about 30 cm from the shoes, then ventilate them thoroughly. Do not use the spray near food.
2. Urine Off. The product is aimed at combating urine stains and odors. It destroys uric acid crystals. It is enough to spray on the dirt and air the shoes. The main feature of the product is that it blocks pheromones, which allows you to avoid the appearance of new marks.
3. "DezoSan". The product contains nonionic surfactants that destroy urine molecules and do not simply mask odors. Cost about 400 rubles. per bottle of 0.4 l.
4. "Zoosan." Controls urine odors, but also combats other organic odors. Can be used on all surfaces regardless of material. It is made on the basis of natural ingredients, so it is hypoallergenic and can be used in rooms where children live. The average cost is 350 rubles. The advantages include the absence of chemicals and ease of use.
5. Odor Kill. The product is in the form of a solution. Effective, suitable for various surfaces.
6. Bio-GM. A natural product based on vegetable and fruit ingredients. Allows you to quickly get rid of unpleasant odors in the apartment. In addition to removing odors, the composition improves the microbiology of indoor air and disinfects.

When choosing household chemicals, you should use them exactly according to the instructions.

What doesn't help remove odor?

There are many remedies that not only will not help, but will also worsen the situation. These include:

• bleach, any chlorine-based products;
• deodorants, perfumes;
• ammonia;
• air fresheners.

Any compositions with chlorine will not only not help remove the smell of cat urine from shoes - they will strengthen it and also attract the pet. Therefore, if you want to get rid of the smell of urine, you cannot use Belizna, Domestos and other similar products. Ammonia will remove odors, but will also attract your pet to the area. This is due to the fact that it contains urine components. The cat may think that there is a new pet in the house and will cover the smell of ammonia with feces.

Deodorants and air fresheners can be used, but they will not cope with the problem itself; they will simply hide the problem for a while. As soon as the shoes get wet, the smell will appear again. It is recommended to use them only after cleaning the shoes: if you treat them when there is a fresh stain, the unpleasant odor will only intensify.

Let's break it down into components

So what does this indestructible liquid consist of, and what do we need to deal with? Let’s try to figure it out.

Main components of cat urine:

1. water;
2. urea;
3. urochrome;
4. uric acid;
5. amino acids (they are what give this unbearable smell);
6. bilirubins and urobilins (they give color to urine).

We, of course, do not need the full chemical composition of urine; we are interested in those components that create the problem. These are uric acid and amino acids, the most aggressive amino acids. An unpleasant odor occurs at the moment of their decomposition; humans also have them in their urine, but in cats, amino acids begin to decompose almost immediately, hence this unbearable odor.

Uric acid also adds some effect; it penetrates deep into the tissues and dries out. For some time the smell disappears, but this is before the first moisture enters. As soon as your feet get sweaty or you get caught in the rain, the smell will return with renewed vigor.

How to scare a cat away from shoes

Cats have a habit of regularly marking the same place, shoes. Therefore, it is recommended to know methods that will help scare your pet away from your beloved couple. At the same time, storing products in a closed cabinet cannot always protect you from an unpleasant situation.

You can treat shoes with Antigadin. This is a special repellent drug, and it is safe for animals.

Another option is essential oil, especially pets do not like the aromas of tea tree and oranges.

If your cat marks his territory too often, despite the use of repellents, you can take your pet to the veterinarian. Perhaps this behavior is caused by health problems. Most often this is due to:

1. Dehydration. Due to lack of water, urea levels rise, which gives the urine an ammonia smell.
2. The presence of urolithiasis or poor diet. This causes urate stones to form, which affects the smell.
3. Puberty. During this period, the smell of cats becomes especially pungent. To prevent the problem, it is recommended to spay or neuter the animal.

The reasons why your favorite sneakers stink of cat urine may be due to the harmful nature of the animal. In this case, you should contact a specialist to wean your pet from bad habits. The problem may also be in the tray:

• the animal does not like the smell of the litter;
• the tray is located near a washing machine or other noisy equipment;
• The tray is poorly cleaned.

In this case, it is recommended to choose a more suitable place for it and replace the filler.

If the problem is temporary, then the pet’s bowel movement may be associated with a move or an unpleasant emotional situation in the family. Sometimes as a result of physical violence.

Preventive measures

Cats are smart animals. They will not harm their owner without reason. If you once encountered a situation where a pet peed in your shoes, you should immediately understand the motives for its behavior and take measures to prevent trouble in the future:

1. Check if the cat's litter box is in order. If it is in an uncomfortable, restless place or is rarely cleaned, the animal begins to look for a new, more suitable corner. Remove dirty litter promptly.
2. Exercise with your pet. Cats often play pranks if they feel they are not getting enough attention.
3. It is better to neuter cats that have reached reproductive age so that they are not tempted to mark their territory.
4. Take your pet to the vet regularly - erratic urination can be caused by kidney disease.
5. Store your shoes in a locked closet or place them in citrus-scented sachets.
6. If things have already been marked, treat them with Antigadin. This product can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy.

It should be remembered that cats have a delicate sense of smell. They tend to go to the toilet in a place where they smell their own or someone else's urine. This means that shoes that are not completely cleaned will become an attractive object for other animals, in the houses you visit or on the street. Therefore, it is important to completely remove traces of cat urine, even if you have to use several products to do this.