Removing Cat Urine Smell: How to Get Cat Pee Smell Out of the Hardwood Floor?

Keeping a pet in a household with hardwood flooring is a nightmare!

What is the biggest con of having a pet? It is cleaning the mess they make by not using the litterbox, perhaps. What is the biggest drawback of having a wooden floor? It is to restore it after something is spilled on it or when your pet has an accident. Combine both of these cons, and you are left with a headache and a smell-soaked wooden floor.

If you have a cat and a wood floor in your home, cat peeing on the floor would be a nightmare for you. If your cat had an accident and you failed to notice and take care of it immediately, you are in trouble as the cat pee smell gets soaked in the wood.

Opening all windows of the room to air out the cat pee smell from the hardwood floor would take quite a while. So you can just wait to let the smell go away on its own, but if you cannot wait and want to get rid of the smell as soon as possible, continue reading. We are going to discuss all about removing cat urine smell from the hardwood floor.

How to get the cat pee smell out of hardwood floors? If you take smart actions on an urgent basis, there won’t be any pee stains or smell, and you can continue taking pride in your original and clean wooden flooring.

Is Your Floor Wooden?

Vinyl planks, wood-like tiles, and laminate give off the look of wooden floors and are, therefore, easy to be confused with wood. If your floor is made of such materials, it can be easily cleaned with any commercial floor-cleaning product.

How to Get Cat Pee Smell Out of Hardwood Floors?

Consisting of urea, electrolytes, pheromones, and bacteria, cat urine has a pungent ammonia-like smell that easily spreads throughout the wood and can easily make it to the whole room. Therefore, to address this base cause, you need the right strategy, cleaners, and products at the right time.

How To Get Rid of Cat Pee Smell From Impermeable Hardwood Floors?

If your wood floor does not absorb the liquid that falls on it, it is an impermeable one. In that case, it will be comparatively easier to clean. The following simple steps need to be followed.

1. Remove the Urine

Soak up the urine using a sponge or paper or cloth towel. Dispose of the paper towel when it gets saturated while reusing the sponge and cloth towel after squeezing them. Keep a bucket underneath when transporting the saturated sponge and towels so that the drops might not fall on the clean floor on the way.

2. Apply Cleaners

Pet-specific floor cleaners are specially designed with the necessary enzymes and chemicals to kill the bacteria while neutralizing the cat pee smell. You can use such cleaners more than one time until you are satisfied.

Nature’s Miracle Dual Action Hard Floor Stain & Odor Remover contains the advanced odor-locking technology that effectively traps and destroys both odor and stains. It is safe to use on different types of floors. View on Chewy

If you do not want to use cleaning products, try using some DIY methods.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a great natural urine odor remover. Just apply it to the affected area and cover it with plastic for some time before wiping it off. However, note that if the hydrogen peroxide turns out to be too strong, it can have a bleaching effect on the wood, turning it paler.

Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural odor neutralizer. However, before you use it, make sure to test it on a tiny spot on your floor since its acidic nature can damage the finish.

To make a safe solution, use one cup of water and mix a third cup of vinegar, a fourth cup of baking soda, and the fifth cup of washing soap. Put the solution in a spray bottle and mix it well. Spray onto the urine spot and let it soak for about 10 minutes before wiping it off.

3. Rinse

Once the cleaners have been wiped off, wait for a couple of minutes to let it dry. Afterward, spray some water on the spot and gently rinse it off. Doing so will inhibit the smell and color of the cleaner if any.

4. Dry

Do not apply anything more onto the spot after rinsing it with water and let it dry even if it takes more than one day. Once dried, the floor should be ready to use.

How To Get Rid of Cat Pee Smell From Permeable Hardwood Floor?

Permeable floors – those having pores and allowing saturation with liquid – require urgent action to get rid of pet urine smell. However, normal cleaning as described in the case of impermeable floors might not suffice, and sanding the floor will be required, i.e., removing the top surface of the wooden floor.

Just get the correct sander and begin working on the floor. For engineered wood floors, disk sanders work best, while for solid, drum sanders must be opted for. Keep your cat away while sanding your floor, and do not press the same spot for long or irreparable damage may occur.

Wood Floor Cleaning Tip!

Do not get yourself into unnecessary hard work. Try cleaning the permeable floor the same way it goes for the impermeable one; if it shows results, never opt for sanding.

When to Seek Help?

If you fear using any sort of cleaner on your wooden floor or if all of the methods discussed above fail, know that it is time to seek professional help. Keep in mind that quick action is necessary, especially if the floor is permeable. So, do not hesitate to contact a pro as soon as things get out of your hands.

How to Not Let That Happen Again?

Cleaning your pets’ urine and poo is indeed a messy job (ugh). You want to get back the original looks of the impacted items while making sure that you do not get dirty. Therefore, instead of waiting to let that mess occur, you must go for its prevention to save your energy, money, and time.

But how? Just do not let your kitty pee on your wood floor in the first place. Fortunately, there exist ways to do so.

1. Unmark the Territory

Cats can easily smell the place they have peed on before and usually go there again several times. You must, therefore, remove the smell as soon as possible if your cat happens to pee on your wood floor.

2. Clean the Litter Box

Ensure proper litter box training for your cat. But if your cat still does not use her litter box, the main reason could be its uncleanliness. Cats are fastidious creatures and hate even entering an untidy and full litter box. Therefore, make sure that you properly clean your kitty’s litter box regularly.

3. Keep Your Cat Calm

Do not let frustration, stress, and anxiety build in your cat, as it can lead to behavioral issues like not using the litter box. A stressed kitty prefers urinating on the unusual spots, making your wooden floor prone to your cat’s pee shots.

4. Keep Your Cat Healthy

Various health issues, such as urinary tract infections, can cause frequent urination in cats, making anywhere coming in their way vulnerable to getting pee stains and odor. If your cat has such a habit,  get her medically examined. To find out ‘how regular,’ check out our post: How Often Do You Take a Cat to the Vet?

Conclusion: How to Get Cat Pee Smell Out of the Hardwood Floor?

The right time, cleaning products, and strategy are the key. If your hardwood floor is impermeable, simply removing the urine from the spot and cleaning it with commercial products can suffice; however, if your floor is permeable, it might need sanding.

It is in your best interest to prevent your cat from peeing on your wooden floor. If you cannot do it yourself, consider taking a pro’s help.

If you have a dog and face the same problem, check some of the best dog urine removers from hardwood floors in 2022.