Whether your cat is spraying to mark territory, frustrated by their litter box, or simply misbehaving, the smell of urine radiating around your house should be attended to quickly.
Because dog odor likes to lurk in fabrics and fibers, regular cleaning is key to keeping a fresh smell in your home. For best results, make it a practice to thoroughly vacuum all carpets, cushions, sofas, furniture, etc., every week. Invest in a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum if possible.
Vinegar. Because vinegar is acidic, it can neutralize bacteria in fresh cat pee and alleviate odor, Vance says. Mix equal parts white or apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar cleaning solution on the affected area, whether your floor or furniture.
In particular, we found lavender, ginger, and cedarwood to be great choices. Some candles for pet odor contain specific enzymes designed to neutralize bad odors.
Baking soda is a natural odor-absorber. Sprinkle the powder over carpets, rugs and furniture, let it sit overnight and vacuum it up the next day. Likewise, apple cider vinegar can be used with laundry detergent in your washing machine to remove smells from blankets, cushion covers, curtains and other linens.
Our top fragrance picks for freshening up your home from pet odors (and impressing guests!) are Citrus, Indigo, Odyssey and Zephyr.
Because they take the time to groom their bodies, cats don't smell as much as other animals. Still, if you don't keep up with their grooming routine or you don't clean their litter box as often as you should, the atmosphere in your home can quickly change, and not in a good way.
The Power of HEPA Air Purifiers
HEPA, which stands for high efficiency particulate air, filters are highly efficient at filtering out cat odors as well as pet dander, which are small flakes of skin that cats and other pets are continuously giving off.
Covers or hoods trap odors. That's good for you, but less so for the cat who may not enjoy being trapped inside with the smell. Some litter-box hoods have a space to hold a charcoal filter, which may help keep odors down for both cat and human.
The best essential oils that are safe for cats are rosemary, copaiba, helichrysum, oregano, frankincense and cedarwood essential oil. Cats can also tolerate chamomile, lavender, thyme and valerian essential oils at very diluted concentrations.
Febreze Odor-Fighting Air Freshener
This GH Seal-star spray quickly tackles airborne cooking odors, smoke, must and more with its cyclodextrin technology that surrounds odor molecules and pulls them from the air. And all this performance comes at a great price, making it our Best Value pick.
Try using vinegar (diluted with a bit of water) in a spray bottle and spray on carpets or floors. Or use in combination with baking soda on cushions or bedding for an extra powerful, odor-eliminating punch.
Use of Vinegar and Baking Soda
The combination of vinegar and baking soda is a potent hair, stain, and odor remover. Vinegar bears the germ-killing ability while baking soda absorbs the odor and adds a sweet smell. They are both very effective when cleaning involves them as a complement to water and soap.
However, it starts by having a clean home and bathing your pet regularly. Still, between the smell of wet dog on a rainy day to the cat litter, scented candles can help disguise and even neutralize odors in a pinch. It's important to be mindful of your pet's safety.
How long does dog pee smell last? Left untreated, urine takes up to five years to off-gas on it's own. The longer dog pee or cat urine sits in a carpet the worse the problem becomes.
Like baking soda, distilled white vinegar is one of the best DIY solutions for cleaning around the home, and it makes a perfect next step for dealing with a repulsive cat smell from the carpet or sofa. A white vinegar solution can also be a handy cleaner if your cat sprays on the wall.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
How long does a cat or dog's scent stay in a house? It can last for months or even years, depending on the type of odor. The different kinds include those that come from: Dog or cat urine.