How to remove the smell of cat urine from shoes

Many people keep cats at home, as these animals give their owners a lot of affection, warmth, and help them relax and calm down. However, even a neat and obedient pet trained to use a litter tray can spoil not only a person’s mood, but also their favorite things, clothes, bag or shoes. Shoes often suffer from cat pranks. How to remove the smell of cat urine from shoes?

The main problem in this case is the difficulty of eliminating odor at home.

Features of cleaning different materials

How effective the process of removing unpleasant odors will be directly depends on the material from which the “affected” shoes are made.

The durability and intensity of the smell also depend on the material from which the shoes are made. The better the surface absorbs moisture, the more difficult it will be to get rid of your pet’s “traces of the crime.”

Suede

Suede shoes are cleaned with special care. You need to use glycerin and treat the inside of the shoe with it. The same should be done with lemon juice. After half an hour, the area should be wiped with a sponge and wet wipes.

Leather and leather

Boots or other leather footwear should not be wiped with wet products. Household chemicals are suitable for cleaning, but do not use aggressive or abrasive substances. You can use a solution of iodine, vinegar, and also muffle the smell with coffee or tea.

Fur shoes

Shoes made of fur are perhaps the most difficult case. Especially if the fur is natural.
First of all, to prevent the smell from being completely absorbed, remove the insoles. They will most likely not be saved and will have to be thrown away.
Treat your shoes with a solution of vinegar, potassium permanganate or lemon juice. Fill it with paper and take it out into the open air.
With these simple remedies, which are found in every home, you can remove the smell of cat urine from shoes.

Rag shoes

Fabric sneakers or sneakers should be immediately wiped clean and all liquid removed. Then special odor neutralizing agents are used and the shoes are placed in the washing machine. When washing, the delicate cycle and low temperature are set.

It is extremely difficult to remove the smell from fur. In any case, the insoles will have to be thrown away. The inside of the shoe is treated with vinegar or citric acid solution. Then the product needs to be ventilated for 2-3 hours.

Nubuck

The stain is treated with glycerin or a liquid product that contains it. Next, you need to sprinkle the area with lemon juice and wait half an hour. Excess detergent is removed with a moistened sponge, and the shoes are left to air.

Recommendations for cleaning various materials

The first stage of cleansing is washing with soapy water. It’s great if the stink disappears after drying. It is not always possible to get results so easily. When cleaning, take into account the color and material of the products

Washing fabric and suede boots

Fabric shoes can be washed in an automatic machine. Use a delicate mode or a special one (usually a sneaker is shown).

Powder and rinse aid eliminate unpleasant odors. After drying, you need to wet the area a little; if the unpleasant odor appears again, resort to additional methods.

Suede and nubuck require special treatment. It's easy to ruin fabric. Treat the stain with glycerin, rinse with clean water, and dry. Finally, sprinkle with lemon juice. You can buy gentle cleaning sprays.

Cleaning leather and fur shoes

Professional products are used for the skin. Folk use with caution: for light shoes - hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, lemon juice, for dark ones - potassium permanganate, iodine.

Use pure glycerin:

Soak the stain and leave to dry for at least 8 hours (for example, overnight).
Rinse with clean water so that there are no streaks left.

Folk remedies

Many folk remedies, which are available in every home and at everyone’s fingertips, help eliminate the consequences of a cat’s “surprise.”

Laundry soap

For “first aid” for damaged shoes, you need to use laundry soap. It contains glycerin, which helps break down uric acid. To remove the smell, rub the outside of the shoe with a dampened piece, and add a solution of warm water and finely crushed soap inside.

Baking soda solution

Using baking soda, you can remove even old and stubborn stains. Shoes that have been damaged by a pet will need to be treated with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide 3% added. After a day, the mixture should be washed off. This solution will absorb dirt and eliminate odor.

Hydrogen peroxide

To eliminate the strong smell of cat urine, you need to wipe the “marked” shoes inside and out with hydrogen peroxide. However, this method is not suitable for varnish products. A color change test should be carried out before application.

Vinegar solution

Using an acetic solution, you can not only remove the odor, but also completely dissolve uric acid crystals. To clean, you need to dissolve one tablespoon of 6% vinegar in one liter of water and rinse the shoes.

Lemon acid

Citric acid gives the same effect as after using a vinegar solution. To remove odor and stains, both powder and natural lemon juice are used. Crystals must be diluted in water before use.

Formalin

You can purchase this product at any pharmacy. Soiled shoes should be washed, treated with formaldehyde, placed in a plastic bag and sealed tightly. After 3 hours, the products are taken out and aired.

Alcohol-containing substances

Following this method, you must first rinse your shoes with warm water, then soak a napkin in alcohol or vodka and place it on the contaminated area. After 2 hours, the napkin is removed.

Potassium permangantsovka

Potassium permanganate is used only for cleaning dark products. It wouldn't hurt to add ten drops of iodine. The outer part of the shoe should be treated with glycerin. After three hours, the remaining product is removed with dry wipes.

Glycerol

Using glycerin, as well as products that contain this component, you can quickly wash a soiled product. Simply apply a small amount of product to the stain, leave for a while, and then rinse.

Lemon juice

Lemon juice is one of the most effective remedies for eliminating cat urine. The concentrate should be diluted in one glass of water. This composition also repels your pet and prevents future problems.

Vodka

Fresh stains should be treated with vodka - this will eliminate both the smell and the crystals that cause it. Napkins are soaked in the liquid and placed on the “affected” shoes. After a couple of hours, the product is washed and the room is ventilated.

Boric acid

This product is not suitable for some shoe materials, so test before use. You should take a cloth or napkin, wet it with the product and apply it to the product. After an hour, remove the remaining solution.

How to get rid of the smell of cat urine

When the pet discovers that the new “toilet” - a pair of shoes - remains uncleaned, it will continue to do its business. This must be stopped immediately. Cat urine is corrosive due to uric acid. Owners don’t always feel it because they sniff it, but guests notice a similar aroma right away.

Therefore, it is important to react quickly and know how to get rid of the smell of cat urine in shoes. Throwing away is the simplest, but not the cheapest, option.

The cat may do the same with the new pair. The animal should be accustomed to its own litter box, and special products should be used for damaged shoes. After drying, the smell disappears - the urea penetrates inside and dries.

Attention! When a small amount of moisture gets in (sweaty feet, got wet outside), the smell appears again.

If the stain is fresh, you can try the following methods:

Dilute 10 drops of potassium permanganate with a liter of clean water , moisten the stain, and wash it after 4-5 hours.
Thoroughly rub the area with laundry soap or moisten it with a strong soap solution, and after 20-30 minutes rinse with water.
Gel for washing dishes and floors containing glycerin is diluted with water, foamed, and the stain is treated.
Pour in soda and dry mustard and leave to absorb for 20-30 minutes. Repeat until the powder retains its original color and consistency.

How to eliminate the smell from the sewer in the bathroom and toilet: causes and methods of getting rid of it

The methods are suitable if the urea has not had time to be absorbed.

Washing with strong odor

Washing shoes with plain water is not enough. Requires the addition of special products, professional or home production. Plain water will only increase the stench, regardless of the degree of contamination.

An automatic machine can wash sneakers, some types of sneakers (without glue), fabric slippers, and moccasins. Modern models are equipped with a special gentle washing mode.

First, shoes need to be treated with one of the products (homemade, special), only then washed by machine.

Folk remedies

You can quickly remove the stench of cat urine with home remedies. Most of them can always be found in a home medicine cabinet or in the kitchen.

The most common and effective recipes:

Potassium permanganate . Prepare a solution of rich red color, treat the stain, carefully soaking it with a rag or cotton pad. Do not use on light-colored materials.
Hydrogen peroxide. You need to pour the liquid into place, after 10 minutes rinse with cool water, repeat several times if necessary. It is not permissible to use on varnished surfaces.
Lemon juice. Separate the pulp from half a lemon, spread it over the stained area, and rinse after 20 minutes. Disadvantage: it has a brightening effect and cannot be used on dark, colored fabrics or leatherette.
Vinegar . Take 100 grams of the substance for 5 liters of clean water and soak for 30 minutes. Suitable for summer shoes without glue.
Vodka. Dampen a cloth, place it inside, leave for 4-5 hours, rinse and dry.

This treatment is not suitable for all types of shoes. Special chemicals often have more gentle properties and enhanced effects.

Professional chemical remedies for cat urine odor

Chemical products - professional neutralizers - do not contain dyes or caustic substances. Approved for use on suede and leather products. An additional plus is that fragrances deter animals from repeating their pranks.

The most effective and popular are the following:

Name	Characteristic
BioVax	Neutralizes harsh substances
Zoovorsan	Specially formulated against animal secretions
Nature's Miracle	Universal remedy against urine, fat, blood, feces, grass, forms foam
ZooSan	Deodorant spray, can be added to water for cleaning floors
DezoSan	Has a neutral color and does not contain alcohol
Dufta Pet	The spray contains various enzymes, is safe for animals and people, does not repel cats, the tray can be washed

How to get rid of foot and shoe odor at home: effective remedies

You can select the optimal drug experimentally. To avoid unpleasant consequences, the indicated dosages should be strictly followed.

Special means

If you don’t want to experiment with folk remedies, you can use professional unpleasant odor neutralizers.

Old stains are almost impossible to remove with improvised means. To combat these, it is better to choose factory-made drugs. They not only remove the smell of urine, but also dissolve already ingrained uric acid crystals. The main thing is to follow the instructions for use.

Zoosan

This chemical composition is intended for disinfection and elimination of persistent pet odor. The product is safe for both humans and animals. It must be diluted in a ratio of 1:9.

Urine-off Cat & Kitten

Using this product, you can not only remove the smell of urine, but also destroy urea crystals. The composition is applied to the stain and wait until it is absorbed. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

Dezosan

The action of the product is aimed at eliminating unpleasant odors, as well as destroying urine components at the molecular level. The chemical solution is applied using a sprayer or a washing vacuum cleaner.

Bio-GM

Using this product you can safely eliminate odors and disinfect surfaces. The product contains fragrances that help quickly eliminate unpleasant odors.

Pet Stain&Odor Remover

A universal product for removing stains and strong odors from organic pet waste. The product is easy to apply to a damaged product using a spray bottle.

Prohibited methods of combating odor

Some pet owners try to mask the smell of cat urine with colognes and eau de toilette. This is prohibited. Of course, in the first few seconds you might think that the smell has disappeared, but a little later it will appear with renewed vigor. In addition, it will become more disgusting, as it will enter into a chemical reaction with the components of perfume products.

Also, do not use products that contain chlorine. They will not remove the bad odor and may adversely affect the health of your pet.

If your cat suddenly starts marking shoes or slippers, it’s worth looking for possible reasons for this behavior. To prevent the problem, the animal must be trained to use a tray from an early age.

Identifying and eliminating the reasons why a cat shits in shoes

Some cat owners are faced with an unpleasant problem, because the pet relieves itself on/in the owner's shoes.
Reasons that force the animal to relieve itself in shoes:

disease;
dissatisfaction with the tray;
territory marking, sexual hunting;
response to changing circumstances.

In the first case, the behavior is associated with the appearance of urinary system diseases in an adult cat: urolithiasis (UCD), cystitis.

The solution is to consult a veterinarian.

Your pet may be unhappy with the tray if:

the cat litter box is too small or the height of the sides is too high/low;
the litter or cleaning products used for cleaning emits an unpleasant odor for the pet;
the tray is located next to the washing machine or in another noisy place;
The cat may also refuse to relieve itself in the litter box if it is not clean enough.

The way out of the situation is to replace the tray and filler, moving it to a quiet and secluded place.

In the case of sexual hunting, the cat applies its scent to the thing, guided by instincts . To prevent this behavior, the cat should be spayed/sterilized at the age of 6-7 months.

The way out of the situation is to replace the tray and filler

If you do this later, there is a risk that the animal will develop the habit of marking its territory. To protect your shoes from damage, you will have to put them in a closet or hard-to-reach place.

Inappropriate defecation may be a reaction to moving, a change in the number of family members of the owner, the emotional situation, the introduction of new objects, or physical violence. To stop unwanted behavior, you should pay more attention to your pet, pet it, and play.

Be sure to read:

How many times a day should a cat pee: the norm for an adult animal and kittens, when deviations are safe

Preventive measures

Whatever the reason, it’s a good idea to take basic precautions:

Always keep the tray clean.
Place shoes in closed cabinets, where the animal cannot get into.
Love your cat or male cat, and you will definitely find it reciprocated.

It makes sense to scold a cat only if you caught it at the “crime scene”. If this happened without you, the moment has already passed.

Cats have a short memory, so the animal will not understand why you are yelling at it. Thus, you should not subject the “culprit” to repression, you will only harm the cat’s psyche.

Be more tolerant of your pet’s small mistakes; after all, removing the smell of cat urine from shoes is not so difficult and does not take much time and effort. But how much joy, warmth and love these furry creatures bring us! And everything else: “Nonsense. It’s an everyday matter.”