The Most Effective Ways to Get Rid of Cat Odors at Home

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Tackle lingering and brand new odors from cat urine or poop

Co-authored by Laura Smith and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: December 14, 2024 Fact Checked

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Best Ways to Remove Cat Smells

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Cleaning Cat Urine and Poop

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Why are cat odors hard to remove?

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Preventing Cat Odors

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Warnings

Whether you own a cat or someone owned a cat before you moved in, bad odors—like urine and feces—may start to develop over time. These bad smells come from your cat’s hair, litter box, or anywhere it had an accident on the floor, but luckily you can easily freshen up your home again. We spoke with multiple feline experts to learn what cleaners work best for removing odors and how to setup litter boxes properly, so keep reading.

How to Get Rid of Cat Odors

To completely neutralize the smell of cat urine and feces, apply an enzymatic cleaner to break down the strong-smelling uric acid and other biological compounds. If you’re in a pinch, a home remedy of equal parts vinegar and water or a sprinkling of baking soda can help remove the odors from your home.

Section 1 of 4:

Best Ways to Remove Cat Smells

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1
Use vinegar and water for a quick home remedy. If you need to quickly get rid of cat urine odors, mix together equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Wet a cloth and blot any areas where you notice strong odors. Let the vinegar solution air-dry and the odors will be disappear.^{[1]
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- Keep a spray bottle with your vinegar solution on hand so you have it for quick cleaning.
- Always test your cleaning solution on an inconspicuous spot to make sure it doesn’t leave behind spots or damage.
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Sprinkle baking soda over smelly areas to naturally absorb odors. If there are old odors from cat urine or poop, spread baking soda evenly over the area and let it sit for a few hours. Over that time, the baking soda will neutralize the odors. Then, simply vacuum up the baking soda to finish cleaning up.^{[2]
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- Baking soda absorbs odors temporarily, but it does not completely remove the uric acid that causes them. Humid days may cause the odor to return.^{[3]
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3
Neutralize odors completely with an enzymatic cleaner. Cat behavior expert Joey Lusvardi explains that enzymatic cleaners “actually destroy the cat urine itself and [does] not just…cover up the smell.” Follow the directions on the enzymatic cleaner you purchase because they may have different instructions between brands.
- Lusvardi explains that cats are attracted to the chemicals in the urine and may pee in that spot again unless the odor is completely eliminated.
- Enzymatic cleaners work great for old, lingering cat odors that may be left over from previous owners or tenants.
- Avoid using enzymatic cleaners with other cleaning products. The ingredients in cleaning products could weaken the potency of the enzymatic cleaner.
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Empty the litter boxes. Lusvardi says that it’s best to check your cat’s litter box at least once a day, and scoop out any waste inside to control odors. He also says to replace the litter entirely once every week so it stays fresh.
- If a litter is too dirty or full, your cat may not use it and go outside of the box instead.
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Vacuum your home. Use a vacuum specifically made to clean pet hair and dander. Vacuum any areas where your cat plays or lounges, such as around cat trees or scratching posts. Make sure you also vacuum furniture where your cat likes to play or sleep during the day. Try to vacuum these areas once a week to prevent hair and dander from building up and causing odors.^{[4]
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- Empty your vacuum into an outdoor trash can when you’re finished so the odors don’t stay inside.
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Wash your cat’s bedding. Try to remove as much hair and dander from their bedding as you can with a vacuum or lint roller. Then, put your cat’s bed and any blankets or pillows they use in the washer on a cold cycle. Use an unscented detergent specifically made for pets.^{[5]
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- Get in the habit of washing your cat’s bedding once a week so it stays clean and odor-free.
- Try tossing the bedding in the dryer on low before washing it. More hair that was stuck in the fabric may come out and get caught in the lint trap.
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Brush and groom your cat. Keeping your cat clean will help remove dead hair and dander that stuck in their coat. Brush their coats, trim their nails, and wipe their ears with a cleaning wipe.^{[6]
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- Keep in mind your cat will normally groom themselves, which is the best way for it to stay clean. Grooming your cat regularly will also encourage your cat to groom on its own.
If regular cleaners are not working, hire a professional cleaning service and let them know the issues. Cleaners can use more powerful cleaning solutions that will address any cat-related stains or smells on your carpets or hard flooring.
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Replace the carpet or padding for old smells that won’t go away. If the cat odors soaked deep into the carpet and other cleaners still aren’t working, then you may need to remove the section of flooring in the area. Clean the floorboards or foundation underneath the flooring with enzymatic cleaner before refinishing your floor.^{[7]
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- Removing flooring may be a difficult job for a basic DIYer, so contact flooring companies or contractors in your area to see what they charge.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Clean up Cat Urine or Poop outside the Litter Box

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1
Blot up or remove as much waste as you can. If there’s solid waste, scoop it off of the floor carefully so it doesn’t spread around. Then, use paper towels or absorbent towels to soak up as much from the floor as possible. Press down firmly on carpets to absorb even more waste that soaked deeper into the padding.^{[8]
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- Wear rubber gloves while you’re cleaning so you don’t get any waste on your hands.
- If you’re not sure where your cat went outside the box, use an ultraviolet light. Urine spots will glow under the light.
Lusvardi explains that enzymatic cleaners completely break down the odor-causing chemicals in cat urine and poop. Each enzymatic cleaner has its own instructions, so follow the label directions for the cleaner you purchase. Most times, you’ll apply the cleaner for a set amount of time before blotting it up.
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Try detergent and club soda for a simple home remedy. If you’re in a pinch, add a few drops of dish detergent to a cup of water and wet the area for about 1 hour. Then, gently blot the area with a wet sponge to lift up the soap. Afterwards, splash club soda over the area and let it soak for 10 minutes before cleaning it up with a paper towel.^{[9]
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- This solution is temporary, so try to follow up with enzymatic cleaner the following day.
Tent a piece of aluminum foil over the area or set an upside-down laundry basket on top of the spot. Otherwise, your cat may try to poop or pee there again because of the odor.^{[10]
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Let the area air-dry completely. Leave the spot covered the entire time the spot is drying. Just to be safe, leave it alone overnight so it has time to dry before removing the cover.^{[11]
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- If you still notice an odor, treat the spot again or check nearby for any new sources of the smell.
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Rule out issues causing your cat to go outside of the box. Molly DeVoss, a certified feline behavior specialist, mentions the 4 main reasons why a cat stops using a litter box are medical issues, territorial marking, dislike for the box, or trauma from their past. Try to figure out what’s making your cat go on the floor so you can make a plan to stop it from happening.
- Contact your veterinarian and let them know what’s happening to determine if there’s an underlying medical condition.
- Make sure you have one more litter box than the number of cats in your home, and that they are at least 1.5 times longer than your cat.
- DeVoss notes to place the litter boxes in quiet areas, but not in confined spaces like closets.

Section 3 of 4:

Why are cat odors hard to remove?

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Bacteria breaking down the urine creates the stale odors. When the urea in cat urine starts to break down, it leaves behind a strong, stale odor. If you just neutralize the odors, the urea stays behind and odors can come back. Enzymatic cleaners break the urea down into carbon dioxide and ammonia so the odor disappears.^{[12]
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- Older cats and male cats tend to have stronger smelling urine.

Section 4 of 4:

Preventing Cat Odors

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1
Clean the litter boxes regularly. Lusvardi recommends checking on the litter box once to twice a day. Scoop and remove any feces and urine clumps from the litter box as soon as possible so the smell doesn’t linger around. Doing this will encourage your cat to use the box in the future and prevent your cat from going to the bathroom in other areas of your home as well.
- Use unscented litter because some cats are turned off by strong-scented litter and may not use the box.
- To minimize odors, sprinkle a little baking soda at the bottom of the box and then pour the litter on top.
- Get into the habit of emptying the litter box first thing in the morning or at night before bed. This way, any feces or urine in the litter box will not sit in the litter for long.
- Change the litter in the litter box completely at least twice a month to keep it fresh. Wash the box with dish detergent or baking soda each time you change out the litter so it stays clean and odor-free.
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Use multiple litter boxes if you have more than one cat. Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT, recommends having at least one more litter box than the number of cats in your home. Place the litter boxes in different areas of your home that have some privacy, and clean each box regularly. Make sure each one has about 3 inches (7.6 cm) of unscented litter.
- If you have a multi-level home, try to have at least one litter box on each floor.
- Brian Bourquin, DVM suggests not using a hooded litter box because it traps the odors and your cat may refuse to use the box.
Bacteria can build up in your cat’s food and water bowls. Wash their bowls with hot soapy water at least once a day, and let them dry. Avoid leaving wet food sit in your cat’s bowl overnight, and toss any dried food remaining in the bowl after every 2-3 days.^{[13]
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Try to crack open a few windows during the day and ventilate your home. Turn on fans to help the stale, smelly air move out of your home and let the fresh breeze come in.
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Run an air purifier in your home. Some studies have shown that air purifiers with HEPA filters can help reduce airborne pet odors. While they may not completely eliminate the smells, they can help remove dander and hair from the air to help keep your space fresher.^{[14]
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- Air purifiers work best in a single room, so keep one near your cat’s litter box for the most effectiveness.
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Brush your cat’s teeth. Your cat may have bad breath due to a buildup of plaque and tartar in their mouth. Use toothpaste made for cats and a clean baby toothbrush. Gently brush your cat’s teeth, and be sure to reward them with a treat when you’re finished. Try to brush your cat’s teeth once a day, or at least a few times per week.^{[15]
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- If your cat’s breath does not smell better after regular brushing, bring them to the vet to check for any medical issues like tooth decay.
If your cat has long fur or keeps getting waste caught in its hair, then give your cat a sanitary trim. Most vets will do a sanitary trim for free so your cat’s fur doesn’t get dirty or matted, so schedule a time when you can go in.^{[16]
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Have your cat spayed or neutered. Cats that haven’t been fixed have more potent urine, and they’re more likely to mark territory around your home. Schedule an appointment with your vet to have your cat fixed, and the odors won’t be as intense.^{[17]
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