Anyone who has cats at home finds it difficult to get used to the special smell emanating from their urine. Unfortunately, when urine gets on furniture or personal belongings, this persistent odor can be impossible to remove in a simple way. It has a special composition, including uric acid. It cannot be easily treated with water, and often does not accept chemicals. When treating a surface, you should also take into account the material from which it is made. Let's look at how you can remove the specific smell of cat urine from different types of shoes.
What causes the specific odor in cat urine?
To understand what causes such a specific odor in cat urine, it is worth first of all clarifying its composition. It consists of three components:
- urea;
- urochrome;
- uric acid.
Urea is responsible for the quality composition of urine and gives it stickiness. When removed from a stain, it is easily washed off with water. Uric acid is a component that has a crystalline (invisible) structure.It has a specific smell that is not so easy to neutralize. It is not removed with water or alcohol, but can be easily cleaned with alkaline agents and glycerin.
Urochrome - component of urine, giving it color.
Actions to remove odor from the surface of shoes, clothing, floors, etc. are aimed at combating uric acid.
How to remove the smell of cat urine from different shoes?
If we consider the components of cat urine, we can say with confidence that the smell left by cat feces can lead to damage to things. It is impossible to remove it using standard means, like conventional powders. The fact is that the components included in such products can damage the appearance of the product. And in this case, there is nothing left to do but throw away the product.
Household chemicals
You can buy products at the hardware store to prevent the smell of pet feces.
Usually they are made in the form of granules, and are used for clothing and shoes. These products are not cheap, but the question arises of how to save your favorite shoes or clothes.
The enzyme contained in these chemicals absorbs the odor, breaking it down into its components. The thing can be used again, as if this little trouble had never happened. Such the spray allows you to release uric acid in the form of crystals from the stain. Other components of cat urine (urochrome and urea) are easy to clean and do not have such a persistent odor.
Folk remedies
As folk remedies, some try to use aromatic herbs and fragrances, but it should be remembered that this only temporarily blocks the odor, but does not remove the uric acid molecules themselves.Therefore, even the products that are in every home should be used to initially clean the wet spot, and then remove the fragrance.
Important! You should not use folk remedies that may leave a stain on the surface of the product. For example, coffee or essential oils leave stains on the surface. The smell is slightly interrupted, but not destroyed. They can confuse the cat, and only cause even more aggressive behavior, and he will begin to mark with increased force.
Vinegar
One of the most common means of removing odor from cats is vinegar. But before using it, you need to blot the stain as much as possible using paper napkins or an absorbent rag.
You need to take regular table vinegar. And dilute it in a ratio of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Then cover the spot with paper so that the urine does not spread around the edges. This allows you to grab the stain. If the stain is old, then you need to take vinegar and water in equal proportions. Sometimes baking soda works well when sprinkled on a spot soaked in vinegar. This enhances the effect of the vinegar. To remove the stain more effectively and eliminate the smell, you need to leave the vinegar for several hours and only then remove it with a rag.
Vodka
Another proven remedy to get rid of the smell of cat urine on the surface is vodka. It is good to treat a fresh cat stain with vodka, this will effectively combat the smell. But still, products containing alcohol fight less effectively against old stains. But you should remember that after vodka you will have to not only ventilate, but wash the room to eliminate the alcoholic smell.
Lemon
This is one of the most effective natural remedies for removing cat urine.Apply lemon juice in the proportion of one lemon juice with a glass of water.
Important! Citric acid perfectly neutralizes odor by breaking down the components of the aroma. Lemon is a natural cat repellent scent.
Lemon effectively fights fresh cat marks. It helps not only eliminate odors, but also give a pleasant smell to the entire room.
Soda
Baking soda is a product that effectively removes even old stains. The product where the cat left its marks must be treated with soda and poured 3% hydrogen peroxide on top. This must be done so that the soda absorbs dirt and odor. Leave this mixture for 6-8 hours and then wash off.
Important! The soda method is not applicable to fabrics, as it leaves marks and stains on them.
How to remove the smell of cat urine, taking into account the material of the shoes?
Fabric shoes
If the shoes are made of fabric (moccasins or sneakers), then as soon as you notice a stain, you should wipe it to remove more moisture. Then you can use professional products that will help neutralize the odor, and only then put the sneakers or sneakers in the washing machine and wash them several times.
Advice! You can safely wash sneakers and slippers made of fabric, the main thing is to choose a wash cycle that is not too long and a low temperature.
Leather
Do not wipe leather shoes with wet products. And use professional household chemicals after wiping the stain with a rag. You should not use any aggressive products on the skin. It is better to treat shoes made of genuine leather first in an inconspicuous place to check how such cleaning will affect the material. whether it will warp or not Will there be any stains on it? Home remedies that are suitable for cleaning the skin include vodka and hydrogen peroxide.
Nubuck and suede
If a cat has marked nubuck or suede shoes, then you should be as gentle as possible when cleaning them. You need to take glycerin or soap that contains it and rub the shoes from the inside. Then you need to sprinkle, also on the inside, with lemon juice. You need to leave this mixture for 30 minutes and then remove it with sponges, napkins and water, only moistening the surface. It should be remembered that suede does not tolerate moisture.
Fur
It is very difficult to remove the smell from fur. Therefore, you should not count on a brilliant result. Fur ugg boots require especially careful handling, as they can become streaky after cleaning and become warped.
What should not be used?
It’s a big mistake to start cleaning the area marked by the cat using products containing chlorine. This cleaner is not safe for animals and does not mask the smell of urine, but only enhances it.
It is worth paying special attention to the behavior of the animal if you notice that it begins to mark frequently in the apartment. Sometimes this behavior indicates increased nervousness of the cat. And often scolding only reinforces his unwanted behavior. Therefore, it is worth weaning the cat from the usual marks on things through their proper handling and storage.