Steam Cleaning To Remove Urine Smells
Steam cleaning is often disregarded while removing pet urine odor from dirty shoes. Steam cleaners are inexpensive, effective at eliminating odors, and gentle on most fabrics.
These portable machines use heat to remove hazardous chemicals and unwanted germs, killing 99 percent of odor-causing bacteria. The device is environmentally friendly and may be used to clean various items suffering from cat pee smell around the house, not just your shoes.
Make A Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda can be used to soak up urine smells in leather. The baking soda will not hurt your leather and may even restore it by making it shinier. Sprinkling baking soda powder on the urine stains may do the trick, but creating a paste can make it easier for the baking soda to penetrate the odors. The paste can be gently massaged into urine stains and then cleaned away with a clean, dry cloth. These are the things that youll need to make a baking soda paste:
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
Start by placing ¼ cup of baking soda in a small bowl. Then add 1/8 cup of hydrogen peroxide to the bowl. Use a spoon to stir the mixture until it forms into a thick paste. If the mixture is too dry, add one extra drop of hydrogen peroxide at a time until you achieve a pasty consistency.
Using a soft cloth or your finger, gently massage the baking soda paste into the urine stains that you want to get rid of. Take your time, and make sure that the entire stained area is well covered. After letting the paste sit for up to 24 hours, use a dry towel or cloth to thoroughly wipe the area clean.
Leather Can Smell Like Cat Pee If Its Extremely Dirty
In some cases, the leather may start to smell like cat pee because its extremely dirty.
If youve never cleaned your leather item or if its been a long time since it was last cleaned, dirt, dust, sweat or body oils, together with other types of stains can easily build up and cause the leather to lose its natural smell.
When this happens, the leather will start to smell like a mixture of all the things that have been building up on it over time.
It is best to clean your leather item at least once or twice every year with a safe and gentle leather cleaner. Be sure to test this in an inconspicuous place before you start spraying it all over your leather item.
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Remove Old Urine Stains
Although its best to get rid of the cat urine before it has a chance to soak into your leather item, this isnt always possible. If this is the case, this method can help save your item. Youll need:
- Paper towels
- Leather conditioner
Step OneTake your cloth or paper towels and soak up as much of the urine as you possibly can. Dont forget to soak up the urine along the sides and on the bottom of your leather item as well as on the top. Step TwoTake your enzymatic cleaner and saturate your cloth with it until its wet all of the ways through and lay this over your urine spot. You want to leave this on the urine spot for at least an hour, and you may need to spray it two or three more times to keep it wet. Step ThreeYou should take your Borax and sprinkle a liberal amount over the urine before you leave it to sit for at least five days. Borax works to neutralize odors, and the five days it sits on your leather product is more than enough time for it to clean your leather. Step FourWipe the Borax off of your leather product and apply saddle soap to a damp cloth before you gently work it into the leather. This will neutralize the odors and condition your leather. Finally, you want to wipe off any excess moisture and let it dry completely.
Leather Items With Polyurethane Parts Can Smell Like Cat Pee
If you have a leather item with any polyurethane parts, it may also smell like cat pee.
This will often happen when the polyurethane parts begin to deteriorate or break down over time. This can simply be due to old age, exposure to too much heat, or water.
For example, if you have leather shoes with polyurethane parts like soles or heels, the smell can become very noticeable if they begin to break down.
This is especially true when these parts emit a musty or moldy scent which will also make them more likely to attract pests like moths and mice who love these types of smells.
The same thing can happen with leather furniture that has polyurethane parts the smell of cat pee can become very strong over time.
If youre experiencing this problem, its best to try and replace the polyurethane parts with new ones so that the leather item doesnt continue to smell like cat pee.
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Using Harsh Chemical Cleaners Can Make The Leather Smell Like Cat Pee
If youre trying to remove the smell of cat pee from your leather items, its important to use the right type of cleaner.
Using harsh chemical cleaners can actually make the leather smell worse and may also damage the surface.
In some cases, using harsh chemical cleaners may be able to remove stubborn stains or mold that may be on the leather, but it can also react with the tanning agents and oils in the leather causing it to have smells that might be similar to that of cat pee.
It is best to go for leather cleaners that are appropriate for leather or cleaners that are specifically made for leather items.
You can use mild dish soap or a diluted vinegar and water mixture as a safe cleaner for leather. Be sure to test this in an inconspicuous place before you start spraying it all over your leather item.
Straight Dope Message Board
My wicked cat was confusing the closet floor with her cat box for a while several months ago. I had thought the residual smell in there was just from the carpet, but when I pulled out my most favorite pair of winter boots , I saw that shed nailed them but good.
Ive tried saddle soap, and Ive tried some foot-oder stuff that was suggested to me at a shoe repair shop. Those have helped a little, but the boots still smell. Please, can anyone help me?
I use a product called PetZyme with good results for all things related to cat messes. There is a chance it wont be good for the leather, so test on a small area or use as a last resort.
I think we have something like that for the carpets. Ill keep it in mind as something to try.
In my experience, Cat Pee Smell is extremely hard to get rid of. Its staying power is second only to nuclear fallout.
If PetZyme doesnt work, then the boots are probably a lost cause.
Personally, Id try to have them professionally cleaned, or throw them away – one or the other.
Throwing them away really isnt an option at the moment. Theyre not only my favorite pair of winter boots, theyre also my ONLY pair of winter boots .
However, getting them professionally cleaned isnt so much an option, either. These boots are already kind of at the end of their natural lifespan. The zipper broke , the soles are worn out I just need them until the shoe stores start having their spring sales.
I recommend first getting rid of the cat.
JUST KIDDING!!
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Apple Cider Vinegar Cleans Away Cat Urine
Apple cider vinegars naturally acidic properties make it a fantastic solution to get rid of cat urine odor. The uric acid and bacteria on the shoes are eaten away by the apple cider vinegar, which masks the smell of cat urine. Make a natural cat urine cleanser quickly by combining apple cider with warm water.
- 1 part apple cider vinegar
- 1 part water
Allow about five minutes for the cleaning solution to rest on the afflicted region of your shoes before pressing it with paper towels to soak up any moisture and carry away the odor.
Does Vinegar Ruin Leather
Vinegar works as an excellent cleaning agent when you want to get rid of cat pee. However, its best not to use it without diluting it with water. Vinegar can dry out your leather boots, leaving them discolored and with cracks.
Its why in the above solution, you have to apply some coconut oil after the vinegar solution dries up. Leather loves moisture, and coconut oil will moisturize the affected area.
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Urine On Leather Car Seats
Occasionally, accidents happen where our loved ones spill their bladders on our beloved leather seats.
Its not the end of the world, but we need to act quickly because urine has been shown to stain and damage the fibers in the leather.
Learning how to quickly clean up these little accidents has saved me a lot of time, energy, and stress.
Enzymatic cleaners release cultures that eat the urine, leaving leather seats sanitary and smell-free once dry. Many non-protein-based carpet and fabric deodorizers alone wont be able to handle the robust and pervasive odor of urine
Use Detergent Baking Soda And Peroxide
You can also use a homemade cleaner on your leather. This concoction can clean both an old and new stain. Blot the stain first, and then in a spray bottle, mix 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon of good dish detergent and 3 tablespoons of baking soda.
Spray the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes. If the urine is still present after this time, spray and wait as many times as it takes for the stain to disappear. Use a clean but damp cloth or paper towel to wipe it off. Dont forget to pre-test a spot first and to use a leather conditioner when youre done.
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How To Get Cat Urine Smells And Stains Out Of Shoes
Cats may urinate on our belongings for various reasons. They might think that their litter box is too dirty, or they may get carried away with playing and forget to go to the litter box until it is too late. Some cats, especially older ones, urinate outside their box due to medical reasons. Others seem to do it just for fun. No matter the reason, no person likes to find their shoes soaked in urine.
If you find that a pair of your shoes have become the victim of your cat, your first thought might be to throw those shoes away. But what if they are your favorite pair, or what if there is nothing else wrong with them? The good news is that there are a few things that you can do to get rid of the urine smells and stains from your shoes. Here are the steps to take to clean urine smells and stains out of your shoes so you can wear them again.
Add Moisture Back To The Leather Boot
The leather boot requires some moisture to avoid cracking and discoloration. This is where olive oil comes in handy. Add two to three drops of the oil to the impacted area. Use the last soft cloth to work the olive oil on your leather shoe. Follow this with buffing using a part of the cloth without any oil.
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Very High Protein Diet
your diet contains too much protein and fewer carbohydrates, you need to change that. Especially if you work out and sweat a lot. Certain proteins like red meat produce a lot of amino acids. So, You need to balance your diet properly.
The human body generally uses carbohydrates as an energy source. Carbohydrates are the fastest energy supply in your body. Lack of carbohydrates will force your body to use protein for energy supplements. The protein breaks into ammonia and releases through your sweat and urine.
So what can you do? Eat vegetables! Sounds tough right? But let me tell you one thing, veggies are the healthiest food there is. So try to incorporate as many vegetables into your diet as you can.
Why Cat Urine Smells Stick Around
It is extremely common for the smell of urine to stick around even after cleaning up a cats pee accident, especially on leather furniture and other items. So, why does the urine smell linger for so long? One reason is that cat urine has a low concentration of water and a high concentration of enzymes and other chemicals, such as methanethiol, that contribute to the foul odor of the urine.
When you clean up the urine, you are likely not getting all the enzymes and other chemicals. As time goes on, those enzymes and chemicals start to break down and create the ammonia smell that we cat owners are familiar with. That smell will never go away until something is done to get rid of the enzymes and chemicals that have been left behind.
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Why Does My Cat Pee On Shoes
Its not that cats are jerks, but they do seem to have the affinity for peeing on shoes. My cat Watson does this from time to time, and it can get really frustrating. Cleaning a pair of shoes isnt easy, what more having to deal with smelly cat pee on it.
Based on my experience and conversation with my cats vet, the following are the reasons why your feline is using your new boots as a litterbox:
Your Leather Probably Smells Due To Actual Cat Or Pet Pee
One of the most likely reasons why leather sometimes smells like cat pee is because you have actually gotten some pee on them.
It could be that you probably stepped or your cat or neighbors cat decided to use your leather shoe as a litter box.
Pets often mark their territory by urinating on objects that they think are theirs.
Leather is a perfect target for this type of behavior because its strong, durable, and since leather is made from animal skin, it is porous and can absorb the smell so the smell will linger for quite some time.
If you or a neighbor have a feline friend, make sure to avoid keeping your leather items near where the cat sleeps or eats, otherwise it might end up getting peed on.
But if youre certain there arent any cats in your house, you might want to check out some of the other ways leather can smell like cat pee below.
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Leather May Begin To Smell Like Cat Pee If Its Old
One other reason why leather may start to smell like cat pee is that its old.
Leather is a material that can last for many years when its taken care of properly, but over time the oils and chemicals used in the tanning process will start to break down.
This can cause the leather to become dry, brittle, and cracked which will also make it more susceptible to bacteria, mold, and other types of damage.
If you have a leather item thats starting to smell like cat pee because it is a very old leather item, it might be time to consider getting rid of it.
The smell can usually only be removed by replacing or getting rid of the leather item entirely so if you have a leather couch, chair, or any other furniture thats starting to smell like cat pee, it might be time for a new one.
Use The Washing Machine
One easy cleaning method is to use the washer to clean the cat pee smell out of your shoes. Soak the shoes in white vinegar first to lift the pee odors. It helps to use an enzymatic cleaner to clean your clothes, which has the added benefit of eliminating sweat stains and foot smell.
Allow your shoes to sit for 30 minutes to an hour before washing them with a potent washing powder in the washing machine, following the laundering directions.
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Cleaning Cat Urine On Leather Boots
Does any one have any suggestions on how to remove cat urine from my husband’s work boots ? I know vinegar works great, but will it irritate his feet after we have sprayed the inside with the vinegar and let it dry? Does anyone have a suggestion to clean it out of his boots with out irritating his feet? Thank you for your help.
By Diana Tulip from Tracy, CA
Answers
Best Answer
You poor thing! I had a cat who once peed on my good 100% wool coat & NOTHING could get the odor out! But these days they make the “Enzyme” based cleaners for cleaning up cat & dog pee, poo, vomit & blood… I don’t know what these bacteria & enzymes would do to his feet . But a safer thing you could try would be to spray hydrogen peroxide inside his boots & saturate the area where the pee is.
A second idea would be to take them to a leather cleaner because if you get leather wet it can shrink. IF they are washable, put them in the wash machine after using first the enzyme cleaner, then saturating with peroxide, & the next day you can spray in some vinegar then throw them in the wash machine & air dry.
tf36405218.tip.htmlGo down to the 3rd post . My post gives a detailed recipe for removing cat pee from washable surfaces.
—> Sorry, you may have to just throw them away. urine to tan leather & your cat was attracted to this)
Best Answer
Vinegar kills athletes foot. Use a mister with vinegar and water. It can fade good leather, but won’t hurt a work boot or your feet.
