Having feline companions in your home guarantees that, at some point, you will have pet-produced stains on your upholstery or carpet. Youll probably also have unpleasant odors wafting through the air on occasion. Even the most well-trained cat can sometimes miss the litter box and leave some deposits that require cleanup. And if you live in a multi-cat household, or with an unneutered male in your home, spraying and urine marking may be an ongoing problem that requires great vigilance.
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A trip to the supermarket or pet store will give you an idea of the various products available to remove stains from furniture and carpeting. Most will work fairly well, especially on fresh stains. Some stains – like blood – will be harder to remove. Feces and vomit stains will also require some scrubbing, regardless of the product you use.
Many of the supermarket products also tout themselves as odor removers, but many simply mask the odor – to the cat, the primary odor will remain. Some products, like Natures Miracle, contain enzymes that are able to break down the odor-causing chemicals left behind. Youll find these at pet stores or in pet supply catalogues.
The strength of enzyme-containing products is that they are definitely the most effective at eradicating the odor from fabrics and surfaces, not just masking it or making it smell pretty to humans. This is especially important in situations that involve urine marking and spraying.
Old-Fashioned Is Often Best
Many regular household products work well, also. The old, tried-and-true solution of white vinegar is still an effective and inexpensive odor remover. Dilute with water for normal odor removal, but use full strength in problem areas. Another advantage to this method is that white vinegar may be safer for your cats and the environment than the various chemicals that many stain and odor removers contain. (Always check for colorfastness first.)
