Any experience removing cat urine odor from a mattress?

February 19, 2005 2:47 PM

My cat peed on my mattress about 24 hours ago. I removed all the bedding for laundering. Google's results are either ambiguous (both 'vinegar works' and 'stay away from vinegar' advice) or commercial sites. Any success using homemade remedies such as baking soda?
posted by pants to Pets & Animals (12 answers total)

Look for a product called Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Removal. It contains natural enzymes and other goodies to initially mask the odor and then remove it as the procuct evaporates. All you have to to is try to absord as much of the urine as possible, then saturate the soiled area with the product. Wait for it to dry naturally and the odor is pretty much gone.

We have a cat that doesn't like a particular dog that we have over from time to time, and he lets us know by peeing on the dog beds. Nature's Miracle works for us.
posted by pmbuko at 3:29 PM on February 19, 2005

Friends recently had a similar occurrence, but they were dealing with an oriental rug. They used tomato juice, followed by water - and it worked. Might be worth a try. Same remedy as when bathing your cat or dog after having been sprayed by a skunk.
posted by ericb at 3:30 PM on February 19, 2005

Oh, pants, I feel (and smell) your pain.

I've never, ever had luck with home remedies, and I've tried them all: vinegar, salt, baking soda, you name it.

I suggest you hie out to your nearest pet-supply store stat and pick up some of this. (On preview: Nature's Miracle works well too, and if it's easier to find, pick it up. It's important at this point to just get it done.) Scroll down and see also the information about washing/cleaning the litter box, which should also help prevent accidents in the future.

I can tell you from bitter experience that you'll have to be extremely vigilant from now on to prevent more mishaps. Even with a bio cleaner, your kitty may well be attracted to the same spot. For a while, shut the door to your bedroom when you're not there so it can't happen when you're not there.

Finally, if the box is clean and there aren't any stressors that may have triggered this (a new cat or other pet, your long absence) make sure your kitty doesn't have a bladder infection; if this is uncharacteristic behavior, it may be a health issue. Best of luck!
posted by melissa may at 3:35 PM on February 19, 2005

I second pmbuko. I use Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover on my carpet when my cats puke up hairballs. I can't believe how well it works.
posted by Fat Guy at 3:59 PM on February 19, 2005

Here's another pee-got-in-my-bed thread that has some other recommendations in addition to the Nature's Miracle suggestion.
posted by jessamyn at 4:08 PM on February 19, 2005

I used Nature's Miracle, to the letter of the directions, to no avail. Anti-Icky Poo is the only thing that worked on the couch cushions.
posted by oflinkey at 4:16 PM on February 19, 2005

Borax can be helpful for absorbing any moisture that hasn't sunk down, but it sounds like it's too late in this case. Be patient with Nature's Miracle - like it says on the bottle, it can take a few days for the enzymes to work and the smell to go away. I so feel your pain.
posted by SashaPT at 4:28 PM on February 19, 2005

I have used Nature's Miracle with admirable success. Never on a mattress, though.
posted by Tholian at 4:43 PM on February 19, 2005

Nature's Miracle! Other home remedies just don't work. Douse the mattress liberally, don't be shy, and allow area to dry thoroughly before covering it up again with bedding. Think about flipping the mattress for awhile too.

I feel your pain too. I have a cat who thinks down comforters are the same as cat litter. She'll behave herself for a month, then wham, just when it's freezing and I've relaxed my guard...
posted by dness2 at 8:33 PM on February 19, 2005

Mum had good things to say about this stuff (and it's made in New England!). But it looks like Nature's Miracle is either more effective or has a better ad budget.

"I am nature's greatest miracle!"
posted by Mayor Curley at 9:36 PM on February 19, 2005

Try plain carbonated water. the cheapest sparkle water on the asile.The carbonation in the water CO2 decomposes the
cat urine smell. I've only used this for carpets however, ,leaves no residue. pour some on the spot
wait, blot,repeat as needed. way cheap and safe
posted by hortense at 11:30 PM on February 19, 2005

I've never used Nature's Miracle myself. There's a product here that I pick up from the hardware store called OUT!. The main thing you want to keep in mind is that the stuff you use has to be/have an enzyme eater in it. It's this that breaks down the smell and reduces, if not eliminates, the chances of a mishap reoccurring. I've used OUT! on material (cloth cat carriers and heating pad covers) that had been dry for months and it worked after one application. Mind you, I soaked them, but it worked! This is another similar product.

Good Luck!
posted by aedra at 11:30 AM on February 20, 2005