Cats add so much joy to our lives, but the stains and odours that come with being a cat parent often bring frustration. Fortunately, making your own pet stain remover from simple ingredients can help you keep your house clean and fresh. DIY stain removers are safe to use around your pets (and usually cost less to make than store-bought cleaners). From urine to hairball to vomit stains, homemade cleaners can effectively remove the stain and the odour that sometimes lingers.
Remember to do a spot-test on a small area before cleaning to make sure it won’t cause any damage or discolouration.
Vomit and Hairball Cleaning Pack
Materials: baking soda, vinegar, water, spray bottle, three old rags
Directions:
- Wipe up the vomit or hairball from the carpet or hard floor with a damp rag.
- If the vomit was on the carpet, after wiping it with a damp rag, sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let it sit for an hour to absorb the moisture. If the stain is on a hard floor, proceed to step 3.
- Mix vinegar and warm water in a large bowl (about 1 cup water to 1 cup of vinegar). Put the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Spray the stain with your mixture of vinegar and water. You'll notice fizzing. Once the fizzing dies down, scoop off the baking soda as much as possible with a rag.
- Continue to lightly spray the stain and blot the stain with a clean rag. Repeat until the stain is gone. Be careful to not over-saturate the area.
Tasty Tips
Cat Urine Eliminator
Materials: vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, dish liquid, enzyme cleaner, old rags, old towel
Directions:
- Use an old towel to absorb as much of the cat pee as possible and throw it away when you're done.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and let sit for about ten minutes.
- Pour some vinegar on the baking soda and let it fizz for a few seconds before blotting the liquid with a fresh rag.
- Once the area looks clean, it's time to eliminate the odour. Make a DIY pet stain-odour remover with a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and a drop or two of dish liquid. Pour the mixture onto the stained area (to be safe, text the mixture on a spot of the carpet that is hidden or out of the way to ensure that it doesn't discolour the carpet).
- Rub the hydrogen peroxide/dish soap mixture into the carpet and scrub the fibres, but blot it quickly so it doesn't take the colouring out of the carpet. For hard floors, it may be better to put this mixture in a spray bottle and spray the area and wipe it.
- Blow a fan over the area to help it dry quickly. Although the area may seem fresh and clean, the uric acid in cat urine will recrystallize, so the next step is VERY important!
- After about 24 hours, soak the area with an enzyme cleaner and let it completely air dry. To keep your family members from stepping on the spot, cover the area with a laundry basket or aluminium foil. It may take a day or two to dry completely.
- Once the area is completely dry, clean as normal with a mop or vacuum and repeat enzyme treatment once a week if needed.
Reducing Cat Stains and Odours
After you're done cleaning, shine a black light on a troublesome spot. It will show if cat urine is still present in the area. Sometimes it may seem like the urine is gone, but it can crystallize and stay present in carpet fibres. A black light shows the size of the stain that isn't visible to the human eye or picked up by the human nose.
Finally, Vetstreet suggests having your vet evaluate your cat's urinating behaviour to make sure that their missing the litter box isn't a sign of a urinary or other medical condition. You should make an appointment to see your vet for a possible therapeutic nutrition solution. Now that you know how to make your own stain remover, you'll be able to take quick action and stay diligent in cleaning up messes.
Related products
Oral Care Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Oral Care Adult Cat Food with Chicken contains clinically proven kibble technology to reduce plaque & tartar build up.
Urinary Health Adult Cat Food with Chicken
Hill's Science Plan Urinary Health Adult Cat Food with Chicken supports the health of the whole urinary system. Suitable for sterilised cats.
Sterilised Mature Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Sterilised Cat Mature Adult Cat Food with Chicken is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition tailored to meet the needs of mature adult sterilised cats, ages 7+, and to promote graceful ageing.
Senior Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Senior Cat Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food supports healthy aging during the golden years. Contains a special ingredient blend to help keep older cats agile, more alert & interactive.
Related articles
Cats Need Good Nutrition In Order To Stay Healthy
Good nutrition is about the right balance of nutrients. Learn more about health issues when feeding a cat food that has an improper nutritional balance from your friends at Hills Pet Nutrition.
Hill's Cat Foods: Nutritional Balance Just for Indoor Cats
Find the right Hill
How Often Should You Feed A Cat?
Feeding time can be a wonderful bonding opportunity for you and your cat. Find out how to make the most of it and create a healthy habit with HIll's Pet UK.
Hill's Cat Foods: A Healthy Choice for Your Cat
Selecting the right food for your kitten is a key to quality nutrition and a long, healthy life. Learn more about how to select the right kitten food.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.