Introduction
Dealing with cat urine stains and odors in fabrics and clothes is a common frustration for many pet owners. Cats may occasionally urinate outside their litter box, spraying urine on carpets, furniture, clothing, and more. The strong smell of ammonia in cat urine can be difficult to remove with regular laundry detergents.
Finding the right laundry detergent is key to getting cat urine fully out of fabrics and eliminating the lingering odor. An effective detergent can sanitize the fabrics, remove stains, and leave clothes and fabrics smelling fresh again. With so many detergent options on the market, determining the best choice to handle urine stains can be challenging.
In this article, we’ll explore the causes of cat urine issues, the challenges of removing cat urine from fabrics, and provide tips on choosing the best laundry detergent for combatting cat urine stains and odors.
Causes of Cat Urine on Fabrics
There are several common causes why cats may urinate outside of their litter box leading to urine stains on fabrics:
Medical conditions like urinary tract infections, kidney disease, or diabetes can cause a cat discomfort or the urge to urinate more frequently, making them pee outside the box. Older cats may also develop arthritis or other conditions that make it painful to get in and out of the litter box.
Territorial marking is another reason, especially with intact male cats. Cats may urine mark fabrics, furniture, walls, etc. to mark territory and show dominance.
Finally, litter box avoidance or preference can develop if the cat has a negative association with the litter box location, type of litter, cleanliness, etc. They may begin to seek out soft fabrics and carpets to urinate on instead.
Challenges of Removing Cat Urine
Cat urine is notoriously difficult to remove from fabrics for a few reasons:
First, the urea in cat urine chemically binds to the fibers and proteins in fabric 1. This makes it challenging for the urine to be fully rinsed away during regular laundering. The urine bonds tightly to the clothing item.
Additionally, urine contains bacteria that produce amplifying odors as they grow 2. Even after the urine is washed away, any remaining bacteria can continue to multiply and produce pungent ammonia odors. This causes the smell to linger or return after washing.
Finally, cat urine can leave behind yellow stains. These stains may reappear after washing as the urine salts become oxidized by air exposure. The stains can be stubborn and require repeated treatments to fully remove.
Enzyme Cleaners
Enzymatic cleaners are specially formulated with enzymes that break down the urine compounds in cat pee, helping to eliminate both stains and odors. Enzymes like protease, amylase, and urease target the uric acid, bacteria, and proteins in cat urine. When the enzymes break these compounds down, it makes it easier to wash the urine out of fabrics (source).
The main pros of using an enzyme-based detergent for cat urine are that enzymes tackle the urine at a molecular level, provide a deep clean, and help prevent the urine from setting if used quickly. Enzymatic cleaners also often have a pleasant smell to help mask odors. However, some cons are that enzyme cleaners may need awhile to fully break down the urine compounds, so require patience. They also typically require pre-treating the stain first. Additionally, some cats may be attracted to the lingering scent and remark areas cleaned with enzymes (source).
Oxygen Cleaners
Oxygen cleaners, such as OxiClean, use the power of oxygen to help break down organic stains like cat urine. They work by releasing oxygen molecules when dissolved in water, creating a bubbly oxygen-rich cleaning solution. The oxygen interacts with the organic waste molecules in the cat urine, breaking them apart through oxidation so they can be more easily removed from the carpet or fabric [1].
The main benefits of oxygen cleaners for cat urine stains are that they are effective at removing organic stains, are safe for most fabrics, and help deodorize as they clean. Oxygen cleaners can work well for fresh stains that haven’t had time to fully set in yet. However, they may require repeat applications for older or stubborn dried-in stains. It’s best to follow package directions and test oxygen cleaners in an inconspicuous area first, as some fabrics like wool or silk could potentially be damaged [2].
While oxygen cleaners have advantages, enzyme cleaners that specifically target urine proteins are considered more effective overall for eliminating cat urine odors and stains from carpets and fabrics.
Detergents with Baking Soda
One of the most effective ingredients for tackling cat urine in laundry is baking soda. Baking soda is alkaline, which neutralizes odors caused by the ammonia in cat urine (according to Armand Hammer). When added to laundry detergent, baking soda can boost cleaning power against stains and odors.
For best results against cat urine, use a laundry detergent that contains baking soda along with an enzymatic cleaner. The enzymes will break down the urine molecules, while the baking soda will deodorize. Arm & Hammer makes detergents with both baking soda and enzymes that are highly effective on cat urine according to pet experts.
Vinegar to Remove Odor
Vinegar is an effective cleaning agent for cat urine because it helps dissolve uric acid crystals. According to Home Made Simple, vinegar’s acidity neutralizes the ammonia in cat urine that causes lingering odors. Rather than just masking odors, vinegar eliminates them at the source.
For laundry, add 1 cup of vinegar to your regular detergent when washing fabrics that contain cat urine. Let the clothes soak for 5-10 minutes in the vinegar solution before starting the wash cycle. The vinegar will help remove urine odors from the fabric according to ServiceMaster Clean. When cleaning carpets, floors, and other surfaces, create a 50/50 vinegar and water solution. Spray or wipe the area with the vinegar solution and let sit for 3-5 minutes before blotting and rinsing.
Other Tips for Laundering Cat Urine
To combat stubborn cat urine odors, other laundry tips can help in addition to using an effective detergent. Here are some extra steps to try:
Presoaking the fabric in cold water before washing can help loosen set-in odors and stains. Let the fabric soak for at least 30 minutes up to a few hours before washing as normal (1).
Washing with hot or warm water can set cat urine stains and odors. Always use cold water for cat soiled laundry. The heat from warm and hot water can bond the urine to the fabric (2).
Adding an extra rinse cycle can help flush away more urine residue that causes lingering odors. Detergent residues can also trap odors, so an extra rinse ensures they are fully removed (1).
Avoid using fabric softener when washing cat urine, as it can seal in odors instead of removing them. The coating left by fabric softeners makes it harder for detergents and cleaners to penetrate the fabric (2).
Preventing Future Cat Urine Incidents
There are several steps you can take to prevent your cat from urinating on fabrics in the future:
First, take your cat to the veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical causes like a urinary tract infection or kidney disease (https://www.catster.com/ask-the-vet/why-is-my-cat-peeing-on-my-clothes-vet-answer/). Medical issues can cause inappropriate urination, so it’s important to have your vet do a full checkup.
Next, examine the litter box situation. Make sure there are enough litter boxes for the number of cats in your home, that they are cleaned frequently, and the location is easily accessible. Cats may avoid a litter box if it’s dirty, if they don’t like the litter, or if the box is in an uncomfortable spot (https://www.atlanticvetseattle.com/why-is-my-cat-peeing-on-laundry/). Providing an ideal litter box setup can prevent incidents.
Additionally, look for stressors or anxiety triggers that could be causing your cat to urinate outside the litter box. Things like adding a new pet, moving homes, construction noise, or changes to their routine can induce stress. Try to minimize stressors and make your cat feel relaxed and secure (https://www.theadvisorcoach.com/cat-peeing-on-clothes.html). This can curb inappropriate urination.
By addressing medical issues, accommodating litter box preferences, and minimizing stressors and anxiety, you can help prevent your cat from urinating on fabrics in the future.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing the best laundry detergent for cat urine, enzyme cleaners are the top recommendation. Enzyme cleaners contain protease, amylase and lipase that break down the compounds in cat urine that create lingering odors. Look for enzyme cleaners specifically formulated for pet messes, like Nature’s Miracle or Simple Solution. Oxygen cleaners like OxiClean are another effective option, as they use the power of oxygen to lift stains and neutralize odors. Detergents with baking soda also help to neutralize urine odors and lift stains. For extra odor elimination, you can pre-treat soiled items with white vinegar before washing. Regardless of the detergent, it’s best to treat cat urine stains as soon as possible and wash items in hot water for optimal results. With the right laundry detergent and proper washing techniques, you can get cat urine smells fully removed from fabrics.