How To Remove Cat Urine From Curtains?

Cats are adorable but you cannot afford to have your carpet, furniture, or even curtains stained with their urine. You'll always make sure to quickly find a remedy to the stain and smell. We’re here to help you, as we researched this topic extensively to gather some possible solutions to this problem.

Odors and stains from your cat's urine can be a challenge to get out of curtains or drapes. However, you can get the job done through the following strategies:

  • Use enzyme cleaner.
  • Apply vinegar solution.
  • Sprinkle a little baking soda.
  • Soak it in a hydrogen peroxide mixture.
  • Employ high temperature using a steam cleaner.
  • Use a wet vac filled with a cleaning solution.
  • Wash it through the washing machine.

In this article, we’ll discuss each of the strategies for getting rid of those stains and odors made by your cat’s urine on your curtains. Also, we’ll share with you some reasons why they may urinate inappropriately. So keep on reading.

Cat sitting by the window behind a curtain, How To Remove Cat Urine From Curtains?

How To Remove Cat Urine From Curtains?

Cats, especially males who have not been neutered, often mark their territory by urinating on curtains, carpets, and clothes. A strong odor is left behind, which gets worse over time. There are various techniques you can employ to get rid of the smell and eliminate the resulting stains.

Finding the affected area is the first step in removing pet stains. Use an LED black light or ultraviolet (UV) light to find the stealth stain if there aren't any obvious wet areas or if you've only located it in one room. You can start using your cleaning solution once you've found the area of concern.

Use Enzyme Cleaner

In comparison to harsh cleaning agents, enzymatic cleansers are safe for pets and effective on practically all household surfaces. This is just additional justification for making this the first tool in your cat urine cleanup arsenal.

It is simple to prepare your DIY enzyme cleanser for cat urine even if you may purchase enzymatic cleaners at the grocery store or online. Making the homemade enzyme cleaner ahead of time may be beneficial because it does take some time for it to "cure."

Check out this enzymatic cleaner on Amazon.

Start by wiping the area with paper towels to soak up the most urine possible that has been left in the curtain. Then, spray the area with the enzymatic cleanser and let it sit for 30 minutes or more depending on the strength of the scent and the size of the stain.

Apply Vinegar Solution

Using natural destilled white vinegar in spray bottle to remove stains

Always remove cat hair from the curtain before attempting to clear a dried urine stain. Without having to worry about transferring fur, it makes removing the stain simpler. For most stains and bad odors, vinegar is a tried-and-true cleaning remedy.

Combine a 1:1 ratio of water and vinegar solution in a spray bottle to make this easy, homemade cat urine cleaner. Soak up any excess urine before adding the vinegar spray. Apply the vinegar solution liberally to the spot. 

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You could prefer to use pure vinegar for odors that are extremely potent rather than mixing it with water. Gently massage the vinegar into the curtain after applying it. Then rinse the area with cool water and dry it. This solution is also fine on any home surface except on hardwood floors.

Sprinkle A Little Baking Soda

Baking soda in a glass jar

Baking soda is one of the greatest natural solutions for removing the smell of cat urine. This basic pantry item works as a natural deodorizer and is simple to apply to practically any surface in your house.

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You can sprinkle baking soda over the curtain while washing it or after you've soaked it up by combining it with another cleaner, like vinegar. To eliminate pet urine odors, you can also use baking soda by itself without the assistance of any other cleaning agents.

Either solution will quickly and efficiently eliminate the cat urine odor. After soaking up as much extra cat urine as you can, sprinkle baking soda over the urine stain. Give it some time to sit, preferably overnight.

Soak It In A Hydrogen Peroxide Mixture

It is another incredible cleaning solution that is frequently substituted for vinegar due to its potency as a disinfectant. The sole disadvantage of hydrogen peroxide is that it can stain even light-colored fabrics.

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To prevent a bleaching impact on your curtain, test a little amount on a hidden part of your curtain first with the mixture of 4 cups of hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon (tsp) of dishwashing soap, and 1/4 cup of baking soda. If it is fine then apply this mixture to the whole curtain.

Apply the mixture immediately to the urine stain and scrape with a washcloth or bristle brush. For optimal results, let the liquid remain or soak it for about 30 to 45 minutes before washing the curtain as usual.

Employ High Temperature Using A Steam Cleaner

Woman steaming curtain near window at home

Another excellent option for eliminating the smell of cat urine in your home is steam cleaning. Steam cleaners employ high heat to eradicate odor-producing microorganisms.

These temperatures are used by the steam cleaner to disinfect the water and produce steam that loosens dirt and other substances from the curtain. Combine this cleaning with an enzymatic cleaner to get rid of pet odor.

You can either buy or make your enzymatic cleaner by combining:

  • 7 tablespoons (tbsp) brown sugar,
  • 1 ½ cups of citrus peels,
  • and 4 cups of water.

When using this enzyme cleaner recipe, keep in mind that it will take some time—exactly three months—before you can use it. 

A strong enzyme cleaner is necessary if these stains occur frequently in your curtains, especially if you have furry children who are in the potty training stage.

Start by putting the sugar and citrus peels into a container with a lid. The citrus peels might be a mixture of lemon and orange peels or just pure lemon peel. Shake the container's contents after adding the water. To avoid a buildup of gasses while the bottle rests for three months, uncap it halfway.

You can remove stains from curtains while they are in place by using the power of steam, as opposed to taking them down and washing them. A strong, handheld steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment can frequently remove stains and dirt from curtains with the least amount of effort.

Check out this handheld steam cleaner on Amazon.

Use A Wet Vac Filled With A Cleaning Solution

Using a wet vac is one way to eliminate the odor of cat urine in your curtain. Wet vacs function similarly to ordinary vacuum cleaners, but instead of sucking up any filthy liquids, they spray clean water diluted with a cleaning solution.

The cleaner chamber on your wet vac can be filled with a simple cleaning solution. 

Check out this wet vac on Amazon.

In a big jar with a lid, mix 2 ½ cups boiling water with 1 bar of Castile soap. Stir the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined. Add 1 tsp of your preferred essential oils and ½ cup rubbing alcohol. Before pouring the mixture into your wet vac, give it a good shake.

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Wash It Through The Washing Machine

Woman unloading laundry from white washing machine

First, soak the item in vinegar to get rid of any urine odors it may have or enzyme cleanser. Whichever method you pick, let it sit for anywhere between 30 and an hour before washing your curtains in a washing machine with a strong detergent.

Why Do Cats Urinate On Curtains?

Young large red marble Maine coon cat playing with a toy

Although having a cat is incredibly rewarding, there are also some hassles involved. One of them is the use of the litter box. Following are the possible reasons why your cat is refusing to use her litter box:

  • Mating Behaviors: Tomcats frequently spray urine to signal nearby females about their availability when they are ready to mate. The scent of the urine aids in the message's transmission. During heat cycles, female cats also spray to signal their presence for mating.
  • Territorial Competition: If you have brought home a new kitten from the animal shelter, your older resident cat can start spraying on your curtain or any spot to show his contempt and envy.
  • Stress: The cat’s natural response to stress may be to urinate somewhere else than in his litter box.
  • Litter Problems: Your cat may protest and refuse to use his litter box if he is in any way unhappy with it.
  • Neutering & Spaying: Cats' tendency to mark their territory with stinky urine is often reduced by neutering and spaying them, especially if this is done when the animals are still very young.

Conclusion

Cat’s urine is one of the most offensive odors known to pet owners. It seems to linger in your home forever after it has seeped in. 

If you have pets, you realize how important it is to know how to clean up urine. We hope that these methods for eliminating urine smell and stains have given you a fresh new perspective on cleaning your curtains without stress.