Cleaning cat urine has to be one of the most disliked chores. Not only
is it unpleasant, but it can be very difficult. You must use the right
technique and the right product.

Most household products don't clean cat urine effectively because
they don't have the necessary enzymes to neutralize the odor. Finding the
right product is key to cleaning cat urine.

You might be wondering: Once I find the right product, how do I use it
properly? Good question. Here are some tips and techniques for
cleaning cat urine:

- As mentioned previously, don't use just any household cleaning
product. You must use a product designed for cleaning cat urine. There
are several out there, so make sure you select the right one.

- Avoid products with ammonia. Ammonia smells very similar to cat
urine, which could confuse the cat. If the cat smells the urine--or
something similar--he's likely to urinate in the same place again.

- If the cat urinates on carpet, clean the area carefully! Your first
instinct might be to scrub the carpet, but you don't want to do that.
Scrubbing will only push the urine deeper into the carpet.

Instead, blot the urine gently with a paper towel. Depending on the
cleaning product you use, you might then need to soak the area. Make
sure you follow directions.

- If the cat urinates on hardwood floors, you must also clean the area
gently. Hardwood floors can be very absorbent.

Just like on carpet, blot the urine gently with a paper towel. Then rinse
the stain with warm water. Next, use a cat urine cleaning product to
neutralize the odor. Again, make sure you follow directions.

- Consider wearing rubber gloves. This isn't a necessity, but it can
make the process much less unpleasant. When you're finished cleaning
the cat urine, remember to rinse your gloves thoroughly.

- Prevent the cat from urinating outside of the litter box next time.
Keep the cat's litter box clean, and place it in a private area.
Like people, cats like cleanliness and privacy. If you have multiple cats, you
might need to purchase a separate litter box for each cat.

These techniques should get you started. Use the right product, and be
gentle. Wear rubber gloves, and encourage the cat to use the litter
box. With the right product and a bit more information, you'll be on
your way to effectively cleaning cat urine.