Cat urine odor can be very disgusting, especially if your cat starts peeing outside its litter box. Bacteria growing in the urine makes it smell like ammonia. With time, bacteria will continue growing, and making cat urine smell much worse.

Because cat urine contains and produces ammonia, it is very recommendable not to use cleaners that contain ammonia.

The cleaning products used to get rid of cat urine smell can be divided into three categories:

Chemical. Chemical based products break down the molecules that cause cat urine smell. Some of this type of products can discolor carpets or furniture. It is recommended to always try the product in a little spot. Also some chemical components can be dangerous for you or your cat.

Bacterial. Bacteria based products contain bacteria that eat the urine odor components. They also contain enzymes.

Bacteria is introduced onto the stain. Having the appropriate conditions (food, moisture and temperature) bacteria will grow and reproduce very quickly.

Enzymatic. Enzyme based products contain enzymes. The enzymes help to speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes break up the urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia, two gases that evaporate quickly.

What is the best type of product to clean up cat stains and odor?

The best option is enzyme based products. These are the products that work better to eliminate permanently cat urine odor and stains.

For stains from carpets, mattresses, sofas or upholstery, a liquid based product will not work well. Maybe you have already being in this scenario: you have pour liquid soap onto the soiled area and follow the instructions. The stain and urine odor are gone for about a week or two, and then the stain and the odor come back.

The reason why a liquid based cleaning solution does not work is that you will never be able to wash all the wet liquid out. The fibers, pores, and fabrics have absorbed deep down the odor and the stain.

Liquid cleaners mask the smell during a short time. After a few days, the smell comes back.

The only way to get rid of stains and smell is to use a dry powder cleaning product. They work as sponges absorbing the elements that cause the odor.