apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

if sunshine and febreeze pet odor brand don't work (it has for me), is it worth getting professionally cleaned?

try spraying or dousing the rug in Nature's Miracle (found at any pet store) to get rid of the pet odor.

I went through this with my elderly cat. Trust me, have the rug professionally cleaned, by someone who cleans rugs for a living, not by a drycleaner. Just about any solution proposed for home treatment either doesn't completely remove the smell over the long term, if the urine has really soaked in, or stains the rug. That is, you might think you've removed it and then after a while it will start to smell again. It's particularly a problem if you have any pets of your own; even if you mask the smell so that you can't smell it, animals will, and they tend to respond by urinating on the spot themselves.

Nature's Miracle is the answer to this one! You can get it at pet stores or online (get the big bottle). I'd suggest laying th rug face-down on top of a white or pale sheet, and sponging the cleaner liberally all over the offending area, letting it soak in. You'll need to let it sit that way until it dries (you could probably use a fan to speed the process). You'll notice an improvement right away ... if need be, repeat the process on any areas you might have missed.

get TWO of the big bottles of nature's miracle and use all of both. i agree that you should put the rug face down. don't just spot treat it though... since you have the luxury of having a rug small enough to lay out and move around, just douse the WHOLE thing. that way you don't miss any odor on the periphery! good luck!

There is a pet stain remover called "Anti-Icky Poo" that is amazing. A few pet stores carry it, but you may have to order it online. I have used this product and highly recommend it.

My mom has one cat that pees everywhere. She swears by this stuff called "Zero Odor."

I tried Nature's Miracle. It works (pretty well) for human noses, IF the stain and odor have not set in for a long time -- that is, on fresh stains & smells -- but doesn't prevent other animals from smelling the urine. It would be worth a try, and the other option (having the rug properly cleaned) will still remain.

If it has cat pee on it, i'd chunk it. No matter how hard you work at it, if that thing has pet odor on it you may not be able to smell it after a while but folks that visit will. my mom's house is now permanently stained with animal pee smell. I hate it...she can't smell it but i sure do. Honestly...do you really think that rug is worth all this trouble? Its not exactly my cup of tea.

I had the exact thing happen. I bought a rug at a animal shelter sale, and it came complete with cat urine. I didn't realize it since the sale was outside and it was raining. not to worry it's cleanable easily!!! First you have the key ingrediet a deck!!! here's what to do.. but the largest industrial size white vinegar at costco - more then a gallon, then buy a container that is used to add fertilizer to water.. about 4 dollars at a store now pour the vinegar in the cotainer, set to max per gallon mix attach to a garden hose and spray until soaked.. turn the rug and spray back.. you will see the water runoff as yellow (ewh) - now let dry outside on deck or hang as you have done. repeat many times.. always dry in sun.. Why this works - urine breaks down the crystals. Drycleaning will never and regular soap won't either.. I now have a 1,000 dollar rug I got for 40 dollars and elbow grease!! Costs pennies
THIS WORKS FOR SURE
Stephanie

I second the white vinegar, I have done this successfully as well.

Nature's Miracle or Zero odor - are the best solutions stated earlier.

uh, if it's got cat pee on it, i'd just get rid of it. doubly so if you have your own cats, because they will pee on it. and then it will become a cycle of trumping the previous pee and it will never ever ever end.

Honestly, the rug is not that attractive and now it smells. Buy a new one.

i second the nature's miracle. it's not terribly expensive. buy the gallon size, soak the rug once, let it dry completely, repeat. it works and it actually leaves a very faint fruity smell behind.

my cat freaked out and peed in my car when i was driving from southern california to chicago. unfortunately i was unable to do anything for 2 days as i drove. after perfoming the above, the smell was completely gone.

if that's not a testimonial, i don't know what is...

As an experienced cat owner, I have the answer for this problem, which folks have already expressed. You must soak with Nature's Miracle and let it dry thoroughly. Usually the smell gets worse before it gets better, but eventually there will be no odor.

Incidentally, for folks who have this problem in the future, BEFORE you have the rug cleaned or shampooed or anything, use a black light to determine exactly where the urine is. Then soak those spots and let dry. Unfortunately, cleaning, even professional cleaning, just spreads the urine out. Good luck!

I agree: Lots and lots of Nature's Miracle.

nature's miracle.. and prayer. especially if it's cat pee. good luck!!!

i also second Shaina8's advice about the black light..need to find out where it is and attack it.

Soak the carpet with Nature's Miracle or one of the other similar products. Let it dry completely for a few days. Maybe repeat.

I have to say I like the vinegar / fertilizer sprayer idea, if it actually removes the urine stains. I would do that first and then use the Nature's Miracle.

You may want to test the rug first to ensure that whatever you use doesn't cause the color to fade or bleed or create a new stain. Do it in an inconspicuous place on the rug but ensure that it is a real test - there probably won't be a problem with a new, commercial rug but you should be sure before you do anything large scale.

Sorry for the double post but... have you thought about going back and talking to the dealer? I know it is a flea market but still worth a shot.

I love this rug... I think it's worth the work to save it.

Burn IT!!!

If you have any pets and they smell it---and they will, even after cleaning---they will then use it for a kitty box themsleves.

If you do take it to a pro rug cleaner be sure and tell them to wash the back of the rug as well as the top.
I had an old rug I found with a mold smell to it and had to take it back 2 times for cleaning---the man said they only clean the back if you ask them to.
After 2 trips and 2 cleanings and cost of rug and cost of cleaning it still smelled of mold.
I ended up using it in a small back room we use for storage for awhile.

Parrishnut here - I have two cats and after the vinegar solution none have ever peed on it.. go for the cheap non toxic vinegar solution