How To Clean Pee Off Of Leather

Christina asked: How do I cat urine from a leather couch? My cat urinated on some clothes that I had sitting on my leather couch. The urine soaked through to the couch, and it smells really bad. I've tried all sorts of cleaning products, but yet the smell remains. I'm about to have to throw the couch out. It's only three years old and was a gift from my hubby, so I really don't want to do that.

Cat urine contains proteins that create the odor and are difficult to remove. There are products available that will remove these proteins and the odor that lingers.

Removing Stains and Odors

You Will Need:

Biokleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Remover
Leather conditioner

Steps to Remove the Odor:

Disassemble the couch and remove the cushions from the covers (if the urine has soaked through to the cushions). If the odor is only on the cover, it is not necessary to remove the covers.
Get Biokleen Bac-Out Stain and Odor Remover from a supermarket or hardware store. It is an enzyme cleaner that is specifically formulated to be safe on leather.
- There are many enzyme cleaners, such as Nature's Miracle, but most of them state on the label that they should not be used on leather, by which they mean genuine leather. The reason for this is that the type of bacteria used in them that eat up the urine might also eat the leather since it is an organic material. However, several site users have commented below that they successfully used Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover on their leather furniture without any problem, including on genuine leather. This is likely because the leather has been treated and dyed, which makes the bacteria less able to eat it. You can always test a product on a small hidden area first to look for any adverse reaction. Wait until the product has dried to determine the results of the test. Once the product has dried, the bacteria are dead.
Soak the cushions with Biokleen Bac-Out. If there was a lot of urine and it has soaked into the cushions, you will need to pour on as much cleaner as there was urine so that it can soak in equally as deep.
Allow the product to air-dry.
Repeat if necessary.
Once the odor is removed, reassemble the sofa.
Apply a leather conditioner to the area. If the urine or cleaner has caused any drying of the leather, it could crack. A leather conditioner will prevent that. In a pinch, a couple drops of olive oil can be used instead.
Buff the area with a dry cloth to remove any excess conditioner or oil.

Removing Odors with a Homemade Remedy

This home remedy does not remove stains, only odor. Always test a small, hidden area of the leather first as hydrogen peroxide can have bleaching effects and may discolor some leathers.

You Will Need:

Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
Baking soda
Liquid soap
Small non-metal container
Spray bottle
Vinegar
Leather conditioner

Steps to Remove the Odor:

Mix together one quart hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda and 1 tablespoon liquid soap in a non-metal container. Do not stir or shake vigorously when mixing. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda create a large amount of oxygen and over mixing will cause the mixture to overflow out of the container.
Place the mixture into a spray bottle and gently mist the affected surfaces.
Blot the areas if needed to remove the moisture.
Allow the area to dry completely.
Another option is to use white vinegar. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray the leather.
Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe off the moisture.
Apply a leather conditioner to the leather to keep it supple and flexible.

Additional Tips and Advice

If the smell is stubborn, you can try deodorizing the entire area. Fill a bowl or plate with either baking soda, white vinegar, activated charcoal or fresh coffee grounds. Put the bowl near the smell and leave it overnight. In the morning, the odor may be gone. If using coffee, keep in mind that although the urine odor will be gone, a coffee odor will remain in its place. Any vinegar odor will dissipate once the vinegar is removed.
The proteins in cat urine are similar to those in skunk spray. Cleaning products used to remove the skunk smell can also be used to remove cat urine odors.
Be sure to check the area around and under the furniture as well. If the smell is stubborn, it may be coming from under the item or somewhere else nearby.
Several site users have commented below that they have used or plan to use essential oils to remove the odor and deter their cat from the area. Be very cautious with this, as most if not all essential oils are toxic to cats. We would recommend that you put the essential oil on a paper towel under the couch or tucked into a cushion rather than onto the actual leather as the oil could get onto their paws or fur if they touch it.
There are commercial cat deterrant sprays you can get to keep a cat away from the area. Be sure to test them on a hidden area first to ensure they are safe for your leather.
If your cat is regularly urinating somewhere other than their litter box, take them to the vet to ensure they do not have a medical problem.
If you determine that your cat's urinating problem is caused by stress, there are plug-ins and sprays available at major pet supply stores with calming scents for cats. Giving your cat somewhere they can go to feel safe can also help, such as a tall cat tower to sit on.
To help your cat get back to using a litter box, you can try different types of litter to determine what they like and also try different types of boxes, such as ones with lids, low sides, top entry or a deeper litter. There are even planters and end tables that have litter boxes inside that you could put near the area where they seem to like urinating.

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