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Q: removing revolting cat smells ( Answered,   3 Comments )
Question  
Subject: removing revolting cat smells
Category: Family and Home > Home
Asked by: radish47-ga
List Price: $10.00
Posted: 12 Feb 2004 17:13 PST
Expires: 13 Mar 2004 17:13 PST
Question ID: 306313
How do I get the smell out of a house that has had 80 cats living in
it without any control whatsoever The carpet has been removed and I
need to the best formula to use to clean up the house

Request for Question Clarification by missy-ga on 13 Feb 2004 13:32 PST
Eighty cats??  That's going to take some heavy-duty cleaning.  Let's
start by getting a little more information.

You say the carpet has been pulled up.  What sort of flooring is
underneath?  Wood?  Sheetrock?  Something else entirely?

What about the walls?  Paneling, wallpaper, paint?  (Wallpaper is
probably going to have to come down entirely, that typically cannot be
saved once cat urine smell has seeped in.)

Any information you can provide will be helpful.

--Missy

Clarification of Question by radish47-ga on 13 Feb 2004 18:09 PST
The floor is timber boards, most of this was covered by carpet (now removed)
Some untreated timber floors are also contaminated, most of the walls
and ceilings are painted fibrous plaster with limited areas ( toilet
and bathroom ) wallpapered.
Answer  
Subject: Re: removing revolting cat smells
Answered By: missy-ga on 13 Feb 2004 20:33 PST
 
Hi Radish,

In June of 1992, the Toledo Zoo announced an ambitious plan to turn
the former Carnivora building - which had been home to our Big Cats
from the time the Zoo was built during the WPA, until they were moved
into the African Savannah complex in the late '80s - into a *new
cafeteria*.

Shockingly, they managed to achieve this astounding feat *without*
tearing up the old floor or otherwise altering the structure of the
gorgeous WPA era building.  Today, the Carnivora building still
stands, fully renovated, and named "The Carnivore Cafe".  In fact, the
building won the Ohio Historical Society's 1997 Historic Preservation
Merit Award, for best adaptive use and preservation.

I'll bet you're wondering why I'm telling you all this?

If the Toledo Zoo can salvage a building that marinated in lion, tiger
and panther urine for more than 50 years, without tearing up the
floor, then you should be able to save this house.  It's just going to
take some time, patience, elbow grease, chemicals...and a bucket-full
of money.

According to a June 5th, 1992 article in the Toledo Blade, contractors
converting the Carnivora building planned to use a bacteria and enzyme
rich solution which would attack the considerable urine deposits and
"eat" the odor out of the concrete floors.  I called the zoo offices
this afternoon to see if anyone there remembered the name of the
solution.  They did not, but they did tell me that there were several
non-commercial solutions available that did the same thing.  (The
staff did place a call to the contractors who did the work, but as of
this writing, the call has not been returned.)

You've already done the most important part by getting rid of the
carpeting and pad.  The wallpaper is going to have to go, too.  Any
solution that will get the odor out will damage the wallpaper, so
you're best off tearing that down and treating the wall beneath, then
either painting, tiling or re-painting.

Buy a black light.  You'll need this to ensure that you've found *all*
of the urine stains:

Cat Urine Odor Removal
http://rhol.org/rental/catodor.htm

Next, apply one of the following enzymatic/bacterial odor treatments
(according to package instructions) to *every* urine deposit you find:

Anti-Icky-Poo
http://www.mistermax.com/products.html

Digester
http://www.lyndist.com/digester.htm

Bac-Azap
http://www.pestproducts.com/bac-azap.htm

These solutions require several days (and in the case of stubborn
urine deposits, several applications) to work, so be patient.  It may
take several applications over the course of several weeks to get the
stench completely out.  Be certain to follow the instructions
*exactly*, and don't pre-treat the area with vinegar or bleach - those
agents will get in the way and hinder the enzymatic/bacterial
solutions.

Do keep in mind that these products are not 100% guaranteed to get out
all of the odor.  Depending on the severity of the stains and odors,
more than one product may be necessary.  If after several applications
of one of the above products, you're still not convinced you've gotten
it all out, you might want to follow up with one of these:

Odor Destroyer
http://www.odordestroyer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1QSPSOL&Category_Code=OdorControl&Product_Count=0

OdorXit Concentrate
http://www.odorxit.com/frames/OdorXitHomePage.html

[ NOTE:  Bramton's Simple Solution also comes highly recommended (it's
used to get rid of skunk odor!), but the manufacturer's site cautions
against using it on wood, because of the product's water content.  You
can find more information about Bramton's here: 
http://www.bramton.com/products_us/stain&odor.htm ]

A word of caution:  Since the floor is wood, it will be a tricky
process, and replacing some of the floor boards may be unavoidable in
spots where urine has seeped completely through to the sub-flooring or
joists.  No solution is going to be completely perfect, but with
careful application and lots of patience, these products will come
quite close.

I wish you much luck! 

--Missy

Search terms:  [ remove cat urine odors ], and a few phone calls.

Request for Answer Clarification by radish47-ga on 15 Feb 2004 15:51 PST
All of these products are American are there any local products.

Clarification of Answer by missy-ga on 15 Feb 2004 17:11 PST
Local to where, Radish?

--M

Request for Answer Clarification by radish47-ga on 15 Feb 2004 21:25 PST
sorry missy,    

Australia
Radish

Clarification of Answer by missy-ga on 17 Feb 2004 05:59 PST
Hi Radish,

Just to let you know, I'm still looking for Australian products like
the ones listed above.  I was ill yesterday and couldn't put a lot of
time in, but I should have something for you by this afternoon.

--M
Comments  
Subject: Re: removing revolting cat smells
From: vladsgal-ga on 12 Feb 2004 22:16 PST
 
The best way to remove cat smell is to get an air purifier. We
purchased one from Alpine industries thru Ecoquest.(It produces a
minute amount of ozone and RF((we were very skeptical, but we won't
live without it now ))and It is a multi-level thing (just so you're
not blind-sided) The product is exceptional and the company is
reputable. It's all they make: purifiers for air and water. I don't
sell them and you don't have to, but we do use them in our home. (And
have one for hotel rooms, etc) They remove odors (ANY KIND including
smoke damage). They also inhibit the growth of molds and bacteria.
Insurance companies know about these purifiers because they are used
in restoration. Please check into this product. It WILL remove the
smell COMPLETELY the source-not mask it.The smell won't come back
unless the cats do.Buy it from a representative so you have a full 3
yr warranty. I would love to reccomend the sincere lady who sold us
ours, I just don't know how to do that on this site- or if I even can.
She's very knowledgeable and helpful, not pushy. We've had them for 2
years. They do way MORE than they promise!!
Subject: Re: removing revolting cat smells
From: boquinha-ga on 20 Feb 2004 08:59 PST
 
Hello Radish! 

My colleague, missy-ga, has contacted me and asked me to let you know
that she has not forgotten you, but is temporarily witout internet
access. She will have you taken care of as soon as she gets it back,
which hopefully will be soon!

Sincerely,
Boquinha-ga
Subject: Re: removing revolting cat smells
From: kbrock101-ga on 09 Mar 2005 08:40 PST
 
An air purifier that I have found eliminated all smells and odors in
our home (pet, cooking, etc.) within 24 hours!  It is a Second Wind
air purifier and can be found at http://www.BreatheMoreEasily.com for
less than most othr machines.

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