Remove cat urine from sofa, couch and upholstery effectively

Cat urine can be a real challenge — especially when it has soaked into sofa, couch, or armchair upholstery. But don’t worry: with the right products and techniques, both odor and stains can be removed successfully. In this post you’ll find a practical, step-by-step guide for cleaning cat urine from upholstery.

Preparation

Before you start cleaning, make sure you have everything you need:

Paper towels/kitchen roll: to absorb excess moisture and blot the stain.
Cat urine cleaner: there are various products designed specifically for removing cat urine. Bio Urin Attacke and DLexa are two popular options we recommend.
Plastic bag or foil: to apply pressure to the treated area and work the cleaner in without getting your hands wet.
Water and a clean sponge or cloth: for rinsing the cleaned area.

Cleaning the cat urine stain

A stain on a couch is cleaned with a sponge and cloth

Absorb excess moisture: Place paper towels on the urine stain and press firmly to soak up as much urine as possible. Repeat until the towels barely absorb moisture.
Apply the cleaner: Spray a cat urine cleaner generously onto the stain. Make sure the entire area is thoroughly saturated.
Let it work: Leave the cleaner on for the recommended contact time. This can vary by product — follow the instructions on the bottle.
Apply pressure: Place a plastic bag or foil over the treated area and apply pressure by standing or sitting on it. This helps the cleaner penetrate into the upholstery and break down the urine.
Rinse: After treatment, rinse the area thoroughly with clean water. Use a clean sponge or cloth and then dry the spot carefully.

Repeat the process if odor or staining persists.

Note: Depending on the material and color of your upholstery, discoloration can occur. Always test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area first.

Pro tips

An upholstery extraction device is used on a couch to remove cat urine

For larger stains or stubborn odors, consider using a wet vacuum/extractor or professional upholstery cleaning.
Make sure the upholstery dries completely before using it again. This helps prevent mold and unpleasant smells.
To prevent future accidents, ensure your cat has enough clean litter boxes and that they’re cleaned regularly.

Conclusion

Cleaning cat urine from a sofa, couch, or upholstered furniture takes patience and the right products. With the steps above, you can successfully remove both odor and stains. If the smell or stain remains despite thorough cleaning, professional help may be the best option to get your upholstery fresh again.

For more information, read our detailed post about removing cat urine.