Finding cat pee on a hardwood floor can feel awful. And the longer it sits there, the worse it gets.
Wood soaks up liquid fast. Cat urine can sink into the grain, leaving stains, swelling the boards, and causing a smell that sticks around if you don’t act quickly. So if you’re trying to clean cat urine from hardwood floors, speed really matters.
This guide walks you through the right cleaning approach to remove both the stain and the smell without damaging your floor finish.
Essential Supplies You'll Need for Cleaning Cat Urine
Before learning how to clean cat pee from wood floor, make sure you have the right supplies on hand. Acting quickly is important with hardwood, and having everything within reach means you won't waste time searching mid-cleanup.
- Paper towels or microfiber cloths: Soak up the pee right away before it sinks deeper into the wood.
- White vinegar: Helps neutralize the ammonia smell in urine.
- Enzyme cleaner: Breaks down the urine crystals that cause the smell to linger.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%): Can help lift older stains, but use carefully so you don’t damage the finish.
- Baking soda: Pulls out leftover moisture and absorbs any remaining odor.
- Robot vacuum(optional): Useful after cleaning to sweep and lightly mop the area. The eufy Robot Vacuum Omni S1 Pro is a good choice. It vacuums and mops, rinses its mop as it goes, then auto-washes and dries it for fresher floors afterward.
One note: Avoid ammonia-based cleaners when cleaning cat urine, as they smell similar to urine and can encourage your cat to mark the same spot again.
How Do You Clean Cat Urine from Hardwood Floors
With the right tools in hand, removing cat urine from hardwood floors becomes much easier and more effective. Let’s walk through the proper steps to clean cat pee from hardwood floors without damaging the surface.
Step 1: Blot the Area Immediately
If the accident is fresh, remove the liquid immediately. Place a thick layer of paper towels over the puddle. Press down firmly with your hands or step on them to absorb the urine.
- Do not scrub. Scrubbing pushes the urine deeper into the wood crevices.
- Repeat this process with fresh towels until the towels come up dry.
Step 2: Neutralize the Odor
Cat urine is highly alkaline, so an acidic solution helps neutralize it. Mix a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water. Lightly sponge this onto the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes to counteract the ammonia, then blot it up completely. Do not soak the floor, as excess water can cause wood planks to swell.
Step 3: Treat Stubborn Stains and Odors
Vinegar neutralizes the smell temporarily, but it doesn't remove uric acid crystals, the real source of lingering odor. This is where enzymatic cleaners come in. They contain bacteria that break down the organic compounds in urine.
Apply the cleaner according to the bottle instructions, making sure it reaches the same depth the urine did. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to fully break down the odor-causing bonds before blotting dry.
Step 4: Dry the Area and Inspect
Moisture is the enemy of hardwood. Once you have treated the spot, dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth. You can also place a fan nearby to speed up evaporation. Inspect the floor for any remaining discoloration or smell once it is fully dry.
Step 5: Remove Old Urine Stains
If you missed the accident and the stain has set (darkened wood), you may need a stronger approach.
Soak a paper towel in 3% hydrogen peroxide and place it over the stain. Cover with plastic wrap and weigh it down with a book. Leave it for several hours or overnight, and the peroxide will gradually bleach out the dark discoloration.
Caution: Hydrogen peroxide can lighten the wood finish. Always test on a hidden spot first before treating visible areas.
Preventing Future Cat Urine Accidents on Hardwood Floors
Cleaning is only half the battle in how to clean cat pee from floor. You also need to stop it from happening again. Cats usually urinate outside the box due to a dirty litter box, stress, or health issues.
- Set up a great litter zone. One box per cat plus one extra, placed in quiet, easy spots. Big, uncovered boxes suit most cats and reduce avoidance.
- Keep boxes super clean. Scoop daily and change litter regularly. Many cats pee elsewhere if the box smells used, feels damp, or has too much waste.
- Remove all urine odor from hardwood with enzymatic cleaner. Soak seams, let it dwell, and repeat if needed. Hidden smell invites repeat marking even when you can’t detect it.
- Rule out medical issues early. Sudden accidents, frequent small pees, straining, or blood can signal UTI, crystals, kidney disease, or arthritis, and a vet visit can stop the cycle.
- Redesign repeat spots. Place a temporary litter box, food dish, bed, or scratcher there to change the area’s meaning. Cats rarely pee where they eat or sleep.
- Maintain a clean home environment. Cats are sensitive to their surroundings. A generally clean home reduces stress for both pets and owners.
If your home is large and muddy paw prints or dried marks show up a lot, the eufy X10 Pro Omni can handle the weekly floor cleaning for you. The robot vacuums and mops in one go, then scrubs with MopMaster 2.0 spinning pads to lift paw marks faster.
After the run, the Omni station rinses and dries the mop pads and empties the dustbin on its own. You can set a schedule in the app, so floors stay fresh without much work. When the rest of the house stays clean, new accidents are easier to spot and smells don’t stick around.
{{component:"product", handle:"t2351111", sku:"T2351111"}}
For pee on carpet, rugs, or fabric spots like pet mats, the eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E28 can be a useful backup. One standout feature is the FlexiOne portable deep cleaner built into the station. You can pull it out and clean a fresh spot on carpets, stairs, or upholstery before it turns into a stain. The robot also has strong suction to lift hair, dirt, and damp mess from carpet fibers, and the DuoSpiral brushes help stop fur from wrapping around the roller.
Conclusion
Cat pee on hardwood is gross, but it doesn’t have to leave a lasting mark. Fast blotting, gentle deodorizing, and an enzyme cleaner stop urine from settling into the grain and keep odors from returning. A thorough dry-out protects the finish, while prevention habits reduce future surprises.
With a little patience, your floors can look and smell normal again, and you’ll feel confident about how to clean cat urine from hardwood floors. For everyday upkeep afterward, consider eufy robot vacuum.
FAQs
How do I remove cat urine stains from hardwood floors?
First, use an enzyme cleaner. These cleaners are made for pet urine, and they break down what’s stuck in the wood. Pour enough on the spot so it can soak in, because pee usually goes deeper than you can see. Let it sit as long as the label says, then wipe it up.
If the stain is old and dark, you can try peroxide. Soak paper towels in 3% hydrogen peroxide, lay them over the stain, and cover with plastic wrap for a few hours. This can lighten the mark slowly, but it might also lighten your floor’s color. Test a hidden corner first.
What is the best way to clean cat urine odor from hardwood?
To get rid of the smell for good, you have to remove what causes it, not just clean the surface. Cat pee leaves behind crystals that keep smelling even after the floor looks dry. Regular cleaners don’t break those down, so the odor comes back.
An enzyme cleaner is the best fix. Wet the area well so it reaches into the wood, then leave it alone to air-dry. Don’t scrub it dry right away. Giving the cleaner time to work is what actually removes the smell.
How do I get rid of old cat urine smell on wood?
Old pee smells are harder because the urine may have soaked into cracks or even the layer under the floor. Start the same way: use an enzyme cleaner, soak the area, and let it dry fully. Sometimes one round isn’t enough, so repeating it can help.
If the smell still lingers after that, sealing the spot may be needed. A shellac-based primer can trap the odor inside the wood so it can’t rise back up. In really bad cases, sanding and refinishing the boards might be the only lasting fix.
