How I Conquered Stubborn Cat Urine Odor with a Forgotten Bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide

My war with the ghost-smell began, as these things often do, with love.

Leo, my majestic, slightly-too-proud-for-his-own-good Maine Coon, had been my shadow for over a decade.

But one sweltering August afternoon, he left me a gift.

Not a mouse, not a half-eaten cicada, but a dark, pungent stain on the corner of my favorite wool rug—a beautiful, hand-woven piece I’d saved for months to buy.

I wasn’t a rookie.

As a cat owner for 15 years, I thought I knew the drill.

I sprang into action, armed with the collective wisdom of the internet.

First came the vinegar and baking soda volcano, a fizzy, hopeful mess that left behind a faint pickle scent and a crunchy residue.¹

The urine smell seemed to retreat, lulled into submission.

A week later, on the first humid morning, it was back, rising from the rug’s fibers like a malevolent spirit.

Then came the parade of expensive, brightly-colored bottles from the pet store, each promising “enzymatic action” and “miracle results”.³

I sprayed, I soaked, I blotted.

Each time, a temporary victory.

Each time, the ghost returned, a little stronger, a little more mocking.

My professional life is built on deep research and analysis, and the irony was not lost on me.

I could deconstruct complex market trends but was being defeated by a puddle of pee.

The day I rolled up that beautiful rug and carried it to the curb felt like a surrender.

I had lost the battle.

But I hadn’t lost the war.

That failure became an obsession.

I refused to believe this was an unsolvable problem.

I decided to stop treating the symptom—the smell—and start treating the cause.

I turned my research skills away from spreadsheets and toward chemistry, determined to understand my enemy at a molecular level.

This is the story of that journey.

It’s the story of why everything you’ve been told is probably wrong, and how a forgotten brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide from the back of my medicine cabinet finally gave me the permanent solution I—and now, you—have been searching for.

Part 1: The Anatomy of a Super-Stink: Why Cat Urine is a Chemical Fortress

To defeat an enemy, you must first understand it.

And make no mistake, cat urine is a formidable enemy.

It is not merely a stain; it is a complex and resilient biochemical weapon designed by evolution for one purpose: persistence.

My first breakthrough came when I stopped thinking of it as a liquid mess and started seeing it for what it truly is: a chemical fortress.

Deconstructing the Enemy

Fresh from the source, cat urine is composed of several key components: water, urea, urobilin (which gives it its color), creatinine, electrolytes, and a unique amino acid called felinine.⁵

But the smell we associate with it is not a single event; it’s a two-stage decomposition process that unfolds over time.

• Stage 1: The Ammonia Assault. As soon as the urine leaves the body, bacteria on the surface it hits begin to feast on the urea. This bacterial breakdown releases ammonia, a highly alkaline gas.⁶ This is the sharp, acrid, eye-watering smell of a recently used or poorly maintained litter box. Most basic cleaners can temporarily neutralize this ammonia, giving you a false sense of victory.
• Stage 2: The Skunk-Like Siege. After the initial ammonia phase, the decomposition continues. The next compounds to be released are mercaptans, which are sulfur-containing organic molecules.⁸ If that name sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because mercaptans are the very same class of compounds that give skunk spray its notoriously foul and lingering power. This is the deep, musky, truly offensive odor that seems to cling to everything and signals a stain that has set in.

This chemical cocktail is made even more potent by the unique physiology of cats.

As descendants of desert animals, their bodies are incredibly efficient at conserving water.

This results in highly concentrated urine with more waste products and less water than that of many other animals, including dogs and humans.⁹

Furthermore, the urine of unneutered male cats contains powerful steroids and hormones used for marking territory, which adds another layer of pungent odor.⁸

The True Villain: Uric Acid Crystals

While ammonia and mercaptans are the smelly soldiers on the front lines, the true villain—the architect of the entire fortress—is uric acid.

This was the key to my entire investigation.

Unlike the other components of urine, uric acid is not soluble in water.¹¹

It takes the form of microscopic, incredibly resilient crystals.

When a cat urinates on a porous surface like a carpet, these sharp, jagged crystals penetrate deep into the fibers, binding tightly to them.

They get into the carpet padding, the wood grain of the subfloor, the porous surface of concrete, and the grout between tiles.¹¹

Because they don’t dissolve in water, you can’t simply “wash” them away.

The “Zombie” Effect: How the Smell Comes Back from the Dead

This is the phenomenon that drove me—and likely you—to the brink of madness.

You clean a spot.

It looks clean.

It even smells clean.

Then, weeks or even months later, especially on a humid day, the smell returns as if by magic.

This isn’t magic; it’s chemistry.

The uric acid salt crystals are hygroscopic, meaning they attract and absorb water molecules from the surrounding air.¹¹

When the humidity rises, these dormant crystals pull in moisture, which causes them to “recrystallize” or reform.

This process re-releases the trapped odor molecules into the air.¹¹

The smell was never truly gone; it was just sleeping.

This is why a simple spill of water on an old, seemingly clean stain can suddenly resurrect the foul odor.

In fact, due to the incredible stability of these crystals, the chemical half-life of cat pee can be up to six years.¹⁵

It was this realization that changed everything for me.

I understood that the problem wasn’t just a substance I needed to clean, but a structure I needed to dismantle.

The ammonia and other water-soluble parts were just the guards at the gate, easily dispatched.

The uric acid crystals were the fortress walls, impervious to my conventional attacks and capable of regenerating the threat long after I thought the battle was won.

Part 2: The Arsenal of Ineffective Weapons: Why Your Cleaning Methods Are Doomed to Fail

My journey through the land of failed cleaning products was a costly and frustrating one, but it taught me a vital lesson: you cannot fight a chemical problem with a physical or chemically mismatched solution.

Every popular “hack” and standard cleaner I tried was doomed from the start because they were fundamentally unequipped to breach the fortress of uric acid.

The Vinegar & Baking Soda Myth

This is the number one piece of advice you’ll find on the internet, and it’s one of the most misleading.

The theory sounds plausible: vinegar is an acid, and it can help neutralize the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains.¹⁰

Baking soda is a well-known deodorizer that can absorb some surface smells.²¹

Here’s the hard truth: while this combination might make you feel like you’re doing something, it is chemically incapable of breaking down the non-water-soluble uric acid crystals.¹⁵

You are, at best, temporarily masking the odor.

At worst, you’re creating a new problem.

When you mix vinegar (an acid) and baking soda (a base), they neutralize each other, creating carbon dioxide gas (the fizzing), water, and a salt called sodium acetate.²

Many people, myself included, have found that after this concoction dries, it leaves behind its own white, salty stain that is difficult to remove.²

You’ve simply traded a urine stain for a science-fair-volcano stain.

The Futility of Soaps and Detergents

Standard household soaps and detergents are marvels of chemistry, designed to lift away grease and dirt.

They work by using surfactant molecules that have a water-loving (hydrophilic) head and an oil-loving (hydrophobic) tail.

This allows them to surround particles of grime and wash them away with water.

However, they are not designed to chemically alter or break down the incredibly stable bonds of uric acid crystals.³

Using soap and water on a urine stain is like trying to wash away a brick wall with a garden hose.

You might clean the dust off the surface, but the underlying structure remains completely intact, ready to stink another day.

A Critical Warning: The Dangers of Common Household Chemicals

In our desperation, it’s tempting to reach for the strongest cleaners under the sink.

This can be not only ineffective but also dangerous.

• Ammonia-Based Cleaners: This is perhaps the biggest mistake a cat owner can make. Since ammonia is a key component of urine odor, cats are naturally drawn to its smell.¹⁰ If you clean a soiled spot with an ammonia-based product like some window cleaners, you are essentially putting up a giant, flashing neon sign for your cat that says, “This is a great place to pee!” You are actively encouraging them to re-mark the spot.¹⁰
• Chlorine Bleach: Reaching for bleach seems like a logical step for tough stains and odors, but when it comes to cat urine, it is a hazardous choice. The ammonia present in cat urine can react with bleach to create toxic chloramine gas.²⁶ Inhaling this gas can cause severe respiratory irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, and nausea. Beyond the safety risk, bleach is
  still not effective at breaking down the uric acid crystals.¹² You risk your health for a solution that doesn’t even solve the core problem.

My path was littered with these failures.

Each one taught me that I was using the wrong tools for the job.

I wasn’t just failing to clean the stain; I was fundamentally misunderstanding the nature of the stain itself.

Part 3: The Epiphany: You Don’t Wash a Fortress, You Dismantle It

After the tragic loss of my rug and the litany of failed cleaning attempts, I hit a wall.

I realized I was stuck in a loop: clean, dry, smell, repeat.

The epiphany came not from a new product, but from a complete shift in mindset.

I stopped asking, “How do I clean this?” and started asking, “How do I destroy this?” The problem wasn’t dirt that needed to be washed; it was a chemical structure that needed to be dismantled.

This led me to explore the only two approaches that are chemically valid for defeating cat urine.

To understand them, I developed an analogy that finally made it all click: the battle between Surgeons and Sandblasters.

The Surgeons: Enzymatic Cleaners

The first legitimate weapon is the one touted by most high-end pet supply stores: enzymatic cleaners.

These are sophisticated biological products, not simple detergents.

They contain specific enzymes—which are essentially proteins that act as catalysts—to target and destroy organic waste.⁸

Think of these enzymes as a team of microscopic surgeons.

They are programmed to perform very specific tasks.

Protease enzymes break down protein-based stains.

Amylase enzymes break down starches.

And most importantly for our purposes, they contain enzymes that specifically target and break down the uric acid crystals.²³

They meticulously dismantle the fortress, brick by brick, converting the uric acid into harmless, evaporable gases like carbon dioxide and ammonia.¹¹

The Pros: They are incredibly effective at their specific job.

When it comes to breaking the chemical bonds of uric acid, nothing is more precise.

They are also generally considered color-safe and gentle on most fabrics.³

The Cons: Like real surgeons, they are slow and fussy.

They require significant “dwell time”—often hours or even a full day—to do their work.8 They also need a very specific operating environment.

The wrong temperature or pH level can render the enzymes inert and useless.29 Furthermore, they have a limited shelf life, as the enzymes lose their potency over time.8

The Sandblasters: Oxidizing Agents

The second weapon is a more brute-force approach: oxidation.

This is where hydrogen peroxide enters the story.

An oxidizing agent works through a powerful and aggressive chemical reaction.

Instead of carefully dismantling specific molecules, it attacks them by forcefully stripping away their electrons.³⁰

Think of this as a chemical sandblaster.

It doesn’t care about the specific architecture of the fortress; it blasts away at the surface, shattering the molecular structure of a wide range of organic compounds, including the uric acid and the smelly mercaptans.²⁹

The reaction is immediate and incredibly powerful.

The Pros: It is extremely fast and effective at destroying a broad spectrum of odor-causing molecules on contact.²⁹

It’s also incredibly cheap and readily available.

The Cons: A sandblaster is not a precision tool.

This aggressive chemical action carries a significant risk of “collateral damage.” The main risk is that hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent and can easily lighten or completely remove the color from fabrics, carpets, and other surfaces.33

This analogy was my breakthrough.

I finally understood the landscape.

There were two valid paths, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

For my priceless, hand-woven wool rug, the gentle “Surgeon” of a high-quality enzymatic cleaner would have been the right, albeit slow, choice.

But for the more common, durable surfaces in my home—the synthetic carpets, the tile grout, the mattress my other cat once had an accident on—the speed and raw power of the “Sandblaster” was an incredibly appealing option, provided I could learn to control it.

Part 4: The Ultimate DIY Demolition Crew: A Deep Dive into the Hydrogen Peroxide Formula

Armed with my new “Surgeons vs. Sandblasters” framework, I turned my focus to the sandblaster.

While enzymatic cleaners are excellent, they are often expensive and their effectiveness can be a bit of a black box.

The DIY hydrogen peroxide solution, on the other hand, was something I could understand, control, and build myself from cheap, common ingredients.

What I discovered was that the common online recipe wasn’t just a random mix of household items.

It was an elegant, synergistic chemical system—a complete demolition crew in a spray bottle.

Unveiling the Formula

The recipe that consistently appears in forums and DIY guides, and the one I have personally verified, consists of three simple components ³⁵:

• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
• Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
• A small amount of liquid Dish Soap

At first glance, it seems simple.

But when you look at the chemistry, you realize each ingredient plays a critical, distinct role in the attack.

Meet the Crew: The Science of Each Component

This isn’t just a mixture; it’s a team.

Each member has a specific job that makes the entire operation successful.

• Hydrogen Peroxide (The Sandblaster): This is the star of the show, the primary oxidizing agent. The chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide is H2​O2​. That oxygen-oxygen single bond is incredibly weak and unstable.³⁸ It desperately wants to break apart, and when it does, it releases highly reactive free radicals. These radicals are like chemical piranhas, aggressively attacking and stealing electrons from nearby organic molecules, shattering their structure and neutralizing the odor.²⁹ This powerful oxidation is what destroys the smelly compounds and breaks down the organic matrix of the stain.
• Baking Soda (The Activator): This was the most profound discovery in my research. Most people assume baking soda is just in the mix to deodorize. While it does absorb odors, its primary role here is far more important: it is a chemical activator. When baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3​) is dissolved in a water-based solution with hydrogen peroxide, it reacts to form a new, even more potent oxidizing agent called peroxymonocarbonate (HCO4−​).³⁹ This compound is significantly more aggressive than hydrogen peroxide alone. In essence, the baking soda isn’t just helping out; it’s turbocharging the sandblaster, turning its power up to maximum. This is the secret that elevates the DIY recipe from a simple folk remedy to a genuinely powerful chemical cleaner.
• Dish Soap (The Penetrating Agent): The final member of the crew is the dish soap. Its role is that of a surfactant. A surfactant is a substance that reduces the surface tension of a liquid, making it “wetter” and better able to penetrate porous materials.⁴¹ Cat urine soaks deep into carpet fibers, padding, and upholstery foam. Without a surfactant, your cleaning solution might only treat the surface. The dish soap acts as a delivery vehicle, breaking through the surface tension and carrying the activated hydrogen peroxide deep into the material to reach every last crystal of the uric acid fortress.⁴²

Understanding this synergy was a game-changer.

I wasn’t just mixing ingredients; I was assembling a multi-stage chemical weapon.

The dish soap is the transport that gets the troops to the battle.

The baking soda is the activator that arms the warhead.

And the hydrogen peroxide is the explosive force that obliterates the target.

The Two Titans of Urine Destruction: A Head-to-Head Comparison

To help you decide whether the “Surgeon” or the “Sandblaster” is right for your specific battle, here is a direct comparison based on my research.

Feature	DIY Hydrogen Peroxide Solution	Commercial Enzymatic Cleaners
Primary Mechanism	Chemical Oxidation: Aggressively breaks down a broad spectrum of organic molecules via electron transfer.29	Biological Digestion: Uses specific enzymes to target and break down organic molecules like uric acid into inert byproducts.11
Speed of Action	Immediate. Oxidation begins on contact.29	Slow. Requires significant dwell time (hours to days) for enzymes to work.8
Effectiveness on Uric Acid	Good to Excellent. While some sources claim it cannot break the specific uric acid bond, its powerful oxidizing action effectively dismantles the surrounding organic matrix, neutralizing the stain and odor complex. Success stories are numerous.44 However, other studies suggest H₂O₂ alone does not oxidize uric acid at detectable rates, though the activated formula may behave differently.47	Excellent. This is their primary design function. Enzymes are scientifically the most effective method for chemically breaking the bonds of uric acid crystals.11
Effectiveness on Other Odors	Excellent. Immediately destroys volatile compounds like ammonia and the sulfur-based mercaptans.29	Good. Also breaks down the precursor molecules, but the process is slower.8
Cost	Very Low. Ingredients are common, inexpensive household items found in any pharmacy or grocery store.36	Moderate to High. Professional-strength, high-quality formulas can be a significant investment.3
Shelf Life / Stability	Low. Must be mixed fresh for each use. Hydrogen peroxide degrades when exposed to light and air, and the reaction with baking soda begins immediately. The solution cannot be stored.34	Moderate. Enzymes have a limited shelf life and can be denatured (rendered useless) by time, heat, or improper storage.8
Risk of Discoloration	High. Hydrogen peroxide is a well-known bleaching agent. It can lighten or completely remove color from fabrics and other surfaces. Spot testing is absolutely mandatory.33	Low. Generally considered color-safe on most materials, but spot testing is still a wise precaution.3
Best For…	Durable, light-colored, or colorfast surfaces like synthetic carpets, tile and grout, concrete, and mattresses (with extreme caution). Ideal for situations where speed and raw power are the priority.44	Delicate, dark-colored, or valuable items like wool rugs, fine upholstery, and non-colorfast fabrics. The best choice when safety and precision are more important than speed.1

Part 5: The Master Blueprint: A Step-by-Step Protocol for Permanent Odor Annihilation

Knowledge is power, but only when it’s applied correctly.

Wielding the hydrogen peroxide “sandblaster” requires a precise and disciplined protocol.

Follow these steps exactly to ensure you destroy the odor permanently without destroying your belongings.

Preparation is Everything

Before you mix a single drop, you must prepare the battlefield.

• Locate Every Stain: Your cat likely didn’t just urinate in one spot. To win the war, you must find every single stain, including old, dried ones. The single most valuable tool for this is a UV blacklight. In a dark room, urine stains will glow a sickly yellow-green, revealing the true extent of the problem.¹¹ Use chalk or painter’s tape to mark the perimeter of every spot you find.
• Gather Your Arsenal: Assemble your demolition crew before you begin. You will need:

• A clean, empty spray bottle (preferably dark or opaque)
• A standard brown bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• Liquid dish soap (like Dawn)
• A roll of paper towels or clean, white rags
• A stiff-bristled scrub brush
• Waterproof gloves
• A vacuum cleaner

The Non-Negotiable Steps (for Carpet & Upholstery)

1. Blot, Don’t Rub: If the stain is fresh or still damp, your first job is to remove as much liquid urine as possible. Place a thick layer of paper towels over the spot and press down firmly. Stand on it if you have to. Repeat with fresh towels until no more moisture is being absorbed.²⁵ Rubbing will only grind the urine deeper into the fibers.
2. Mix the Solution—For Immediate Use: In your spray bottle, combine the ingredients. A standard recipe is 16 ounces (2 cups) of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda, and 1-2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap.³⁶ Gently swirl the bottle until the baking soda is mostly dissolved. Do not shake it vigorously, as this can create excessive foam and pressure.
   This solution is unstable and must be used immediately.
3. THE CRITICAL SPOT TEST: This is the most important step. Do not skip it. Find an inconspicuous area of the item you’re cleaning—the inside of a couch skirt, a piece of carpet inside a closet, the underside of a cushion. Spray a small amount of the solution on this hidden spot. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then blot it and let it dry. Check carefully for any color fading or discoloration.³³ If you see any change, do not proceed. Your item is not colorfast, and you should use an enzymatic cleaner instead.
4. Saturate the Area: This is where most people fail. You cannot just lightly mist the surface. You must apply enough solution to completely saturate the stain, following the same path the urine took. This means soaking through the carpet to the padding, or deep into the foam of a couch cushion.¹⁵ The cleaner must touch every part of the stain to destroy it.
5. Dwell Time: Let the solution sit and work. You should see or hear a light fizzing or bubbling as the hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the organic material.⁵⁸ For a fresh stain, 10-15 minutes may be enough. For an old, set-in stain, let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or even up to an hour.¹⁵
6. Blot Dry: Once the dwell time is complete, use clean, dry towels to blot the area again. Your goal is to absorb as much of the cleaning solution and the broken-down waste products as possible. Press firmly and repeat with fresh towels.
7. Air Dry Completely: This step is crucial for the final chemical reactions to complete. The area must be allowed to air dry completely, which could take 24 to 48 hours. Pointing a fan at the spot will significantly speed up the process.¹⁵ Keep pets and people away from the damp area.
8. Vacuum: Once the area is bone dry, vacuum it thoroughly. This will help lift and restore the texture of the carpet or fabric fibers and remove any fine, powdery residue left by the baking soda.

The Critical Safety Briefing

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful chemical.

Treating it with respect is non-negotiable.

• Use Only 3% H₂O₂: Only use the standard 3% solution sold in brown bottles at pharmacies and grocery stores. Do not use higher concentrations like food-grade (35%) or salon-grade developer. These are significantly more hazardous and dramatically increase the risk of severe skin burns and aggressive bleaching.³³
• Ventilation: Always work in a well-ventilated area. Open windows and use fans to ensure good air circulation and avoid inhaling any aerosolized mist.³³
• Protective Gear: Wear waterproof gloves to protect your skin. Hydrogen peroxide can cause temporary whitening and irritation on contact.⁶¹ Safety glasses are also recommended to protect from splashes.
• Do Not Store the Mixture: This is a critical safety warning. The reaction between hydrogen peroxide and baking soda generates oxygen gas. If you seal and store this mixture in a bottle, the pressure can build up and cause the container to bulge, leak, or even burst.³⁶
  Mix only what you need for one application and safely discard any leftover solution.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Your Home and Your Sanity

My war with the ghost-smell is over.

The day I successfully used this protocol on a new spot—and the smell never returned, not even on the most humid summer day—was a moment of profound victory.

It wasn’t about finding a magic product.

It was about the power that comes from truly understanding a problem.

I had gone from a frustrated victim of a mysterious stench to an empowered expert who understood the chemistry of my enemy.

The cycle of failure with folk remedies and mismatched cleaners is demoralizing.

It makes you feel helpless in your own home.

But you are not helpless.

The lingering smell of cat urine is not a curse; it is a chemical fortress.

And now, you have the blueprint.

You know why the old ways failed, and you understand the science behind a method that works.

You are no longer just cleaning a stain.

You are conducting a targeted chemical demolition.

You are armed with the knowledge to choose your weapon—the precise Surgeon or the powerful Sandblaster—and the protocol to deploy it with confidence and safety.

Today, my home is fresh, and Leo and I coexist in happy, odor-free harmony.

The war is won.

Now you have the tools to win yours, too.

Works cited

1. Cleaning Cat Pee: Everything You Need to Know | Angry Orange, accessed August 13, 2025, https://angryorange.com/blogs/news/5-things-you-need-to-know-cleaning-cat-urine
2. Cats peed on the sofa, I did extensive cleaning with baking powder+ …, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/CleaningTips/comments/1dhudif/cats_peed_on_the_sofa_i_did_extensive_cleaning/
3. Cleaning Cat Pee: A Guide – Class Act Cats, accessed August 13, 2025, https://classactcats.com/blog/cleaning-cat-pee/
4. How to Get Rid of Cat Pee Smell (Yes, It Can Be Done!) | Chewy, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.chewy.com/education/cat/pet-parenting/how-to-get-rid-of-cat-pee-smell
5. www.zoetispetcare.com, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.zoetispetcare.com/blog/article/get-rid-cat-pee-smell#:~:text=Why%20is%20it%20so%20potent,acid%20also%20has%20an%20odor.
6. Unveiling the Secrets of Cat Urine: A Guide to Understanding Your Feline’s Health, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.outdoorbengal.com/blogs/cat-health/decoding-cat-urine-what-your-felines-pee-says-about-their-health
7. 7 Reasons Why Your Cat’s Pee Smells So Bad – Kinship, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.kinship.com/cat-health/why-cat-pee-smells-bad
8. Why does cat urine smell so bad and what can I do about it? | Office …, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/you-asked/why-does-cat-urine-smell-so-bad-and-what-can-i-do-about-it
9. Why Does My Cat’s Pee Smell So Bad? | ARM & HAMMER™, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.armandhammer.com/en/articles/cat-urine-smells-like-ammonia-strong-pee-smell
10. How To Get Rid of Cat Pee Smell – PetMD, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/how-to-get-rid-of-cat-pee-smell
11. What’s that Smell? The Science Behind Your Pet’s Urine, and the …, accessed August 13, 2025, https://brodysdrykc.com/residential/whats-that-smell-the-science-behind-your-pets-urine-and-the-best-way-to-clean-it-up/
12. ELI5: What kind of chemical reaction is caused by the various types of cleaners that people often use to try to clean up cat pee? – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/18e3lk3/eli5_what_kind_of_chemical_reaction_is_caused_by/
13. Why does cat urine smell so bad and do cat owners get “immune” to the smell? – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/cats/comments/11elx1w/why_does_cat_urine_smell_so_bad_and_do_cat_owners/
14. How to get rid of cat pee smell guide – CATSAN Cat Litter, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.catsan.co.uk/cat-litter-tips-and-advice/how-to-get-rid-of-cat-pee-smell
15. Effective Enzyme Cleaners for Cat Urine Odor Removal. – Xion Lab, accessed August 13, 2025, https://xionlab.com/enzyme-cleaners-for-cat-urine/
16. How to Remove Cat Urine: Why an enzyme cleaner? – – CatCentric, accessed August 13, 2025, http://catcentric.org/care-and-health/removing-cat-urine/
17. How to Get Rid of Cat Pee Smell From Your House – Litter-Robot, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.litter-robot.com/blog/why-does-my-whole-house-smell-like-cat-urine/
18. NZ | Household | Pets | Cat Urine – Simple Green, accessed August 13, 2025, https://simplegreen.com/nz/household/cleaning-tips/pets/cat-urine/
19. thevets.com, accessed August 13, 2025, https://thevets.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-cat-pee-smell/#:~:text=Baking%20Soda%20and%20White%20Vinegar&text=Though%20vinegar%20itself%20has%20a,to%20help%20neutralize%20urine%20odor.
20. HOW TO REMOVE CAT URINE SMELL FOR GOOD – ServiceMaster Clean, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.servicemasterclean.com/servicemaster-of-kalamazoo/tips-and-resources/local-blog/2022/june/how-to-remove-cat-urine-smell-for-good/
21. 4 All-Natural Cat Urine, Odor, and Stain Removers | Ecolife, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.ecolife.com/learn/natural-cat-urine-stain-odor-remover
22. catcentric.org, accessed August 13, 2025, http://catcentric.org/care-and-health/removing-cat-urine/#:~:text=Soap%2C%20vinegar%2C%20baking%20soda%2C,uric%20acid%20in%20cat%20pee.
23. Dog vs cat urine stains: Do you need a separate enzyme cleaner? – PetLab, accessed August 13, 2025, https://pet-lab.com.au/blogs/cleaning-tips/dog-vs-cat-urine-stains-do-you-need-a-separate-enzyme-cleaner
24. How to Remove Cat Urine Stains and Odors – Bedwetting Store, accessed August 13, 2025, https://bedwettingstore.com/pages/buyers-guide-stain-removers-cats
25. How to Clean-Up Cat Urine – Indoor Pet Initiative – The Ohio State University, accessed August 13, 2025, https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/problem-solving/how-clean-cat-urine
26. Let’s talk about… Cat Piss – Quarter To Three Forums, accessed August 13, 2025, https://forum.quartertothree.com/t/lets-talk-about-cat-piss/65783
27. Finding the Best Pet Stain and Odor Remover for Dogs and Cats, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.onlynaturalpet.com/blogs/holistic-healthcare-library/finding-the-best-pet-stain-and-odor-remover-for-dogs-and-cats
28. Any success stories re: carpet shampooing cat urine smell? – The Well Trained Mind Forum, accessed August 13, 2025, https://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/91268-any-success-stories-re-carpet-shampooing-cat-urine-smell/
29. Hydrogen Peroxide vs. Enzymes: What Really Works? – PurOxy, accessed August 13, 2025, https://puroxyusa.com/blogs/news/hydrogen-peroxide-vs-enzymes-what-really-works
30. O Level Chemistry – Analogy for Oxidising & Reducing Agents – O …, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.simplechemconcepts.com/o-level-chemistry-analogy-for-oxidising-reducing-agents/
31. Oxidation-Reduction Reactions – Chemistry LibreTexts, accessed August 13, 2025, https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Analytical_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Analytical_Chemistry)/Electrochemistry/Redox_Chemistry/Oxidation-Reduction_Reactions
32. What is Hydrogen Peroxide’s Role in Cleaning? – Rochester Midland Corporation, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.rochestermidland.com/foodsafetyblog/what-is-hydrogen-peroxides-role-in-cleaning
33. Hydrogen Peroxide: How to Use It Properly, accessed August 13, 2025, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-hydrogen-peroxide-good-for
34. 5 Ways to Use Hydrogen Peroxide in Laundry – The Spruce, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.thespruce.com/reasons-to-use-hydrogen-peroxide-2145991
35. www.akcpetinsurance.com, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/blog/best-diy-pet-stain-removers#:~:text=Fully%20mix%20one%2Dpart%20hydrogen,previously%20soaked%20into%20the%20fibers.
36. LPT: Eliminate cat urine odor from hard-to-clean surfaces with this …, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/z3q3l/lpt_eliminate_cat_urine_odor_from_hardtoclean/
37. Best DIY Pet Stain Removers for Carpets & Rugs – AKC Pet Insurance, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/blog/best-diy-pet-stain-removers
38. The Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide | The Chemistry Blog, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.chemicals.co.uk/blog/decomposition-of-hydrogen-peroxide
39. BICARBONATE AS A HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ACTIVATOR IN THE BLEACHING OF WOOD PULPS – College of Environmental Science and Forestry – Experts at ESF, accessed August 13, 2025, https://experts.esf.edu/esploro/outputs/doctoral/BICARBONATE-AS-A-HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE-ACTIVATOR/99872815604826
40. Bicarbonate-Hydrogen Peroxide System for Treating Dyeing Wastewater: Degradation of Organic Pollutants and Color Removal – MDPI, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/4/366
41. H2O2 Based Oxidation Processes for the Treatment of Real High Strength Aqueous Wastes, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/2/244
42. How to Clean Your Home with Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide – Cleanzen, accessed August 13, 2025, https://cleanzen.com/blog/clean-with-baking-soda-and-hydrogen-peroxide/
43. 10 Ways to Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Your Home – The Spruce, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.thespruce.com/baking-soda-and-hydrogen-peroxide-cleaning-7507790
44. Pet Urine Remediation in newly purchased home – Columbus – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Columbus/comments/1azd3f9/pet_urine_remediation_in_newly_purchased_home/
45. Hydrogen peroxide and cat urine , before and after : r/HardWoodFloors – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/HardWoodFloors/comments/1980xlb/hydrogen_peroxide_and_cat_urine_before_and_after/
46. How to get cat urine out of backpack : r/CampingGear – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingGear/comments/14a8ayv/how_to_get_cat_urine_out_of_backpack/
47. Action of biologically-relevant oxidizing species upon uric acid …, accessed August 13, 2025, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2155712/
48. Oxidizers Win the Urine Odor Battle, Not the War – Cleanfax, accessed August 13, 2025, https://cleanfax.com/oxidizers-win-the-urine-odor-battle-not-the-war/
49. How to remove cat urine from upholstery, carpet or hardwood floor – Cozy Cat Furniture, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.cozycatfurniture.com/blog/how-to-remove-cat-urine
50. Cat Urine! Suggestions? | Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum, accessed August 13, 2025, https://autogeekonline.net/threads/cat-urine-suggestions.38419/
51. Pet Urine Remover Recipe – Food.com, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.food.com/recipe/pet-urine-remover-276127
52. Peroxide hack for cat pee/spraying : r/lifehacks – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/lifehacks/comments/xkom7h/peroxide_hack_for_cat_peespraying/
53. Cat Pee Smell : r/Pets – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/1ajsydq/cat_pee_smell/
54. Help! Cat Urine smell, how can I get rid of this ASAP : r/AirBnB – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnB/comments/13zbepe/help_cat_urine_smell_how_can_i_get_rid_of_this/
55. How to Clean Cat Urine (with Pictures) – wikiHow, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Cat-Urine
56. How to Remove Urine Odors and Stains Permanently: DIY Guide – wikiHow, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Urine-Odors-and-Stains-Permanently
57. How We Got Rid Of Cat Pee Smells : r/CleaningTips – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/CleaningTips/comments/1gbe7h0/how_we_got_rid_of_cat_pee_smells/
58. DIY Cat Stain & Odor Remover That Actually Works – Hill’s Pet Nutrition, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/routine-care/diy-cat-stain-odor-remover
59. Urine and hydrogen peroxide? : r/chemistry – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/chemistry/comments/4n2l65/urine_and_hydrogen_peroxide/
60. I’m using hydrogen peroxide to remove cat urine on a concrete floor. Should I keep applying until the H2O2 stops fizzing? – Reddit, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/AskChemistry/comments/14i4wao/im_using_hydrogen_peroxide_to_remove_cat_urine_on/
61. Hydrogen Peroxide – Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, accessed August 13, 2025, https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1015.pdf
62. Lab Safety Guideline: Hydrogen Peroxide – ehs.harvard.edu, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/lab_safety_guideline_hydrogen_peroxide.pdf
63. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Safety and Handling Guidelines – USP Technologies, accessed August 13, 2025, https://usptechnologies.com/hydrogen-peroxide-h2o2-safety-and-handling-guidelines/
64. 10 Ways to Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Your Home – EarthShare NJ, accessed August 13, 2025, https://www.earthsharenj.org/10-ways-to-use-baking-soda-and-hydrogen-peroxide-to-clean-your-home/