How to Get Cat Pee Smell out of Car Seat: Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways

• Cat urine contains high levels of ammonia and uric acid, which can crystallize in fabric, making it particularly difficult to remove from car seats.
• Enzymatic cleaners are the most effective solution as they break down the uric acid compounds that cause persistent odours.
• Acting quickly is crucial—fresh urine is much easier to clean than dried stains that have penetrated deep into seat materials.
• Natural solutions like vinegar and baking soda can be effective alternatives to commercial products.
• At Ordiniq, we stock high-grade Handheld Portable Car Vacuums, which combine powerful suction with targeted cleaning attachments to extract liquid contaminants from car upholstery before they set.

Cat Urine Disaster? Here’s How to Fix it

Cat urine odours in car seats can stubbornly linger because the urine's acidic proteins can soak deeply into fabric or foam, but effective removal is possible with the proper steps. 

Unlike water-based accidents, cat urine contains high concentrations of urea, urobilin, uric acid, and various pheromones. When these compounds penetrate your car's upholstery, they create a perfect storm of stubborn odours that conventional cleaning methods often fail to address.

In this guide, we’ll discuss a simple, proven process using household items or enzyme cleaners to neutralise smells completely.

Step-by-Step Guide to Get Cat Pee Smell out of Car Seats

1. Blotting 

Start by blotting the affected area with fresh towels. 

The first critical step is properly blotting the urine to remove as much liquid as possible before applying any cleaning solutions. Press down firmly with clean, dry towels directly onto the wet spot, applying pressure without rubbing. Continue pressing and blotting with fresh, dry towels until no more moisture transfers to the towels.

2. Ventilation 

Proper ventilation throughout the cleaning process prevents moisture from becoming trapped in your car's interior, which can lead to mould and mildew problems that compound your odour issues. 

Open all doors and windows during cleaning and drying to create cross-ventilation that whisks away moisture and odours. If the weather permits, leave windows partially open for several days after cleaning to ensure complete drying and odour dissipation.

For faster drying and better results, position a fan to blow air directly across the cleaned area after treatment.

3. Deep Cleaning the Car Seat

This step varies, depending on the type of car seat you’re dealing with. 

Fabric Car Seat

For fabric seats, mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the solution onto the affected area, taking care not to oversaturate the fabric. 

Let the solution sit for 5–10 minutes to neutralise the ammonia in the urine. Next, blot the area again with clean, dry towels to remove the vinegar solution along with dissolved urine residue.

After the vinegar treatment, spray an enzymatic cleaner generously over the area, ensuring it penetrates as deeply as the urine did. Allow the enzymatic cleaner to work for at least 15 minutes. Once the dwell time is complete, blot up excess moisture and allow the area to air dry completely.

Leather Car Seat

For leather seats, create a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water with a few drops of mild leather cleaner. Dampen a microfibre cloth with this solution—never spray directly onto leather—and gently wipe the affected area using circular motions. 

Immediately follow with a dry microfibre cloth to remove excess moisture, as leather should never stay wet for extended periods.

After cleaning, apply a leather-safe enzymatic cleaner using the same dampened cloth method. Once the cleaning process is complete, apply a leather conditioner to prevent the material from drying out or cracking. 

Vinyl & Synthetic Car Seat

For vinyl car seats, make a cleaning solution with 1 tablespoon of dish soap in 2 cups of cool water; avoid hot water, as it can set stains and odours. Apply the solution to the affected area using a clean cloth, working it into the material with gentle circular motions. Rinse by wiping with a damp cloth, then dry thoroughly with a clean towel.

For synthetic materials like microfibre or polyester blends, a solution of equal parts water and isopropyl alcohol can be effective at removing both stains and odours. Apply the solution sparingly to avoid excessive wetness, then blot dry. Follow with an enzymatic cleaner appropriate for synthetic materials.

4. Neutralising the Odour with Baking Soda

Baking soda is effective in neutralising the pungent odour of cat pee. 

You can use vinegar and baking soda as a practical DIY approach for neutralising cat urine odours if the odour still lingers after deep cleaning. 

Begin with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the affected area, taking care not to saturate the seat. 

The vinegar neutralises the alkaline compounds in cat urine while breaking down some odour-causing bacteria. Allow this solution to sit for about 10 minutes to fully react with the urine compounds.

After the vinegar treatment, thoroughly blot the area with clean, dry towels to remove as much moisture as possible. Next, generously sprinkle baking soda over the entire affected area. Baking soda is naturally absorbent and helps to draw out remaining moisture while neutralising acidic odours. 

Allow the baking soda to remain on the surface for at least several hours – overnight is even better if possible. The longer it sits, the more odour compounds it can absorb from deep within the upholstery.

Once the baking soda has completely dried, vacuum it thoroughly using a powerful vacuum with strong suction. You may need to repeat this entire process 2–3 times for severe or older urine stains, as each application will remove more of the odour-causing compounds.

Keeping Your Car Fresh with Ordiniq's Handheld Vacuum

Ordiniq’s handheld car vacuum comes with multiple attachments, making it easier to clean tight spaces in your car. 

At Ordiniq, we stock Handheld Portable Car Vacuums that excel at removing cat pee odours from car seats. Our high-grade wired car vacuums deliver powerful suction that lifts urine-soaked debris and residue from fabric or leather without grinding them deeper into the material. 

Their high-performance motors efficiently extract hardened particles after initial cleaning, helping to reduce the pungent odour of cat pee and restore freshness fast.

In addition to being an effective tool for pet accidents, the vacuum's compact, lightweight design fits perfectly in your boot or under a seat for everyday car maintenance. It's great for sucking up crumbs, dust, pet hair, and dirt on demand to prevent stains from setting in. Regular use keeps your interior looking pristine and maintains your vehicle's resale value over time.

Priced at just £49.99 with free shipping, a 1-year warranty, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it's a smart, risk-free addition to your car care kit. Plus, you can pair it with our best-selling AutoPump for tyre inflation or Tyre Repair Kit for complete roadside readiness.

Get Ordiniq's Handheld Car Vacuum Cleaner Today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does cat urine smell last in a car if untreated?

Without proper treatment, cat urine odour can persist in a vehicle for months or even years. The uric acid in cat urine forms crystals when it dries, which can remain dormant until activated by humidity or heat.

Can I use bleach to clean cat pee from my car seat?

Never use bleach to clean cat urine from car seats or any vehicle upholstery. While bleach is a powerful disinfectant, it reacts chemically with the ammonia in urine to create chloramine gases, which are harmful to breathe and can cause respiratory irritation or more serious health issues in enclosed spaces like a car interior. 

Additionally, bleach is highly likely to damage and discolour most car upholstery materials, including fabric, leather, and vinyl.

Will the smell of cat pee come back in hot weather, even after cleaning it off my car seat?

If you use only conventional cleaning products rather than enzymatic cleaners, the smell is likely to return in hot weather, as heat activates any remaining uric acid crystals. 

Insufficient drying and incomplete cleaning where the urine penetrated deeper than your cleaning solution reached will also result in recurring odours during temperature increases.

How can I tell if the cat urine soaked through to the foam padding of my car seat?

Remove any seat covers or detachable fabric, and check the underside for yellowish stains or dampness. Press firmly on the suspected area with a clean white cloth or paper towel; if moisture comes up with a yellowish tint or urine odour, the liquid has reached the padding. 

For cloth seats that can't be easily removed, try pressing down firmly on the affected area with a clean, dry cloth while wearing gloves. If the cloth comes away with yellow discolouration or a urine smell, the contamination has likely reached deeper layers.

Can I use Ordiniq's handheld vacuum to clean cat pee from my car seat?

Yes, our Handheld Portable Car Vacuum is an excellent tool for fresh cat urine accidents in your vehicle. Our advanced wired car vacuums use powerful suction to extract urine-soaked debris from fabric and leather, helping preserve the integrity of the material. 

The handheld portable car vacuum cleaner is available for £49.99, with fast shipping and a one-year extended warranty. 

*Note: Pricing and/or product availability mentioned in this post are subject to change. Please check our website for current pricing and stock information before making a purchase.