Leather is a beautiful and expensive textile that lasts for years. Unfortunately, it is also naturally porous and tends to absorb odors and stains easily. There are many plausible reasons why your cat might be going to the bathroom outside of their litter box, and it’s painful to discover that they did so on your fine leather boots! The quicker you are able to tend to the urine stain, the more likely you are to save your boots and other leather goods from permanently smelling like cat pee.
Before You Start
Before you start reading about the different ways to get cat urine out of leather boots, take a little time to gather all of the supplies you’re going to need. This could be different based on the recipe that you choose, so go over the list thoroughly. When you have everything right in front of you, it is easier to move quickly and tend to the pee stain as soon as possible. Like we said before, time is of the essence when dealing with leather.
The 4 Ways to Get Cat Urine Out of Leather Boots
1. Create an All-Natural Cleaner
Before starting your project it is important to gather all the materials needed for the job. This will help you avoid rushing around to grab things you need at inopportune times. Here’s a list of what items you’ll need at your side to clean cat urine out of leather boots using the all-natural cleaning method.
All-Natural Cleaning Solution for Leather Boots
Equipment
- A small plastic container
- Spray bottle
- Towels and rags
Materials
- 1/4 cup Baking soda
- 1 tbsp Liquid soap
- 4 cups hydrogen peroxide 3%
- Leather conditioner
Instructions
- Blot up the urine. Before making your cleaning solution, use a few of the towels and blot the cat urine off the boots. This will help make your cleaning job easier.
- Mix the ingredients together. Add 4 cups of hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon of liquid soap, and ¼ cup baking soda in the small plastic container. Once combined, mix carefully. Keep in mind, the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda will react. This may cause an overflow when the air hits it.
- Once your mixture is complete, add it to your spray bottle carefully. When added the mixture needs to sit for several minutes before using. Use your spray bottle and spray the area of the leather boots with cat urine thoroughly then allow to dry.
- When the affected area is completely dry, it’s time to recondition the leather. This will help add moisture to the surface of the leather and prevent drying and cracking. Simply work the leather conditioner in using one of the cloths then allow it to dry.
2. Baking Soda
Also known as sodium bicarbonate, this is a safe and natural solution for cleaning cat pee off your leather boots. Baking soda is powerful against cat pee and other strong odors, so it’s one of your best chances for leather stains too.
Place some old newspaper or paper towels down on a work surface and set your boots on top of them. Liberally sprinkle the baking soda directly over your shoes, on the inside, and even the bottom soles. Allow the powder to sit on the shoes for a couple of hours or as long as overnight. Vacuum up all of the loose powder and smell them to ensure that all the odor was absorbed. If they still stink a little, repeat the process or try another cleaning solution.
3. Vinegar
Vinegar is another natural product that helps to neutralize bad odors and is something that any pet owner should keep in their house at all times. To clean stained leather boots or shoes, mix one part of white vinegar with two parts of warm soapy water. You can also add a few small drops of your favorite essential oil to the mix.
Once stirred together, rub the solution all over the shoes to help the pores absorb it. Wipe the shoes down with a clean, damp cloth and allow them to dry in a well-ventilated area. You might also choose to leave them outside for a few hours to help them air out.
4. Cat Urine Enzyme Cleaners
If you’d prefer to try something more powerful, there are plenty of enzyme cleaners for cat urine on the market. Since water alone isn’t enough to get rid of the nasty smell, enzymatic cleaners are one of the next best options. These cleaners are designed specifically for cat urine, and some are targeted for leather goods.
The Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray is our favorite enzyme cleaner out there. It permanently removes even the very worst kitty stains and smells, leaving your home fresh and clean! Click here to learn more about this amazing product and get yourself a bottle.
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Spray your leather boots with the enzymatic cleaner and follow all label instructions. Most times, the cleaner has to sit for 15 to 20 minutes for the best results. You do have to be careful, however, that the cleaner doesn’t change the color of the leather permanently.
- Enzymatic pet odor cleaner and odor neutralizer of choice
- Paper towels and cleaning cloths
- Olive oil
- Saddle soap
- Spray bottle (If enzyme cleaner is not already in a bottle)
1. Use the paper towels to blot away any urine on the boots. This will help you avoid issues with excess running down while you work or even settling in on the soles of the boots.
2. Spray your enzyme cleaner on the stain. It is important to cover the entire area. You will need to go slightly over the edges to help ensure the cleaner does its job and begins the breakdown of the urine. Once covered, allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
3. Using a damp cloth, wipe the entire area thoroughly. When doing this, it is best to use a circular motion to work the enzyme cleaner thoroughly and penetrate the stain.
4. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the stain, allow for overnight drying. The area should be dry to the touch before continuing to the next step in the process.
5. Once dry, you need the saddle soap and a damp cloth. Carefully work the saddle soap over the affected area, again going beyond the affected area to thoroughly condition the stain. This will leave the letter looking better and help get rid of any stains the cleaning process may have caused.
6. With the saddle soap applied, allow boots to dry thoroughly once again.
7. Apply 2–3 drops of olive oil to a clean cloth. Gently apply the oil to the leather to help add moisture and protect against any discoloration the cleaning process and urine may have caused.
Why Did My Cat Pee On My Leather Boots?
Cats don’t usually go to the bathroom outside the litter box unless they have a good reason. What may seem minor to you is usually a big deal to your cat. One of the most common reasons that they urinate outside their litter box is because it’s dirty. Cats are clean animals and don’t want to stand in their own filth. Another reason may be that you don’t have enough litter boxes for the number of cats in the house. Most veterinarians recommend one litter box per cat plus one extra in multi-cat households. If neither of these is an issue, then your cat may have a medical or behavioral issue that requires a veterinarian to examine.
Afterthoughts on Potty Issues
While cleaning the cat urine out of your leather boots is important, it is also crucial to understand why your cat is peeing outside of their litter box. While it could be an attitude issue, there could be more to it.
Dirty Litter Box
One of the most common reasons a cat will pee or poop outside of its litter box is untidy conditions. Cats are clean animals. If you aren’t on top of scooping duties, they will find another place to go if they feel the box is too full. Unfortunately, these places can be on expensive leather boots.
Litter Type
Another issue cat owners face is a cat who doesn’t like the type of litter being used. This can happen quite often when you change litters frequently. Certain litters may bother their paws or even smell bad to them. If you find the litter your cat prefers, try to stick with it, especially if they are older.
Size & Location
Your cat needs a litter box that is easy to reach and big enough for them to use. If you’re a cat owner, you know most cats don’t immediately hop in and go. They turn once or twice and scratch the area. Make sure their litter box is adequate in size and in an area they can reach without going through lots of obstacles.
Stress
Cats are not fans of changes in their world. Whether you’ve brought home a new pet, expanded your family, or moved your cat may show the stress they are under by urinating throughout the house or on your personal items. If big changes have happened, keep this in mind. Your cat may just need time to adjust to the new situation.
Medical Problems
When a cat isn’t feeling well, it will act out. This is the best way they have of showing their owners there’s something wrong. In most situations, when they choose to pee outside the litter box, the problems may be with their kidneys. If you notice the behavior and have addressed all other possible issues, reach out to your cat’s veterinarian. They will help you determine what may be the underlying cause of the problem.
Final Thoughts
While we love our feline friends, there isn’t much that smells worse than cat urine. The last thing we want is for all of our expensive leather boots and shoes to stink of cat pee. Thankfully, there are a few simple, easy, and affordable options for cleaning cat pee stains and smells off of leather boots. Still, you can’t forget to address the real issue and need to spend time figuring out why they peed on your shoes in the first place.
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
