Carpet with odor problem

[M&Mmama]

Help!

The carpet in our basement playroom (70's rec room style) smells like cat urine from when our now deceased beloved kitty was old and having trouble. It is smelly, especially when house is humid. Any ideas short of getting new carpet? I don't even know where the stains are, don't notice them by sight, just overall smell. And this cat died over 2 years ago!

Ideas anyone?

[Spastica]

You can steam clean your carpet with a rented steamer ($20 from Kroger), or you can spray the area with white vinegar to kill mold, bacteria, and urine odors. After a few days, when that dries, you can sprinkle baking soda over the carpet, smush it in with your feet (your kids can help), let that sit a day, next day vacuum.

There are also enzyme based cleaners you can purchase at a local Petsmart or pet supply store that dissolves urine and ammonia odors.

[MomToKandE]

Cat urine will glow under a black light. You can get a light at a pet store and use it to find where the smell is coming from. That might help you target specific areas.

Good luck!!!

[Spastica]

You know, I would think that with certain things, ignorance is bliss - I would TOTALLY freak out if I saw glowing green stains ALL OVER MY ENTIRE HOUSE.

I would just die of squeamishness.

[saratc]

The black lights are great. I know what it's like when you don't really want to have to soak the entire floor in enzyme cleaner or vinegar.

BTW, we bought our black light from one of those gift stores at the mall that also sell lava lamps and other fun gimmicks. It was much nicer and cheaper than the one at the pet store.

[M&Mmama]

Thanks so much!!

I would never have guessed about the black light -- it's like a crime scene I suppose!

Would the urine from my toddler show too?!! (when running around naked and pees)

[magpie mamma]

black light question

I to pinpoint the areas, I got a black light bulb and it doesn't seem to show anything and I know that is not the case, what kind of black light am I looking for? What does it look like? What gift store? Thanks for the clarification.

[magpie mamma]

black light question

I need to pinpoint the areas, I got a black light bulb and it doesn't seem to show anything and I know that is not the case, what kind of black light am I looking for? What does it look like? What gift store? Thanks for the clarification.