Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How to Get Cat Poop Smell & Stains Out of a Couch: Quick & Easy Tips

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Cat on couch

How to Get Cat Poop Smell & Stains Out of a Couch: Quick & Easy Tips

If you have a cat, you know that sometimes accidents can happen. Occasionally, you may end up with cat poop on your couch, floor, chair, or bed. If this has happened to you, and you want to get the smell out, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading while we provide a step-by-step guide for eliminating the cat poop smell from your couch and any other surfaces in your home.cat + line divider

The 6 Tips on How to Get Rid Of Poop Smells

Here’s a quick guide on how to get rid of the odor your cat has left behind.

1. Remove the Poop

The first thing you will need to do is remove the poop as quickly as possible. The longer it sits, the harder it will become to eliminate the smell. Use a plastic bag to pick up the poop and discard it properly.


2. Vacuum

If the incident happened several days ago, but you still smell it, it could be that a piece fell into the cushions or there is still some in the fabric. Vacuuming can help eliminate stray pieces, and it can also help pull dried particles from the fabric.

cat on couch while vacuum
Image By: Hananeko_Studio, Shutterstock

3. Wipe it Down

If you caught the poop early and were able to pick it up, clean the area with a damp cloth to pick up as much as you can before it dries, but remember not to press too hard because you don’t want to rub it into the fabric where it might become trapped.


4. Use Enzyme Cleaner

Enzyme cleaners are fantastic products that work exceptionally well on organic stains like cat poop and urine. They use good bacteria to eat away at organic material, eliminating the stains and the odor. Enzyme cleaners are safe for the environment and safe to use around your pets.

Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
  • ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...
  • FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...
  • FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical...

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.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!


5. Hydrogen Peroxide & Dawn Dish Detergent

If you don’t want to use an enzyme cleaner, another effective and DIY way to destroy organic material is to use hydrogen peroxide. Create a solution and gently rub it into the stain. The dawn will help release particles trapped in the fabric, while the fizzing you see is the hydrogen peroxide destroying the organic material.

Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
  • ¾ cup hydrogen peroxide
  • 1 tbsp Dawn dishwashing liquid
Cat-with-cleaning-equipment_absolutiamges_shutterstock
Image By: absolutimages, Shutterstock

6. Baking Soda

Once you use the hydrogen peroxide solution or the enzyme cleaner, the fabric will be damp, and it’s the perfect time to cover the area with baking soda. Apply a liberal amount to the wet area and allow it to dry for several hours.

You can cover the whole couch for even better results. Once the spot dries, use a vacuum to remove the powder. Baking soda does a great job of removing odors, and people have been putting it in their refrigerators and shoes for years.


7. Freshen the Couch

Once you have followed these steps to remove the odor, you need to freshen the couch with a fragrance or essential oil. While this will help your couch smell better, many popular essential oils are bad for cats. Unfortunately, the list of essential oils you can use around cats is not very long, so do your homework. If you need to use fragrance, only use a small amount in a limited area.


8. Cover the Couch

If you know that your cat is pooping on the couch to show you they are angry about something, a great way to keep it clean is to cover it with an inexpensive sheet that will help protect the couch and is easy to throw in the washer. It may sound like a hassle, but these steps will only be effective so many times, and they are more effective when you contain most of the waste in a protective sheet.

cat face divider 2

Reasons Why Your Cat May Have Pooped On The Couch

  • They might be upset/angry. In our experience, a cat poops on the couch or in your bed mainly because they are mad or upset. If it is in a spot where you spend a lot of time, you are likely the one the cat is scolding. We’ve had this happen most frequently when we’ve left the cat alone too long, but it can also happen if you bring strangers over or yell at your cat for misbehaving.
  • The litter box is dirty: This is similar to the last one and has to do with your cat being frustrated about a dirty litter box. We’ve had quite a few cats vent their frustrations by pooping on the couch.
  • Your cat may be sick: Changing food can often lead to diarrhea, and if you have recently given your cat something new, it’s possible diarrhea came on suddenly before the cat could react. If it happens more than once, we recommend taking your cat to the vet to make sure it’s not something more serious.
  • Age: If your cat is getting old, arthritis may be setting in, and it might be too difficult or painful for your cat to get down to use the litter box. If you suspect this is the case, we recommend taking the cat to the vet to see if there is a way to help ease their pain.
cat + line divider

Summary

We’ve had several temperamental cats over the years that would get mad that we had to work and would poop on the couch chair or bed so we could see it when we got home. If they only do it once, the smell is not too bad, but you will start to notice a lingering odor after a few times. If you have the type of cat that does this, we recommend throwing a sheet over the popular spots before leaving for work. It’s a bit tedious but well worth it.

We hope you have enjoyed reading over this short guide and were able to get your home smelling better without needing to call the professionals or spend a fortune renting a shampooer. If you know other families with cats, please share this guide to getting cat poop smells out of a couch on Facebook and Twitter.

Related Reads:


Featured Image Credit: RONEDYA, Shutterstock

Get Catster in your inbox!

Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.
Catster Editors Choice Badge
Shopping Cart

Pangolia

© Pangolia Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.