 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsGeneral TopicsCat AnecdotesHealth and BehaviorRescue CatKB.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Cat Forum / General Topics / December 2007How to remove the smell from a closet in which used cat litter was stored...
I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got my first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this almost empty garbage bag?") I've learned not to do that. Now I have a closet that smells like, well, yea. I'd appreciate suggestions on how to remove said odor. I was thinking of Kilz and repainting. Beyond that I'm not sure. Dave >I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got my >first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this almost [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Dave Two things work pretty well to absorb odor in a closed area, such as your closet. First, separate clothing in the closet (don't remove them) as much as possible to provide a little space between items. Then, here are the two *very simple* things that I have found to be pretty effective: (1) Place two or three dishes with white vinegar in them in the closet; (2) Place a few containers -- I use disposable aluminum pie pans -- with a single layer of charcoal briquettes in various levels in the closet. These should be plain briquettes and *not* the type with lighter fluid in them, of course! You can use both of these techniques simultaneously, if you wish, and give them a few days to work. Close the door to contain everything within the closet. MryL >>I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got my >>first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this almost [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > MryL After re-reading your message, I realize that this may be *old* odor since you refer to your "first cat." If so, you may have a much bigger problem than I assumed at first. Odor from used litter will permeate fabrics and wall coverings. Kilz would be a good option for your walls if my earlier suggestions don't work (but I would try them first -- much cheaper and easier, and they might work). However, you will still be left with the problem of fabric, especially if you have carpeting on the floor. As a last resort, you might even need to remove the carpet and padding and replace it. I had a cat that urinated frequently in one spot on a carpet. She was ill, and it was not a behavior problem. After she died, I had that section of carpet and padding lifted. We *sealed* the concrete underneath before replacing the carpet because urine can permeate concrete. Fortunately, I already had some matching carpeting on hand. And, fortunately for you, you should not have that type of problem with your concrete (if that is the type of structure you have) because odor from the litter bag should not be that intense. MaryL Photos of Duffy and Holly: >'o'< Duffy: http://tinyurl.com/cslwf Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e >>>I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got my >>>first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this almost [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > Holly: http://tinyurl.com/9t68o > Duffy and Holly together: http://tinyurl.com/8b47e Thanks for the advice MaryL, I'll try the charcoal and vinegar soon. The closet is tiled and there are no clothes in it- mostly junk and storage for things that need to find their way to a recycling center. I've hoped Kilz will take care of the walls but have been nervous about the floor retaining an odor. There should be no problem from urine since the cat was never in the room but the litter was in there long enough! Thanks again, Dave >>>>I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got my >>>>first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this almost [quoted text clipped - 58 lines] > > Dave This sounds like it will be an easier task than I first thought. I suggest that you get *everything out,* now that I know these aren't items you are going to keep. And discard as many things as possible -- don't take them to the recycling center because you would then transfer your problem to them. If my original suggestions don't work, you can use Kilz (just as you suggsted on the walls). I can't imagine that tile will absorb the odor. If it does (possibly because of old and porous grout), you can seal it. MaryL Move. LOL! I'm just messing with you Dave. Is the closet floor carpeted? If so, find the seam going into the closet. seperate it and rip the carpet and padding out. Replace with sheet flooring, replace the moulding strips going along the floor and slap a new coat of paint inside of the closet on the walls. In the future, don't be so tight......garbage bags are pretty cheap. So what if they're not all the way full. -bonbon > Move. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > -bonbon Regarding the garbage bags, yes, lesson learned from first kitty. >I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got my >first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this almost empty [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > >Dave Mary had some great thoughts. My first thought was also the charcoal. Don't skimp on it, use the whole bag. I wouldn't put it in pans though because the smell needs to evaporate from under the pans too. My guess is that it is not so much in the walls as the floor. Some kinds of tile are much more porous than other kinds. The grout is always very porous. Sealing it helps, but does not work 100%. Same with Kilz on the walls. Soak the floor with a pet urine remover. Nature's Miracle, and X-O are two such products. Do not use soap, vinegar, or anything else before using the enzymatic product. Use it several times and really soak it in each time. Spray some on the walls and baseboard while you are there too. These are chemicals that actually eat the things that make the smell. They are not like soap, it is a bio-chemical process like in a septic tank. There are several different products similar to Kilz if you go the seal route. Some are "stronger" than others. Check with the paint store, if it comes to that. Have you thought of also putting a "negative ion generator" or "ozone generator" in the closet for a few weeks? Those are devices that generate ozone. Ozone is a natural odor eliminator. It is what gives you the nice smell immediately after a thunderstorm in the summer. They are marketed under various names with wildly different claims as to effectiveness. I have found them to be minimally effective, but some unbiased people have said they are happy with them. Personally, I can't stand their smell, but that doesn't mean that they are not working to remove the other smells. Using anything to cover the odor would be a bad thing. No one suggested it, but I want to say it anyway. Most things like air fresheners only add to the smell, not remove it. As has already been suggested, remove everything that has been in the closet. You have enough of a task without worrying about the smell absorbed by things that are easy to eliminate. >> I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got my >> first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this almost empty >> garbage bag?") snip > Have you thought of also putting a "negative ion generator" or "ozone > generator" in the closet for a few weeks? Those are devices that > generate ozone. Ozone is a natural odor eliminator. It is what gives > you the nice smell immediately after a thunderstorm in the summer. > They are marketed under various names with wildly different claims as > to effectiveness. WARNING!!!!! Ozon is one of the most aggressive chemicals known. It damages genetic info inside your long tissue, and in the long term causes grave damage. I think smoking is much healthier ;) :) >>> I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got my >>> first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this almost [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > long term causes grave damage. > I think smoking is much healthier ;) :) Aw, if Ozone was so bad why is everybody making a fuss about the lack of it in the atmosphere over Antarctica ? It (ozone generators) does work to an extent, and is excellent for getting rid of mold/mildew and those smells, but nothing will get rid of the pet smells like a good scrubbing, followed by one of the "enzyme" type treatments. And Ozone is a bit nasty to some plastics, or synthetic materials. >>>> I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got my >>>> first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this almost [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > treatments. > And Ozone is a bit nasty to some plastics, or synthetic materials. Well, if anybody wants to gamble with the health of his(her) household, go ahead. But dont complain about lung cancer when it hits somebody. Ozon is as aggressive as fluor, and the only safe place for it is high above the atmosphere. >>>>> I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got >>>>> my first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Ozon is as aggressive as fluor, and the only safe place for > it is high above the atmosphere. I wasn't really arguing about your post. Actually supporting that Ozone generators are not all that great, other than to the bottom line of companies that sell them. And here's a bit of info that some may find interesting, and somewhat on topic. We used to have one of those "electronic" air cleaners running in our basement, it did help control the mildew, but our pussy-cat would never stay down there when it had been running. When it was off for a few days, and the windows were open, the cat would enter that area too. Perhaps the pussy-cat's sense of smell could tell that the ozone was not something good to be around. >>>>>> I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got >>>>>> my first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > Perhaps the pussy-cat's sense of smell could tell that the ozone was not > something good to be around. Thanks for all the advice. I have not made it to the closet yet but it is high on the list for spring cleaning. I will be preparing for it over the winter. Over a decade ago the "ionizers" seemed to be hitting the market pretty hard; is that the same as ozone? I remember the distinct smell and breathed in the "fresh smelling" air straight out of the machine for hours as I was growing up with a chronic smoking parent. >>>>>>> I made the mistake of storing used cat litter in a closet when I got >>>>>>> my first cat (the demented thought process was "why throw out this [quoted text clipped - 48 lines] > breathed in the "fresh smelling" air straight out of the machine for hours > as I was growing up with a chronic smoking parent. Most of the "ionizers" add a bit of ozone, but the amounts would be negligible, as the power is so low their function is almost laughable. But they look pretty One of the reasons they sort of fell out of favor, was when the media started making a big fuss about the "Ozone hole" over Antarctica. In spite of the fact one has nothing to do with the other, many electronic air-cleaners were immediately trashed. But another and probably the biggest reason is the cost. When stores can sell paper element air cleaners for a fraction of the price. (nobody looks at what those @!&$# filters cost to replace) That smell of ozone is something perhaps only us "more mature" posters will remember. Or at least anyone who might have taken a ride on old amusement park electric bumper cars. (or something usually called "Laugh in the Dark") But I still think a bit of soap, water, and bleach, will fix 99% of your smell issue. Then just buy a bag of charcoal briquettes (sp), and leave a few in there, to get the rest
|
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.