How to remove the smell from a closet in which used cat litter was stored...
David
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
MaryL
"David" <david...@yoowhoo.com> wrote in message
news:FsKdnfcuT45jBH7b...@comcast.com...
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
MaryL
"MaryL" <stan...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
news:46e3e483$0$4064$bbae...@news.suddenlink.net...
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
bonbon
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
David
"MaryL" <stan...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote in message
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
David
"bonbon" <n...@taking.replies> wrote in message
news:6u08e3h24sl0v4t27...@4ax.com...
Regarding the garbage bags, yes, lesson learned from first kitty.
MaryL
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
computer repair pro
wrote:
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.
Sjouke Burry
> On Sun, 9 Sep 2007 02:45:16 -0400, "David" <david...@yoowhoo.com>
> wrote:
>
>> 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?")
>
> 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.
It damages genetic info inside your long tissue, and in the
long term causes grave damage.
I think smoking is much healthier ;) :)
AMUN
"Sjouke Burry" <burrynu...@ppllaanneett.nnlll> wrote in message
news:46f9248a$0$25482$ba62...@text.nova.planet.nl...
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.
Sjouke Burry
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.
AMUN
"Sjouke Burry" <burrynu...@ppllaanneett.nnlll> wrote in message
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.
David
"AMUN" <spamb...@bell.net> wrote in message news:fde23p$i0p$1...@aioe.org...
Thanks for all the advice. I have not made it to the closet yet but it is
high on the list for spring cleaning. I will be preparing for it over the
winter.
Over a decade ago the "ionizers" seemed to be hitting the market pretty
hard; is that the same as ozone? I remember the distinct smell and breathed
in the "fresh smelling" air straight out of the machine for hours as I was
growing up with a chronic smoking parent.
AMUN
Most of the "ionizers" add a bit of ozone, but the amounts would be
negligible, as the power is so low their function is almost laughable. But
they look pretty
One of the reasons they sort of fell out of favor, was when the media
started making a big fuss about the "Ozone hole" over Antarctica.
In spite of the fact one has nothing to do with the other, many electronic
air-cleaners were immediately trashed.
But another and probably the biggest reason is the cost. When stores can
sell paper element air cleaners for a fraction of the price. (nobody looks
at what those @!&$# 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