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Cat pee has a strong ammonia-like smell, so if you smell cat pee but don’t have a cat or don’t suspect your cat has any accidents, there could be other issues at hand. Aside from pet urine, your house may smell like cat pee from leaking freon from an old fridge, mold, spilled cleaning supplies, or even outside odors from nearby farms.

Vinegar and baking soda can be effective for removing old carpet stains, although success may depend on the type of stain. There are two common methods for this process.

One method involves combining the ingredients directly on the stain to create a chemical reaction. First, pour a generous layer of dry baking soda over the stain. In a spray bottle, mix distilled white vinegar with 1 cup of warm water and a few drops of liquid dish soap, then spray this solution thoroughly over the baking soda. The mixture will foam as the acidic vinegar reacts with the basic baking soda, which helps loosen and lift the stain. Let this sit for a few hours until it dries, then wipe or vacuum up the residue and blot the area with a clean, dry towel. You can repeat the process if the stain persists.

An alternative method suggests using the ingredients separately. Start by sprinkling baking soda on the stain and letting it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before vacuuming it up. Next, blot the remaining stain with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, and then blot the area dry with a clean cloth.

Typically, you should avoid using a traditional carpet cleaner on Oriental rugs because the chemical makeup of carpet cleaners can damage the rug’s natural fibers. You can, however, opt for a neutral pH cleaner, which can do a decent job of cleaning the carpet without damaging it. Always test whatever cleaning solution you use on a small, hidden spot of your rug first. That way, if any damage occurs, it doesn’t totally ruin your rug.

Vinegar is great at lifting food-based stains from carpets and upholstery, but some people prefer to avoid using this strong-smelling cleaner out of fear that the scent will linger long after getting rid of the spot. If you're not afraid of the pungent smell, try mixing equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle in place of the DIY solution we suggested above. Then, use these tips to remove the smell of vinegar from your home.