Although cats are generally clean pets, they may sometimes leave urine stains that are not easy to clean on your carpet. Any cleaner that you use should remove the sight and smell of the mess, and should help deter your cat from urinating there in the future.

Once they are trained effectively, most cats will never - or very rarely - urinate outside their litter box. If your cat suddenly stops using its litter box, consider a few possible explanations. Is the litter box clean? Most cats will not use a dirty litter box. If this is the case, a simple cleaning can cure the problem.

But if your cat's litter box is clean, it may be urinating outside the box due to stress. Some sources of stress, like fright (being scared of other pets in the household or close area), can cause your cat to urinate immediately and uncontrollably. Removing the source of the stress can reduce accidents. If your cat continues to exhibit abnormal urination behavior, you should consult your veterinarian to make sure your pet does not have more serious medical conditions.

You should never use an all-purpose cleaner that contains ammonia, because this chemical is the major component of cat urine. Any product with ammonia will leave a trace odor on the stain, which may attract your cat and cause it to urinate in the same place again.

Scented cleaners are also not effective, because the fragrance only masks the odor temporarily. If you just cover up the odor, you won't know until the fragrance dissipates if the stain was successfully removed.

Finally, make sure your cleaner is non-toxic to the people and pets in your house, and safe for the fabrics or surfaces you need to use it on. They should be easy to use and inexpensive. Try to choose cleaners that are accompanied by a manufacturer's guarantee.

If you can't find a commercial cat urine removal product, you can follow these simple steps to eradicate the urine yourself. If the stain is still wet, cover it with dry paper towels and apply light pressure to absorb the urine. If the stain is dry, use a black fluorescent light to find its location. Lightly dampen the stain and blot it with clean cloths before proceeding.

Next, prepare a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water. Rub this solution into the stain using a clean washcloth or paper towel, then rinse with water and dry with a different cloth. Repeat this step as many times as necessary until the odor and stain are completely removed. If you cannot remove the smell of urine, you may have no choice but to purchase a commercial cat urine cleaner.

The best way to avoid stains is to prevent them, so make sure that your cat's litter box is clean and that your cat is subjected to only minimal sources of stress. Have your pet readily checked by your veterinarian. Avoid cleaners that have ammonia, and choose products that are simple to use and inexpensive. If you follow these guidelines, you can help eliminate the stress of trying to clean up after your cat's urine stains.