What is the chemistry of cat urine and how does hydrogen peroxide 3% work to get rid of the odor?

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 | Chemistry

Jon G asked:


I learned (and saw for myself) that hydrogen peroxide 3% plus baking soda and a drop of dish soap are an effective cat urine odor removal tool. What is the chemistry happening here and what am I leaving in my carpet after the reaction has finished and dried?

Related posts:

  1. How does chemistry affect your work? lalalala09 asked: I just need your opinions on how...
  2. What are the effects of chemistry on the home? Merlin asked: What are the effects of the application...
  3. For Those Who have taken Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry in College, which is harder? Dragon asked: I have just taken my Organic Chemistry...
  4. What is the difference between chemistry and organic chemistry? Jay Z asked: what is the difference between organic...

Tags: , ,

Related posts:

  1. How does chemistry affect your work? lalalala09 asked: I just need your opinions on how...
  2. What are the effects of chemistry on the home? Merlin asked: What are the effects of the application...
  3. For Those Who have taken Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry in College, which is harder? Dragon asked: I have just taken my Organic Chemistry...
  4. What is the difference between chemistry and organic chemistry? Jay Z asked: what is the difference between organic...

1 Comment to What is the chemistry of cat urine and how does hydrogen peroxide 3% work to get rid of the odor?

Uncle Al
August 7, 2009

The persistent stink of cat urine is felinine, S-(3-hydroxy-1,1 -dimethylpropyl) -L-cysteine. Mild oxidation dimerizes then further oxidizes the sulfur and neutralizes the stink. Alkaline hydrogen peroxide, peroxydicarbonate (Kaboom; oxygen bleaches), etc. Chlorine bleach will probably harm (decolorize) the substrate.

Rinse and blot afterward.

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Categories

Archive

Friends of Science

Tags

Search