Bass Bag Defiled by Feline!

Roger Harper · #1 07-10-2009, 07:36 AM

When I loaded my bass for a jam session last night, I discovered when I got in the car, my Gollihur bass bag had a strong cat urine odor. I have applied a liberal soaking spray of Fabreeze, then a tumble with several dryer sheets in a low heat dryer for 30 minutes.

Does anyone have a good suggestion for removing this vile odor?

Thanks,
Roger

snyderz · #2 07-10-2009, 07:39 AM

Unfortunately, you probably 'set it in' in the dryer. I'd take it to the coin-op car wash.

RobertUI · #3 07-10-2009, 07:57 AM

"Nature's Miracle" ... seriously, it's a GREAT product. You get the urine out that you can (just mopping it up) and then oversaturate the same area. IMHO This product is MUST in every pet-friendly home. Works equally well on dog and cat urine, and you should be able to get it at most pet stores.

http://www.naturemakesitwork.com/home/index.php

And here it is for about $6 shipped from amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Miracl...d_bxgy_k_img_b

blockinlay · #4 07-10-2009, 08:11 AM

You need to get one of those enzyme type odor removers, soak it deep and let it slow dry. Keep it away from any cats, or it will happen again. Other things that remove odor are baking soda, and charcoal, but the enzyme is probably best to neutralize the urine.

Nathan Parker · #5 07-10-2009, 08:16 AM

I had the same problem with my old bag. Nasty odor all through it. I just took it outside on a summer day (we had a balcony, so no real risk of theft) and I sprayed it with the hose, scrubbed it with Ivory soap ('cuz it's very mild and has a pleasant scent), rinsed and repeated. Then, I let it dry out in the sun for 2 days. No trace of odor whatsoever. I think the sun helps in this process. The method was recommended to me by a dry cleaner, who wouldn't clean the bag because it was too big.

RobertUI · #6 07-10-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blockinlay

You need to get one of those enzyme type odor removers, soak it deep and let it slow dry. Keep it away from any cats, or it will happen again. Other things that remove odor are baking soda, and charcoal, but the enzyme is probably best to neutralize the urine.

Yup... you're exactly correct! The nature's miracle stuff is exactly that. We used to keep the (only available to vets) industrial product around, but the commercial product works just as well (really).

nortonrider · #7 07-10-2009, 09:06 AM

Cats are nasty vile little creatures!
Everybodys house that I have been to that owns a cat smells like it. You can argue and say that yours doesn't, but it does!

If a cat did anything to my bass stuff... well, can you say "Goodbye Kitty".

tomshepp · #8 07-10-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertUI

"Nature's Miracle" ... seriously, it's a GREAT product. You get the urine out that you can (just mopping it up) and then oversaturate the same area. IMHO This product is MUST in every pet-friendly home. Works equally well on dog and cat urine, and you should be able to get it at most pet stores.

http://www.naturemakesitwork.com/home/index.php

And here it is for about $6 shipped from amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Miracl...d_bxgy_k_img_b

+1 We've used it at home. The stuff works. Uses enzymes to break down the urine and eliminates the odor.

klem.gote · #9 07-10-2009, 12:05 PM

[quote=nortonrider;7652753]

Cats are nasty vile little creatures!
Everybodys house that I have been to that owns a cat smells like it. You can argue and say that yours doesn't, but it does!
QUOTE]

Not only that, but can't don't swing. Unless you use a little rope.

Marcus Johnson · #10 07-10-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertUI

"Nature's Miracle"

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Miracl...d_bxgy_k_img_b

+1 If you have cats, you need this. It really works.

bassphase · #11 07-10-2009, 05:53 PM

Yes Natures Miracle is a great product. It really does get rid of skunk odor too ---so the cat pee is kid stuff.

I agree with Klem on the usefulness of cats....

bob

Mr_Sore_Fingerz · #12 07-10-2009, 06:00 PM

And this is why I don't have any cats =)

MR PC · #13 07-10-2009, 06:57 PM

Oh, isn't that special!

Natures Miracle.

chuck3 · #14 07-10-2009, 07:08 PM

wow, sorry to hear this. We have 2 dogs - 1 a puppy - and this is my nightmare. I always put the bass bag up where they (dogs, at least) can't get it.

I find that dogs respond well to rhyming phrases. What I say to them about this is - "you toucha my bass, I breaka your face." They seem to understand.

Catdaddy · #15 07-17-2009, 09:27 AM

Nature's Miracle is great stuff--but the directions say you need to use it first, as other treatments, detergents and stuff may "set" the stain/order. It's still worth a try, though. Make sure you follow the directions and let it soak in a good long time. Try putting sheets of aluminum foil or strips of plastic carpet protector (with the spike side up) in front of or around anything you want to protect from pee. Cats don't like the feel of these things, and won't back up to them. as a last resort, cover your bass with a plastic shower curtain when it is resting.

To non cat lovers, these measures will seem insane, but to each his own. I prefer the companionship of my cats to any inanimate object. If you can't tolerate my cats, don't come to my house--it won't be my loss.

TimWilson · #16 07-17-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nortonrider

Cats are nasty vile little creatures!
Everybodys house that I have been to that owns a cat smells like it. You can argue and say that yours doesn't, but it does!

If a cat did anything to my bass stuff... well, can you say "Goodbye Kitty".

+999,999,999,999. Cats are just nasty. But if they were your wife's before you got married, you're s.o.l... Fortunately, when we had a REAL baby, she gave the little monsters away...

MR PC · #17 07-17-2009, 01:53 PM

So how are your housekeeping skills? Baby pi** is pretty nasty too!

bejoyous · #18 07-18-2009, 07:25 AM

I have a cat but I had a dog when growing up.

A cat is like a furry houseplant that you can play with very occasionally. If you leave out enough food and water, you can go away for a night or two. When you come back, it'll just raise its head as if to say, "Oh, there you are...now let me out and go away."

A dog is like having a dependent toddler around for 14 years. It needs constant attention or it bothers you. If you accidentally stayed away overnight somewhere, when you came back, the dog would have torn up the place and would be in a psychotic mess.

LeslieD · #19 07-18-2009, 07:41 AM

Sorry to hear about the bass bag problem; that very same thing happened to a friend of mine when he stayed at a friend's house. I think he just threw his out.

That's REALLY bad cat behavior, and is pretty inexcusable. Other than smothering a baby or eating your pet hamster, that's probably the worst thing a cat can do. There ARE good cats that are even more than furry houseplants. I've got 2 cats, and one of them is very enamored with music and musicians. When I practice, she actually comes and "listens" and curls up at my feet (though sometimes she crawls into my empty bass bag and I have to chase her out).

I don't want to get into the cat vs dog issue! Both can be either good or bad companions, depending upon the individual animal. And either can damage your bass and other possessions. I have to be pretty careful with my basses so that my cats don't scratch them, and it's sometimes a hassle. But on the whole, my 2 felines are way better company than a number of roommates I had in college.

Roger Harper · #20 07-18-2009, 07:53 AM

Well, after a trip to the car wash, repeated cycles through the dryer with multiple Breeze sheets, and a generous dosing of Nature's Miracle, I have a 90% success I would say. I appreciate everyone's ideas, comments, etc.

The cat and I have had an abrupt conversation about this whole episode.