Removing Cat Paw Prints From Wood Furniture

Examine the cat paw prints on the surface of the wood furniture, and examine the finish on the wood directly beneath the prints. Determine if the prints have eaten into the wood finish. This can happen due to the acids in urine and feces. If the cat walks on the wood furniture while tracking urine or feces, its paw prints may have eaten into the wood. Look for peeling wood or a difference in the sheen of the wood around the prints as opposed to the rest of the wood. If you see either of these problems surrounding the cat paw prints, stop. Oil soap is not appropriate for raw or damaged wood. If neither of these problems exist, the prints are surface only and it is safe to use oil soap to remove them.

Dilute the oil soap according to the instructions on the back of the bottle. Usually oil soap is diluted by adding ¼ cup of oil soap to 1 gallon of warm water.

Dip a small area of a clean rag in the diluted oil soap and gently rub the cat paw prints in a tight, circular motion. Remove the wet cloth and use a clean dry cloth to immediately dry the area to keep too much moisture from penetrating into the wood. Repeat until all the cat paw prints are removed. Let the wood dry completely.

Spray or wipe on a thin coat of furniture polish to reseal and protect the newly cleaned wood furniture.