The present invention is a chemical formulation and method of using the chemical formulation to neutralize or eliminate odors on a surface. In one aspect, the chemical formulation is an aqueous solution of multivalent citrate salts that may further comprise a surfactant, a fragrance and/or a coloring agent. The method comprises the steps of applying this formulation in sufficient volume to saturate the surface and, after the formulation has had time to react thereby neutralizing or eliminating the odor and absorbing or drying the formulation from the surface. In another aspect, the formulation of multivalent citrate salts may be applied in solid form to an odorous aqueous solution or may be used to coat an absorbent matrix for use in receiving an odorous aqueous solution.
