Keep your home clean and your pet pleased with these essentials
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Accidents can still happen even though it’s normally easy to train a cat to use a litter box if your new kitten isn’t quite ready, your cat is having behavioral problems, or your cat has health problems. As a result, every cat owner should always have a product on hand to remove cat odors and stains.
Read on for our best advice on how to keep your home smelling and feeling fresh.
Best Overall: ANGRY ORANGE Pet Odor Eliminator Spray
What We Like
- Ready-to-use formula
- Can be used on multiple surfaces
- Nice citrus scent
What We Don’t Like
- Isn’t approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute
Angry Orange’s enzyme-based cleanser has long been a favorite among cat owners, so the company’s new ready-to-use spray version is undoubtedly a welcome change from the past (when you had to mix it from a concentrate, which is still an option and still more affordable). While the main component, orange oil, leaves a pleasant citrus scent behind, the enzymes work to eliminate odors rather than just mask them. Before treating a fresh or dried stain, blot the area first, liberally spray, and let soak for 10 to 30 minutes. Several surfaces, including carpets, tiles, wood floors, litter boxes, garbage cans, cushions, mattresses, and the interiors of cars, can be safely treated with the spray.
Best Commercial-Grade: BUBBA’S ROWDY FRIENDS Super Strength Commercial Enzyme Cleaner – Pet Odor Eliminator
What We Like
- Can be used on multiple surfaces
- Can pre-treat laundry
- Nice minty scent
- Approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t come in a spray bottle
Bubba’s employs latent enzymes, which are more effective since they don’t start working until they come into contact with a stain and then continue to work to decompose organic germs, such as cat feces and pee, from there, according to the company website. This is due to the shorter half-life of a “active” enzyme. The Florida-made cleaner, which may also be used on hardwood floors and to pretreat laundry, for example, if your cat vomited up on your bedsheets, has been approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute. The minty scent it leaves behind, according to reviews, is cooling without being overbearing. The only problem is that it isn’t provided in a spray bottle, so you have to pour it into your own.
Best Natural: Sunny & Honey Pet Stain & Odor Miracle – Enzyme Cleaner
What We Like
- Biodegradable
- Can be used on multiple surfaces
- Comes in a spray bottle
What We Don’t Like
- Minty scent can be overpowering
If protecting your pet and the environment is as essential to you as protecting your furniture, then this Leaping Bunny Certified bio-enzymatic product is for you. It is non-toxic, biodegradable, and scented with essential oils; also, the company donates 10% of all sales to animal rescue groups and no-kill shelters. Drool and any other pet stains come off easily with it. It can be used on carpets, rugs, hardwood floors, laminate, tile, concrete, furniture, beds, leather, and litter boxes. It can also be used indoors and outside, even on your deck or patio. Reviews indicate that it is effective at removing stains and odors, however some users found the minty scent to be excessive.
Best Spray: Rocco & Roxie Supply Co Professional Strength Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator
What We Like
- Can be used on multiple surfaces
- Approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute
- Remove old and new stains
What We Don’t Like
- Minty scent can be overpowering
This spray uses a one-two punch of enzymes and bacteria to effectively get rid of urine and its lingering odour. To get the most out of your bottle of Rocco & Roxie spray, the manufacturer suggests liberally applying the product after liberally spraying the area with water to dilute the pee. Users claim good results when using it on a range of surfaces, including wood, tile, leather, and upholstery, and it is approved for use on carpets. The product’s overpoweringly powerful minty scent can be uncomfortable to certain people. Rocco & Roxie, a company based in the US, also makes toys and sweets.
RELATED: The 8 Best Carpet Cleaner Solutions for Pets in 2022
Best Scent: The Spruce Stain and Odor Remover in Fresh
What We Like
- Free of chlorine and dyes
- Comes with a travel spray bottle
- Can be used on multiple surfaces
- Comes in various scents
What We Don’t Like
- Small bottle size
The Spruce’s Stain and Odor Remover excels on both counts when it comes to removing cat urine odors and stains from surfaces while also leaving behind a pleasant scent. A strong enzyme compound made from plants that is free of chlorine and dyes makes up the first part of this spray. The second part is a scent made from neroli, apple, and orchid that is characterized as crisp and bright. Spray on the affected region after thoroughly shaking the container. Allow it to soak in for up to 15 minutes, then brush the area to get rid of any lingering smells. This kit comes with a 2-ounce spray container that is perfect for traveling.
Best for Carpets: Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Pet Stain and Odor Carpet Shampoo
What We Like
- Can be used with a carpet cleaner
- Can pre-treat laundry
- Removes allergens
What We Don’t Like
- Chemical-like smell
With the help of a machine or by hand, you can effectively clean a carpet with this Nature’s Miracle carpet shampoo. While utilizing, it’s important to treat your rug, any rug pads, and the floor beneath it in case urine leaked through. Some consumers complain that this product smells chemical-like; the company claims that this is an indication that the enzymes in the product are working to break down the organic waste; after this process is complete, the smell will fade. The shampoo removes allergens and is safe to use as a pre-treatment for washing.
Best for Furniture: Arm & Hammer plus Oxi Clean Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator for Carpet
What We Like
- Comes in a spray bottle
- Affordable
- Can treat other household stains
What We Don’t Like
- Can’t be used on hard floors
Using this cleaner to remove the stain and any odor should deter your cat from urinating on your favorite chair if it persists in doing so. It uses Arm & Hammer baking soda to quickly eliminate odors and Oxi Clean enzymatic cleaning to remove any evident stains and lingering stench. It can be used on carpets or upholstery and comes in a handy spray bottle. It is one of the most affordable treatments because it can remove pet stains as well as grease, oil, and other common home stains.
Best Enzyme Cleaner: Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odor Remover
What We Like
- 3-in-1 spray bottle
- Helps prevent repeat markings
- Safe for kids and pets
- Has an unscented option
What We Don’t Like
- Light spring scent can be overpowering
The ingredients of this enzymatic cleanser and its distinctive 3-in-1 spray container receive high marks. Your go-to setting for stain removal is foam, while stream penetrates your floor’s cracks and mist covers the largest surface area. It may be configured to stream, mist, or foam. In the mixture, enzymes and helpful microorganisms are used to dissolve and neutralize odors as well as remove stains. Your cat won’t mark the same place repeatedly, too. Try the unscented version if you don’t enjoy the subtle perfume of spring. Simple Solution is safe for both children and pets because it is made in the United States (when used as directed).
Final Verdict
Our best selection is the Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator, which wins high marks from our tester for its effectiveness on both old and new stains. However, because it’s a concentrate, you’ll need to blend the mixture with water in a different spray bottle. If you’re looking for an odor-removing product that is ready to use, have a look at the Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator.
Surfaces that have been treated with a substance to remove cat excrement, stink, and stains
Look for a recipe that is made specifically for surfaces including carpet, mattresses, hardwood floors, and plastic in order to treat them successfully. To avoid unintentional bleaching, several methods don’t utilize chlorine, but you should always confirm this before selecting a product.
Active elements
A range of active ingredients may boost a formula’s stain and odor-fighting qualities. While some rely on relatively safe chemicals to complete the procedure, others are innocuous and are thought to be safe to use around children and pets. It’s even claimed that some formulations are fully biological. If you’re worried about re-marking, citrus scents seem to be effective. In order to get rid of ammonia smells and deter your pet from repeating the behavior, you could also wish to look for a remedy containing an ingredient.
Utilizing a method
Depending on the surface area that needs to be treated, you can employ a variety of alternate application techniques. For quick and simple spot cleaning, a ready-to-spray formulation can be your best option. However, if you have a wide area or numerous offenders, you should usually go for a larger bottle of concentrated solution that you can mix and use as needed for getting rid of stubborn stains and masking odors.
