The 5 Best Enzyme Cleaners For Cat Urine And Pet Stains

A Note On Safety

ANGRY Orange products contain a natural oil that reduces smells. Certain oils – especially citrus oils – have been shown to be toxic on cats but this has not been verified. While there’s no evidence that an Angry Orange product has any adverse effects, this may be something you’d like to consider when shopping.

Color Safe Test

Another important consideration in evaluating enzymatic cleaners is be their color safety. Most enzymatic cleaners contain a color safety label, but they can (and should) be tested for safety if you’re still not sure. So, to make sure it’s suitable, we advise testing your new cleaner on a tiny area of the fabric or carpet you plan to clean.

That said, when you choose an enzyme cleaner, you should be able to check its safety status on the bottle or packaging.

Surface Use

It’s important that you consider what types of surfaces you’ll be needing to clean. Some products are designed specifically for carpets and upholstery, while others are solely for hard surfaces like lino, tiles, and wood. However, we advise choosing a cat urine cleaner that will work both on hard and soft surfaces, since you’ll likely have a mix of both at home.

Active Ingredients

Enzymatic cat urine removers contain active ingredients such as protease, amylase, and lipase enzymes, which break down the proteins, starches, and fats in cat urine respectively. These enzymes are typically derived from natural sources like bacteria and fungi, and they work by breaking down the urine molecules into smaller, less odorous components that can be easily cleaned away, which is why they’re so convenient.

Some enzymatic cat urine removers also contain additional ingredients like surfactants and odor counteractants, which can help to remove stains and neutralize unpleasant odors. It’s also super important to note that enzymatic cleaners work best when used immediately after the urine has been deposited, as dried urine can be more difficult to remove.

How to Use an Enzymatic Cleaner

We hate to state the obvious, but it’s key to read instructions on the box. That said, most cleaners need to be sprayed or dabbed directly onto the stain, before being left to dry. When dry, the cleaner can easily be wiped clean by rubbing the surface. You can use an enzymatic cleaner as often as you need to remove stains or odors.

Product Types

Spray applicators are especially suited to small spaces with hard-to-reach areas, as they have a unique feature of allowing vertical application (think curtains). Soft furnishings and bedding can also easily be treated using spray bottles, making spray cleaners a versatile choice. On the other hand, small bottles of concentrate can be mixed into a large bucket for use on large floor areas to cover a lot of ground quickly. This is ideal if your kitty has made a catastrophic mess. No pun intended.

There’s one item in this list completely different than any others that requires special mention: Arm and Hammer cat litter deodorizing products are mainly powder, rather than liquids, and thus can be left to sink in without further legwork.

How to Stop a Cat From Pooping on the Floor

We can’t lie: this is a problem that many cat owners have faced at some point in their lives, and it can be a frustrating and unpleasant experience for everyone involved. But fear not, dear cat mamas and papas,: there are several strategies you can employ to help solve this stinky situation.

Firstly, it’s important to rule out any medical issues that may be causing your cat to avoid the litter box. Take your kitty to the vet to make sure they’re not suffering from any underlying health problems that could be causing them discomfort or pain when using the litter box. Once you’ve ruled out any medical issues, you can start looking at other factors that may be contributing to the problem.

One common cause of litter box avoidance is a dirty or unpleasant litter box. Make sure you’re cleaning your cat’s litter box regularly and providing enough litter for your cat to dig around in. Cats are notoriously fussy creatures, so experiment with different types of litter to find one that your cat likes. You can also try placing multiple litter boxes around your home to give your cat more options.

Another factor to consider is stress. Cats are sensitive creatures, and changes in their environment can cause them to feel anxious or upset. Make sure your cat has a safe, quiet space to retreat to when they need some alone time, and try to keep their routine as consistent as possible.

Finally, if all else fails, consider seeking the help of a professional cat behaviorist. They can work with you to identify the root cause of your cat’s litter box avoidance and come up with a personalized plan to help resolve the issue.

Know What You’re Buying: Prepared vs Concentrated

The difference is considerable between prepared mixes, which are mixed ready for use immediately, and concentrated mixes that need you to measure and mix with a specified certain water amount before applying it. Concentrates are usually cheaper, but they need to be mixed up separately, so it may be the best thing to choose products that come ready mixed and in spray bottles if you’re only cleaning a small area. However, if you’ve got an entire floor to clean rather than just a spot, a concentrate formula could be your best friend.

Provide Enough Litter Boxes

Your litter box situation should cater for all the cats in the house. It’s common practice to keep one litterbox as a baseline, plus another one for each additional feline. Basically, if you’ve got two cats, there should be three litter boxes available. If there are four cats, there are five litter boxes, and so on and so forth. In short, leave them plenty of choice.

Clean the Litter Box Regularly

Cats are clean creatures that want to keep their litter area clean, too. When litter boxes get dirty, they become off-putting for your feline friends. So, make sure you’re on the ball when it comes to removing fresh waste, be it pee or poop. Change everything, including liners and litter, at least once per week. And, depending on the breed of your cats, the amount you have, and their habits, you may need to clean more regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an enzyme cleaner?

Enzyme cleaners differ from other cleaning products because they use bacteria or enzymes to help break down organic matter. Essentially, they act as a catalyst to speed up the process of decomposition of fresh stains, both removing tough stains and the bad odors that go along with them. It’s also worth noting that they break down organic stains at a neutral pH.

How much cleaning solution should I use on a stain?

Always check the instructions on your chosen product. If you’re using a DIY stain remover, like ammonia, use about a tablespoon mixed with half a cup of water. This should get the stain pre-treated and ready to ease out in the laundry.

Are all cat urine cleaners enzymatic?

No, not all cat urine cleaners are enzymatic. Some cleaners use other methods to remove the urine, such as oxidizing agents or surfactants. These types of cleaners may be less effective than enzymatic cleaners, but they can still be useful in certain situations where enzymatic cleaners are not appropriate. It’s important to choose a cleaner that is specifically designed for cat urine and to follow the instructions carefully to ensure the best results.

How much cleaning solution should I use on a stain?

It’s best to fully saturate any stains before wiping or scrubbing them clean. While each cleaner may have different instructions for how long you’re supposed to let the cleaning solution sit on the stain before scrubbing it, most recommend using a generous amount of the cleaner to guarantee that it fully covers the stubborn stain.

When in doubt, use more rather than less. Assuming the stain removal product is safe for fabrics and pets, it’s almost impossible to use too much. As long as you’re completely covering the urine stain and using a reasonable amount, spraying more cleaning solution will only make it easier to clean the pet urine staine.

Do enzyme cleaners work on solid waste as well as liquid waste?

Enzyme cleaners work on organic soils, so they’re effective on both solid and liquid waste (like cat pee). Solid wastes may need to be scooped in the trash before you spray any cleaner on them, and they may need to be scrubbed once the cleaning solution has soaked into the fabric, but the cleaning process is relatively similar for solids and liquids.

Remember, different enzyme cleaners are effective on different types of waste, so be sure to read the product description on the bottle before buying.

What is the difference between enzymatic cleaning products and regular cleaning products?

Enzymatic cleaning products differ from regular cleaners as they contain enzymes (no surprise there). These enzymes break down urine proteins that cause staining or odor.

A normal, non-urine-specific cleaning agent will not contain enzymatic substances, which means it cannot breakdown the amino acids found in urine.

What breaks down pet urine enzymes?

Proteases break apart protein-based soils, such as water or urine. Lipases remove fatty acids from the skin, causing inflammation.

Is vinegar better than enzyme cleaner for urine?

Urine stains contain natural enzymes which can not be eliminated by standard methods of washing. While vinegar can provide an unpleasant odor relief, it won’t cure the problems until after about two days. So, it’s best to go with a proper, for-purpose enzyme cleaner to tackle those stains and odors head-on.

Do enzyme cleaners really work on cat urine?

A specific animal enzyme cleaning system is an excellent tool for removing urine from cats. The cleaning agents also contain a variety of enzymes, including proteosylation, lipasidase and urican oxidases.

How do enzymatic cleaners work?

Typically enzymatic cleansers — as their name implies — utilize enzymes for removing dirt. Enzymes are proteins that are used in the formation or acceleration of a reaction in the chemical environment. In the case of enzymatic cleaning, the enzyme breakdowns the organic matter, like pee or poop.

Almost all enzymatic cleaners contain chemicals that reduce the friction of the surface of liquid; this allows more penetration of the surface. In laymen’s terms, this helps the cleaning agents to penetrate the stains and remove them faster.