The Best Pet Stain Removers in 2022

Now that you know a little bit more about some of the top products on the market, it is time to look at some of the specific factors that will influence your decision.

• Active Ingredients

Just as you should always check the ingredients of your food, you should also look what is going into your cleaning products. Check for all-natural ingredients as these are generally both safe and effective. Bioactive enzyme formulas are common, and they play a big part in speeding up the degradation of molecular bonds and attack organic matter. Other products come with citrus ingredients, which are specifically designed to neutralize odors and leave more pleasant smells behind.

• Type of Cleaner

There are several different types of cleaner on the market, and we will discuss each of them in more detail later in the blog post. For now, you should simply remember that the type of cleaner you choose should play a role in your decision-making process.

• Safety

Safety is paramount when you are using a cleaning product around your home, so check the cleaner’s credentials with regards to both human and pet health. As a secondary concern, you should also check how it is going to affect that surface that you spray it on. Harsher chemicals may damage fabric materials when sprayed onto them. If you want to be safe, it makes sense that you opt for a recognised brand which has undergone rigorous testing. You could also look closer at the country of manufacture. Remember that enzyme cleaners are a popular choice as they are often non-toxic and safe to use around your home. Not only this, but they are also effective at removing a host of organic stains.

• Cleaning Surface

The surfaces which you are planning on cleaning should certainly have an impact on the product that you select. Generally, these can be separated out into hard and soft surfaces. For example, the products which are specifically designed for carpets may not be nearly as effective when used on hardwood floors. Worse still, they may be damaging to these surfaces. Some pet stain and odor removers can be used on a wide range of surfaces, so choose one of these if you plan on cleaning the whole house.

• Ease of Application

Cleaning up pet mess is obviously an unpleasant job, but if you choose a product which is easy to apply, this helps to make your life just a little bit easier. Many come in a spray bottle of some variety, so you can easily apply them onto the stains which occur on a wide range of surfaces. Some spray nozzles are designed to give you different application options depending on the stain which you have to deal with. Others may require dissolving, and some are only suitable to be used in spot cleaning machines. But you also need to factor in effectiveness alongside ease of application. There is no point in buying something which is easy to apply but doesn’t work.

• Concentration

Different products have varying degrees of concentration, and there is no single right answer to how concentrated you need the product. Sometimes, you need a concentrated product when you are adding it to your carpet cleaner. Other times, you may need a spray that you can apply straight onto the carpet. As they are useful in different situations, you may decide that your best course of action is to buy one of each and cover all your bases. Remember that concentrated products are more potent than their unconcentrated counterparts. Therefore, they have a greater risk of causing allergic reactions if they contact your skin, so you need to be especially careful when using them.

• Scented or Unscented

There are plenty of scented pet stain removers out there which are highly efficient. However, you need to be wary of the ones which mask stubborn odors rather than getting rid of them completely. Check the customer reviews to get a better idea of what you are buying beforehand. Generally, the scents are citrus-based, which should leave your home smelling nice. If you do choose one of the odor-free sprays, you should bear in mind that many will emit a slight scent when they are first sprayed so that you know it has been sprayed. This should disappear after a short period of time.

You may also like our article on Dog Proof Trash Cans.

There is a wide range of different reasons why a carpet stain remover could prove to be a useful addition to your cleaning arsenal. Here are just a few of the most common factors which could encourage you to invest in one yourself.

• Eliminate Odors from the Source

While air fresheners only cover up the smell which is already there, odor neutralizers get to work on the harmful molecules themselves. The enzyme solutions which are present in many of these products break down the bonds of odors. And many carpet stain removers are scented anyway, so they will leave your home smelling great, as well as eliminating any lingering odors.

• Kill Germs and Parasites

Germs and parasites are found in pet waste, and you certainly want to clear these out of your home as soon as possible. Many come with essential oils or plant extracts with well-known antimicrobial properties. Others come with claims to kill as much as 99.9% of bacteria. You will feel a lot more comfortable in your home knowing that your floors and surfaces have been thoroughly sanitized.

• Stops Your Pet from Reoffending

As well as cleaning your surfaces, many of the stain and odor removers which we have discussed above help to stop your pet from going to the bathroom in the same spot. And this can be used as part of a training regime stop your pet going indoors or encouraging them to go in the right place. You can also buy separate products which are specifically designed to deal with the task of stopping your pet going to the bathroom in a certain spot.

• Reduces Risk of Allergy Breakouts

Many people suffer from pet allergies and using a carpet cleaner can be an effective way of removing these allergens from your home. Of course, this isn’t the main reason why you use them, but it can prove to be an added bonus.

• Retains Quality of Delicate Fabrics and Surfaces

The premium products on the market don’t contain the kind of harsh chemicals or bleaches which will damage your delicate fabrics and surfaces. Again, it is always worth checking that the product which you choose is suitable for the surface which you plan on using it on. As we have already mentioned, enzyme cleaners are a highly popular choice these days.

• Enzyme Cleaners are Safe

If you choose enzyme cleaners, these products are non-toxic and safer than many chemically-based cleaners. After the soiling agent has been broken down and consumed, the bacteria will die off. This is why many of these cleaning brands recommend vacuuming the surface after it has dried. Safety and effectiveness are two of the main reasons why they have become so popular over recent years.

Check out our guides on Vacuums for Pet Hair and Pooper Scoopers for more info.

Now, we are going to look in a greater level of detail at the different types of cleaners which are readily available, so you can make a more informed choice.

• Sprays

The most common type of cleaner which we have discussed in this blog post is the spray. Most of these contain natural enzymatic bacteria which are activated on contact with odors and stains and are specifically designed to eliminate both. Generally, they are safe to use around pets and children, and they often work on a wide range of surfaces – though you should always check the bottle to make sure of this fact. One of their main advantages is that they are nice and easy to apply.

• Concentrated Formulas

Next, you have the various concentrated formulas readily available. Since these are strong, it means that a little goes a long way. However, the application process may not be quite as straightforward as the sprays. You should also wear gloves when you are using them to prevent allergic reactions from occurring.

• Carpet Cleaners

Some cleaners are designed exclusively for carpets. On the plus side, they are usually good at doing their job, and can be used on other stains which occur – not just pet stains. On the downside, they can’t be used on every single type of surface, so if your dog makes a mess somewhere else in the house, you will need to invest in a different type of product.

• Machine Formulas

Some types of stain and odor remover are exclusively designed to work in deep cleaning machines. If you have one of these, they could prove to be the ideal solution to your dog mess woes. But if you don’t, you are better off going with one of the other options listed above.

Odors from your dog’s bodily secretions such as urine odor are unpleasant. As soon as they are excreted, the microorganisms contained immediately start to decompose. When they interact with the air, they release gaseous substances which are very unpleasant to the nose. There are various causes of pet odors and removing them from your home is bound to be one of your utmost priorities.

Whenever you are using a pet odor remover, you should follow the instructions closely to ensure that you are getting the most out of it. But there are some other steps which can prove to be effective. First of all, a newspaper can actually soak up a lot more liquid like urine than a washcloth. Use it generously to remove as much as you can before using your pet urine remover. You can also try cleaning the stained area thoroughly with cold water. Once you have finished, you should then blot it up. Your final step should be spraying or steaming the area with the pet odor neutralizer. Create a plan of action that takes in the previous steps so that you can deal with the issue quickly and thoroughly whenever it occurs. The last thing that you want is for your carpet to be ruined forever. In extreme situations, you may need to call a professional carpet cleaner to take care of the problem for you.

For more options, check out our detailed review of Pee Pads For Dogs.

However, you don’t want to apply anything other than water before the cleaner as even natural products like vinegar can act as enzyme inhibitors. You could even consider covering the area with plastic to create the type of warm, damp environment which is conducive to bacteria. Make sure that you give the area plenty of time to dry as this is part of the process.

If you have cleaned the stain, but the odor seems to keep lingering, you may need to repeat the entire cleaning process once again. Don’t get frustrated with the old messes as they can often be treated with multiple cycles.

You could also try using some essential oils to replace the stink with something more pleasant. Start by adding 5 to 10 drops of essential oil to one cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture over the affected area to leave behind some more pleasant aromas.

If you can prevent accidents from happening in the future, this obviously a worthwhile course of action to take. And if the problem continues to occur, you may need to give your dog a refresher course in their toilet training regime. There are plenty of commercial repellents which you can spray to put your dog off. Alternatively, you could try using common household liquids such as white vinegar, lemon juice, rubbing alcohol or ammonia. The smell of these are off-putting to canine creatures and reduces the risk that they will go to the bathroom there.

Take a look at our review of Dog Poop Bags for more options.

Our favorite product on the market is this professional strength stain and odor eliminator from Rocco & Roxie. It tackles all sorts of organic waste and deals with both the stain and the smell. The natural enzymatic bacteria contained within the product are activated on contact with organic matter, continuing to tackle the issue for as long as it remains.

And even though it is tough and effective, it is also chlorine-free and color-safe. Since there are no hazardous propellants, there is also no residue left behind. As well as being certified safe to use on carpets, you can also use it on a whole host of other surfaces including floors, furniture, carriers, and all pet living and sleeping areas.

Thousands of customers are satisfied with this product, and we agree with them, which is we have chosen it as the best stain remover available.