Enzyme Cleaner for Pet Urine: How It Works and How to Use It

Enzyme cleaners come up again and again in advice on dog and cat urine. This guide sets out what the AKC, the ASPCA, Humane World for Animals, the Carpet and Rug Institute and Ohio State University say about them: what they do, why they are preferred over ammonia and vinegar, how to use one, and what to do when the smell comes back.

What an enzyme cleaner does on pet urine

Sources describe enzyme cleaners as breaking down odor rather than covering it. Asked what the best cleaner for dog urine is, the AKC answers:

"Enzyme-based cleaners are most effective because they break down odor-causing compounds instead of masking the smell."

In its steps for dried stains, the AKC adds: "If the smell remains, use an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for pet stains. These break down odor-causing compounds at a molecular level." Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) describes enzymatic cleaners in the same way: "these break down pet waste odors".

For cats, the ASPCA says: "Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleanser designed to neutralize pet odors. You can find this kind of cleaner at most pet stores."

Sources: AKC, How to Get Rid of Dog Pee Stains and Smells; Humane World for Animals, pet stains and odors; ASPCA, Litter Box Problems.

Why sources prefer them to ammonia and vinegar

The sources' concern with strong household chemicals is what your pet smells afterwards. Humane World for Animals says:

"Avoid cleaning chemicals such as ammonia or vinegar. Strong chemical odors may encourage your pet to reinforce the urine scent mark in that area."

The ASPCA explains the problem with ammonia for cats: "Do not clean up accidents with an ammonia-based cleanser. Urine contains ammonia, and therefore cleaning with ammonia could attract your cat to the same spot to urinate again." It goes on: "Instead, use a product specifically for cleaning pet accidents."

Ohio State University's Indoor Pet Initiative gives the same warning for carpet: "Never use ammonia or ammonia-based products on the carpet. The smell may attract the cat to that area and can encourage cats to urinate in the area."

For a side-by-side look at the home remedies, see vinegar, baking soda or enzyme cleaner: what works on pet urine.

Sources: Humane World for Animals; ASPCA, Litter Box Problems; Ohio State Indoor Pet Initiative, How to Clean-Up Cat Urine.

How to use an enzyme cleaner

1. Remove as much urine as you can first

For fresh urine on carpet or upholstery, Humane World for Animals says to "soak up as much of the urine as possible" and then: "Rinse the "accident zone" thoroughly with clean, cool water and blot dry." Ohio State's carpet steps end with: "In the morning, spray the area with an enzymatic cleaner."

2. Test it on a hidden spot

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) says "you should still pretest any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of your carpet." A Humane Society tip sheet published by Pendleton County, Kentucky, says the same about odor neutralizers: "Be sure to read and follow the cleaner's directions for use, including testing the cleaner on a small, hidden portion of fabric first to be sure it doesn't stain."

3. Follow the label for amount and timing

The sources here do not give one amount or waiting time for every product. They point you to the label. Ohio State says: "You will need to follow the directions for the individual enzymatic cleaner." The CRI adds: "Follow the product's directions carefully. More is not better."

4. Let it dry before you judge the result

Humane World for Animals says: "Use carpet stain remover if the area still looks stained after it's completely dry." Keep heat away while you wait. It warns:

"Avoid using steam cleaners to clean urine odors from carpet or upholstery. The heat will permanently set the stain and the odor by bonding the protein into any man-made fibers."

Sources: Humane World for Animals; Ohio State Indoor Pet Initiative; Carpet and Rug Institute, Cleaning and Maintenance; Pendleton County, KY, Removing Pet Stains and Odors (HSUS tip sheet, PDF).

What not to mix or do

Leftover products can get in the way. The Pendleton County tip sheet says:

"If you've previously used cleaners or chemicals of any kind on the area, then neutralizing cleaners won't be effective until you've rinsed every trace of the old cleaner from the carpet. Even if you haven't used chemicals recently, any trace of a non-protein-based substance will weaken the effect of the enzymatic cleaner."

In other words, if you have already tried something else on the spot, rinse it out before the enzyme cleaner goes on, and stick to what each product's label says.

Source: Pendleton County, KY, Removing Pet Stains and Odors.

Washable items, walls and hard floors

For bedding and other machine-washable items, Humane World for Animals says: "Add a one pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent and wash as usual, air drying if possible." Then: "If you can still see or smell the soiling, wash again with an enzymatic cleaner". It also notes: "Washable enamel paints and some washable wallpapers may respond favorably to enzymatic cleaners." See also our guide to getting pet pee smell out of clothes, bedding and towels.

For hardwood and cement, Ohio State says: "Blot up as much liquid as you can, then use an enzymatic cleaner." For a patio or garage floor, see how to get dog pee smell out of concrete.

Sources: Humane World for Animals; Ohio State Indoor Pet Initiative.

When one pass is not enough

If the smell comes back after cleaning, the AKC points to where urine can hide. Asked why a house still smells after cleaning, it says:

"Urine may have soaked into padding, upholstery, or wood. Repeated treatments or professional cleaning may be necessary."

Humane World for Animals adds: "Your job will be more difficult if urine has soaked down into the padding underneath your carpet. In some cases, you may need to replace portions of carpet and padding." The AKC says: "If odors linger despite repeated cleaning, or if there are multiple or deep stains, professional cleaning may be the best option." The CRI says: "If necessary, call in a certified carpet cleaning firm that knows how to remove pet stains and odors permanently."

For set-in spots, see our guide to old, dried pet urine stains. For a loose rug, see how to get dog pee out of an area rug, and for carpet odor, how to get pet urine smell out of carpet. For a sofa, see how to get dog pee smell out of a couch.

See our guide to why pet urine smell can come back after cleaning.

Sources: AKC; Humane World for Animals; Carpet and Rug Institute.

Why it matters for repeat accidents

Asked whether a dog will keep peeing in the same spot, the AKC says: "Yes, if odor remains. Thorough cleaning is essential to remove scent markers and discourage repeat behavior." Humane World for Animals adds: "If your pet is having regular accidents, have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes." Read more in why dogs and cats keep peeing in the same spot.

Sources: AKC; Humane World for Animals.

Using P-Cleaner

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Our rinse-free, water-based formula tackles the toughest stains and odors from urine, feces, vomit, and other organic messes on carpets, rugs, upholstery, and hard surfaces." It also says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more.", "No scrubbing necessary" and "Odor-Free & Residue-Free". Test a hidden area first, as the CRI advises above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.