Many cat owners can attest to the fact that cat urine can be one of the most stubborn stains to remove from carpets. Even if you can successfully remove the appearance of the stain, the smell can still linger and encourage cats to keep urinating in the same area.
There are many different kinds of carpet cleaning solutions that help remove stains, block odors, and freshen up your carpet. It can be difficult to choose because there are so many options. So, we have reviews of some of the most popular carpet cleaners.
By the end of reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of which carpet cleaner is best for you and how to successfully remove cat urine for good.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image
Product
Details
Best Overall
Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray
For tough biological-based stains like vomit, you need a cleaner whose formula can not only lift the stain but remove odors as well. Hepper’s Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray takes the best overall spot in our guide because it effectively removes stains and odors.
Not only is this formula efficient on dog vomit, but it works wonders with urine, drool, feces, and even musty smells that might linger in your home. The formula features a natural scent so there’s no potentially harmful chemical fragrances filling your home with harsh odors.
It works by penetrating deep into the soiled area to remove even the most stubborn of smells and dissolving stains. Unlike other sprays on the market, it doesn’t mask unpleasant odors, it removes them entirely. It can even eliminate odors that have been lingering in your home for some time.
This formula is safe to use on carpets, flooring, furniture, and fabrics. The manufacturer does recommend doing a colorfastness test beforehand to ensure it will be safe to use on the stained areas.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Pros
Simple to use
No added chemical fragrance
Works on a wide variety of stains and odors
Large 32-ounce bottle
Comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons
May not work well as a laundry pre-wash
2. Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Carpet Shampoo – Budget Buy
Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Carpet Shampoo is a versatile carpet cleaning solution that works to remove all kinds of pet stains. It’s great for multi-pet households with cats, dogs, and small pets roaming free. Along with removing cat urine, it can also tackle pet feces and vomit while lifting up pet allergens from the fabric.
The formula has the ability to penetrate deeply into carpet fibers without ruining the material. It’s phosphate-free and contains bio-enzymatic odor-locking technology to remove odors. You can also apply this cleaner to upholstery and run it through a washing machine.
The only downside to this carpet cleaner is that you need a carpet cleaner machine to use it. As long as you have one, it’s definitely the best overall carpet cleaner for cat urine. It’s great for spot treatments, routine cleaning, and deep cleaning.
OdoBan 3-in-1 Odor Eliminating Carpet Cleaner works well for both big cleaning projects and spot cleaning. It’s a great formula for carpet cleaning machines and can also be diluted and used as a pre-treatment.
This cleaner uses detergent-free technology that safely and effectively lifts dirt and stains from carpets without damaging the fabric fibers. It also doesn’t have a strong smell, so it’s a great option for people who are sensitive to fragrances.
OdoBan 3-in-1 Odor Eliminating Carpet Cleaner is one of the most affordable options you’ll find, so it’s the best carpet cleaner for cat urine for the money you pay. However, one thing to keep in mind is that it’s not an enzymatic cleaner.
So, it may not perform as well for removing particularly tough stains and odors. However, it’s an effective cleaner if you’re quick to tackle cat urine stains as soon as they occur.
Hard surfaces, clothing, kennels, carriers, litter boxes
Scent:
Fresh Linen
This carpet cleaner was created specifically for cat urine stains. It contains an oxygen-infused, bio-enzymatic formula that breaks down the toughest stains and removes any lingering sticky residue. It works well on removing urine from carpet fibers, and you can also use it on hard surfaces. So, it’s great to have on hand to clean areas near litter boxes.
The formula contains essential oils to leave a fresh scent after cleaning and clears up any ammonia odors.
Nature’s Miracle Cat Urine Destroyer Foam Aerosol Spray has a nearly perfect formula, but there are some issues with the packaging. The spray can doesn’t do the best job of evenly distributing the foam. The formula’s also for spot treatment and not meant for large carpet cleaning jobs. So, it’s a little more limited than other options and relatively expensive.
Having a curious kitten in the home means that you have to be extra careful of the products that you use. KIDS ‘N’ PETS Instant All Purpose Stain & Odor Remover is one of the best options for homes with young kittens because it uses a plant-based, biodegradable formula that’s safe for both children and pets. In fact, the formula received the Parent Tested Parent Approved seal and the Women’s Choice Award.
This cleaner consists of a natural enzyme formula that helps to break down cat urine stains. The formula also removes odors without masking them with strong fragrances. You can use it on different surfaces and freshen up litter boxes. It can also work as a laundry prewash and detergent booster.
This multipurpose cleaner is great for homes with young children and pets, but one thing to keep in mind is that the formula may be too gentle on tough stains. So, cat urine is a frequent problem in the home, it may be best to find a stronger formula.
Nature’s Miracle Advanced Cat Enzymatic Severe Mess Stain & Odor Eliminator contains a powerful formula to fight against pet odors and remove tough stains. It prevents cats from urinating over the same spot and can also work to remove deep-set stains. Along with its deep-cleaning ability, this cleaner also disinfects and destroys bacteria.
The formula also contains microbes that target and remove cat odors. It also has a fresh scent, but many customers report that it contains a chemical smell that’s rather strong and unpleasant.
Fortunately, using this cleaner is a straightforward process. All you have to do is apply it to the stain, wait 15 minutes, and then blot it. Just make sure to keep the area well-ventilated in case the smell is bothersome to you.
If you’re looking to freshen up a whole room, Carbona Oxy Powered Steam Carpet Cleaner is a great option to use with all kinds of steam machines. It has an oxy-powered formula and active foam technology to deep clean large areas of your carpets.
Along with removing stains, this formula also removes trapped allergens and helps to neutralize odors, leaving your room feeling clean and fresh. The formula is also safe for carpets and won’t destroy fibers. You can also apply it to colorfast wool and nylon.
One thing to note is that this carpet cleaner doesn’t work for spot treatment. So, if you have a particularly stubborn stain, you’re better off using a different product. You can also try using Carbona’s pet stain remover in conjunction with this carpet cleaner.
Fizzion Steam Carpet Cleaner Tablets are a convenient cleaning option that works with most home and professional steam cleaners. You can skip the meticulous measuring and just dissolve the tablet in a half-gallon of water.
The cleaner has a powerful, eco-friendly formula containing Fizzion CO2 to get rid of tough stains and odors. It works well on carpets and upholstery, and you can also use it on most fabrics in vehicles. So, if your cat has an accident while being transported from one place to another, you can use Fizzion Steam Carpet Cleaner to clean up your car.
The formula also doesn’t contain any additional scents, so you don’t have to worry about feeling nauseated after using it. However, it’s not the most powerful formula for repeated incidents. So, if you have cats that habitually urine mark, this cleaner won’t be able to fight against the odor.
Pros
Works with most steam cleaners
Easy to use
Works on various types of fabric
No strong scent
Cons
Not strong enough for repeated urine marking
9. Bissell 2X Concentrated Pet Stain & Odor Remover
Bissell 2X Concentrated Pet Stain & Odor Upright Machine Formula is a rather affordable carpet cleaner that also does a great job of tackling pet stains. It works well in removing pet odors to prevent pets from urinating in the same spot. It also uses Scotchgard Protector which helps to block future stains.
The formula is designed for upright carpet cleaners and won’t be as effective with other types of cleaning machines. However, when used properly, it’s effective against cat urine, feces, and vomit. It’s also an earth-friendly formula that uses biodegradable detergents. It doesn’t contain any phosphates, heavy metals, or dyes and is safe to use around children and pets.
Pros
Scotchgard Protector blocks future stains
Neutralizes pet odors
Earth-friendly formula
Safe to use around children and pets
Cons
Effectiveness depends on the type of cleaning machine
It’s designed for most portable carpet and upholstery cleaners, so the bottle doesn’t really contain enough to cover a whole room. It also can’t be diluted or used for spot treatment. This formula works best for cleaning furniture and small sections of a room.
The formula itself contains enzymatic ingredients to break down cat urine stains and odors. It also works to protect the fabric from odors after you apply it.
Pros
Works with most portable cleaners
Easy to use
Works on various types of fabric
Enzymatic ingredients break down cat urine stain and odors
Buyer’s Guide: Finding The Best Carpet Cleaner for Cat Urine
There are a few specific things to look for when shopping for a carpet cleaner. Here are some essential factors to prioritize in your search.
Image Credit: Yongyut Hemsa, Shutterstock
Type of Cleaner
There are different kinds of carpet cleaners with multiple uses. It’s often best to have a set of various carpet cleaners so that you have more than one option for addressing urine stains.
Image Credit: TFEX_SHUTTER, Shutterstock
Machine-Compatible Cleaner
It’s best to use a formula specifically designed for steam cleaners if you want to clean a large area. As a pet owner, it’s good practice to routinely clean your carpets and floors so that they’re free of pet allergens, odors, and general stains.
Most cleaners designed for machines won’t be able to fully break down cat urine, especially if the urine has been left alone for a while. So, while they’re great for broad use, they won’t be as effective for targeting particularly stubborn stains.
Direct Application
Carpet cleaners for direct application are able to cover spots that machine cleaners can’t tackle. They’re great for isolated incidents and tend to have more concentrated formulas to pick out stubborn stains.
When using direct application cleaners, it’s important to read the label to determine which surfaces you can apply them to safely. Some cleaners are so strong that they can cause fabric colors to fade or damage wood. Therefore, it’s vital to read through instructions and test out the product on a small area before applying it to a more noticeable space.
A lot of direct application carpet cleaners also function as laundry boosters. So, they’re great if you have small machine-washable mats and rugs that your cat urinates on frequently.
Image Credit: polina_tankilevitch, Pexels
Enzymatic Formula
If you’re looking to specifically tackle cat urine, it’s best to look for a carpet cleaner that contains enzymes. Enzymatic cleaners tend to be more effective for treating cat urine because they break down the proteins in the urine and break up ammonia and carbon dioxide. So, along with doing a better job of removing stains, they also remove odors.
Just remember that it’s best to fully saturate urine stains with an enzymatic cleaner. Merely spraying the surface of the stain with a cleaner won’t penetrate the stubborn stain. So, just because a formula has enzymes in it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be using less of it.
Child and Pet-Safe Ingredients
Using formulas with safe ingredients is especially imperative if you have curious cats and young children in your home. A lot of formulas require a setting period or need time to dry, and cats and children may not understand that they have to stay away from them during these times.
Look for formulas that contain biodegradable or plant-based ingredients. Some carpet cleaners, such as KIDS ‘N’ PETS Instant All Purpose Stain & Odor Remover, also have certifications and seals that deem them safe for children.
Cleaning cat urine stains can be a tough challenge. So, equip yourself with one general carpet cleaner solution and one spot treatment product, and your house should stay clean and odor-free.
Jessica is a freelance writer who spends most of her day researching and writing while her fluffy Cavapoo, Nora, naps beside her. She loves pets and animals because there’s so much to learn from them, and they do so much for us. As a dog mom, she understands the special connection that pet parents have with their pets. So, she loves sharing helpful information that people can use to better understand their pets. When she isn't writing, you may find her walking dogs, tending to her plant babies, or drinking her nth cup of coffee....Read more
