# Enzyme Cleaners for Pet Urine and Odors (2026)

> Six enzyme cleaners for dog and cat urine compared by surface and directions, why the ASPCA warns against ammonia, and the 2026 Angry Orange enzyme recall.

- Source: https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors
- Publisher: PetProofLab (https://petprooflab.com)
- Published: 2026-09-28
- Category: potty-cleaning
- Tags: enzyme cleaner, pet stains, pet odor, dog urine, cat urine, carpet cleaning, house training, recalls
- Method: picks chosen from Amazon listings and brand specs; not hands-on tested; current Amazon prices are on the page; content checked 2026-09-28.
- Quick answer: Use an enzymatic cleaner, not an ammonia-based one, on pet urine: the ASPCA says urine contains ammonia, so an ammonia cleaner can draw a cat back to the same spot to urinate again. For carpet, Nature's Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover and Simple Solution Extreme are enzyme sprays sold by Amazon.com. Let the spot dry before your pet goes back: the ASPCA says most enzyme cleaners can cause mild stomach upset.

## Key takeaways

- The ASPCA: clean accidents "with an enzymatic cleanser designed to neutralize pet odors," and never with ammonia, which it says can attract a cat back to the same spot.
- Cornell's Feline Health Center also says to avoid ammonia and vinegar, which smell like urine, and to neutralize odors rather than just deodorize.
- Let the area dry before pets return; the ASPCA says most enzyme-based cleaners tend to cause mild stomach upset.
- Angry Orange Enzyme Stain Removers sold from March 2019 to December 2025 were recalled in January 2026 for bacteria, per the CPSC.
- Enzyme cleaners need time and contact: Nature's Miracle Urine Destroyer Plus says to soak and wait 15 minutes before blotting.

## Products (chosen from listings, not tested)

1. **Nature's Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover, 32 oz** (details: https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B071W6CQ7S) — The everyday enzyme spray to keep under the sink during house training.
   - Pros: Enzymatic formula that keeps working while bio-based mess remains, per the maker; Light citrus scent; Sold by Amazon.com
   - Cons: A spot remover; soak-through urine needs more product and time
2. **Nature's Miracle Dog Urine Destroyer Plus, 32 oz** (details: https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B09KQVCC67) — The one to buy when the problem is a spot a dog keeps using.
   - Pros: Made for dog urine; clear directions: soak, wait 15 minutes, blot; Enzymatic formula, per the maker; Sold by Amazon.com
   - Cons: Urine-only focus; the regular formula covers more messes
3. **Rocco & Roxie Enzyme Stain & Odor Eliminator, 32 oz** (details: https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B00CKFL93K) — A carpet-focused enzyme spray with a carpet-industry seal you can look up.
   - Pros: Chlorine-free and color-safe, per the maker; Carries the Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval, per the listing; Listed for carpet, floors, furniture, litter boxes and carriers; sold by the brand's owner, PetIQ
   - Cons: Among the pricier 32 oz bottles here; compare in the table
4. **Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover, 32 oz** (details: https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B0002I9OA2) — The spray to pick for old stains on fabric and upholstery.
   - Pros: Enzyme formula three times stronger than Simple Solution's regular one, per the maker; Nozzle with mist, foam and stream settings; For carpet, upholstery, bedding and fabric toys; sold by Amazon.com
   - Cons: Water-safe surfaces only, per the listing
5. **Bissell Pet Pro Stain & Odor Eliminator with Enzyme Action, 2-Pack** (details: https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B0BSMNC147) — A two-bottle pack from a carpet-cleaner brand for homes with a lot of carpet.
   - Pros: Enzyme action keeps working for 24 hours, to the carpet backing, per Bissell; No heavy metals, optical brighteners, phosphates or dyes, per the listing; Two bottles; sold by Amazon.com
   - Cons: Carpet, upholstery and water-safe surfaces only
6. **Biokleen Bac-Out Stain & Odor Remover, 32 oz** (details: https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B005P0UYDS) — The pick if you want one enzyme bottle for pet accidents and laundry alike.
   - Pros: Live enzyme cultures with plant-based surfactants, per Biokleen; No artificial fragrance, colors or preservatives; Also sold for laundry; sold by Amazon.com
   - Cons: Lime scent; Biokleen sells an unscented Bac-Out separately

To get pet urine out for good, use an enzymatic cleaner and skip anything with ammonia. The [ASPCA's advice on urine marking](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/urine-marking-cats) is plain: "Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleanser designed to neutralize pet odors," and "do not clean up accidents with an ammonia-based cleanser," because urine contains ammonia and cleaning with it can attract a cat back to the same spot. The advice is written for cats, but the cleaning logic is the same for a dog. For most carpets, start with Nature's Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover; for old stains on fabric, Simple Solution Extreme.

**How we chose:** we did not test these cleaners; what each does comes from its maker's listing, and every pick was sold by Amazon.com or the brand's owner and in stock in September 2026.

## Six enzyme cleaners compared

| Cleaner | Size | Surfaces (per maker) | Scent | Amazon price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Nature's Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover](https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B071W6CQ7S) | 32 oz | Spot stains | Light citrus | see the current Amazon price on the page |
| [Nature's Miracle Urine Destroyer Plus](https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B09KQVCC67) | 32 oz | Dog urine | Not stated | see the current Amazon price on the page |
| [Rocco & Roxie Enzyme](https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B00CKFL93K) | 32 oz | Carpet, floors, furniture, clothing | Not stated | see the current Amazon price on the page |
| [Simple Solution Extreme](https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B0002I9OA2) | 32 oz | Carpet, upholstery, bedding, water-safe surfaces | Not stated | see the current Amazon price on the page |
| [Bissell Pet Pro with Enzyme Action](https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B0BSMNC147) | 2 bottles | Carpet, upholstery, water-safe surfaces | Not stated | see the current Amazon price on the page |
| [Biokleen Bac-Out](https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors#product-B005P0UYDS) | 32 oz | Pet accidents, carpet, laundry | Lime | see the current Amazon price on the page |

## What an enzyme cleaner does

An enzymatic cleaner uses enzymes, or in Biokleen's case live enzyme cultures, to break down the organic matter in urine, feces and vomit. The point is to remove what smells rather than cover it up. The makers describe it the same way: Nature's Miracle says its formula "continues working as long as any bio-based mess is still present," and Bissell says its enzyme action keeps working for 24 hours down to the carpet backing.

That matters to a pet more than to you. The [Cornell Feline Health Center](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-house-soiling) says odors "must be neutralized, not just deodorized, to escape a cat's keen sense of smell," and that cleaning works best soon after the accident.

## Why ammonia and vinegar make it worse

Check the label of any all-purpose cleaner for ammonia before it goes near a pet accident. The ASPCA says that because urine contains ammonia, cleaning with it "can attract your cat to that same spot to urinate again." Cornell goes further: avoid cleaning products containing ammonia or vinegar, "as they smell like urine and can be irritating."

So for a pet accident:

1. Blot up as much as you can with paper towels. Don't scrub it deeper.
2. Soak the spot with the enzyme cleaner so it reaches as far as the urine did. Nature's Miracle Urine Destroyer Plus says to soak, wait 15 minutes, then blot.
3. Let it dry fully, and keep pets off it until it does.


## Is an enzyme cleaner safe around pets?

Used as the label says, the makers say yes: Nature's Miracle says its formula "can be used around your pets" when used and stored as directed. The ASPCA adds one caution. On its [poisonous household products page](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/poisonous-household-products) it says "most enzyme-based cleaners tend to cause mild stomach upset so ensure that these products dry prior to letting the pet into any area where they were used."

The ASPCA's [cleaning-product guidance](https://www.aspca.org/news/pet-poisons-be-mindful-these-household-products-and-cleaning-agents) also says to "always follow label directions for usage" and to let a carpet dry before pets go back into the area. Store bottles where pets can't reach them.

If your pet drinks or licks a cleaner and seems unwell, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. This page is not veterinary advice ([why](https://petprooflab.com/about#veterinary)).

**Key point:** read the surface list before you spray. Simple Solution and Bissell both limit their sprays to water-safe surfaces. On delicate fabric, try the cleaner on a hidden spot first and let it dry before treating the stain.

## Angry Orange: citrus odor spray and a recall

Angry Orange is not on our list for two reasons. Its best-known pet product, the Pet Odor Eliminator, is sold as a citrus cleaner made with orange oil; its listing does not call it enzymatic, so it is not a substitute for an enzyme cleaner on urine.

Second, the brand's enzyme product was recalled. On January 22, 2026, the [CPSC announced a recall](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Thrasio-Recalls-Angry-Orange-Enzyme-Stain-Removers-Due-to-Risk-of-Exposure-to-Bacteria) of about 1.5 million Angry Orange Enzyme Stain Removers in Fresh Clean and Orange Twist scents, in 24 oz, 32 oz and 1 gallon sizes, sold from March 2019 through December 2025, including on Amazon.com. The CPSC says they can contain bacteria, including *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, which poses a risk of serious infection to people with weakened immune systems, external medical devices or lung conditions. If you have one, the CPSC says to stop using it and contact the company for a refund. Check any cleaner you already own against our [recall list](https://petprooflab.com/recalls).


## Which one to buy

- **For house training on carpet:** Nature's Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover, and pair it with a [pee pad in the right size](https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/washable-and-disposable-pee-pads) so there are fewer misses.
- **For a spot a dog keeps going back to:** Nature's Miracle Urine Destroyer Plus, soaked in and given its 15 minutes.
- **For old stains on upholstery and bedding:** Simple Solution Extreme.
- **For a lot of carpet:** the Bissell two-pack, or Rocco & Roxie with its Carpet and Rug Institute seal.
- **For one bottle for laundry and accidents:** Biokleen Bac-Out.

If accidents keep happening in a house-trained pet, cleaning is only half the answer. The ASPCA says "the first step in fixing any elimination problem is to rule out medical problems," so book a vet visit.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Do enzyme cleaners really remove urine smell?

That is what they are made for: they break down the organic matter that smells instead of masking it. They need contact and time, so soak the spot as deep as the urine went and let it dry; a quick spray and wipe often isn't enough.

### Can I use vinegar or ammonia on dog urine?

It is best not to. Cornell's Feline Health Center says to avoid ammonia and vinegar because they smell like urine, and the ASPCA says ammonia can attract a cat back to the same spot to urinate again.

### How long should an enzyme cleaner sit?

Follow the label. Nature's Miracle Urine Destroyer Plus says to soak the area and wait 15 minutes before blotting, and Bissell says its enzyme action keeps working for 24 hours. Keep pets off the spot until it is dry.

### Is Angry Orange an enzyme cleaner?

Angry Orange's Pet Odor Eliminator is a citrus cleaner made with orange oil, and its listing doesn't call it enzymatic. Its Enzyme Stain Removers sold from March 2019 through December 2025 were recalled in January 2026 for possible bacterial contamination, per the CPSC.

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*PetProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We did not test these cleaners; claims are the makers' own. This guide is for general information and is not veterinary advice.*

## Sources

- ASPCA: [ASPCA's advice on urine marking](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/urine-marking-cats)
- vet.cornell.edu: [Cornell Feline Health Center](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-house-soiling)
- ASPCA: [Poisonous household products](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/poisonous-household-products)
- ASPCA: [Cleaning-product guidance](https://www.aspca.org/news/pet-poisons-be-mindful-these-household-products-and-cleaning-agents)
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: [CPSC announced a recall](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Thrasio-Recalls-Angry-Orange-Enzyme-Stain-Removers-Due-to-Risk-of-Exposure-to-Bacteria)

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Last updated: 2026-09-28
Canonical URL: https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors
How to cite: "Enzyme Cleaners for Pet Urine and Odors (2026)", PetProofLab, https://petprooflab.com/potty-cleaning/enzyme-cleaners-pet-stains-odors (checked 2026-09-28).
Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate PetProofLab earns from qualifying purchases. Safety information summarizes public guidance and is not medical advice.