A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated Sep. 06, 2024
Accidents happen but you can safeguard yourself—and your furniture—with these pet stain removers that tackle even the most stubborn stains from hard-to-clean surfaces!
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If you own pets, you know that dealing with an occasional stain is inevitable. From cat pee to dog poop to all varieties of pet odors, carpet is a known target for pet messes. The good news is that plenty of amazing pet stain removers can quickly nix stains and smells on carpet, hard floors, upholstery and beyond.
We’ve rounded up the best pet stain removers your money can buy, including sprays, foams and handheld tools. For an even deeper clean, use them alongside trusty pet hair removers like a pet hair vacuum and a UV urine-detecting flashlight.
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Sometimes you don’t discover a pet stain until it’s completely dried up. Maybe it was in a tucked-away area of your home (pets are sneaky like that sometimes!), or perhaps you were out of the house for a while and didn’t get to the mess before it settled into your carpet. If you’re arriving late to a pet stain cleanup, OxiClean Carpet & Area Rug Pet Stain & Odor Remover is your hero.
After you’ve detected the urine, start spraying this product on the stained area. This remover has received overwhelmingly positive reviews across retailers. One reviewer on Chewy writes, “So far this is the only thing that has worked on old puppy pee stains. We’ve tried everything else and this is the only thing that gets the stain out and the smell. It honestly doesn’t smell great itself but it’s odor is gone within a day or two. Small price to pay to save our carpets.”
For the other puppy owners out there, be sure to check out these washable dog pee pads for added carpet protection.
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This plant-powered, eco-friendly pet stain remover is a heralded favorite among reviewers, especially when it comes to cleaning areas where kids and pets often play. It’s formulated with a plant-based surfactant called Biokore, as well as a biodegradable molecular complex that deodorizes. Even the light fragrance is plant-based!
You can use it on any water-safe surface, including your pet’s bedding, kennels, cages, carpets, litter box, and hard and soft floors. “This stuff works fabulously,” writes a reviewer on Chewy. “My dog got into a tussle with a skunk and ran past me with spray and blood on his chest. He immediately began rubbing it all on the carpet. I cleaned him up and immediately got my Skout’s Honor to clean the carpet. No signs of blood nor scent of skunk!”
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Few things are worse than spending hours of your precious time spraying and scrubbing a stain only to realize your own elbow grease isn’t going to cut it. Cue Bissell’s Pet Stain Eraser, which is one of your best defenses when it comes to pet stains. This portable carpet cleaner features a powerful, rotating brush that loosens and lifts the stain before your very eyes.
Our Home Editor reviewed it and was wowed by its effectiveness. She says, “I ended up falling in love with this handheld, multi-use device for so much more than just pet stains. Although it’s definitely one of the best carpet cleaners for pets, and manages to get rid of cat pee smell in under a minute, it’s also a lifesaver for food and wine stains on upholstery.”
P.S. If you like this, take a look at the new Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet, too.
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When a cleaning product goes viral, you know it’s bound to be worth every single penny. Case in point: Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover, which made the rounds several times on Instagram and TikTok and continues to earn rave reviews wherever it’s sold.
This water-based, solvent-free “solution to your stain” swiftly tackles pet accidents, grease, oil, ink, red wine, coffee, blood, rust, food, cosmetics, dirt and grime. And though the name indicates it’s a carpet cleaner, you’ll be happy to hear you can use this on upholstery, curtains, clothes and even car interiors.
Intrigued by this cult-favorite product? Check out our full Folex Carpet Cleaner review.
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If you want a pet stain remover that also tackles foul odors from urine, feces and vomit, let Angry Orange Enzyme Cleaner & Pet Odor Eliminator serve as your double-duty go-to. Use it on a variety of surface types, including soft fabrics and hard floors, as well as in the air, making it a true multi-tasking must-have.
One of our Senior Editors tested Angry Orange and can attest to its versatility. “This mighty odor eliminator stops smells of every kind before they can spread,” she says. “Not only is it effective for cat odors, but I also use it near the kitchen trash when things get smelly there and as a go-to spot carpet cleaner. For dog owners, I’d recommend it for getting rid of dog smell and helping clean dog poop from the carpet. If I had more than two thumbs up to give it, I would. Run, don’t walk, to this purchase!”
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Don’t let the peculiar shape and small size cause any skepticism—the Bissell Little Green Machine means serious business when it comes to cleaning pet messes. This portable device features impressive spray and suction capabilities, which quickly lift away stains and odors from soft surfaces like carpet, upholstery and car interiors.
Our Home Editor tested it and is never going back. “If you like truly clean carpets and upholstery, the Bissell Little Green Machine is one of the best purchases you can make,” she says. “It not only soaks and scrubs the stain itself, but also sucks away all the dirty water and cleaning fluid immediately after. Fair warning though: The addictive nature of this device will have you cleaning things you never expected to clean.”
Save yourself some time and energy by using one of these best dog paw cleaners that help minimize floor messes.
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Removing tough pet stains often requires more than just a spritz and paper towel. Woolite InstaClean Pet Cleaner comes with a convenient brush that works the formula deep into the pet stain. This product is perfect for eliminating all traces of urine, feces, vomit and muddy paw prints.
Verified purchaser Jake writes in his five-star review, “I have had cats for eight years and have gone through countless stain removers. This one consistently wins out on ease of use and spot cleaning. Lots of other stain removers just spread the colors of the puke around but this one makes my carpet look brand new.”
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Another top-selling pet stain remover is Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain & Odor Eliminator, which is powerful on carpets, furniture and even hard-surface floors. It works especially well on urine, vomit and diarrhea, and the enzyme formula discourages pets from re-soiling the same area.
“I have two dogs and their accompanying scents. I spray this around the house, on the furniture, curtains and rugs. It works like magic,” writes Eileen in her five-star review. “The scent of the spray is pleasant and it lasts for hours. I recommend this all the time. I have it on auto-ship!”
When cleaning your home, make sure to avoid these cleaning products that are harmful to dogs.
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This professional-strength, powder floor cleaner is not only a breeze to use, but it’s also highly effective on tough pet stains and odors like cat pee smell. Sprinkle it onto the stain and brush gently to activate the stain- and stink-busting powers. From there, simply vacuum it up and you’re golden.
“This stuff seriously works—as in saving my carpet and sanity works,” says verified purchaser Bonnie C. in her review. “Puppy accidents—handled like it never happened. Kids spill my venti mocha on my carpet—no problem. Just buy it and thank yourself later.”
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High-traffic areas such as hallways, area rugs and staircases are notoriously dirty. After all, they’re traversed by dirty paws and feet all day, every day! Lucky for you, Resolve Clean & Fresh Pet Carpet Foam was specifically formulated for ground-in stains and dirt in these high-traffic soft surface areas. You simply spray it, work it into the carpet with a brush, let it set for two hours and vacuum.
The foam penetrates deeply and leaves carpet soft, clean and fresh-smelling—even on tough stains such as pet urine, poop and vomit. What’s more, it features Patented Odor Stop Technology, which cuts through and neutralizes pet odors while preventing future pet re-soiling.
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Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator has a near-cult following, boasting more than 100,000 Amazon reviews from users who swear it works miracles. The enzyme-activated formula eliminates stains, odors and residue from urine, feces, vomit and other unfortunate accidents. Best of all, you can use it on just about any surface.
“This product has been a game-changer for me! I’ve purchased a couple of other products online that were a little cheaper than the Rocco & Roxie. Big mistake!” writes Tami Gilbert in her Amazon review. “They don’t work nearly as well as their product. Spend the extra dollars—it’s worth it! It gets rid of the cat urine smell totally. It’s like magic.”
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Many pet stain removers have strong scents. If you prefer mild fragrances or fragrance-free cleaning products, consider Carbona’s 2-in-1 Oxy Powered Pet Stain & Odor Remover. Intended for carpet and upholstery, it uses the power of Oxy to quickly and effectively remove heavy soiling, stains and odors. The built-in brush head makes for easier cleanup.
“I tried regular carpet cleaner and the dark stains seemed unliftable. I found Carbona and the reviews on here seemed so great and it was affordable so I gave it a shot,” writes a Walmart reviewer. “When I tell you this almost immediately COMPLETELY lifts stains, dark or not, I mean it. Seriously such a lifesaver.”
Yes, you can technically use baking soda and vinegar as a natural pet stain remover. When combined, these two ingredients help lift stains and neutralize odors. Combine one cup of distilled white vinegar with one cup of water and two teaspoons of baking powder in a clean spray bottle, then douse the stained area.
Let it set for a few minutes, then blot it with a clean cloth. You may need to repeat or use a scrub brush if the stain is heavy or old. To truly have your home smelling fresh after a pet accident, snag one of these top-rated air purifiers for pets.
 Next, learn how to stop your cat from peeing on the carpet altogether.Â
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Originally Published: July 05, 2022
