“Ugh, what is that smell?” Does that sound familiar? No matter how much we love our dogs, sometimes the mess and smells that they make can be a bit harsh on our noses. Enzyme cleaners are a great way to get rid of not just the stains but the odors those messes leave as well.
Whether your dog lives in your home with you or in a backyard dog kennel, accidents are bound to happen! When these accidents happen, how can you be prepared to face them and take care of them quickly? In this blog, we will discuss what enzyme cleaners are, what they do, the best ones on the market, and how to make your very own enzyme cleaner. So without further ado, let’s get into it!
What are Enzymes Cleaners?
First things first, let us help you get a better understanding of enzyme cleaners (or enzymatic cleaners). Enzymes are molecules that break down organic matter. Think of it like water dissolving them from a solid state. Enzyme cleaners work to break down the organic molecules found in your dog’s poo or pee so that they do not smell or cause damage to your home.
Enzyme cleaners are popular because of their effectiveness in removing bad smells and stains, especially ones caused by pets. Some popular enzyme cleaners that you might have around the house are OxiClean and Folex cleaners. Both OxiClean and Folex are great choices for dealing with odors and stains from dog and cat urine.
How Do Enzyme Cleaners Work?
Most times, Enzyme cleaners that are used for your pets contain the enzyme Protease. This enzyme works by breaking down the protein in your dog’s pee or poo that typically results in odors or stains. Enzyme cleaners contain compounds that naturally break down the molecules found in organic matter. To put it plainly, enzymes eat the naturally occurring matter in messes, prevent the smell from lingering, and prevent staining the affected area.
Is Vinegar an Enzyme Cleaner?
Vinegar is not an enzymatic cleaner. As we mentioned earlier, enzyme cleaners use organic organisms to break down stains and odors. Vinegar is an acid-based cleaner. Acids work by breaking down greasy and sticky substances that can be wiped away with water. If you have a small spill, diluted vinegar can work well to clean it up!
Is Dawn Dishsoap an Enzyme Cleaner?
Yes, Dawn dish soap is an enzyme cleaner! This soap is created with enzymes and biodegradable surfactants. Surfactants work to spread out the surface tension of the liquid (in this case, pet urine). This is what makes Dawn so effective, surfactants break down the surface tension, and then the enzymes break down the naturally occurring smell and stain to be easily cleaned.
What Are The 5 Best Enzyme Cleaners On The Market?
As with many products on today’s market, many people have a brand that they deem as “the best.” After scouring the internet, we have found that these premade enzyme cleaners are continually in the top 5 cleaners for eliminating pet odors and stains.
1. Nature’s Miracle Stain and Odor Remover:
This popular enzyme cleaner is great for pet messes, such as urine, feces, and vomit. What we like about this brand is that it is available in different formulas. This means you can buy a trustworthy product that can be used across the gamut of surfaces. So no matter if it’s the new hardwoods or an area rug, this brand has you covered.
2. Bissell Professional Pet Urine Eliminator:
This is an enzyme cleaner specifically formulated for pet messes on carpets and upholstery. This cleaner is set apart from the rest because of its compatibility with Bissell Carpet Cleaners. Since it can be used alone or with the enhanced benefit of a carpet cleaner, we think this product has a leg up (no pun intended) on the competition.
3. Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator
We love this enzyme cleaner because of its versatility and effectiveness. Yes, this cleaner works like many of the other cleaners for pet messes. However, it is versatile enough to handle food spills and blood. Even though it is tough on dirt and grime, it is safe to use around your house.
4. Biokleen Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator:
This is a natural enzyme cleaner that uses plant-based enzymes to break down stains and odors. Because of this, it is known for being environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and safe for use around your pets and humans. It can be used on various surfaces, including carpets, upholstery, and laundry.
5. Puracy Natural Stain Remover:
While not specifically marketed as an enzyme cleaner, Puracy Natural Stain Remover uses plant-based enzymes to break down those nasty smells caused by organic stains and odors. What makes this such a popular choice for many users is that it is a full-service brand. This means that the uses are versatile and can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including carpets, upholstery, clothing, and much more.
How Do I Make My Own Enzyme Cleaner?
Making your own enzyme cleaner is not as difficult as you may think. To make an at-home enzyme cleaner, take a look at this video. Follow the steps, and before you know it, you will be on your way to having a cheap and reliable enzyme cleaner that can be used for a multitude of applications.
If you desire to make your own enzyme cleaner, we have a tip. Instead of using a plastic jug to let your enzymatic cleaner “brew,” we highly recommend using a home fermenting kit. The only difference this will make in the process is that you will not need to “burp” your gallon jug. If you have never used any kind of fermentation processing equipment, take a look at this video below to understand how the airlocks work.
Can Any Enzyme Cleaner Be Used For Any Surface?
It depends. Not every enzymatic cleaner can be used for all surfaces. The best way for you to ensure that an enzymatic cleaner is safe to use is to try it on an area that is viewed less first.
What we mean by that is if you are trying a new cleaner on a couch, use it on a couch cushion that can be flipped over if the discoloration is caused by using the cleaner. If you plan to use the cleaner on the floor, the best way area to test it is in an area that is covered by furniture.
How Do I Remove Pet Odors If An Enzyme Cleaner Does Not Work?
Baking Soda and Vinegar
If, after cleaning up the pet mess with an enzyme cleaner, there seems to be a lingering smell, there is still hope for you! The next step is to neutralize the odors with vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar is acidic, which, in most cases, can neutralize the smell found in animal messes. Baking soda works to remove the smell as it is a natural odor absorber (which is why grandma always left a box in the fridge). We like to say putting the two together makes for a solid 1, 2 punch to put an end to the pet smell once and for all.
We have found the best way to get the smell out of the carpet truly is to use each step in the following list.
1. Open The Windows
It is best to do this project on a day when you can leave your windows open. This will help your house to “breathe” as the smell may resurface after applying the vinegar and baking soda.
2. Spray The Area With Vinegar
Spray the affected area that you wish to remove the smell from with vinegar. We recommend using a spray bottle to coat the area evenly. The best vinegar to use for this project is white distilled vinegar.
3. Sprinkle Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda on top of the area you have just treated with vinegar. The best way to do this is to use a sifter. Gently tap the side of the sifter over the area that you have sprayed vinegar on. This will allow the treated area to be evenly coated with baking soda to assist with neutralizing the smell.
4. Spray Again
Spray the affected area with vinegar again. So you will have vinegar, baking soda, and then vinegar again. This helps to deeply penetrate the stained area and lift the smell and odors once and for all.
5. Let The Area Rest
After you have completed steps 1-4, let the area rest for 10 minutes. This allows you to
have the chemical reaction take place and remove the odor. If you choose to let it stay longer, that is fine as well. However, a minimum of 10 minutes is required to obtain the best results.
6. Clean up the area
The next step is to clean up the area that you treated. To do this, we highly recommend using a steam cleaner, as the heat helps to break down the enzymes that cause the odor.
7. Let the area Dry
Now that you have cleaned the area make sure that you let the area dry completely. If it is a small space, simply avoid walking in the area. If it is a whole room, we suggest placing a fan in the room or turning on the overhead fan to assist with drying the area.
8. Repeat Or Enjoy
At this point, you can do one of two things. First, if the smell is gone, you can now enjoy the area again. However, if the smell still seems to be lingering, you can repeat this process until the odor is gone. If, after three treatments, nothing seems to have worked, you may need to consider other options.
Conclusion
I Don’t Smell Anything!
Our goal is that by using enzyme cleaners, you will be able to enjoy a smell-free home once again. However, if not, we hope the vinegar and baking soda does the trick! While this is a great guide for in-home use, enzyme cleaners are also a great way to clean up your dog kennel as well! If you need a quality solution for cleaning up your dog’s kennel, try one of the six enzyme cleaner options so that you can get your kennel back into tip-top shape.