Updated on Oct. 21, 2024
We tested six pet stain removers to find the best options for eliminating spots on carpet, hard floor and upholstery. Our top five recommendations are effective, affordable and smell good, too.
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Stocking up on products for removing pet stains is a right of passage for dog and cat parents—this is especially true if your pet is allowed on furniture. Or, maybe your dog is a little older and can’t control their bladder as well as young pups. Better yet, maybe you’re struggling with puppy house training. No matter your situation, stains are inevitable, but they’re not a huge deal as long as you have the right line of defense.
As a puppy parent and former specialist at a leading pet products manufacturer, I know a thing or two about tackling pet stains. While home remedies like vinegar and baking soda may clean the surface, they don’t get to the root of the problem. These household products can’t cut down the ammonia crystals found in dog urine, meaning pets may continuously mark the same area since the smell—or stain—isn’t truly eliminated. Investing in high-quality pet stain remover saves carpet and upholstered surfaces by cleaning them deep down. Always look for a bio-enzymatic pet stain remover, as they deploy natural enzymes to feed on the proteins and chemicals in dog and cat urine.
We tested six pet stain removers from popular brands like Rocco & Roxie and Nature’s Miracle to find the five absolute best products for every surface. These pet-safe cleaning products come to the rescue on stains both new and old.
Madi Koetting/Family Handyman
The best pet stain remover products all have one thing in common: natural enzymes that break down ammonia crystals in urine and fecal matter. An bio-enzymatic cleaner doesn’t cover up the stain or smell—it eliminates stains for good. The Rocco & Roxie stain and odor eliminator is beloved among pet parents for this reason. If the whopping 78,600 five-star ratings on Amazon aren’t enough, the Family Handyman team tried Rocco & Roxie and can confirm the solution is liquid gold for getting dog pee out of carpet and hard floors.
When I became a pet parent in May 2023, ordering a bottle of Rocco & Roxie was a no-brainer. The best defense against the woes of puppy house training is a powerful enzyme cleaner. Upon first spray, I was pleasantly surprised by its refreshing smell. The aroma is unlike any other cleaner I’ve tested, yet it smells weirdly familiar. It smells like root beer—but not in a bad way. It’s fresh yet woodsy in the best way possible.
As for it’s fast-acting powers? It’s essential to completely saturate the area, wait 10 minutes and then blot with a cloth or paper towel for best results. In my first month of testing, I was shocked by the effectiveness. My dog never once marked the same spot in the house—a sign that even her strong puppy nose couldn’t detect where the urine scent lingered.
The real test was a Saturday morning when my puppy and I took the long way out of the apartment complex. CeCe couldn’t hold it until we got outside, resulting in an accident directly outside of my neighbor’s door. Unfortunately, the hallway is all carpet, so this was a tough mess to clean. I went home, grabbed Rocco & Roxie and headed to the saturated carpet stain. Embarrassed by the accident, I generously saturated the area with the spray. After gently blotting it, the area was obviously damp but didn’t smell like dog urine. I returned to the stain a few hours later and was shocked I couldn’t even tell where my puppy peed. It may sound silly, but I was impressed with myself, but more importantly with Rocco & Roxie for eliminating such an obvious stain. I never got complaints from the neighbors, either, so this was a total win in my books.
One year into puppy parenthood, the Rocco & Roxie pet stain remover is a staple in my cleaning closet. It’s the only low-maintenance cleaner that actually removes dog poop, urine and vomit from hard floors, carpet and upholstery. Pet messes in the house aren’t ideal, but I have peace of mind knowing this magic bottle is within arm’s reach when accidents occur.
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Madi Koetting/Family Handyman
You don’t have to sacrifice quality for the best budget pet stain remover. At least that’s the case with the Nature’s Miracle urine destroyer. Safe for cat and dog messes on carpet, upholstery and hard floors, the enzymatic formula breaks down pet urine, fecal matter and vomit until messes are eliminated.
My testing experience with Nature’s Miracle pet stain remover is identical to Rocco & Roxie: spray the affected area, let sit for 15 minutes and blot. The solution smells clean like disinfecting spray. I found this stain remover is ideal for getting pet stains out of carpet, upholstery and fabric. The floor was a tad sticky after spraying directly on my wood floors. When used properly on fabrics or carpet, the solution doesn’t leave a white cast or crusty stain. Nature’s Miracle is a tried-and-true formula among pet parents for a reason—it’s safe, effective and, most importantly, it’s affordable.
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Madi Koetting/Family Handyman
The refreshing cucumber and mint scent of the Puracy pet stain and odor remover will make you a believer in this powerful spray upon first use, but it’s the natural ingredients that keep you coming back. The plant-derived, hypoallergenic formula deploys natural enzymes to feed on tough pet messes.
I tested the solution on new and old pet accidents. For new messes, simply spritz, let sit for a few minutes and blot. The bottle says to saturate the area, but a little solution goes a long way. For old messes, let the solution sit overnight before blotting or vacuuming the next day. Both of these cleaning methods left my carpet feeling—and smelling—like new. However, it’s recommended to clean messes when you see them happen to prevent them soaking deep into fabric.
The solution claims it’s safe on all surfaces. In my testing, I found it works best on everything but hard floor. My hardwood surfaces felt sticky immediately after spraying and wiping the area. The stickiness lingered for several days, resulting in the need to mop my floors (Tineco wet dry vacuum to the rescue!).
Still, this pet stain remover stands far and above the rest for its natural ingredients and superior scent. It works like a charm on carpet and fabrics. Just make sure to let it sit for at least 15 minutes on new stains and at least one hour (or overnight) on old carpet messes.
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Madi Koetting/Family Handyman
As a pet parent, I’m a firm believer in having a small but mighty collection of pet cleaning products for the perfect grime-fighting concoction. A pet stain remover alone simply won’t do. But a bottle of Angry Orange odor eliminator and best pet stain remover? Now we’re talking.
I’ve been loyal to Angry Orange since the day I welcomed my furry loved one home—here’s why. The natural orange oil scent instantly cuts the nastiest pet smells. Lingering pee, poop or vomit smells vanish upon contact with Angry Orange. Plus, it’s safe to use on all surfaces, so you can feel good about reviving your pet’s blanket or bed without harming them with unsafe ingredients (just make sure they’re a few feet away when you spray the solution).
The real test was when I moved, upgrading from carpet to mostly hardwood floor. After moving everything into the new place, I went back to clean the old apartment before handing the keys back. Upon opening the door, I could instantly smell the lingering scent of old dog pee (no thanks!). I rigorously sprayed Angry Orange all over the carpet. When I returned two days later to give the keys back, I was greeted with a refreshing citrus aroma. Success!
If you’re worried about becoming nose blind to the odors in your home, this affordable solution is like magic in a bottle. Simply spritz, walk away and await the soothing aroma of fresh citrus. The short list of ingredients is the cherry on top. This is truly the most simple yet powerful pet odor eliminator.
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Madi Koetting/Family Handyman
Whether you’re protecting carpet in the bedroom or an expensive rug, keeping fabric spotless is a feat as a pet parent. Let alone finding a remedy that revives fabric from old, crusty stains. Enter the Folex carpet spot remover. The solution is tough on old pet stains, and it claims to instantly remove everyday stains like coffee, food and grime.
To put the product’s “instant stain removal” claim to the test, I sprayed the formula on a few-days-old pee stain and a freshly spilled coffee stain. I was disappointed to discover you must wait for stains to dry before using Folex spray. Meaning, it’s not the stain remover you want to spring for when you catch your pet in the act making a mess on the carpet. This product didn’t remove the fresh coffee stain. The pee stain, however, was no where to be found one day later after spraying with Folex. While the product says no vacuuming is required, I saw best results when vacuuming one hour after spraying the solution.
Unlike some of the stain removers I tested, I was impressed that Folex didn’t leave a white cast when using the stream spray. In my tests, too much pet stain remover results in white marks on the carpet. Folex, however, is practically invisible even after multiple sprays.
Madi Koetting/Family HandymanPros
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When choosing a pet stain remover, keep these key factors in mind to ensure you pick the right product for your needs:
Select a cleaner suited to the surface you’re cleaning:
Always check the product label to confirm compatibility with the surface you’re treating.
Pet stains can occur on various surfaces, from carpets to car interiors, bedding or pet toys. Versatile cleaners that work on multiple materials, such as fabric, leather and plastic, provide a convenient solution and can save time and money.
For eco-conscious pet owners, look for biodegradable, non-toxic cleaners made from natural ingredients. These formulas are effective, safe for pets and environmentally friendly. Products labeled as pet-safe and free of harsh chemicals are great choices for sustainable cleaning.
Enzyme-based cleaners are ideal for preventing repeat accidents. These contain bacteria that break down organic matter, neutralizing odors that may attract pets to mark the same spot again. An enzyme cleaner with odor-fighting properties can help keep pets from revisiting problem areas.
Budget-friendly DIY options, such as vinegar, baking soda or diluted dish soap, can lift pet stains effectively. While these solutions are affordable and non-toxic, they may not neutralize odors as effectively as commercial products. Still, they offer a solid starting point for minor stains or quick clean-ups.
As a former communications specialist at Cosmos Corporation, a leading pet products manufacturer, I spent several years becoming an expert in all things dog and cat grooming, as well as pet stain removal. Plus, I’m a puppy parent. I remove pet stains from carpet, hard floor and upholstery at least twice a week. I’m constantly evaluating pet products, from toys to supplements and, of course, pet stain removers to recommend the absolute best products to Family Handyman readers.
Additionally, I have more than five years of experience writing and editing content for various print and digital outlets, including Better Homes & Gardens, Taste of Home, Reader’s Digest, The Everygirl and StyleCaster. As Product Reviews Editor, I exclusively test and research renter-friendly home upgrades, cleaning products, organizing gear and pet products to help readers level up their lives.
Madi Koetting/Family HandymanThe six pet stain removers we tested were evaluated based on the overall experience, ability to remove stains on all surfaces, smell, ingredients and value for the price. We ran three surface tests: removing both fresh and old pet stains on carpet, upholstery and hard floor. Additional points were given to products that passed all three surface tests, as well as how much time it took for the stain remover to accomplish the job. Four out of the six products proved to be safe on all three surfaces while completely eliminating stains in less than an hour.
Pro tip: While a lot of stain removers recommend completely saturating the area, I’ve found this advice to be a little dramatic. It’s essential to thoroughly spray the area, but a little solution goes a long way. When I heavily saturated carpet with pet stain remover, I noticed a white cast after blotting with every product I used. This required me to finish the job with my Bissell carpet cleaner, resulting in more work. One to two direct spritzes on each inch of carpet is enough.
For a quick DIY solution, mix dish soap with water and vinegar. Spray this on the stain, then gently dab with a cloth. Repeat as needed. Commercial products often work more effectively, but check labels to ensure they’re safe for the surface to avoid damage.
Enzyme-based cleaners are ideal, as they don’t just mask the stain and odor—they remove it completely. Rocco & Roxie’s enzyme-based cleaner is our top choice for tackling these stains.
For tough, set-in stains, Folex carpet spot remover works well. Spray and blot dry. For a DIY approach, mix three parts water with one part vinegar, spray it on the stain, let it soak for at least 30 minutes, then dab it dry.
