When it comes to dog poop, dish soaps and bleach won’t work. It’s not safe and it will not remove the lingering smell which will lead to another accident inside your house. The safest option is an enzyme cleaner for dog poop. It’s formulated with live enzymes that will dissolve the stains and odor permanently.
Here, we came up with a buying guide and three product suggestions that will surely give the best bang for the buck.
Why you need to use an enzyme cleaner
Unlike detergents, enzyme cleaners have a special cleaning process. With the use of live enzymes, the stain will be lifted from the material and dissolved. Also, enzyme cleaners are excellent in removing pet odor.
When we say pet odor, it’s not just the dog smell we sniff when our pet pees or poops. Even if we can’t smell the stink, dogs’ strong sense of smell can still track their accident spot.
When this happens, the dog will likely eliminate on it again. The process goes on until you fully remove the traces of their poo or pee. This is what enzyme cleaners are for.
Aside from the enzymes, this type of cleaner is also blended with other biological compounds. This makes the cleaner even more potent against stains and odor.
Benefits of using a pet enzyme cleaner
There are many benefits to using enzymatic cleaners. Some of which are the following:
Odor removing qualities
Enzyme cleaners are made to remove – not just mask – foul pet odor. This means that the surface is cleaned thoroughly and your dog is less likely to have another accident.
Stain removal
Thanks to the enzymes on the formula, even the most stubborn pet stains don’t stand the chance. The enzymes will lift the stain from the surface and dissolve it in the process. Nothing will be left from your dog’s accident. It will also make your carpets, sofa, and mattress look like it wasn’t stained before.
Pet and family safety
Enzyme cleaners are formulated to be safe to use around children and pets. Unless the person has allergies to certain ingredients of the product, enzyme cleaners are the safest option when it comes to cleaning pet poop.
Cleaning speed
Enzyme cleaners attack stain and odor the moment it’s applied on the surface being treated. It makes cleaning easier and faster than manually washing the area with soap. Also, it’s more efficient in removing deep-seated pet stains.
Suitability
Unlike detergents and soaps, enzyme cleaners are more suitable to carpets, couches, hardwood floors, and other surfaces. It can clean a dog’s excretion without damaging the material of the surface.
Long-lasting effects
Even after cleaning the accident area, the enzymes will still be working up to 24 hours from the initial application. This ensures that all the dirt and odor will be removed thoroughly.
TOP 3 ENZYME CLEANERS FOR DOG POOP
Rocco & Roxie Enzymatic Stain & Odor Eliminator
Our main recommendation is the Rocco & Roxie Enzymatic Stain & Odor Eliminator. It has activated enzymes that feed on ammonia crystals and other organic matter like stains. This makes it an all-around cleaner for dog urine, poop, and vomit.
This enzyme cleaner for dog poop is chlorine-free and color-safe for carpet and fabric surfaces. It’s also free from hazardous chemicals and residues that could be harmful to pets. This is also safe to use around children and dogs.
You can use the Rocco & Roxie enzyme cleaner on kennels, carriers, furniture, carpets, floors, and living room areas. With this, Rocco & Roxie earned the Seal of Approval from the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI).
Also, what we love the most about this enzyme cleaner is the money-back guarantee. If your dog’s stains and odor aren’t removed, you’re entitled to a full refund.
PROS
✔️Bears the Seal of Approval from the Carpet and Rug Institute
✔️Cleans vomit, poop, and urine completely
✔️Money-back guarantee if it fails to clean as promised
CONS
❌The smell is a bit strong
Sunny & Honey Pet Stain and Odor Miracle
If you like a mint scent after cleaning, you’ll probably like the Sunny & Honey Pet Stain & Odor Miracle. It’s made with strong and natural cleaning enzymes ideal for carpets, furniture, floors, and more. This will also remove the possibility of re-marking and repeat accidents on your dog’s part.
As a natural cleaner, this is safe to use around pets and children. One big plus here is that Sunny & Honey is free from animal testing and animal cruelty.
Also, we like the fact that Sunny & Honey donates 10% of its profits to animal rescue shelters. And if you’re not happy with the cleaning performance of their product, you can send it back for a full refund.
The Sunny & Honey enzyme cleaner is indeed a miracle product since it can remove even tough stains on high-piled carpets. It’s as if it’s not stained at all.
PROS
✔️Comes with a refreshing spring mint scent
✔️Full refund if you’re not happy with the results
✔️Safe to use around pets and children
CONS
❌Some complained that the smell is a bit strong
BUBBA’s Super Strength Commercial Enzyme Cleaner
The third cleaner we recommend is the BUBBA’s Super Strength Commercial Enzyme Cleaner. It also bears the Seal of Approval from the Carpet and Rug Institute.
This professional-grade enzyme cleaner is potent enough to remove stains and odor on upholstery, carpets, furniture, flooring, and other areas. It’s tough on stains but gentle on your pets and children.
BUBBA has billions of natural enzymes that will activate upon contact with the stained area. It’s excellent in deep cleaning and killing off a foul smell. If it didn’t work as advertised, you’ll get your money back.
This enzyme cleaner for dog poop is so safe you can even use it as a pre-washing treatment for clothes with grass stains as well as shoes with bad odor.
PROS
✔️Bears the Seal of Approval from the Carpet and Rug Institute
✔️Contains billions of dormant enzymes that will activate upon application
✔️Safe to use around kids and pets
CONS
❌The scent is a bit peculiar
How to use an enzyme cleaner
Most enzyme cleaners are for an all-around purpose – cleaning dog poop, urine, vomit. Here are some of the practical applications:
- Removing pet odor and stain. After blotting some of the urine and scooping the poop for disposal, wipe the surface clean and apply the enzyme cleaner. Let this sit for up to 10 minutes before wiping the area clean. Some will let this on for hours.
- Pre-wash treatment. In case your dog eliminated on your bed, sheets, or pillowcase, you can soak these fabrics on enzyme cleaner before washing.
- Mold and mildew remover. Is your tub mired with mold and mildew? Enzyme cleaners are a total champ. You can also use this on sinks and kitchen appliances given that the label states that it’s safe for use on food preparation areas.
- Floor cleaner. Instead of using a very abrasive bleach, you can switch to enzyme cleaners to clean your kitchen, bathroom, and countertops.
Take note that these applications will vary per product. Always read the label before using an enzyme cleaner on other stains.
Pet enzyme cleaner buying guide
There are tons of pet cleaner products in the market that choosing the right one is a challenge. To help you out, make sure that you consider the following:
Types of enzyme cleaners
There four major types of enzyme cleaners: amylase, lipase, protease, and multiple enzymes.
Amylase
This type of enzyme is excellent in breaking down carbohydrates and starches. It’s ideal for starch-based stains like pasta, fruit stains, sauces, and even red clay.
Lipase
Lipase, on the other hand, is great in removing oil stains and grease from soft surfaces like couches and mattresses.
Protease
This type of enzyme is a champ in removing protein-based stains. Some of the good examples are pet urine, wine, and blood. It’s also great for removing dog poop stains and odor.
Multiple enzymes
If you want the best cleaning effect, you might as well opt for a formula with multiple enzymes. It combines all the cleaning powers of the three enzyme types. Also, this makes the cleaner effective for all-around applications.
What to look for
When shopping for your choice of enzyme cleaner, make sure that you look for the following things:
Right formula
The rule of thumb is a pet-safe formula that doesn’t have any excessively abrasive ingredients.
Some enzyme cleaners even come in a 100% natural formula. This is safe to use even when children or your dog is around. Aside from that, the enzyme cleaner shouldn’t pose any threat to bodies of water of your food preparation area.
Concentration
Depending on how tough the poop stain is, the concentration of the enzyme cleaner will vary. Still, I’d recommend buying a higher concentration then diluting it in case you find it too strong for some stains. This will save you money than buying multiple cleaners at the same time.
Unlike standard formulas, a ‘super strength’ or ‘commercial’ type contains more enzymes which means it will clean faster and more efficiently. Although it will cost more than standard cleaners, it provides more value in the cleaning aspect.
Also, make sure that the level of concentration of the cleaner is suitable for the surface you’re going to use it on.
Dry out time
The drying period of enzyme cleaners will impact its cleaning efficiency. The best type is one that dries between 12 and 24 hours. This is ample time for the enzymes to dissolve the stains and kill off the foul smell.
The longer the formula takes to dry the better cleaning it will deliver.
Container
You have the option a cleaner on a spray bottle or a pour gallon. A spray bottle is ready to use straight from the wrapper while pour gallons will need you to purchase a separation spray bottle.
When it comes to quantity, you can save more when purchasing a pour gallon. This is especially true if you have multiple dogs at home.
Scent
Some pet owners prefer a nice scent for their enzyme cleaners. This is both a bonus part and an optional characteristic. An enzyme cleaner can both remove stains and odor even without the added whiff.
Take note that most enzyme cleaners will give off a strong smell during the cleaning phase. This is pretty normal and should wear off after a few hours.
Price
The price of the cleaner should be your last consideration. Although some cleaners may cost more, it’s unbeatable if it delivers the best cleaning effect.
Additional tips
To make the most out of the enzyme cleaner, here are some tips for better cleaning:
After applying the enzyme cleaner, get a plastic sheet and cover the surface. This will make the surface warm which boosts the enzyme’s cleaning performance. It’s ideal for stubborn stains.
For deep-seated stains, it will help to scrub the enzyme cleaner into the surface before letting it sit for drying. This will give the enzymes a head start in removing the stains from the affected area.
When applying the cleaner on fabric surfaces like carpets or mattresses, perform a colorfastness test on an inconspicuous spot.
Don’t use the cleaner with hot water since the enzymes can’t survive in extreme temperatures.
Always use the enzyme cleaner in full strength. If you’re thinking of diluting it, check the label first if this is advisable. Diluting the enzyme cleaner means watering down its cleaning effect.
Apply the enzyme cleaner on a clean surface. Make sure that there are no traces of poop on it before spraying the cleaner. If you’ve washed it with a detergent, always wash it with water first.
Conclusion
An enzyme cleaner for dog poop will remove all the stains and odor without traces. As much as it’s safe for all-around use, always follow the instructions on the label. What do you think of our recommendations here? Let us know!