Last updated Jul 30, 2025
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Few things smell worse than cat pee. A cat spraying or peeing outside of the litter box can quickly become overwhelming, especially without the right cleaners to handle the mess.
In my time as a cat parent, I’ve learned that, unfortunately, not all cat urine messes can be cleaned. Sometimes, tearing up the carpet and even the subfloor is necessary to completely remove the odor.
The best way to avoid this is to clean the stain fast, before it dries. That, and using an appropriate cleaner made specifically to break down these odors before they set.
In this article, we’ll discuss 7 of the best carpet cleaners for cat urine. I’ve purchased, tested, and reviewed them all myself!
At a Glance: Best Carpet Cleaners for Cat Urine
We highly recommend that you take a look at the following carpet cleaners for cats that we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
MisterMax Anti-Icky-Poo, Unscented
- Removes stains and odors effectively
- Has a light scent that doesn’t mask odors
- Can be used on carpet, hardwoods, tile, and more
Thornell Cat Odor-Off Concentrate
- Quickly and effectively removes stains
- Effective on urine odors
- Doesn’t require scrubbing or blotting
Simple Solution Extreme Cat Stain & Odor Remover
- Works quickly and effectively
- Three spray settings to tackle any stain
- Light, pleasant scent
ECOS for Pets! Stain & Odor Remover
- Eco-friendly and formulated with plant-based ingredients
- Color-safe and works on various surfaces
- Quickly removes fresh stains and odors
E.J. Wheaton Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator
- Foam cleaner in an easy-to-use aerosol can
- No scrubbing or blotting required
- Tackles stains quickly
Nature's Miracle Oxy Formula Set-In Cat Stain Destroyer
- Oxidation formula breaks down and lifts stains
- Made to tackle old, set-in stains from carpets and other surfaces
- Works in as little as 15 minutes
Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Professional Strength Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator
- Removes stains without bleaching or staining carpets
- Certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute
- Can be used on various floor types as well as furniture, clothing, and more
Why Trust Cats.com
I adopted my first two cats seventeen years ago. In that time, I’ve dealt with various types of pet stains, including cat urine. I know how difficult it can be to remove that odor!
To choose the products for this article, our team read hundreds of customer reviews, talked to other cat parents, and used our own experience to choose the best on the market. Then, I tested each one to see how effective it was at removing both stains and odors from carpet.
The 7 Best Carpet Cleaners for Cat Urine
Our rankings are determined by various factors. While our overall best pick is MisterMax Anti-Icky-Poo Unscented for its remarkable odor-fighting capabilities, we know that every home and every stain is different. That’s why we’ve broken down our recommendations by the best color-safe cleaner, the most budget-friendly cleaner, and more.
#1 Overall Best: MisterMax Anti-Icky-Poo, Unscented
I was impressed by MisterMax Anti-Icky-Poo and its ability to fight off urine odors, rather than mask them. I’m pretty sensitive to strong fragrances, so its unscented version was perfect for me. It does have a light fragrance, but nothing overwhelming. There’s also a scented version for those who prefer perfumes in their cleaners.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The instructions don’t specify how long to let the product sit before soaking it up, but with an enzyme cleaner, longer is usually better. I’ve even experimented with letting the surface dry on its own, and this seems to work well for removing odors. For stains, you’ll want to blot it back up to remove the stain itself.
The gallon jug may seem expensive to those buying for the first time, but you get a lot for the price, and it actually works! Mister Max also offers 16-ounce bottles of Anti-Icky-Poo, but they’re about half the price of the gallon-sized container and only ⅛ of the size.
What We Liked
- Removes stains and odors effectively
- Can be used on most surfaces, not just your carpets
- Extremely light fragrance
What We Didn’t Like
- Some reviewers report a sticky residue left behind on hard flooring
#2 Runner Up: Thornell Cat Odor-Off Concentrate
I mixed the Thornell concentrate in my carpet cleaner and used the hose attachment to spray a handful of stains, since I didn’t have an empty spray bottle at the time. After spraying, I immediately noticed it bringing the carpet back to its original color.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The instructions recommend letting the cleaner work until dry rather than blotting it up, which makes it quick and easy to use. Depending on the material you’re cleaning, Thornell does recommend working the cleaner into the fabric to make sure it’s thoroughly coated.
I did blot up the cleaner on a stubborn vomit stain to give the product its best chance, but I used it on a few others as intended. Both ways worked well. The staining was completely erased and the area smelled fresh and clean, even when I got up close to the stains in question.
Since this is a concentrate, it goes a long way. One ounce of concentrate makes a whole quart of cleaning solution, so I’ll be using my 16-ounce bottle for some time.
The smell of the product is quite strong, but I ran an air purifier nearby to help and found it worthwhile after seeing how well the Odor-Off works at eliminating the smell of cat urine and other pet odors.
What We Liked
- Eliminates urine odors quickly and effectively
- Doesn’t require scrubbing or blotting
- Cost-effective, especially for cleaning large areas
What We Didn’t Like
- The fragrance of the cleaner is strong
#3 Budget Pick: Simple Solution Extreme Cat Stain & Odor Remover
Simple Solution Extreme Cat Stain and Odor Remover works in as little as five to ten minutes, though I’ve found that sometimes multiple applications are necessary to completely remove stains, and you may need to let it soak longer to completely eliminate urine odors.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The spray nozzle has three settings: foam, steam, and mist. The product has a light, pleasant scent that isn’t overpowering and doesn’t cover up odors like some of the other urine cleaners on the market.
What We Liked
- Light, pleasant scent
- Works in as little as five minutes
- The bottle and nozzle are separate to reduce the risk of leakage during shipping
What We Didn’t Like
- Some reviewers had trouble with the bottle leaking or products arriving without a nozzle
#4 Best Plant-Based Cleaner: ECOS for Pets! Stain & Odor Remover
ECOS for Pets! Stain and Odor Remover is eco-friendly, made from plant-derived ingredients, and contains enzymes that can break down any organic material, from vomit to urine. Its light, soapy scent is good for those who prefer to avoid harsh chemical cleaners.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
It’s also non-toxic, which is great for multi-pet homes in particular. Sometimes, keeping everyone away from the stain until the cleaner dries is easier said than done, and in this case you don’t have to.
My experience with the product was positive aside from some leakage during shipping. It worked well to remove fresh carpet stains, though I didn’t notice as much of a difference on older, stubborn stains.
It works on carpets, rugs, and upholstery, and is color-safe. Of course, I still recommend testing it in a small, inconspicuous area first, just in case!
What We Liked
- Works well to remove fresh stains and odors from carpets
- Color-safe and works on various surfaces, including carpets, rugs, and upholstery
- Non-toxic and eco-friendly
What We Didn’t Like
- Not as great at removing old, stubborn stains
#5 Best Aerosol Cleaner: E.J. Wheaton Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator
The E.J. Wheaten Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator comes in an aerosol can that’s easy to use and even works upside down. Its bio-enzymic formula works to remove stains and odors caused by organic materials such as cat vomit or urine.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I liked the way this product foams, and you can see it work out the stain. It doesn’t even need to be blotted up afterward! I found it mostly effective on carpet stains, and it was easy to spray once I got the hang of it. You want to hold the nozzle down for just a second at a time, since a lot of cleaner comes out at once and a little goes a long way.
I tried it on a large, set-in stain and I do believe it would’ve finished the job with a second application–but unfortunately, I had a reaction to the product and had to stop using it. I am sensitive to some cleaners, but I also missed the small print on the packaging that warns you to wear skin, eye, and respiratory protection while applying it. This is a little disappointing since the cleaner also claims to be very pet and human safe.
Another Cats.com reviewer found it successful at removing stains and odors, but also noted a strong chemical scent.
For me, the cleaner had very little smell to it at first, but as it worked out the stain, the odor intensified. Even with proper ventilation, it was quite strong. That said, many customer reviews didn’t have issues with the smell, so it may vary from person to person. If you buy the product yourself, make sure you either ventilate the area well or remove all pets from the area and use respiratory protection before spraying.
What We Liked
- Easy to use foam cleaner
- No scrubbing or blotting required
- Most reviewers seem to enjoy the smell
What We Didn’t Like
- Requires skin, eye, and respiratory protection or proper ventilation
- I found the fragrance to be strong and unpleasant
#6 Best Oxidizer: Nature’s Miracle Oxy Formula Set-In Cat Stain Destroyer
Nature’s Miracle’s Oxy Formula uses oxidation to clean rather than enzymes. The difference is that oxidation breaks the stain down into its basic components, like oxygen or carbon dioxide. It also lifts stains to the surface to help eliminate deeply-embedded odors.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Oxidation works faster than enzymes, though some argue that it’s not as thorough. Others say it works even better to remove tough stains.
I found this stain destroyer to be as effective as most enzyme cleaners I’ve tried. It has a medium-strong fragrance that isn’t overpowering, and it removes stains in 15 minutes to an hour depending on severity.
What We Liked
- Oxidation formula removes old, set-in stains
- Works on various surfaces, including carpets, hard floors, and more
- Works in as little at 15 minutes
What We Didn’t Like
- Some reviewers experienced problems with leaky bottles during shipping
#7 Best Color-Safe Cleaner: Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Professional Strength Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator
Rocco & Roxie professional strength pet stain and odor eliminator gets the job done without bleaching or staining your carpets. It’s certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute, and it can also be used on various other surfaces in your home.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The catch with this one is that the scent is very strong. I found it overpowering and even worse than the smell of cat urine, and several family members agreed! However, some of them liked the scent. Reviewers have mixed opinions, too, so I recommend smelling it in the bottle or trying it on a very small area first.
If you like a strong, minty scent, this might be the right cleaner for you! Otherwise, maybe choose a day when you can air out the house and avoid the room you’re cleaning. Or, choose a less fragrant product from our list above.
What We Liked
- Carpet and color safe
- Removes stains and odors effectively
- Versatile and can be used on various surfaces, from carpets to hard floors
What We Didn’t Like
- The strong fragrance was overwhelming for me personally, but some people like the smell
How to Choose the Best Carpet Cleaner for Cat Urine
Here are some factors to consider before purchasing a carpet cleaner to clean cat urine:
- Cleaning speed: Usually, it takes time to effectively tackle cat urine odors, especially if you’re trying to remove set-in stains. Even products that work quickly on vomit stains, for instance, may require a longer wait when cleaning urine. You’ll also want to factor in drying time and any additional applications that may be needed.
- Fragrance: I personally prefer fragrance-free cleaners, but some people prefer those that leave behind a fresh scent. Keep in mind that perfumes can sometimes mask odors, making it difficult to tell if the cat pee smell is truly gone for good.
- Formula type: While most pet stain removers use enzymes to break down the stain, oxidation cleaners can also work well. Make sure to choose a product made specifically for pet clean-up.
