Last updated May 20, 2025
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
As a cat parent, there’s no way around it–cats can be messy! Whether they’re having accidents outside of the litter box or throwing up hairballs, we need cleaners that we can rely on to eliminate stains and odors.
In this article, we’ll discuss our top picks for the best cat urine removers. We’ll also talk about what goes into a good stain remover, whether homemade cleaners work on pet stains, and more.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Cat Urine Removers
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Mister Max Anti Icky Poo Unscented
- Minimal fragrance
- Removes stains and odors effectively
- Works on various surfaces
Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover
- Works well in just five to ten minutes
- Three spray settings
- Light, pleasant scent
Nature’s Miracle Advanced Cat Stain and Odor Remover
- Cleans stains in just 15 minutes
- Works on all sorts of pet stains
- Didn’t cause bleaching or leave behind residue after use
Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator
- Tackles pet stains and odors quickly and effectively
- Can be used on most surface types
- Concentrate makes several bottles of cleaning solution
Emmy’s Best Pet Products Enzyme-Based Pet Odor and Stain Eraser
- Calming lavender scent
- Works in just 5-10 minutes
- Can be used on various surface types
Rocco & Roxie Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator
- Carpet and Rug Institute approved
- Color-safe and effective at removing stains
- Can be used on a variety of surfaces
Stuart Pet Supply Co. Carpet Cleaner Solution and Deodorizer
- Medium-strength, fresh scent
- Works in any carpet cleaning machine
- Removes stains efficiently
Hoover Smartwash Automatic
- Easy to assemble, use, and take apart for cleaning
- Dry-only feature absorbs excess water for faster drying
- Cleans deeply and effectively
Why Trust Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
As a lifelong pet owner, I’ve faced every type of pet stain you can think of! I know how important a quality pet stain remover is, especially in a multi-pet household.
I spoke to other cat and dog parents, browsed customer reviews, and used my own personal experience to choose the best of the best for this article. Then, I tested each product on my own carpets and furniture, taking notes on everything from the effectiveness to the fragrance of the products and how long they took to clean.
The 8 Best Cat Urine Removers
We consider various factors to determine our rankings. While the Mister Max Icky Poo Unscented is our top choice, everyone has their own preferences in a cleaner. To help you choose the best pet stain remover, we’ve broken down our recommendations by the best budget option, the best concentrate, and more key considerations.
#1 Overall Best: Mister Max Anti Icky Poo Unscented
Mister Max Anti Icky Poo eliminates carpet stains and also works well on urine odors. It’s one of my favorite cleaners for stubborn pet messes! I like that it has a minimal scent, which is perfect for those of us who are sensitive to strong fragrances. However, there’s also a scented version available if you prefer.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The instructions don’t tell you how long to let the product sit. I chose to saturate the area and come back in about 15-20 minutes for cleaning. This worked well, but you may be able to get away with a shorter amount of time for a small stain.
I’ve also used this product diluted in my carpet cleaning machine. Other reviewers have used it on hard floors, but some note a slippery residue left behind. I’d suggest adding only a small amount to your mop bucket and rinsing the floors well afterward. As with any cleaning product, try it in a small, discrete area first.
What We Liked:
- Minimal scent is great for those with sensitive noses
- Removes stains and odors easily
What We Didn’t Like:
- Instructions don’t tell you how long to let the product set
- May leave a sticky residue on hard flooring
#2 Runner Up: Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover
Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover acts fast to eliminate carpet stains. It’s cost effective and works in just five to ten minutes. That said, I did have to apply it twice to some stains in order to remove them completely.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The bottle comes separate from the spray nozzle to prevent leakage. Some reviewers still reported problems, but I didn’t experience any myself. I also like that the sprayer has three settings: foam, steam, and mist.
Since it’s a bit of an unusual design, I recommend reading the back label before using the product. I didn’t, and found the settings a bit confusing!
I think the product has a light, pleasant scent–but some reviewers found it lingering and unpleasant. Of course, this is just a matter of taste and everyone will feel differently.
What We Liked:
- Light, pleasant scent
- Works in just five to ten minutes
- Separate bottle and sprayer to prevent leakage during shipping
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some reviewers experienced leakage or the product arriving without the sprayer
#3 Best Budget Pick: Nature’s Miracle Advanced Cat Stain and Odor Remover
The Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain and Odor Remover is affordable and works well. It cleans stains in 15 minutes with no bleaching or foamy residue left behind. The enzymic formula will work on urine, feces, and vomit stains.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The product comes in two scents. I chose the fresh scent, which I’d say is medium-strength. It’s not scentless but not overwhelming, either. I’m sensitive to smells and was a little bothered by it, but people without respiratory issues will likely enjoy the fragrance. It made the room smell clean!
What We Liked:
- Cleans fast in just 15 minutes
- Enzymic formula works on all sorts of pet stains
- Didn’t bleach the carpet or leave residue behind
What We Didn’t Like:
- Medium-strength fragrance may bother those with sensitivities
#4 Best Concentrate: Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator
Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator is a strong product in every sense of the word. I was impressed at how quickly and efficiently it works to remove carpet stains. It can be used on various surfaces, with the exception of leather, and its enzymes will eliminate any type of pet stain or odor.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The 8-oz bottle creates 128 oz of cleaner once diluted with water. The cleaner isn’t the best for regular use, but I think it would work well for those needing a fast, deep clean. Angry Orange recommends removing all pets from the area completely until the product has dried.
I would also recommend waiting for a day when you can air out your home, and perhaps wearing a mask for your own respiratory health. I used the product only on a few small stains, and the scent was heavy enough to impact my breathing.
Like many products that claim to be natural and pet-safe, Angry Orange does use essential oils. Many of these, including orange essential oil, are toxic to cats. While this shouldn’t be an issue with them removed from the area, it’s certainly something to keep in mind!
What We Liked:
- Enzymic formula works well on a variety of pet stains and odors
- Can be used on almost any surface (except leather)
- One small bottle can create four spray bottles’ worth of cleaner
What We Didn’t Like:
- Overwhelming fragrance
- Contains orange essential oil, which is toxic to cats
#5 Most Pleasant Scent: Emmy’s Best Pet Products Enzyme-Based Pet Odor and Stain Eraser
Emmy’s Best Pet Products Enzyme-Based Stain Eraser has a medium-strength, calming lavender scent. While you can definitely smell it in the room after use, I didn’t find the fragrance overwhelming or irritating like some other cleaners.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Its enzyme-based formula tackles stains quickly in just 5-10 minutes. However, I did have to use it multiple times on some older stains. It also left a bit of foamy residue behind on the carpet.
I like that this is a multi-purpose cleaner, which means it’s safe for various surfaces–including carpets, wood floors, and tile. Of course, you should always test new cleaners on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that it doesn’t bleach or stain.
While I enjoyed the scent of this cleaner, some reviewers really disliked it. In addition, it seems that some bottles leak during shipping or come with faulty spray nozzles.
What We Liked:
- Calming lavender scent
- Works quickly in just 5-10 minutes
- Safe to use on various surfaces
What We Didn’t Like:
- Left behind a foamy residue on the carpet
- Some reviewers disliked the scent or found it too strong
- Reviewers report issues with leakage and faulty spray nozzles
#6 Best Color-Safe Cleaner: Rocco and Roxie Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator
Rocco & Roxie Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator is versatile, color safe, and effective. It’s been approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute for not leaving behind unsightly stains or residue.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The product works on carpet stains, laundry, and hard floors. While it is effective, I found the fragrance overwhelming. I wasn’t the only one in my family to find the scent terrible, but some family members liked it a lot! Customer reviews also hold very mixed opinions. If you enjoy a strong, minty scent, you might like this one more than I did.
Personally, I would wait to clean on a day where you can air out the house with the windows and doors open, just in case!
What We Liked:
- A versatile product can be used on many surface types
- Removes stains and odors quickly and effectively
- Carpet and color safe
What We Didn’t Like:
- Strong fragrance isn’t for everybody, but some people love it!
#7 Best for Use in Carpet Cleaning Machines: Stuart Pet Supply Co. Carpet Cleaner Solution and Deodorizer
The Stuart Supply Co. Carpet Cleaner Solution and Deodorizer is the perfect choice for carpet cleaning machines. It’s also a concentrate that comes in a large jug, so it’ll last you quite some time!
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
When used in the Hoover Smartwash, which we’ll discuss below, it got my carpets very clean! I noticed a marked difference in the color of the water compared to other cleaners, with this seeming to loosen up more dirt and grime.
It was quite sudsy, so I rinsed with pure water after. The product left the room smelling fresh and clean, with a medium-strength fragrance.
I had no problems with this cleaner at all and found it good at eliminating carpet stains. However, some reviewers were unhappy with its ability to remove stains and odors. It may depend on the freshness or severity of the stain.
What We Liked:
- A large bottle will last through many cleans
- Pleasant, medium-strength scent
- Works in any carpet cleaning machine
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some reviewers were unhappy with its stain removal, although I didn’t have issues myself
- Scent may be too strong for some people
#8 Best Carpet Cleaning Machine: Hoover Smartwash Automatic
I’ve used several carpet cleaning machines in the past, but the Hoover Smartwash Automatic is my favorite. It gives your carpets a deep clean, and even has attachments to help you clean your furniture and stairs with ease.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I used it on dog urine and cat vomit with great success. It got the floors clean without oversaturating them with water, and they dried quickly. The wet/dry light on the bottom was helpful for seeing how the machine was working, and I also like that you can press a button to set it on a “dry only” mode.
If you’ve used a carpet cleaning machine before, you might’ve noticed how difficult they can be to clean. This is always my least favorite part of the process, so I was glad to see that the Hoover Smartwash comes apart easily and has a large opening on the dirty water container so that you can reach in for a good scrub when needed.
Of course, I did have a couple of small gripes with this machine. The first is that I couldn’t find a way to easily remove the bar between the brush rolls, which seemed to collect debris and especially cat litter! Since it has a few grooves on its surface, it was difficult to get completely clean.
I also couldn’t find a fill line on the clean water tank, so I had to guess at how high to fill it. That said, I loved using this product and cleaned every room in my house with it!
What We Liked:
- User-friendly design is easy to assemble, use, and clean
- Cleans well without getting carpets or furniture too wet
- Dry-only feature helps to absorb excess water for a faster drying process
What We Didn’t Like:
- No fill line on clean water tank
- Bar between the brush rolls doesn’t remove for easy cleaning
How to Choose the Best Cat Urine Remover
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The best pet stain remover for you will vary from person to person, depending on whether you have sensitivities to strong fragrances and what types of stains you need to remove. Here are some factors to consider before buying:
Fragrance
Are you someone who’s sensitive to strong fragrances? Or, perhaps you really like products that leave behind a nice, fresh scent after cleaning.
You’ll want to choose a product with a scent you like, whether that’s minty, floral, or fresh. If you don’t like perfumes in your cleaning products, look for an unscented stain remover.
Timing
Most cat urine removers are applied liberally and then left to set. The wait time before soaking up the product can be as little as five minutes or up to a few hours or more.
Light stains take less time to clean, while cat urine stains tend to take longest. Some products even recommend leaving them on the stain until dry, which makes them easier to use but means you’ll have to wait longer to see results.
Enzyme-Based Solutions
For pet stains, you’ll typically want to look for an enzyme-based solution. These products contain enzymes that work to break down the odors from bodily waste such as urine, feces, and vomit.
Other products often won’t remove odors completely, or mask the smell only for it to come back once the cleaner dries.
Type of Stain
Your dog’s muddy paws create a much different stain than cat urine! The cleaner that works best will be different depending on what type of stain you’re dealing with.
The age of the stain is also important. For older stains, you may need to give your cleaner more time to work or expect to apply it multiple times. Generally, cleaning will be more effective the fresher the stain is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can old pet stains be removed?
Old pet stains can sometimes be removed, but they’re often more stubborn than fresh stains. Urine odor tends to be the most difficult to eliminate, especially cat urine.
Sometimes, the staining or odor is too severe and the item must be replaced, whether this means getting rid of that beloved old chair or tearing up the carpets.
Do homemade cat urine removers work?
Homemade cat urine removers can work, though they’re not always as effective as enzyme-based cleaners. They tend to remove the stain, but not always the odor. The most popular homemade cat urine removers use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide as their main ingredient.
Never use bleach to clean urine stains, as urine contains ammonia. When mixed together, bleach and ammonia can create toxic fumes that are unsafe for you and your pets to inhale.
Is vinegar or hydrogen peroxide better for urine stains?
Both vinegar and hydrogen peroxide can work on urine stains, though they may not entirely remove the smell. However, hydrogen peroxide sometimes bleaches the item you’re cleaning, so be sure to test your cleaner in a small, inconspicuous area first.
Why does my carpet still smell like urine after cleaning?
If your carpet still smells like pee even after cleaning, you may need to reapply the product. It sometimes takes multiple rounds to eliminate the odor completely, especially if the stain is old or severe.
That said, sometimes nothing will make the smell of cat urine go away completely other than replacing the soiled item.
Angry orange contains orange oil, which is toxic to cats (and many other pets). And since cats self-groom, anything that they could step on or rub against could be ingested. Please don’t recommended pet products that contain citrus oils!
Hi Carly, thanks for bringing this to our attention. I’ll be looking into the safety of this product and whether or not we need to replace it.
What is the result of the follow-up on Angry Orange? Carly made a great point back in 2021. I need an answer! Please.
Hi Laurel, it’s still inconclusive—everything says that Angry Orange is safe for cats, but I have no confirmation from studies or anything backing that up.
The fact that you believe Sales material over common sense, makes me not even bothered to read your article. You’re obviously button paid for.
We understand your concern, Kel. I’ve flagged this article for our veterinary team to review the marketing claims to see if there are products we should remove or replace.
Thanks for sharing this article
Must need for Cat parents because you will experience a Cat spraying or peeing somewhere in the house lol
I have countless of times and to remove Cat urine is difficult!
The smell is always there but the products you have stated will work wonders!
Thanks again 🙂