Editor's Note: Products featured on Wide Open Pets are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Our fur babies mean the world to us, but they come with plenty of surprises — some of them smellier then others.
Most of them are joyful, but some of them involve a mysterious wet spot that you step on in bare feet. For those moments, the best pet stain removers are a must.
Life with pets is messy, but if you want to save your rugs and floors, you need to be armed with the right arsenal of cleaners. Given the variety of pets, the types of messes, and the different surfaces and fabrics out there, odds are you won't be able to rely on just one product to keep your home clean. Most likely, you'll have to choose a few to tackle the task at hand. Enzymatic pet stain removers can destroy feces, cat urine, dog urine, and more with a built-in deodorizer, making clean-up a breeze. And when urine odors won't seem to budge because they've been there for too long, there are other cleaning products that can go deeper. Luckily, help is here. We've combed through the many options out there to come up with this list of our top eight. Whether you're faced with cleaning your hardwood floors, carpets, furniture, or laundry — we've identified the best pet stain removers to get the job done.
The 8 Best Pet Stain Removers
1. Best Option for Cats & Dogs
Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator
Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator - $19.97, Amazon
Rocco & Roxie is a newcomer on the pet product scene, but it's super popular for good reason — this speedy pet urine and odor remover uses natural enzymes to eliminate odors in carpets and rugs — and any other surface you need cleaned quickly. It's safe on literally any carpet or rug, and it's gentle enough to be spritzed on pet beds, crates, and litter boxes to sanitize and keep your home smelling fresh. Our executive commerce editor loves this spray, writing: "I've used this on couches, rugs, and even travel with it when I'm taking my pet to a new location. It's the best option I've ever tried, and I've tried a ton."
2. Best Scented Option for Dogs
Nature's Miracle Set-In Stain Remover
Nature's Miracle Set-In Stain Remover - Amazon, $11.40
A long time go-to for pet parents, Nature's Miracle is known for being an effective urine destroyer even — combined with the power of oxygen and a fresh orange scent, it's made to tackle set-in stains and odors that you thought would never come out. It also works on hardwood floors, furniture, and most fabrics, making it a great all-around cleaning solution.
3. Best Scented Option for Cats
Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover for Cats
Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover -$23.75, Amazon
This life-saving option from Nature's Miracle is made for the uniquely stubborn odors that come out of cat urine. It also works on vomit, drool, feces, and pretty much every other unpleasant scent that can come out of your precious kitten. The enzymatic cleaner will keep working until all the stains are gone, and it also has a light citrus scent. One Amazon reviewer writes: "This product absolutely works! I think it is managed to kill every horrible scent that my cat has left behind 100% of the time."
4. Best Laundry & Spot Cleaner Option
OUT! Oxy Fast Activated Pet Stain & Odor Remover
OUT! Oxy Fast Activated Pet Stain & Odor Remover - Chewy, $4.63
While it's hard to point to one cleaner that does it all, this Out! spray is about as close as you'll come. This pet-safe potion can be safely used on just about everything in your home, from rugs and floors to the couch and your cat's litter box. Heck, if your dog managed to pee on your curtains, you're in luck, because it can be used as a laundry pre-treatment too. With advanced stain removal, this one is a best seller for a reason.
5. Best Laundry Booster
Skout's Honor Laundry Booster Stain & Odor Removal Additive
Pet stains can end up on couch throws, blankets, pillows, dog beds, and sometimes your own clothes.This eco-friendly wash booster is a peroxide-free, plant-based formula that is gentle on fabrics, but doesn't go easy on the stain.
6. Best Pre-Treatment Spray
Bissell Pro Oxy Stain Destroyer Pet with Brush Head Cleaner
Bissell Pro Oxy Stain Destroyer - Chewy, $5.99
Bissell is a household name with a long history of clean rugs behind it. Their pet-specific cleaner makes your mission of eliminating that gross stain so much easier: just spray and then use the attached brush head to get deep within the fibers of your carpet or rug. It works as a pre-treatment spray — so this will be used before you deep clean your carpets (try out this absolutely amazing pet stain vacuum if you're looking for one) or send them in for cleaning to ensure the pet stain removers will be completely eradicated.
7. Best On-The-Go Option for Travel or Car
Bissell Stomp'N'Go Pet Lifting Pads
Bissell Stomp'N'Go Pet Lifting Pads (20 Pack) - Amazon, $24.90
If you travel with your pet often — on car trips or to new places — you'll want to keep a couple of these brilliant pet pads in your glove compartment or bag. If an unexpected accident happens, just unwrap and blot them, and the stain will instantly be removed. Bonus: it also works on human stains, too — like wine or coffee — so it'll do double duty in your travel kit.
8. Best for Hardwood Floors
Nature's Miracle Dual-Action Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Nature's Miracle Hardwood Floor Cleaner - Amazon, $12.99
If you have more hardwood floors in your house than you do carpets, you just got a new pet, or you really want to ensure the longevity of your expensive flooring, this cleaner specifically made for hardwood floors is the perfect choice. It'll protect the natural finish of the wood, and also works on linoleum, concrete, vinyl, sealed wood, and ceramic tile.
This article was originally published on September 13th, 2021 and updated in 2022 by Alida Nugent.
