Last updated Mar 31, 2023
If you are a cat parent, you absolutely love your fur babies with seemingly unconditional adoration. Cats all have their own, unique personalities and, despite their individual quirks, we can’t imagine our lives without them. However, as with all animals, cat ownership is never perfect and, ‘accidents will happen,’ as the saying goes.
This is definitely true when it comes to special ‘gifts’ left on your carpet from your furry friends. Whether it’s a hairball, vomit or urine, cat messes are never a fun thing to discover and can sometimes be a nightmare to deal with.
At a Glance: Best Carpet Cleaners for Cats
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.
Nature's Miracle Set-In Stain Destroyer
- Works on carpets, floors, upholstery and clothing
- Safe to use around pets and children
- Fresh, citrus scent
Ecos for Pets! Stain & Odor Remover
- Made from plant-based ingredients
- Safe to use on all fabrics and color types
- Enzymes eliminate stains and odors
E.J. Wheaton Professional Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator
- Commercial-grade foaming formula
- Eliminates stains and odors
- Dries quickly
Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator
- Enzymatic formula eliminates stains and odors
- Discourages repeated accidents
- Chlorine-free and color-safe on fabrics
Simple Solution Cat Extreme Stain & Odor Remover
- Stream, foam and mist options
- Discourages repeat spraying
- Works on carpets, bedding and most fabrics
Why Should You Trust Us?
To find the best carpet cleaners on the market, we researched the types of cleaning products available, read hundreds of customer reviews, and performed real-world tests on over a dozen products. We spent over 50 hours testing both enzyme cleaners and oxygenated products’ safety, cat-friendliness, and ability to remove urine and vomit stains.
All of the products reviewed were purchased independently with no compensation from the brands.
Based on this extensive research and hands-on testing, we’ve selected the following carpet cleaners for cats as the best you can buy.
What To Look for When Choosing a Carpet Cleaner for Cats?
Not only can cat messes leave behind stains, but often times, the lingering odor can be the bigger issue. So it’s important to consider what kind of stain you will be removing, along with what kind of fabric you will be applying it to.
Granted, there are seemingly countless carpet cleaners available on the market, and they all have their own formulas, strengths and weaknesses. With that in mind, this article will hopefully help you find the best one to suit your needs.
Our Top Picks for the Best Carpet Cleaners for Cats
#1 Overall Best: Nature’s Miracle Set-In Stain Destroyer
Nature’s Miracle Set-In Stain Destroyer uses an oxygenated formula that helps to extract the molecules that cause cat stains. It works on urine, feces, dirt, and blood, and can be used on a variety of materials, including carpet, upholstery, and bedding. It is by far the best carpet cleaner for cat pee on our list.
The oxygenated formula helps to deeply penetrate stains while leaving behind a fresh citrus scent, and it’s also safe to use around pets and children.
Pros
- Works on most surfaces and fabrics
- Non-toxic formula
- Fresh, citrus scent
Cons
- May discolor some fabrics
- Slightly more expensive than other cleaners
#2 Best Plant-Based Cleaner: Ecos For Pets! Stain & Odor Remover
Ecos for Pets! Uses natural enzymes that are derived from plants to safely remove stains and odors from virtually any material or surface. It works by getting rid of all organic pet messes while also neutralizing odors.
Even though it’s a fast-acting formula, it’s also non-toxic, it won’t discolor fabrics, and it is also not tested on animals.
Pros
- Safe to use on all fabrics and color types
- Made from plant-based ingredients
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- May not discourage repeat accidents
- Might need multiple applications depending on the stain
#3 Best Aerosol Cleaner: E.J. Wheaton Professional Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator
This professional-strength, foaming aerosol cleaner works quickly to remove stains and odors without having to wipe-up or blot-up any wetness after applying it. Also, its bio-enzymatic formula is safe to use around pets and children.
The dye-free and bleach-free formula is safe to use on most fabrics and surfaces, and the aerosol can even be used upside down.
Pros
- Foaming formula works quickly
- Simple one-step application
- Dries quickly
Cons
- Can have a strong, chemical smell at first
- More expensive than other cleaners
#4 Best Enzymatic Cleaner: Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator
Rocco & Roxie’s Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator uses a bio-enzymatic formula that removes odors and stains caused by urine, feces, vomit, and other pet stains by safely dissolving organic matter, it is the best carpet cleaner for cat vomit on our list
This cleaner is safe to use on carpet, furniture, clothing, and other surfaces, and will not affect colored fabrics. It’s safe to use around pets and children and is also approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute.
Pros
- Works on a variety of fabrics and surfaces
- Discourages repeated accidents
- Chlorine-free and color-safe
Cons
- Has a slight, chemically smell
- More expensive than other cleaners
#5 Best Spray Nozzle Cleaner: Simple Solution Cat Extreme Stain & Odor Remover
This cleaner is specially formulated to discourage repeat accidents as well as removing stains and odors from carpets, upholstery, bedding, and other water-safe surfaces. It’s also designed to be safe to use around pets and children. this product is one of the best remedy for cat urine on carpet on the market today.
The 3-in-1 spray nozzle (foam, mist, or stream) allows you to apply the cleaner in a variety of ways depending on the type of stain and its severity.
Pros
- Foam, mist, and stream nozzle options
- Discourages repeat spraying
- Works on most fabrics and water-safe surfaces
Cons
- May have to reapply on stained areas
- Might have a mild chemical smell when first applied
Types Of Carpet Cleaners For Cats
Carpet cleaners for cats are all designed differently and are developed for different applications. Some are designed more toward stain removal, some are designed more toward odor removal, some are designed more toward discouraging repeat offenses, and some are designed more toward preserving fabrics.
So, it’s a good idea to do some researching and experimenting to figure out exactly what the issue is that you are trying to remedy, along with being mindful about what will work best for your home and for your cats.
The last thing you want to do is start using a product that might make matters worse, such as buying a carpet cleaner that fades the color of your fabric, a cleaner that doesn’t smell pleasant to you, or a cleaner that draws the attention of your cats back to the affected area that you are trying to clean in the first place.
Enzyme Cleaners And Oxygen Cleaners
The two primary types of pet stain removers are ones that contain either enzymes or oxygen. Both types of cleaners are out to achieve the same goal, which is to remove stains and odors, but they go about it in different ways. And, some cleaners even use a combination or hybrid of enzymes, oxygen, and other ingredients.
Enzyme-based cleaners utilize a bio-enzyme, which is a bacteria or protein that will actively break down and eliminate other bacteria, such as odors and stains. Enzyme cleaners can be very effective but can also take some time for them to work.
Oxydation cleaners use effervescent oxygen that has a more immediate reaction when coming into contact with a pet mess, causing the stain to dissipate more quickly. Though they can work very well, there is a risk of discoloring certain types of fabrics when used.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a first-time cat owner or an experienced multi-cat parent, you know that cats will be cats, and this certainly applies to having to clean up their occasional messes. Be it urine, vomit, or feces, it’s never an enjoyable thing to discover in your home, and definitely not an enjoyable thing to have to clean up.
We may not always understand why cats do what they do when it comes to these messes, but it’s something that we as cat owners have to deal with one way or another.
so if you are looking for the best product to get cat pee out of carpet, there are several great carpet cleaners on the market that are specially formulated for cats, and there are many options as far as what will work best for stains, what will work best for odors, what will work best for certain fabrics, and what will work best for your furry friends.
If you’re still not sure where to start when it comes to carpet cleaners for cats, take a look at one of the top picks that we’ve reviewed above. Good luck and enjoy your shopping!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to get cat pee out of carpet?
Nature’s Miracle Set-In Stain Destroyer uses an oxygenated formula that helps to extract the molecules that cause cat stains. It works on urine, feces, dirt, and blood, and can be used on a variety of materials, including carpet, upholstery, and bedding.
