Choosing between hydrogen peroxide and an enzyme cleaner for urine and other foul-smelling stains? Both solutions have a good reputation for handling at least some portion of the mess. But they also have some distinct pros and cons. Show
To make your decision easier, let’s break down the key points between these two cleaner categories. Real quick: What are they?Just to be sure we’re all on the same page: Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent. Oxidizing agents take electrons from other substances, causing those other substances to break down. During that process, the hydrogen peroxide also breaks down into oxygen and water. Enzymes are substances that act as biological catalysts. They control the speed of chemical reactions. When enzymes are used in a cleaning context, non-pathogenic bacteria are suspended in a solution. Once sprayed, these microorganisms excrete enzymes. Those enzymes break down the messes you are trying to clean up. What they both get rightThese two cleaning agents share a number of desirable qualities, which explains why they’re both such popular choices. The main shared traits are:
Setting these shared positives aside, it’s the differences that we need to look at when making a decision. So let’s move on to some of the concerns consumers have raised when shopping for a urine stain and odor remover. Removing stainsWinner: Hydrogen peroxide While both can break down stains, hydrogen peroxide is a much more reliable product. That’s because stains tend to be made of a variety of organic compounds. Each individual enzyme can only break down a particular molecule. That means enzyme cleaner formulas are only effective on certain types of stains. It all depends on the bacteria they contain. Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t have a selectivity problem. It uses electron exchange to break down organic compounds. That makes it far more universally effective. Ingredient transparencyWinner: Hydrogen peroxide The problem of enzyme cleaners being limited by the bacteria they contain wouldn’t be so bad if it was easy to tell which bacteria a formula uses. Unfortunately, enzyme cleaners tend to be very protective of their formulas. Instead of specifics, they might say they use an ‘enzymatic blend’ or ‘a formula derived from orange peels.’ Very unhelpful when you want to assess exactly what their products can effectively handle. Hydrogen peroxide has been studied for nearly two hundred years, and there’s nothing hidden or secretive about it. If you don’t want to have to guess at what your cleaners contain, a hydrogen peroxide-based urine remover is your best bet. Safe on marbleWinner: Enzyme cleaners Never use hydrogen peroxide to clean up urine or other messes from marble. That’s because it can literally etch the stone, causing it to become rough in appearance. Re-polishing etched marble is a tedious chore. Ideally, you want to avoid it in the first place. Fortunately, marble is far from the most common material found in homes. However, if you do have marble countertops, flooring or furniture at risk of needing a de-odorizing treatment, choose an enzyme cleaner to get the job done safely. Conclusion: Both work well, but hydrogen peroxide is more universally effectiveIf you don’t want to worry about your stain and odor remover working well ever time, go for a hydrogen peroxide-based formula. Solutions like Urine Trouble reliably erase the stink AND the stain, every time. As much as we love our furry little friends, they can stink up the house if we’re not careful. When it comes to cats, they do their business in the house as well, which can cause odors in the air. We’ll show you the best way to get rid of cat pee smell in your home. We’ll walk across multiple surfaces, including hardwood flooring, carpet, mattresses, and more. If you’re keen to have a fresh, odor-free home while still hosting a bunch of cat buddies, then keep reading. Here are step-by-step guides for getting cat pee odors out of a variety of different surfaces. Hardwood FlooringHere’s our top method for removing cat pee odors from hardwood floors. Awesome bonus: this also works for other pet pee smells.
You can also use designated pet odor remover products, but this is a green eco-friendly, and cheap alternative that often works just as well. For Extreme Odors If the odors are extreme and no products are working, you may need to sand back the floors to eliminate the smells. CarpetsPet pee and carpets are an unfortunate mix. Not only can the odors linger around forever, but the pee can also cause stains. This method is for removing odors, so keep that in mind. However, it should also help ensure that a stain isn’t left behind if you deal with it quickly. All you need for this method is an enzyme cleaner, towels, and a heavy object.
The enzyme cleaner should remove the odor because the compounds break down bad smells and stains (1). Caution Always check the enzyme cleaner is safe for your carpet type. If you have wool carpets, for instance, it may not be suitable. Upholstery and CushionsSometimes cats are little pests and do their business on couches or upholstery, especially as kittens. Here’s how to remove the odors from these items with hydrogen peroxide. However, you can certainly use baking soda and vinegar, a pet cleaning product, or an enzymatic cleaner, too.
Word Of Warning This is best for light-colored couches since hydrogen peroxide can bleach fabrics. If you have a darker or colored couch, try an enzymatic cleaner or vinegar. Clothes and Other LinenIt can be super annoying if cat pee has gotten into your clothes. But the good news is, this is really easy to clean!
MattressesOne of the most annoying places to remove cat pee from is your mattress. This method will help you to remove the stains and odors. Keep in mind that this works best when dealt with right away!
How to Get Rid of Cat Pee Smell NaturallySometimes store-bought products for removing cat pee contain synthetic ingredients. If you’re all about the natural-product-life and going green, then you can absolutely remove cat pee odors naturally. A water and distilled white vinegar solution is going to be your best friend. Once you’ve cleaned the area with that, sprinkle baking soda, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum. This is the most effective natural DIY method we can recommend. Plus, you can use it on pretty much all surfaces! How to Get Rid of Cat Pee Smell in the AirWhat if the cat pee odors are just lingering throughout the house? How can we get rid of those? Easy!
FAQs on Cat Urine Odor RemovalWhy Does Cat Pee Smell So Bad?There’s a chemical reason as to why cat urine stinks badly. When a cat pees, the bacteria break down quickly and emits a stinky odor (2). This is thanks to a particular amino acid called felinine. The enzymes break down this acid and produce three things: ammonia, carbon dioxide, and MMB, which all smell very bad. Why Do Cats Urinate Outside of the Litter Box?There are a few reasons your cat isn’t peeing in the litter box.
Why Do Cats Spray?Cats spray by squirting urine backward onto a vertical surface (5). Both male and female cats can do this. They tend to do this as a territory marking behavior or when they have an urge to mate (6). If your cat hasn’t been spayed or neutered, then you can expect this behavior to emerge at some point. However, cats also spray when there are other cats nearby — they can feel threatened. They might spray when they’re ill, stressed, or there is a new routine in the home. If you’re worried, contact your vet. What is the Best Cat Urine Odor Remover?If you’re looking for a specific product not already mentioned, we recommend checking out Nature’s Miracle Advanced Stain & Odor Eliminator. It uses an enzymatic formula to remove stains and odors from urine, vomit, and other messes. Not only does it remove odors, but it also leaves behind a refreshing scent. Does Laundry Detergent Get Rid of Cat Pee?Regular detergent isn’t ideal for removing cat pee odors unless it’s enzyme-based. You can certainly use laundry detergent, but we recommend using it in combination with other ingredients such as vinegar or baking soda. What Smells Deter Cats From Peeing?Firstly, clean up their pee, so they don’t repeat marks. Other smells that stop cats from peeing in the same place include (7):
If you’re unsure if you have thoroughly cleaned up cat pee, you can use a black light to check if all pee is gone from the area (8). Feedback: Was This Article Helpful? Thank You For Your Feedback! Thank You For Your Feedback! What is the best thing to use to clean up cat pee?Wipe up the puddle with paper towels or a mop soaked in soapy water. Clean area thoroughly and rinse with warm water. Wipe the area with a sponge dampened with white vinegar. Let the area air-dry.
Is vinegar effective against cat urine?Vinegar, while a bit smelly itself, works to remove the lasting odor of sprayed cat urine because vinegar is an acid that neutralizes the alkaline salts that form in dried urine stains. A solution of one part water and one part vinegar can be used to clean walls and floors.
How long does it take vinegar to neutralize cat urine?Because the vinegar is acidic, it will neutralize the bacteria in the cat pee, offsetting its odor. Let the solution sit for 3-5 minutes or carefully follow the instructions on the cleaning product's label.
Is vinegar or baking soda better for cat pee?A water and distilled white vinegar solution is going to be your best friend. Once you've cleaned the area with that, sprinkle baking soda, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum. This is the most effective natural DIY method we can recommend.
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