I Put 4 Non-Toxic Pet Stain & Odor Eliminators To the Test

Simón was approximately six weeks old when he unexpectedly came into our lives. (He was a parking lot stray, so we don’t have an exact birthday for him.)

He was okay at using the litter box, but the poor thing had diarrhea, so he couldn’t always make it in time. Sorry if this is TMI, but I’m trying to tell you that I had real-life opportunities to put these non-toxic pet stain and odor removers to the test! As soon as I realized we had a problem on our hands, I immediately did a bunch of research, picked out the best pet-safe enzyme cleaners with non-toxic ingredients, and bought several different brands to test out.

All of the ones I purchased ended up being great for effectively cleaning up Simón’s accidents, getting rid of the smell, and preventing him from going to the bathroom in that same spot again. But each brand is a little bit different, so I’ve written some differentiators below to help you choose the best one for YOU and your household.

(Btw, I originally suspected that Simón’s diarrhea was from a parasite or something, but after his tests repeatedly came back worm-free from the vet, I started giving him this probiotic. It solved things within 24 hours and he’s been totally fine ever since! I now just give him one probiotic pack a day.)

This guide contains product recommendations, and we may receive compensation through affiliate links or editorial fees. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!

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Enzymes & bacteria: The key ingredients for effective pet stain & odor removers

The most important thing to look for in a pet stain and odor cleaner is enzymes. That’s what actually digests the mess instead of just covering it up.

Different enzymes handle different things, which is why the best formulas use more than one. Protease, for example, breaks down protein-based waste, lipase handles fatty/greasy stuff, and amylase breaks down carbohydrates.

Enzymes can get into a product two different ways. Sometimes they’re added directly, so you’ll see them listed by name on the label (protease, lipase, and so on). Other times the label just lists something like “beneficial bacteria” or “viable bacteria culture” because living bacteria produce and release those same enzymes themselves, right on the stain, as they go to work.

So an “enzyme” cleaner and a “bacteria” cleaner are really the same thing. They’re working through the same basic mechanism—enzymes breaking down the waste—just delivered slightly differently. The main difference is that added enzymes act fast, while bacteria keep producing fresh enzymes for as long as they stay active.

That bacteria route is especially worth looking for in a cat or dog urine cleaner, because urine leaves behind uric acid, and beneficial bacteria help break it down over time. Just note that dwell time is essential—that’s why most products tell you to let it sit for a few minutes (or longer) before blotting. If you wipe too soon, you won’t give the bacteria time to do their job.

Lastly, while looking FOR enzymes and/or bacteria, I also try to avoid other ingredients, including things like “fragrance,” super harsh surfactants, BHT, liquid plastic ingredients, and other undisclosed ingredients. The labeling laws are not quite as strict in this product category as they are for human personal care products, so you won’t always be able to find the full ingredient list on the bottle. I came across many products in researching this article which had several ingredients “withheld” from the label. I personally prefer to know what’s in the products that I spend my money on and bring inside my home (especially for sprays that I and my smallest family members might be breathing in).

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My reviews on pet-safe odor eliminators and carpet cleaners

Now let’s get to to the brands I evaluated.

☝️ As with all cleaning products (natural or not!), remember to use these products as directed and make sure they are stored safely where pets can’t get into them.

Truly Free

Best fragrance-free and essential oil free. Refillable / lowest waste. Best for set-in urine stains.

Price: $15+ [If you sign up for a subscription, you get 1 refill for free with your first purchase.]

What I tried: Odor & Stain Eliminator (Spray) and Enzyme Stain Remover (Powder)

Other options available: Household cleaning supplies of various types

If you’re sensitive to smells or would just prefer something that is fragrance-free, this one is for you. And because it contains no essential oils, it’s also the safest for pet households as well. (The others are technically pet-safe as well since the essential oils are diluted, but it’s still a good idea to make sure your dog or cat doesn’t get into them…)

This stain remover worked well. I actually used this one on an older accident that happened before I’d bought all of these bottles (I had just used a regular all-purpose cleaner to clean it up originally), and I had no issues at all. It got the job done without leaving any scents behind.

And of course, I like that it’s refillable. You buy the bottle once and then you can buy refill pouches when you run out. So it’s not totally plastic-free, but it does cut down on overall plastic usage.

This one is multi-use as well: they say you can not only use it for pet stains on carpet and rugs, but also on things like upholstered furniture, curtains, sports bags and equipment, and shoes.

In addition to the spray, they also have an Enzyme Stain Remover, which has specific types of added enzymes. You don’t have to use both of these products together, but you can (and it might make the stain-removing power even more effective). You can use the Enzyme Stain Removing Powder in multiple ways:

• Use the powder in combination with the spray on carpet pet stains (vacuum up the powder after letting it sit and blotting the stain out)
• Pre-treat stains on clothing before washing them (anything from grass to wine to coffee)
• Add a scoop directly to the wash to brighten full clothes

If you have any tough, set-in stains that you’re having a hard time getting out, you may want to use the spray + powder together, that way you’re getting as much of the bacteria and enzymes as possible.

They’re both Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free, too.

Use code THEFILTERY for 30% off.

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Kin + Kind

Best to stop re-marking, best for covering up bad smells immediately

Price: $18 for 32 fl oz

What I tried: Pee+Stain+Odor Destroyer, Multi-Surface (Citrus)

Other options: Fabric + Carpet (Floral), Hardwood + Floor (Citrus), Kitty Litter (Floral). Plus some of them come in Mini Sprays. They also have other products like pet shampoo, flea + tick treatment, and more.

This is the best option for covering up odors quickly. It smells really good, but it’s strong! If you’re SUPER sensitive to smells, you will probably not like this one. I’m moderately sensitive, but I actually really liked the way this smelled (especially after what I’d just smelled right before using it. 😆💩) Imagine someone just peeled a thousand oranges in your living room — that’s what it smells like.

I also really like that everything from Kin + Kind is made specifically with pets in mind. Whereas the other products here are made by cleaning brands, this one is made by a pet brand. Their products are even vet-formulated (and of course, cruelty-free).

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ECOS Stain + Odor Remover

Good for everyday cleanups

Price: $15 for 22 oz

What I tried: ECOS Stain + Odor Remover, Lemon Scent

Other options available: They have a variety of other household cleaning supplies, including Pet Shampoo, Litter Box Deodorizer, and a Pet Stain + Odor Remover.

This one has a slight Lemon-y scent that’s definitely there, but it’s not super strong. I used this on one of Simón’s accidents and it worked well. But I’ve also been using it on other random stains around the house… like the other evening when I knocked a bowl of mango chicken tikka masala onto the carpet. 🤦‍♀️ I’m happy to report that it worked really well to clean up the mess. (I did use it right away though, so the oils didn’t have time to set in.)

I’ve also used this one to pre-treat stains on clothing before putting them into the washing machine, and it’s worked well for that too.

Overall, my experience has been that this is a hard-working stain remover that can be used in a varety of ways, and I would definitely re-buy it.

That being said, it may not work for every type of stain because it only contains one kind of enzyme (protease). I’m going to keep testing it out and will report back to see if there’s something it doesn’t work for me on.

They have a Pet Stain + Odor Remover too, which I actually didn’t even realize when I bought the Lemon one. But after looking at the ingredient lists of both (which are pretty similar), the Lemon one is the ‘cleaner’ option of the two. The Pet Stain + Odor Remover contains undisclosed ‘natural fragrance,’ whereas the Lemon one just relies on actual lemon essential oil. The Pet one also uses phenoxyethanol as the preservative, whereas the Lemon one uses potassium sorbate.

That said, the Pet is formulated for slightly tougher jobs. It has an extra surfactant and a water softener/chelator, which can help the enzymes work better with hard water. So if the Lemon one isn’t cutting it, you could try the Pet one to see if it works better for you.

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Biokleen Bac-Out

Most affordable.

Price: $10 for 32 fl oz

What I tried: Carpet Stain + Odor Remover, Lime Essence

Other options available: Various laundry and home cleaning products

This one is not the cleanest option, but I wanted to include it because a) it’s cheaper than the rest, and b) it’s a good middle-ground brand that people like because their products tend to work well for the tough stuff.

Like Truly Free, this one contains plant-derived viable bacteria culture, which is what releases the enzymes that break down the waste and lift the stains.

It also contains glycerin, which could help to keep the area moist for a slightly longer time (and bacteria needs time to work on stains).

That said, while this is a hard-working and affordable stain remover, it does contain some ingredients that I would normally not recommend. This includes undisclosed fragrance (though it is all-natural), phenoxyethanol (which I personally don’t really worry about that much in products like this, but some people choose to avoid), and two isothiazolinone preservatives (which should generally be avoided by people with sensitive skin).

I did use this spray on the oldest stain, because I wanted to see if it would really work… And it did. There were no lingering smells or discolored patches, and Simón was not tempted to go to the bathroom again in that same spot.

It’s also worth noting that they say this stain remover can also be used for other types of tough messes like wine or blood. This will not be my ‘go-to’ stain remover for everyday messes, but I will keep it on hand for tougher projects.

This one also comes in a fillable gallon hug.

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Aunt Fannie’s

Best for carpet refresh & between-cleaning maintenance

Price: $15 for 16 oz

What I tried: Bright Lemon Carpet Refresher Powder

Other options available: Various household cleaning products

This product doesn’t really deserve a place on a list of stain removers, but I’m including it here because it can be a good complementary product.

While it does not have any of the beneficial bacteria or enzymes needed to really remove stains or odors at the source, it can be a helpful additive to getting rid of odors.

The main ingredient is baking soda, which I have long-used to eliminate smells from various places — not just the carpet but also the garbage disposal, the bathroom, the fridge, etc. For the carpet specifically, I will just sprinkle it in whatever spots need a refresh, let it sit, then vacuum it up.

You can also use it on things like cat beds and mattresses.

You could very easily DIY this product. The Aunt Fannie one contains essential oils in addition to the baking soda, but they’re not necessary.

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Other natural stain removers I haven’t tried yet

• Rosey: This Thrive Market brand has a Carpet Stain & Odor Remover (although it does contain phenoxyethanol and undisclosed natural fragrance).
• Root & Splendor: This one is more focused on laundry, but it might still work for carpet!
• Angry Orange: I wanted to try this one because it has good reviews and it looks like it could be an effective stain & odor remover with minimal ingredients. However, they don’t actually list all of their ingredients on their label or website and when I emailed them to ask, they never replied.

Bonus: Non-toxic Febreze alternatives

Obviously, the products I tested above are not just for covering up smells, but rather for cleaning them up at the source.

That said, sometimes you do need to cover some stuff up, at least temporarily. 😆 Grow Fragrance is my personal favorite air & fabric spray. It can totally compete with Febreze in covering up bad smells, but it’s made from all plant-based ingredients (and they actually disclose them all on their product pages!)