Top Cat Urine Odor Removers for Carpet, Couch & Floors

Obviously, we all know and accept our cats are perfect beings with literally zero flaws. That said, these perfect beings don’t exactly produce zero smells. Quite the opposite, in fact; cats are responsible for a myriad of unique smells, the most pungent of which usually comes from their urine.

Goodness! It’s enough to make your eyes water just thinking about it. How can such a small, sweet animal produce such a noxious stench? And there’s not a whole lot you can do to prevent it, shy of keeping their litter clean and making sure they always have access to water. And even then, if your cat chooses to go to the bathroom outside their litter box — whether on the couch, the carpet, the hardwood, or some other location you can’t even think of right now — the scent they leave behind will funkify your whole house if you don’t attack it hard and fast with the right odor-eliminating cleaner. Because soaking up the moisture with a towel and spritzing the area with Febreze isn’t gonna cut it. 

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To effectively eliminate pet odors, you need to opt for products with enzymatic formulas, which effectively break down and neutralize odor-causing molecules. When choosing one of these formulas, you also want to make sure you consider the surface you are using it on — such as carpet or hardwood. Furthermore, if you choose to go the natural route, which can be highly effective, you will want to carefully choose a product that is effective and safe.

If choosing the right odor eliminator feels as overwhelming as the pee smell emanating from your bath mat, don’t worry. Take a deep breath (away from the bath mat). We’ve made things easy with our picks for the best cat-pee-odor eliminators.

Best cat urine odor eliminators

• Best Overall: Rocco & Roxie Stain and Odor Eliminator, $24

• Best for Carpet: Pooph Pet Odor Eliminator, $23

• Best for Hard Surfaces: ECOS for Pets Stain and Odor Remover, $10

• Best Natural: Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, $18

• Best Fragrance-Free: Mister Max Unscented Anti Icky Poo Odor Remover, $39

• Best Budget Enzymatic: Urine Off Cat + Kitten Odor and Stain Remover, $12

Best overall

Rocco & Roxie Stain and Odor Eliminator

$30

$24

With over 77,000 five star reviews on Amazon, this odor-eliminator spray by Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. is our go-to choice for the smelliest of smells. Pet and people safe, this spray can be used on any surface including carpets and even clothing and upholstery. In addition to being a smell eliminator, this spray tackles stains as well — earning it our top spot on this list. 

• Women Owned

$24 at Amazon

Nature’s Miracle Advanced Cat Stain and Odor Eliminator Spray

$16

$14

This massively popular choice has a mild scent and is great for tackling all manner of biological-based smells, from urine to vomit to poop. When used as directed, it is also safe for just about every surface in your home. 

$14 at Amazon

Best for carpet

For some reason, pets seem to prefer the luxurious experience of expelling their bodily fluids on cozy, comfy carpets. While nothing screams pet parenthood like cleaning bile off your shag rug at 3 in the morning, these odor-eliminating sprays can make this precious milestone a little less smelly.

Pooph Pet Odor Eliminator

$30

$23

If you’re sensitive to fragrant cleaning products, reach for this odor eliminator by Pooph. Safe for multiple surfaces, including carpets and upholstery, this spray uses a proprietary mineral formula that looks and smells like water — while completely obliterating odors. Specifically designed for pets, this spray is safe enough to use around the litter box and on chew toys. 

• Gives Back
• Women Owned

$23 at Amazon

Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odor Remover

$21

Ask any trainer: Eliminating certain odors is key to preventing new ones from occurring. Luckily, this spray by Simple Solution is powerful enough for both our noses and our pets — so those still working on their potty training aren’t tempted to return to the scene of the smell. This spray is designed for multi-surface; however, because of the powerful formula, it is recommended to do a 24-hour test on a small area of the surface before normal use. 

$21 at Amazon

Nature’s Miracle Carpet Shampoo, Deep-Cleaning Pet Stain And Odor Remover

$15

This cleaner can be used on both old and new stains. Its low-foaming composition ensures compatibility with virtually any water-based steam- or carpet-cleaning machine, yet it remains effective even when used by hand.

$15 at Amazon

Best for hard surfaces

While easier to clean than carpets or upholstery, hard surfaces can still hang on to smells — especially porous ones, like hardwood and stone. To eliminate these odors and ensure the upkeep of your hardwood surfaces, these sprays are gentle yet effective enough to get the job done.

ECOS for Pets Stain and Odor Remover

$10

This spray by Ecos boasts plant-based enzymes that neutralize odors and fight stains but it gentle enough for hardwood and other sealed surfaces. We also love that this spray is biodegradable and 100 percent vegan. 

• Sustainable
• Women Owned
• Gives Back

$10 at Chewy

Zero Odor Pet Odor Eliminator

$16

Bathrooms are often the easiest to clean when it comes to pet odors — except for one: skunk. If you’re in the unfortunate position of having to deal with a skunked pet, reach for this spray by Zero Odor. Not only is it confirmed to work against skunks by the company, multiple reviewers mention its effectiveness in dealing with this smelly situation:

“My dog had a run-in with a skunk,” one writes. “As usual, they run into the house before you are aware of the situation. No matter how much you scrub and clean the skunk odor lingers. I used Zero odo,r and it actually seemed to eliminate the odor. I asked several visitors the age-old question, ‘Does the dog smell like a skunk?’ and the answer was ‘no.’ So, I guess it works pretty well.”

$16 at Amazon

Sprinkle & Sweep Pet Mess and Odor Cleanup

$20

Touted as a “hands off approach” to dealing with pet odors, this product by Sprinkle & Sweep is a mess-free alternative to traditional odor sprays. To use it, cover the odor-causing mess with the product and sweep the dried bits into a dustpan. Designed with “Stink-Lock Technology,” this product really does make it less gross to deal with the gnarliest messes. And, while the stink lock “technology” really does work, we recommend following up with a regular or odor-eliminating cleaning spray to ensure a full clean-up.

• Gives Back

$20 at Chewy

Best natural

Natural or plant-based odor eliminator sprays can be just as effective as their non-natural counterparts. Keep in mind, however, not all natural products are safe for use around pets simply because they are clean or plant-based. Certain odor eliminators contain essential oils, which c an be toxic for pets, even in small doses. It’s important to stick to products that use pet-safe ingredients, like the ones in this list. 

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

$18

For smells of all kinds, baking soda is the original odor eliminator. Sprinkle some in your carpet, allow it to sit and then vacuum up to get rid of fresh or set-in pet odors. For hard surfaces or wet stains, DIY a spray out of baking soda, water, and vinegar. As for safety, baking soda is also the gold standard — this one-ingredient product is safe enough for you to bathe your dog with or even brush their teeth. 

• Gives Back

$18 at Amazon

Defunkify Odor Remover Spray

$21

This isn’t our first time singing Defunkify’s praises, and it probably won’t be our last. Despite including trace amounts of lavender essential oils, this natural spray is safe for pets because the small amount of oil evaporates quickly, destroying odors and leaving no irritating scents. Defunkify can be used on carpets, upholstery and bedding. However, Defunkify recommends allowing all pet bedding to dry completely before allowing your pet to use it.

• Sustainable
• Gives Back

$21 at Amazon

Biokleen Bac-Out Carpet Cleaner Spray, Stain Remover and Odor Eliminator

$25

This plant-based formula actively breaks down organic stains and odors safely — without harsh chemicals, phosphates, chlorine, ammonia, or artificial fragrances. It comes in a ready-to-use, full-strength foaming spray format, so there is no dilution or machine prep required, which makes it especially convenient for spot-treatment on carpets, upholstery, and laundry.

$25 at Amazon

Best fragrance-free

Fragrances can be tricky. Many are derived from essential oils, which can pose a certain risk to cats. This doesn’t mean you can’t use scented products. Many scents, especially those used in cleaning products, are synthetic and should pose no danger to your cat. But if you’re not sure where a scent comes from or if you yourself are sensitive to smells, these fragrance-free options still offer powerful cleaning. 

Mister Max Unscented Anti Icky Poo Odor Remover

$39

Great for homes with multiple pets and a high volume of messes, this odor remover works on all manner of surfaces and can combat everything from urine to skunk spray.

$39 at Amazon

Bissell Professional Stain & Odor Remover

$8

Formulated for deep-cleaning machines, this solution penetrates carpet fibers to remove embedded pet stains and neutralize odors at the source. Its professional-grade strength restores carpets and upholstery while being safe for use around pets when used as directed.

• Gives Back

$8 at Bissell

Best budget enzymatic cleaner

Just because you don’t want to shell out for an expensive product doesn’t mean you don’t deserve an effective clean. If nothing else, these products are a great place to start. If you end up needing something more specialized or more powerful, you can always upgrade.

Urine Off Kitten & Cat Odor & Stain Remover

$12

Formulated without bleach or chloride, this powerful enzymatic cleaner is safe to use even around kittens. And it comes with a separate carpet applicator cap, so you don’t have to spray til your hand hurts to adequately soak the stain.

$12 at Amazon

Cat Stain & Odor Remover

$6

The cheapest formula on this list, this solution comes ready to use and is surprisingly effective. Don’t be stingy, though. It’s important to really soak the areas you want to clean so the enzymes can do their work effectively.

$6 at Amazon

Factors to consider when choosing an odor-eliminator spray 

When choosing an odor-eliminating product for cat urine, it’s crucial not to opt for traditional cleaning products. These products are designed differently than odor-eliminating solutions, with some even containing urine-mimicking smells, such as ammonia, which can encourage pets to mark, causing even more odors.

Instead, always choose products, like the ones on this list, that have an enzymatic formula designed to molecularly attack odors. Not only will these products evaporate smells for you and your fellow humans, but it will eliminate odors that are detectable by pets to minimize repeat accidents.

Fragrance

Some brands use strong fragrances to cover up the fact that their odor-eliminators don’t really work, which can lead to a sickly combination of poop/pee/floral/citrus scents, that’s almost worse than the original odor. 

It’s also important to remember that fragrances are sometimes derived from essential oils, which can be harmful to pets, even in small doses. 

Timing

The sooner you tackle the issue, the better. Even if you don’t have the perfect odor remover immediately at hand, use towels to soak up any residual fluid and use what you have access to in order to get the process started.

You can always keep your cat away from the area for a day or so (either by closing off the room or covering the spot with something big and heavy once it dries) and clean it again when you get the perfect product.  

Sticking with enzyme-based products

Cat urine contains uric acid, which forms microscopic crystals that stick to surfaces (and into porous materials like carpet or wood). These crystals are highly odor-resistant and can linger for years unless chemically broken apart. Fortunately, that’s exactly what enzymes do. They target the proteins, urea, and other organic compounds in urine, transforming them into odorless, non-reactive substances like water and carbon dioxide, so there’s no smell left to mask or reappear later. No lingering smell means cats are less likely to pee in that same spot again later. 

Ammonia-based cleaners, on the other hand, can actually mimic aspects of the smell of urine and end up encouraging re-marking by your cat later. 

Most enzyme cleaners are also developed to use on multiple surfaces, which makes them less likely to damage your rugs, upholstery, stone, or hardwood floors than traditional cleaners that might work well on one surface, but leave stains of their own on another.  

Type of stain/odor

Many of the products on this list are marketed as “pet” odor and stain removers rather than cat urine-specific odor and stain removers. That’s OK. Just because a product is marketed specifically to cat parents doesn’t mean it is necessarily more effective than one marketed to all pet parents. Just make sure you read the fine print on the label so you understand exactly what the product can and cannot do. 

Related article

Why Does My Cat’s Pee Smell So Bad? Cat-Urine Odor Explained

Cat pee already has an unpleasant odor. But if it gets worse, you’re going to need to do something about it.

How to use cat-odor eliminators

First and foremost, you’ve got to act fast. The longer you leave the spot untreated, the harder it will be to fully eliminate the odor and the more likely your cat is to return and pee in that same spot again. 

Next, you want to make sure that you are following the instructions on the bottle of the specific product you are using. Every product is a little different and the instructions are there to help you use the product as effectively as possible. 

Don’t be stingy with the amount of cleaner you use. More is better than less. For enzymatic cleaners to work, they must reach all the urine — including what’s seeped below the surface. Fully saturate the area rather than lightly misting it. If it helps, remember that your cat peed directly on that spot. They didn’t mist on it. They soaked it. You need to do the same. 

Don’t rush the process. You need to give the enzymes time to work. That may be hours or even overnight. If the smell is really bad, consider covering the spot in plastic wrap to keep the moisture in before allowing it to air dry the next day. Do not use a hairdryer to hurry the process as the heat can damage the enzymes and make them less effective.

And, if at first you don’t succeed: Try again! Depending on your cat, the surface in question, and how long the urine has been there, it may take multiple rounds of cleaning to fully eliminate the smell. Don’t give up. 

FAQs

Do air purifiers eliminate pet odors?

Air purifiers can be helpful in reducing pet odors, especially those caused by dander. There are even some air filters designed especially to combat pet odors, such as this one by Colorfil. That said, air purifiers and filters are not ideal for addressing odors set in carpets, floors, or upholstery.

How to eliminate pet odor from a couch?

Most carpet safe odor eliminators are also safe for furniture or upholstery. Make sure to check the instructions on the spray of your choice, as they will most likely include specific steps for furniture or upholstery. 

How to eliminate pet odor from concrete?

For porous, hard surfaces like concrete, sprays designed for indoor hard surfaces should also do the trick. For concrete surrounding landscaping or lawns, opt for outdoor safe sprays like this one by Simple Green.

Do homemade cat urine removers work?

They certainly have their place. If the marking is fresh, and you want to try a homemade odor remover while you wait for an enzymatic cleaner to arrive, try mixing equal parts vinegar and water and applying it generously to the spot. Once it has dried, you can try sprinkling baking soda on the area, leaving it for a few hours to absorb any lingering smells, and then vacuuming it away. 

Remember, though, that while vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide can mask odors to you, they won’t completely break down the microscopic uric acid salts that cats can still smell. That’s why a cat might pee in the same spot again, even if it smells clean to you.

Homemade solutions can also damage your surfaces if they are too strong or not formulated properly, so be careful. It would be terrible to get the smell out of your sofa only to be left with a big, discolored blotch instead.