5 Best Enzyme Cleaners for Dog Urine (That Actually Work)

Your carpet still smells. You've scrubbed it three times. You've tried vinegar, baking soda, that expensive spray your neighbor recommended. The smell keeps coming back.

Here's the thing:

Regular cleaners can't break down the uric acid crystals in dog urine. They just push them deeper. That's why the smell returns every time it gets humid.

After testing 15 enzyme cleaners over 3 months on real accidents (thanks to my three senior rescue dogs), I found 5 that actually work. Skip ahead: our top pick is Naturally It's Clean—plant-based, no fragrances, and it eliminated a 3-week-old stain in 24 hours.

Why Regular Cleaners Fail (The Science)

Dog urine contains uric acid, which forms crystals that bind to carpet fibers and padding. Water and soap can move these crystals around, dilute them temporarily, or push them deeper—but they can't break the molecular bonds.

Enzyme cleaners contain beneficial bacteria that produce specific enzymes—protease, amylase, lipase, and most importantly, uricase—that literally consume organic matter. They eat the uric acid and convert it to carbon dioxide and water.

Pro tip: This is why enzyme cleaners need dwell time. The bacteria need 10-15 minutes minimum to do their work. Rushing this step is why most people think enzyme cleaners 'don't work.'

What We Tested

• 15 enzyme cleaners, including Nature's Miracle, Rocco & Roxie, and 6 plant-based formulas
• Fresh accidents (within 10 minutes)
• Day-old stains
• Week-old set-in stains
• Double-layer accidents (new on top of old)

🏆🏆 Editor's Choice Enzyme Cleaner

Rocco & Roxie consistently outperforms competitors in independent testing.

Each cleaner was applied according to package directions, allowed proper dwell time, and evaluated after 24 hours using both smell tests and UV light inspection.

But here's what most people miss:

We also tested in humid conditions a week later. That's when you really know if the uric acid is gone—humidity reactivates any crystals the cleaner missed.

The 5 Best Enzyme Cleaners

1. Naturally It's Clean Carpet & Upholstery

Best for: Carpet and furniture accidents • Our Top Pick

This plant-based formula was our clear winner. No dyes, no artificial fragrances—just enzymes that work. I used it on a 3-week-old stain that had survived two other cleaners. The smell was completely gone within 24 hours. A week later, after a humid rainy day? Still gone.

• 100% plant-based enzyme formula
• No dyes or artificial fragrances (easier to verify it's working)
• Safe for carpets, upholstery, rugs, and drapes
• Works on old, set-in stains (requires longer dwell time)

The unscented formula is actually an advantage—you know the odor is eliminated, not just masked.

→ Check price on Amazon

2. Sunny & Honey Enzymatic Stain Remover

Best for: Fresh accidents and regular maintenance

This concentrated formula is our go-to for quick cleanups. Spray it on a fresh accident, let it sit 15 minutes, blot. Done. The bio-enzymatic action breaks down urine at the molecular level before it has time to crystallize.

• Concentrated formula (better value per use)
• Works on carpet, hardwood, and tile
• Fast-acting on fresh stains
• Also effective on vomit and feces

The result?

I keep one bottle in the laundry room and one upstairs. When accidents happen—and they will—speed matters.

→ See Sunny & Honey on Amazon

3. OdorKlenz Laundry Booster

Best for: Pet bedding, blankets, and washable items

Your washing machine can only do so much. This laundry additive uses earth minerals to neutralize odors in fabrics. I tested it on dog beds that smelled like... well, dog. After one wash cycle? Actually smelled clean.

• Earth mineral technology (different from enzyme approach)
• Works with any detergent
• Safe for all washable fabrics
• Also handles musty towel smell

4. Naturally It's Clean Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Best for: Hardwood and tile floors

Hardwood is tricky because urine seeps into wood grain. This pH-balanced formula is designed specifically for hard floors and won't damage finishes. One stubborn spot took two applications, but it worked without warping the wood.

• Safe for sealed hardwood, laminate, and tile
• Won't damage floor finishes
• Plant-based enzyme formula
• pH-balanced for hard surfaces

Pro tip: For hardwood, apply sparingly and don't over-wet. Excess moisture is worse than the urine for wood floors.

5. Bamboo Charcoal Odor Absorbers

Best for: Ongoing odor prevention

These aren't cleaners—they're absorbers. Place them near problem areas (by the back door, near the crate, under dog beds) to continuously pull odors from the air. They're reusable for up to 2 years if you recharge them in sunlight monthly.

• Natural bamboo charcoal
• Reusable for 2 years (just needs monthly sun)
• No chemicals, fragrances, or off-gassing
• Works passively 24/7

Now, here's where it gets interesting:

I was skeptical of these. They just sit there—no spray, no scrub. But after 6 weeks, visitors stopped commenting on the 'dog smell.' The charcoal doesn't fix acute problems, but it handles the background odor that builds up over time.

→ Get bamboo charcoal bags on Amazon

Quick Comparison

Here's when to use each:

• Old carpet stains: Naturally It's Clean Carpet (our top pick)
• Fresh accidents: Sunny & Honey for speed
• Pet bedding: OdorKlenz in the wash

Additional tips: hard floors: naturally it's clean hardwood, general dog smell: bamboo charcoal bags.

The Bottom Line

For most dog parents, start with Naturally It's Clean for carpets and keep Sunny & Honey on hand for fresh accidents. Add charcoal bags for ongoing prevention. That's the complete system.

After 3 months of testing, I replaced everything under my sink with these 5 products. The carpet in my hallway—the one I was ready to tear out—finally smells like carpet again.

Our recommendation: Start with Naturally It's Clean for carpets. It's the one product that consistently delivers.

Still have questions? Check out our complete FAQ on enzyme cleaners, or explore our step-by-step guide to removing dog pee smell from carpet.

🏆👉 Don't Miss: Naturally It's Clean Carpet Upholstery Cleaner

Plant-based enzyme cleaner for carpets, upholstery, and drapes—safe for use around pets.