After a hard session on your hands and knees scrubbing away pet mess, it can be soul-destroying to notice the odor as soon as the stain dries. Did you know that some cleaners are actually better at cleaning pet mess than others? These are enzymatic cleaners, and pet owners who do not have them are missing out.
Enzymatic cleaners have a lot of benefits, as they do not include harsh chemical make ups. Below, we present our must-read guide on enzymatic cleaner for the pet owner.
What Is an Enzymatic Cleaner?
An enzyme is a substance that occurs naturally in human and animal bodies. It regulates the rate of chemical reactions and can speed up many processes. In the human body, one of many uses includes breaking down food in saliva.
An enzymatic cleaner uses formulas that utilize enzymes to break down stains. The type of enzyme dictates what type of stain it can break down. Some are great for oils and fats, some are good for breaking down protein and others can help break down stains from starch and carbohydrate.
Why Are They Good for Pet Owners?
Enzymatic cleaners are great for pet owners for a number of reasons. The first is that they do not contain harsh chemicals. These chemicals can be detrimental to the health of pets and young members of the family if ingested, so it is better to have them out of your house.
In addition, these cleaners are much better at breaking down the stains left by feces and urine. Any pet owner knows that even the most well-intentioned of pets (or children) are prone to having accidents. If this is on a carpeted or upholstered area, it can become very hard to remove these stains.
Stains from excrement and urine lead to bad smells. Once a pet smells urine on an area, it very often returns to this spot. This makes it vital that you fully scrub the affected area and remove any trace.
The beauty of them is that they actually remove stains and scents, instead of simply masking them as other cleaners do. This can break down the cycle of excretion and cleaning you may be experiencing with your pet.
Cat Urine
Cat urine is a particular problem all on its own. It has a smell far more powerful than other animal urines and can be almost impossible to remove. This is due to the complex blend of bacteria in its makeup, which can change if the cat is simply urinating or marking territory.
Add to this the fact that cats do not drink much and the high content of uric acid, and you have a mix that ordinary household cleaners are not equipped to cope with. It may take one or two thorough cleaning sessions with an enzymatic cleaner for cat urine, but it will break down scents and odors other cleaners can not.
How Do I Use Them?
To use your cleaner, all you need is a soft cloth. Cotton and microfibre cloths work great, as long as they are absorbent and hold water. Start by spraying the cleaner directly onto the affected surface.
You will then need to blot or rub the area depending upon the type of stain. Rub vigorously, and dry off the cleaner. Repeat this until the stain lifts, pushing deep into the fibers with an old toothbrush if you need to.
Which Brand Should I Buy?
There are a number of enzymatic carpet cleaner products aimed at pet owners. Each one has different strengths and weaknesses depending on the surface and type of animal scent. There are plenty of online reviews that will recommend one for your needs.
Cleaners will generally be available in scented and unscented versions. Both should work just as well as the other. They often come in handy, easy to use spray bottles.
Some of them may be extremely strong and could require dilution. This is both a positive and a negative. Diluting can be a pain, but it also lets you choose the potency of the formula to suit your needs.
Can They Be Used for Anything Else?
Enzymatic cleaners have a multitude of uses beyond simple pet applications. That is why it is a good idea to keep them in your house. If you have problems chemical cleaners can not shift, you can turn to enzymatic solutions.
As enzymatic cleaners break down complex fats and oils, the correct ones can be great for unblocking clogged drains. While they may take a while longer than acidic, chemical drain cleaners, they are much safer and better for the environment. For the best impact, they should be left overnight.
All you need to do is mix them according to the instructions and down a drain or sink. Start at the lower levels of your plumbing system and work up, so the cleaner will flush out more of the pipe.
You can also use them for removing extremely tough stains on carpets and rugs, such as red wine and blood. The best way to do this is to syringe enzymatic cleaner through the back of the carpet, so it penetrates deep into the fibers. This will not just eliminate any stains, but also hard to shift odors.
The stain removal power can also apply to any laundry you may have. Grass stains, food coloring, and other common household stains can all be shifted using enzymes. As they are good for urine smells, they can also be used in the cleaning of restrooms that need a particularly heavy rinse.
Prevention
As well as an enzymatic cleaner in your cupboard, the only other way to prevent pet odors is through prevention. Make sure your pets are correctly housetrained, walk dogs regularly, and clean cat trays to avoid unnecessary accidents and your house will stay fresh and smell clean longer.
If you enjoyed our helpful article, then check out the rest of our website. We have a number of handy blog articles to help you with everything from cleaning to interior design.