The smell of cat urine is often a source of frustration, but it can be resolved with enzyme cleaner. Cat urine contains a high concentration of ammonia, which bacteria breaks down to create an unpleasant odor. Ammonia cleaners are highly effective in banishing the scent and preventing its return for up to 6 months.
How does enzyme cleaner work? Enzyme cleaners use enzymes to break down the components in urine that produce its characteristic smell. Some enzymes are effective on fresh cat urine, while others break down the odorous compounds in dried urine.
Enzymes can be sourced from a variety of sources, including bacteria and plants. Bacterial enzymes are more potent than plant-based enzymes, but they are also more expensive. A general purpose enzyme cleaner is less expensive and just as effective as a specialized formula designed to treat cat urine stains.
Enzyme cleaner deodorizes by breaking down odorous compounds into non-odorous compounds. The enzymes in enzyme cleaners are safe for pets, humans and plants, so they can be safely used around people or other animals and plants.
Traditional methods of treating odors are not effective on cat urine because the ammonia that is released creates a smell that masks the odor. Ammonia cleaners effectively eliminate cat odors because they break down the source of the odor, rather than just masking it.
Ammonia Cleaners for Cat Urine Odor
Ammonia cleaners are designed to treat more than just cat urine odors. They can be used to treat stains and general household odors. They work by releasing a deodorizer when applied to the affected area.
Ammonia Cleaners for Dried Cat Urine Odors
Traditional ammonia cleaners may be effective for treating dried cat urine if the affected area is saturated with cleaner. However, the smell may return after several weeks because the enzyme odor eaters are released into the air rather than remaining in contact with the moisture in the carpet.
Ammonia cleaners are effective on fresh stains, but they may be hard to work with when the urine has dried. Ammonia cleaners are also less effective on cat urine that has been exposed to direct sunlight.
Enzymatic Cleaners for Fresh Cat Urine Stains
Enzymatic cleaners contain a special type of enzyme that reacts with the protein in the cat’s urine and quickly breaks it down. These cleaners are available at most pet supply stores, and it is important to select a cleaner that is specifically designed to treat cat urine.
Enzymatic cleaners may be able to remove cat urine odors from hardwood floors, but they are not effective on carpets or upholstery. When using an enzymatic cleaner in the home, it is important to follow the product’s directions carefully so that the enzymes can properly react with the urine without damaging other surfaces.
Enzymatic cleaners may be effective at removing odors from fresh cat urine, but they do not work as well on dried stains. They are most effective at removing the smell of ammonia by reacting with the cat’s urine in the short time before it dries.