Accidents happen. Yes, they happen more frequently with a new puppy or kitten, but there’s no reason to cry over stained carpet.
A good pet stain remover is as essential as the other pet must-haves, like dog food, comfy pet beds and more. Depending on your preference and budget, you can use a steam cleaner, vacuum or a cleaning spray to eliminate tough urine stains. I spoke to cleaning experts about the best way to remove pet stains and the best products to use. I also included top-rated Amazon cleaning options and ones tested by our editors.
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How I picked the best pet stain removers
I’ve rounded up a list of pet stain removers recommended by cleaning experts, including Melissa Maker, owner of the cleaning brand Clean My Space, and Rueven Noyman, owner of NYC Steam Cleaning. I also included cleaning products with at least a 4-star average rating from at least 500 reviews on Amazon. Here are the aspects I kept in mind when making this list:
- Stain type: The main pet stains you’ll encounter are vomit, urine and feces. According to Maker, these pet stains differ between cats and dogs. That means if you own both cats and dogs or multiples of one or the other, it’s worth looking into more specialized cleaning products. “Some products offer ‘umbrella’ solutions to pet stains, but if you want something that specifically targets, say, hairballs that your cat keeps producing, find a cleaning product that contains those specific enzymes,” she says.
- Surface type: Whether you have cats or dogs (or both), your floors are likely carpet, hardwood, tiles or laminate. Urine stains can potentially damage surfaces like carpet or hardwood by staining and leaving odors behind. That said, it’s best to use products that are both pet-friendly and safe to use on whichever surface you’re cleaning. Most of the products below are also suitable for cleaning upholstered furniture like sofas.
- Appliance type: Aside from cleaning solutions, cleaning appliances are often required to remove stubborn pet stains from carpet or hardwood floors. This includes steam cleaners, which use hot water vapor to lift stains, and vacuums and upholstery cleaners. These appliances are a great option for removing pet stains because they go beyond what a paper towel or washcloth can do when removing stuck-on debris and deeply set odors. Cleaning appliances are also a good way to tackle long-term stains that are difficult to erase.
The best pet stain removers in 2025
Pet stain remover appliances
Bissell’s lineup of Little Green carpet and upholstery cleaning appliances is incredibly popular, largely because each one is highly effective, according to reviews. The Little Green Max is an upgraded version of the original Little Green appliance and Little Green Mini. It has a dual water tank system that separates dirty and clean water, and it comes with a cleaning solution, a brush attachment (that has a self-cleaning function) and a pet hair tool that makes it easier to clean up set-in pet stains, especially on upholstery.
In our roundup of the best steam cleaners, expert and cleaning services company owner Will Cotter recommends this carpet cleaner for pet owners like himself. According to the brand, the machine is a steam cleaner and vacuum hybrid that uses steam to lift and remove set-in stains from carpet and upholstery. The appliance has a pet cleaning solution formulated for pet stains and odors, as well as upholstery and stain remover attachments.
This carpet and upholstery stain remover and cleaner is ideal for removing large pet stains. Like the Bissell Little Green Proheat Portable Deep Cleaner, this machine has a water tank attached to the suction attachment. According to the brand, the 40-ounce tank keeps clean water separate from dirty water as you clean. Plus, the device comes with a bottle of stain-removing cleaning solution.
The Shark CarpetXpert is a combination of a vacuum cleaner and carpet shampooer. It uses suction and cleaning solution to clear debris and to remove pet stains and odors. It sprays water with an included cleaning solution onto the carpet while simultaneously removing pet hair, stains, food crumbs and more. It also has a fast-spinning brushroll that makes it easier to lift stains from the carpet and a dual water tank system to separate dirty water from clean.
Pet stain remover sprays
This dog urine stain and odor remover from Dog by Dr. Lisa is an NBC Select Pet Awards winner for best pet stain remover. The spray helps neutralize odors left from pet urine, and the bottle even comes with a scrubbing attachment at the bottom to help lift the stains and odors. To use the spray, first blot the area with a towel or cloth and lift as much excess moisture as you can. Coat the stain with the spray, then scrub the area using the attachment until foam forms.
This cleaning solution and brush duo is also an NBC Select Pet Awards winner for best pet stain remover. Plus, using the spray discourages pets from potentially re-soiling the area in the future, according to the brand. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin uses this cleaner and says it can tackle many pet-related stains. “As a mom of two cats, I’ve cleaned up more stains with this remover than I can count,” she says. “It starts lifting stains out of fabrics the second I apply it, and the scrub brush attached to the bottle couldn’t be more convenient.”
In our guide to mattress cleaning, expert and cleaning company owner Kadi Dulude recommends this urine stain remover from Resolve. While the spray is good for multiple types of stains, it’s formulated to tackle urine stains in particular. According to the brand, it can be used on carpet, fabric, upholstery and even hard surfaces like hardwood floors.
Maker recommends the water-based Folex carpet cleaner for spot cleaning pet stains. According to the brand, the powerful solution gets rid of pet stains as well as other common messes like grease, red wine, dirt, and makeup. It’s scent-free and doesn’t require rinsing after use.
Both Maker and Noyman recommend this odor and stain eliminator. According to the brand, the item is fine for use on carpets and safe to use around pets. In addition to carpet, the spray is good for litter boxes, upholstery, hardwood floors, tile, garbage cans and laundry. To use the product, simply spray and let the solution sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. You can even pour some of the liquid directly onto the stain for deeply set messes and treat the stain with a cleaning cloth.
For stubborn dog stains, Noyman recommends this enzymatic stain and odor remover from Nature’s Miracle. The item gets rid of stains and odors that come from urine, feces, vomit and drool, according to the brand. To use the product, simply spray it directly onto stains, wait 15 minutes and then blot with a cloth to start lifting the stain.
Similar to many of the spray stain removers on this list, this option is effective on any area of carpet or rug in the home that’s likely to get soiled if you’re a pet owner.
How to shop for pet stain removers
If you have a cat or dog, consider the type of stains you deal with most. Listed below are the different types of pet stain removers and how to use each one:
Pet stain remover sprays
Look for cleaning solutions and sprays formulated to treat stains specifically for pets, such as urine, vomit and feces. Keep in mind that these stains leave strong odors behind, even if, to the eye, the stain seems to be gone. That means you should also look for cleaning sprays that mention odor elimination.
Pet stain remover appliances
While cleaning sprays have a lot of stain and odor-removing power, you’ll often have to pair them with a pet stain-removing appliance, such as one of the machines on this list. These appliances use a range of functions, such as steam cleaning and vacuuming, to remove stuck-on stains and odors from surfaces that cling to them, such as carpet and upholstery. Ensure the appliance you get has attachments, such as a rotating brush, and strong suction power to make removing pet stains easy.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best method for cleaning pet stains?
When treating common pet stains, always remove any physical residue by hand before using a spray or appliance. “You always want to start by scraping bulky material and then blotting up residual liquid from the stain,” Maker says. “To do this, I scrape with a dull edge (an old credit card, a thick piece of cardboard, etc. ) and scoop away the bulk.”
Noyman says it’s better to blot pet stains on carpet or upholstery rather than scratch or press firmly onto them, so as not to risk damaging the surface. You can do this with a paper towel or cloth. That said, you should always dry the area after cleaning as quickly as possible, which you can do by using “a blow dryer, a fan or anything you have to create a good fast drying environment,” according to Noyman.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Melissa Maker owns the cleaning boutique and brand Clean My Space and is the author of the cleaning manual Clean My Space.
- Reuven Noyman is the owner of the steam cleaning services company NYC Steam Cleaning.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a commerce editor at NBC Select, covering food, cooking, cleaning, wellness and general lifestyle content. I’ve written several cleaning stories, including how to clean pillows, the best shower cleaners and how to clean stainless steel. I also write about cleaning appliances during major sale events, including Prime Day and Black Friday. I spoke with cleaning experts, including the owners of both cleaning service companies and cleaning lifestyle brands.
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