Best Enzymatic Cleaner

People are becoming all the more conscious about their impact on the environment. That concern is doubled when considering cleaning substances that they use in their own home. Cleaning agents like lye-based oven cleaners, ammonia, and chlorine bleach are not only dangerous on their own. Combining these cleaning agents to try to get a better cleaning solution, or even if they get mixed by accident, can lead to near-fatal results. Enzymatic cleaners are a much safer alternative–especially in homes with children and pets.

Pet owners are perhaps familiar with enzymatic cleaners for getting rid of the accidents that our pets create. We’ll see that they’re excellent for breaking down cat or dog urine, feces, and vomit, and eliminating any odors. But enzymatic cleaners can be used as general cleaners as well, to break down organic matter. We’ll study some of the entries in the MSN list of the best enzymatic cleaners, looking at how exactly they work. It’ll help you decide on a product that will clean your house efficiently, in a safe and healthy manner.
 

What Types of Enzymatic Cleaners Are There?

You’ll find enzymatic cleaners available in two forms:

• Concentrate: Some prefer buying a concentrated enzymatic cleaner. You put the recommended amount of concentrate in a spray bottle, and then dilute it with water. This is usually more economical, and also reduces the amount of plastic waste, since you can use the same bottle again. The downside of a concentrate is that it takes time to prepare it. As we’ll see, it’s important to treat a stain from urine or feces as soon as possible. The smell will only get worse with time and will be harder to get out. One example of a concentrate is the Life Miracle Enzyme Cleaner. An 8-ounce container can be diluted to make 128 ounces of solution (that is, one ounce of solution to 16 ounces of water).

Life Miracle Enzyme Cleaner

• Ready-to-use spray: Most of the products in the MSN list of the best enzymatic cleaners are in spray form, ready to use. One of the most popular is the Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odor Remover. It has a 3-in-1 sprayer:

  • Mist: You can apply the cleaner as a mist, which is good for applying it to a large area.

  • Stream: Apply the cleaner as a stream, if you want it to enter crevices or sink deep into your carpet or upholstery.

  • Foam: Use the foam option, when trying to treat embedded stains.

Simple Solution Extreme Pet Stain and Odor Remover

How Do I Apply an Enzymatic Cleaner?

• Check if good for all surfaces: There are enzymatic cleaners that are expressly good for all types of surfaces, whether it’s fabric, upholstery, or carpets. But you should make sure that it won’t harm fabric or your carpet, by doing a spot test first. Also, if you’re using it for a carpet, try to find a product with the approval of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI Approval).

• Right enzyme for the stain: Enzymatic cleaners are not just for accidents from your pet or toddler. They can also be effective on food stains. But food stains can be from a variety of sources. We mentioned that there are enzymes for digesting starches, proteins, and fats:

  • - Amylase (to break up starches): for stains due to sugars or sauces

  • - Lipase (to break up fats): for spills of oil or grease

  • - Protease (to break up proteins): for wine spills, bloodstains, and urine

Check the label on your product, to see if it’ll be effective on your stain.

• Dwell time: Enzymatic cleaners, especially those that employ bacteria to eat up the organic matter, need time to work properly. You should first remove any solid matter from the stain as much as possible and then apply the cleaner. Let it sit on the stain for 12-24 hours (what’s called the “dwell time”). Then either let the moisture evaporate, or dab it away with a dry cloth or paper towel. Depending on the product, you may have to apply it 2-3 times more over the following two weeks, if you see that the smell or the stain remains.

• Expiration date: Enzymes can break down over time, so a cleaner can have an expiration date, after which it’s less effective. But the expiration date is usually 3 years after the date of manufacture. That should be enough time to finish a bottle!

• DIY enzymatic cleaner: Since bacteria produce stain-eating enzymes, you can even produce your own enzymatic cleaner.

  • - You take your favorite fruit peels, from fruits with a high sugar content (kiwi, mango, apple), put them in a container with water, yeast, and sugar.

  • - Place the mixture in a warm place, to let the yeasts eat the sugar.

  • - After 4 weeks, strain out the liquid, and put it in a spray bottle. It can be used for up to a month as an enzymatic cleaner that you have prepared yourself!

What Are Some Things To Be Aware Of With an Enzymatic Cleaner?

But enzymatic cleaners can’t do everything. Here are some caveats:

• Not enough to disinfect: Enzymatic cleaners can get rid of stains and odor. But they don’t really disinfect. If you’re trying to disinfect an area from bacteria or viruses, you’ll have to go through the traditional route of chlorine bleach and the like.

• Fragrance or fragrance-free: One awesome thing about enzymatic cleaners is that they eat up and break down the source of foul odors. Instead of just covering up the smell, they remove the cause. But, you’ll notice cleaners that are scented, as well as unscented. For example, the Sunny & Honey Pet Stain & Odor Remover has a spring mint scent. Some customers were just amazed at the effectiveness of the product, but several felt the scent was too strong. Look at customer reviews, to see if the scented products aren’t too overpowering.

Sunny & Honey Pet Stain & Odor Remover

Wrap Up

We reviewed some of the entries on the list of the MSN best enzymatic cleaners. You should have a good idea of what they’re best at doing. They’re great whether you’re a pet owner, or even if you just want a house that’s clean and smells nice, and want to go a more natural route (instead of using caustic chemicals). Biodegradable, environment-friendly enzymatic cleaners are the way to go!