There’s an overwhelming amount of options for enzyme cleaner available in the market, and if you compare them at face value - they all seem one and the same, even if they’re not!
Now, before you start doing “eenie, minie, miney, moe” or mindlessly grabbing the first cleaner you find, let’s break down what makes an enzyme cleaner great so you can pick one that suits you best.
Scents and fragrances
Some cleaners contain fragrances such as citrus, floral, menthol, etc. and each of them varies in strength too. Although they help remove odor, getting a lightly scented cleaner or even scent-free cleaner is best because its main purpose is to break down odor as opposed to just masking it - which can be the case for scented options.
At the same time, enzyme cleaners with stronger smells tend to be irritating for pets and humans. A good rule of thumb is to get a lightly scented cleaner for indoor use such as the couch, floor, counters, etc., and the scent-free option for the outdoors.
Enzyme Concentration
Not all enzyme cleaners indicate the exact concentration on their label - but, generally, the stronger the enzyme concentration is, the less application it takes to remove stains and odor.
With the lack of a specific quantifier, a good indicator is if the label has “maximum/commercial/industrial/professional strength” on it. However, it’s also worth knowing that heavily scented cleaners offer lesser enzyme concentration.
Age of stain or odor
Not all enzyme cleaners can erase every stain and odor, especially if they’ve been on the surface for longer than 6 months. While a highly concentrated cleaner can significantly lighten stains and reduce odors, it may take more cleaning sessions before they completely come off, if at all. However, for freshly soiled surfaces, it’s easy for enzyme cleaners to break down urine crystals and kill odor-causing bacteria.
Type of Application
Depending on where the odor is and how large the stain is, some enzyme cleaners are more convenient than others. Enzyme cleaners are packed in either spray bottles or gallons which have different uses.
Spray bottles are best for cleaning small areas such as crates, litter pans, carpets, mattresses, spot cleaning walls, and floors, etc. However, you also have the option of mixing them into washers and mop buckets for ease and efficiency.
On the other hand, enzyme cleaners that come in gallons are best for cleaning larger areas such as kennels, patios, gardens, entire walls, and floors, etc. While you can also transfer the formula to a spray bottle, it would require manual mixing to get the right amount of concentration unlike those that come in spray bottles that are pre-mixed.
Type of Surface
Before buying an enzyme cleaner, be sure to check the label to see if it’s safe to use on the surface you plan to use them on. There are cleaners that are only safe for outdoor use, floors, and walls, but can be destructive to furniture. It’s best to pick the enzyme cleaner that has a multi-surface cleaning guarantee.
Application Process
Regardless of the packaging, it’s best to check the label on how to properly apply the solution on the surface. With some cleaners, it’s fine to start scrubbing directly after soaking the surface. However, for others, the soiled area needs to be pre-cleaned prior to applying the solution and once the solution has been applied, it needs to sit on the surface for a few minutes or hours before it can be scrubbed.
Drying Process
After the application, you may need to check the instructions that come with each enzyme cleaner because the drying process can be different for each manufacturer. Leaving the solution too long or not letting it dry properly can disrupt the cleaning process or, worse, damage the surface. Some manufacturers recommend leaving the solution to air dry, while others require users to either towel dry or fully dry the surface.
Always spot test
Even if your enzyme cleaner can be used on any surface, it’s always a best practice to do a ‘spot test’ before full application - especially if the label is general such as floor, furniture, walls, etc. This is because there are cleaners that can be safe on tiles but not on hardwood floors or safe on linen but not on leather upholstery.
To do a spot test, blot the formula to a small portion of the soiled area and let it air dry. If the tested area didn’t show any signs of damage such as discoloration, then you can proceed with the actual cleaning.
