Enzyme cleaners are stain removers whose active ingredients are enzymes that break down stain matter. You will find them as enzyme presoaks, as laundry detergents labeled 'enzyme' or 'protein stain remover,' and as pet-mess cleaners whose enzymes break down urine and pet waste odors. The same enzyme action is behind all three, so the core method stays similar.
Protein stains like blood, egg, urine and vomit are the best fit, and some tannin and mildew stains respond too. Use one product at a time and rinse in between, and pretest an inconspicuous area first.
5 steps
Step by step
- 1
Test the fabric first
Pretest an inconspicuous area and read the care label before you treat the stain.
- 2
Make a spot treatment
Mix 1/2 teaspoon enzyme product with 1/2 cup warm water and apply it to the stain. For a whole article, follow the package directions for a presoak.
- 3
Keep the stain moist and warm
Cover the stain with a pad soaked in the enzyme solution and keep it moist and warm for 30 minutes.
- 4
Flush and check
Flush the area with water when the time is up. Check the stain before you put the item in the dryer, since heat can set it.
- 5
Treat pet urine
Use enough product to wet the entire area, since the cleaner must contact the urine. Leave it an hour or two or longer, then extract or absorb it and air dry the area.
What Enzyme Cleaners Are Good For
Enzyme cleaners are best on protein stains such as blood, egg, urine and vomit. Blood starts with a cool-water soak of 30 minutes or longer, followed by a soak of 30 minutes or longer in lukewarm water with enzyme presoak.
Tannin and sugar stains, including coffee, tea, fruit juice, soft drinks, toothpaste, shaving cream and glucose, respond to a 30-minute warm enzyme-solution pad. Mildew starts with enzyme solution kept moist on the stain for 30 minutes, and grass can be treated with detergent solution or an enzyme product after amyl acetate. Mustard, a combination stain, gets enzyme product solution after the detergent and vinegar steps.
How to Apply Enzyme Cleaner to a Stain
Start with a spot treatment made from 1/2 teaspoon enzyme product and 1/2 cup warm water. For a whole article, a presoak follows the package directions.
Protein and tannin stains need time, so keep a pad moist with the enzyme solution on the stain for 30 minutes, keeping it warm. Flush with water when the time is up, and check the stain before you dry the item.
Where Enzyme Cleaners Are Unsafe
Avoid enzyme-containing 'bio' detergents when washing wool, as wool care guidance advises. A water-based enzyme or bacteria cleaner maker warns against using too much on wood.
Do not put enzyme cleaner through a steam cleaner, because the high heat kills the biological ingredients and makes it ineffective. Pretest an inconspicuous area and read the care label before you treat any fabric.
Common Myths About Enzyme Cleaners
Many people think a quick spritz is enough for pet urine, but the cleaner has to reach the urine itself. Wet the whole area and leave it an hour or two or longer, and give old stains a couple of days if possible.
Some think steam cleaning afterward finishes the job. Heat sets urine stains and odor, and high heat kills the biological ingredients, so steam works against the cleaner.
What Enzyme Cleaners Should Never Be Mixed With
Makers of enzyme and pet stain removers say not to mix them with vinegar or acidic cleaners, or with other household chemicals. Vinegar used with detergent can reduce its ability to clean food stains by affecting the enzymes, so you may need to rewash.
Do not mix enzyme cleaner with bleach, because toxic fumes are possible even though no specific reaction is documented. Use one product at a time and rinse in between.
Questions
Does enzyme cleaner remove stains?
Enzyme cleaners work best on protein stains such as blood, egg, urine and vomit. They also help with some tannin, sugar and mildew stains when you use the 30-minute method. Results depend on the stain's age and whether heat has already set it.
How do enzymes work to remove stains?
Enzymes are the active ingredients, and they break down stain matter. The cleaner has to reach the stain and stay on it for the full contact time.
Can I use enzyme cleaner on wool?
Avoid it on wool. Enzyme-containing 'bio' detergents aren't suited to wool, so avoid them when washing it.
Can I steam clean after using enzyme cleaner?
No. Heat sets urine stains and odor, and high heat kills the biological ingredients, which makes the cleaner ineffective.
Can I use enzyme cleaner on a medicinal stain?
Yes, for one silver-protein antiseptic stain only. Mix 1 tablespoon enzyme product with 1 quart warm water and soak the stain for 30 minutes.
What is the difference between enzyme detergent and an enzyme presoak?
Enzyme-containing laundry detergents are labeled 'enzyme' or 'protein stain remover' and are used in regular washing. Enzyme presoaks are used to soak the whole article before washing.
Can I mix enzyme cleaner with vinegar?
No. Makers say not to mix enzyme and pet stain removers with vinegar or acidic cleaners. Vinegar used with detergent can reduce its ability to clean food stains, so you may need to rewash.
Why does a pet urine smell come back?
A quick spritz often does not reach the urine itself. Wet the whole area and leave it an hour or two or longer, and give old stains a couple of days if possible.
Related guides
Other household cleaners
Sources
Every verdict, amount and warning here comes from these sources.