You and your new little bundle of energy and tail wags are settling in. Your life feels like one glorious Instagram reel after another until you step out of bed for a late-night potty run and find yourself . . . with a wet sock. Or your little angel leaves you a “gift” on the living room carpet. As they say, sh*t happens, and when it does, you need reliable cleaners to take care of it.
Here’s a list of my current favorites for when you need to get “down and dirty” to get clean.
- Pros: This is the only fragrance-free cleaning product I’ve found and the only “spray and walk away” product that does what it promises. Stains disappear before your eyes. It’s so effective that I’ve started using it on bio-based laundry stains like blood and sweat. And it doesn’t leave a residue.
- Cons: It’s pricey! Buying it by the gallon makes it more affordable, but it will still set you back.
Odorcide Laundry Odor Eliminator Concentrate
- Pros: It works! Clothes, rugs and upholstery covers come out without any hint of urine smells. And it only takes a small amount per load making it affordable for machine-washable items like dog beds.
- Cons: It does have a fragrance that seems to have gotten stronger when I reordered. The fragrance disappears quickly once fabric dries, though.
Vinegar
- Pros: This tried-and-true cleaner works on hard surfaces. Mix with water in a spray bottle and keep it on hand for vinyl or hardwood flooring. Be sure to rinse and dry promptly, especially on hardwood flooring. And it’s uber-affordable.
- Cons: Alas, this is not the go-to for carpet since it doesn’t remove the stains.
Biokleen Bac-Out Stain + Odor Remover
- Pros: This enzymatic cleaner is about half the price of Eco88 and is effective at removing stains and odors in carpet, upholstery and clothing. It’s a plant-based, eco-friendly solution with no artificial fragrances or dyes. I recently used it on a urine stain on a dog bed cushion, and after soaking the spots and leaving them sit overnight, the visible stains were gone.
- Cons: Again, there is fragrance added – “Lime Essence” – which smells very soapy. It may be plant based, but it’s still a strong scent. Thankfully, it dissipates once dry. It does leave a clear residue if not rinsed, however. Instructions are to spray, leave for a few minutes and blot.
All of these are readily available at pet stores, grocery stores (vinegar) and from Amazon. Be sure to have one or more on hand for those blissful but messy days of puppyhood and housetraining.