Have a question? Pick a topic to get answers

• What causes pet urine to smell?
  + −

  Pet urine is composed of waste products including urea, uric acid, sodium chloride (salt), excess water and other waste. The immediate odor from pet urine comes from bacteria that feed on urine. Uric acid crystals (crystalized urine residue) often remain in porous surfaces, and will emit an “ammonia” odor with time. Humid conditions or wetting the surface can also reactivate the odor.

• Where can I buy Clorox® Pet Urine Remover?
  + −

  You can find stores near you that sell Clorox® Pet Urine Remover on our Where to Buy page. It's a good idea to call the store before going, to make sure they have it in stock. If you have any trouble finding it at a nearby store, you can also buy it online.

• How is this product different from our hydrogen-peroxide based disinfectants?
  + −

  This product is designed for use on fibers and soft surfaces such as carpet, upholstered furniture, mattresses and bed linens. It is also specially designed to remove pet urine odors and stains and has a light fragrance which quickly dissipates. Our hydrogen-peroxide disinfectants are designed for disinfecting hard, nonporous surfaces.

• Will it work on other types of stains and soils?
  + −

  Yes! This formula is optimal for organic (protein-based) stains. Protein-based stains include human stains such as blood, vomit, feces and semen. The product may also be used as a pretreatment step on sheets, pillowcases, towels and linens prior to a normal laundry wash. The pretreatment step will boost the removal of food stains such as gravy, spaghetti sauce, red wine and chocolate syrup during laundering.

• If this product is so great, why not use it as a general bathroom cleaner?
  + −

  This product is specialized for protein-based stains. It won’t work as well on soap scum, hard water and other types of bathroom stains. It is also not an EPA-registered disinfectant, which is often needed in restrooms.

• Does Clorox® Pet Urine Remover contain bleach?
  + −

  No. Clorox® Pet Urine Remover is bleach-free and safe to use around pets.

• Why use a specialized pet urine cleaner? Why not just use a general bathroom cleaner (GBC) for urine?
  + −

  GBCs won’t break down stubborn uric acid crystals (which create long-term odors and give off ammonia once re-wet).

• Why not use enzymes? Why is our hydrogen peroxide-based product better?
  + −

  Enzymes are created by bacteria to digest proteins found in urine. These bacteria (sometimes called ‘bugs’) are living organisms that essentially "eat’" uric acid crystals. The affected area must be hospitable to the bacteria in order for them to work — moist, not too hot  and must not come in contact with chemicals that kill bacteria. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down the proteins and microorganisms found in urine through oxidization to quickly address short-term and long-term smells. Our formula also includes surfactants and an acidic pH, which effectively removes urine stains.

• What are the benefits over other enzyme cleaners?
  + −

  Cleans urine stains better and faster on porous grout. Because we do not have constraints that enzyme-based cleaners do, we can include ingredients such as an oxygen-based bleaching agent (hydrogen peroxide), surfactants, a mild solvent (isopropyl alcohol) and an acidic pH.