10 Best Carpet Cleaners for Cat Vomit – 2023 Reviews & Top Picks

Compared to many domesticated animals, cats are relatively clean. They frequently clean their coats with their rough tongues and seem irritated when you interrupt their routines with a friendly pat. However, they’re also more likely to vomit from furballs than other animals. Luckily, their messes are not as substantial as dogs, but you should be well-stocked with cleaning products to keep your home sanitary. Cleaning a cat mess with ordinary cleaning products may not remove the stain or odor entirely, but you can find numerous carpet cleaners explicitly designed to remove and sanitize pet stains. To make your search less time-consuming, we’ve included in-depth reviews of the best carpet cleaners for cat vomit.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		TriNova Pet Stain & Odor Remover	Natural formula Works on multiple surfaces Cleans vomit, urine, feces stains	Check Price
Best Value		Arm & Hammer Litter Plus Oxiclean Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator	Affordable Removes tough stains	Check Price
Premium Choice		Bissell Pet Stain Upright Carpet Cleaning Formula Kit	Three cleaner kit handles any stain Pretreat spray loosens dry material Power Shot spray treats minor stains	Check Price
		Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats Oxy Cat Stain & Odor Remover	Affordable Lifts stains and removes odors Works on multiple surfaces	Check Price
		Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover	Three spray settings Works on multiple surfaces	Check Price

The 10 Best Carpet Cleaners for Cat Vomit

1. TriNova Pet Stain & Odor Remover – Best Overall

Carpet cleaners that cover up odors rather than neutralize them are ineffective with cat stains, but you will not have that problem with the TriNova Pet Stain and Odor Remover. It’s our pick for the best overall carpet cleaner, and it uses an advanced bio-enzymatic formula to remove the stain and eat away at the bacteria causing the odor. TriNova works on multiple services with no discoloration, unlike many of its competitors. You can use it on upholstery, rugs, and carpets. It uses natural ingredients to remove tough vomit, feces, and urine stains, and it does not contain any harsh chemicals.

When we reviewed the product’s customer comments, the only complaint that stood out was the formula’s scent. It removes stains and odors, but cat owners looking for a scent-free product may want to try another brand. Before using the cleaner, be sure to follow the directions carefully for the best results. After spraying the stain, you must wait for 3 to 5 minutes before dabbing it dry with a paper towel or rag.

2. Arm & Hammer Litter Plus Oxiclean Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator – Best Value

Arm and Hammer Litter Plus Oxiclean Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator is our winner for the best carpet cleaner for the money. You’re unlikely to find another product that’s as effective and affordable as this one. It uses the oxygenated power of Oxiclean to remove tough stains and prevent your kitty from making another mess in the same area. Although it’s an effective cleaner, you cannot use it on hardwood floors or furniture.

Unlike several cleaners, Arm and Hammer does not leave a pleasant odor after cleaning the stain. While that may be preferential to some cat owners, others were disappointed that it did not leave a lingering fresh scent. Because the cleaner is inexpensive, you can supplement the cleaning with a scented deodorizer or disinfectant spray.

3. Bissell Pet Stain Upright Carpet Cleaning Formula Kit – Premium Choice

The Bissel Pet Stain Upright Carpet Cleaning Formula Kit won our premium choice award. It comes with three cleaners to battle stubborn pet stains. The large 48-ounce bottle is designed to use in a carpet cleaning machine, and its concentrated formula is made to remove urine, vomit, and fecal stains. The cleaner contains a Scotchgard protector that prevents cats from visiting the same area. One of the best parts of using the kit is the pretreat spray (22-ounce). It loosens up dried-up stains to make cleaning easier.

For small messes, you can use Bissel’s Power Shot Oxy cleaner (14-ounce) to remove stains and odors. The cleaner can also finish off tough stains that were not eliminated by the other formulas. Bissel products are reliable cleaners that have focused on removing pet stains for decades, but you have to rent or own a carpet cleaner to use the primary cleaner.

4. Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats Oxy Cat Stain & Odor Remover

Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats Oxy Cat Stain and Odor Remover is an oxygenated citrus spray that removes cat stains and odors. It lifts and removes stuck-on stains and prevents cats from making a mess in the same spot. While some customers were pleased with the faint orange scent it leaves, others suggested the smell should be stronger. The cleaner effectively removes stains at an affordable price regardless of the weak scent.

The product claims to work on carpet, furniture, clothing, and hard floors, but some consumers had issues with the chemical staining the carpet. Before using the spray on cat vomit, test a small area of the material first to ensure it does not affect the color. It’s not as concentrated as our best value pick, but it’s sold at a similar price.

5. Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover

Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover removes cat stains on carpet, bedding, and fabric. Unlike the competition, this sprayer has a multi-functional nozzle that releases spray, mist, or foam. The foam penetrates deep, stuck-on stains, the mist treats large messes, and the spray handles smaller stains. It designed to treat vomit, urine, and fecal stains, and it comes with a money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with the results.

Unlike many of the other cleaners, Simple Solution is not an enzymatic cleaner, and some customers complained that their cats or dogs returned to the cleaned spot to make another mess. It removes stains, but we were concerned about the manufacturer’s warning to keep the mist away from your eyes. We recommend turning off your ceiling fan or closing your air vent before using the spray. Some reviewers mentioned that the spray does not eliminate odors entirely.

6. Skout’s Honor Professional Strength Stain & Odor Remover

If you’re looking for a cleaner that’s biodegradable and can treat blood, vomit, mud, grease, and urine stains, you can use Skout’s Honor Professional Strength Stain and Odor Remover. It uses natural ingredients to treat stains and remove heavy odors. You can use it on carpet, upholstery, clothing, and other porous materials. However, since clothes are made from so many different types of fabric, we suggest testing the cleaner first.

Plant-based cleaners are becoming more common, but we thought it was odd that a natural cleaner had such a powerful scent. Some consumers claimed that their cats were attracted to the smell and made a mess in the same spot. The manufacturer claims the spray has no expiration date, but it’s unclear how they were able to make a natural cleaner that cannot deteriorate.

7. Carbona Oxy Powered Dog & Cat Stain & Odor Remover, 22-oz bottle

The Carbona Oxy Powered Dog and Cat Stain and Odor Remover features a multi-purpose applicator with a scrub brush and a sponge. It removes stains on carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Like most pet cleaners, it claims to be safe to use around pets, but we suggest keeping your cat away from the treated area until it dries. Compared to the competitors, Carbona is pretty heavy on the chemicals and perfumes.

Since the product is new, we could not examine several customer comments to get an overall view of its performance. It’s not the only product on the market that comes with a scrubber, but we prefer to use ordinary sprays. The scrubber can hold onto bits of vomit or debris if it’s not thoroughly cleaned after each use. After cleaning the head, you must wait for it to dry before storing it.

8. ECOS for Pets! Stain & Odor Remover

ECOS for Pets! Stain and Odor Remover is a plant-based cleaner that removes stains from vomit, blood, urine, and feces. It can be used on fabric, carpet, clothing, and upholstery. Although it makes the bold claim it works on colors of all fabric types, we suggest testing the fabric with a small amount before saturating it. We love eco-friendly products that are safe for animals and the environment, but ECOS is a little vague with its ingredient list.

The list is not displayed on the main part of the online product description, but you can view the frequently asked questions section to see the contents. It lists all the plant-based materials but does not specify what fragrance is used. One common complaint about the spray was the faulty packaging. The product can leak out of the bottle onto the box during shipping.

9. Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Professional Strength Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator

Rocco and Roxie Supply Co. Professional Strength Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator is a plant-based cleaner that removes stains without using chlorine or other harsh chemicals. It can be used on multiple surfaces, including furniture, carpet clothing, litter boxes, and kennels. Although it’s made of natural ingredients, it has a strong scent that may be unpleasant for pet owners who prefer an unscented product.

Although some customers were pleased with the spray’s performance, several were unhappy that it did not eliminate odors. Other users complained that the formula did not remove the stain after multiple applications. Natural cleaners sometimes cost a few dollars more than chemical ones, but Rocco and Roxie is almost four times as expensive as the competition.

10. Wee Away Be Gone Enzyme Active Stain & Odor Eliminator for Dogs & Cats

Wee Away Be Gone Enzyme Active Stain and Odor Eliminator utilizes an enzymatic formula to remove stains from vomit, urine, feces, grass stains, and food. It treats cat and dog messes on the carpet, but it’s not designed to use on other materials. This was the only cleaner we reviewed that came in an aerosol spray, and unfortunately, it is not as effective as the competitors.

You pay a pretty penny for 15 ounces of cleaner, and some customers were shocked how quickly they used the entire bottle. Spray liquids and concentrated cleaners are typically more powerful and cost-effective than aerosols. The product’s biggest problem is its inability to clean stains thoroughly and remove odors. It has a long list of messes that it treats, but it does not seem to do the job as well as the other reviewed products.

How to Find the Best Carpet Cleaner for Cat Vomit

Next to cleaning the litter box, vomit cleaning is probably one of the most unpleasant parts of owning a wild feline. If you have not decided which carpet cleaner seems best, you can take a look at these factors for further insight.

Spray, Concentrate, or Aerosol?

Spray bottles are the most common type of carpet cleaner, and they usually produce quicker results than aerosols. The sprays that use enzymatic formulas to lift stains and absorb odors require a longer waiting period than chemical formulas. You may have to wait for 5 to 10 minutes before you can begin scrubbing. However, the enzymatic sprays typically use natural ingredients that are safer for your pets.

Aerosols are convenient, but they’re more expensive per ounce than sprays and concentrates. Concentrates are effective deep-cleaning solutions, and some can be added to steam cleaners like our third pick, the Bissell Pet Stain Upright Carpet Cleaning Formula Kit.

Price

Although some cleaners seem too expensive, it’s difficult to determine their value until you’ve used the product. A pricey spray that removes a vomit stain with only a few squirts from the bottle is a better deal than a discount cleaner that takes half the bottle to clean the floor. The lowest-priced products usually require repeat applications, and some have intolerable scents.

Multiple Surfaces

Our primary focus of this article is vomit cleaning, but some of the products worked on carpet, flooring, fabrics, and clothes. Using a cleaner that works on multiple surfaces and materials is handy when you have a kitty that throws up or urinates on your bed or clothes. Even if the cleaner is designed for numerous surfaces, it’s best to test a small area before covering the stain.

Ecofriendly

In the recent past, carpet cleaners used caustic chemicals that left a powerful odor, but today, several cleaners use plant-based ingredients to eliminate stains and odors. The chemical products we reviewed are safe for your pets, but you may prefer using a product that’s safer for the environment.

Material Staining

When you’re cleaning a large, caked-on stain, you often have to apply the cleaner more than once to remove the material entirely. Even cleaners designed to clean without damaging the carpet can lighten the color slightly. If you discover a hidden mess that has had time to sink into the carpet, try to remove most of the solids before using the cleaner to prevent discoloration.

Packaging

Unfortunately, several effective cleaners are delivered with half of their contents spilled into the box. Whether it’s a manufacturer issue or a distribution problem, contact the companies involved and ask for a refund. Most producers would rather refund your money than see a bad review.

Conclusion

The previous reviews highlighted some of the best cleaners for cat vomit, but our overall winner is the TriNova Pet Stain & Odor Remover. Its effective bio-enzymatic formula removes stains and odors on multiple services without causing discoloration. Our best value pick is the Arm and Hammer Litter Plus Oxiclean Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator. It uses an oxygenated solution to lift stains and eliminate odors, and it cleans effectively without leaving an unpleasant scent.

Featured Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock