Glossary
Enzymatic cleaner
A cleaner that breaks down proteins in urine and other organic stains so pets are less likely to re-mark a spot.
An enzymatic cleaner uses live bacteria or enzymes to digest the organic matter in urine, vomit, and other pet accidents, rather than just masking the smell with fragrance the way a general household cleaner does. That distinction matters because dogs and cats can still smell trace residue long after a spot looks and smells clean to a person, and that residual scent is what often triggers repeat marking in the same place.
For it to work, the cleaner needs enough contact time on the stain, and it usually needs to soak into carpet padding or grout rather than sitting only on the surface, so directions that say to saturate and let it air dry are there for a reason. Cleaning too quickly with a paper towel wipe defeats the purpose.
When shopping, check whether the formula is labeled safe for the surface, since some are made specifically for carpet, others for hard floors or fabric, and using a strong ammonia-based cleaner afterward can actually smell like urine to a pet's nose and undo the work. In a shared apartment building, an enzymatic cleaner is also the more considerate choice, since it reduces lingering odor for neighbors as well as for the pet.