Enzyme cleaners are a great alternative to typical harsh cleaning products. They can be used to eliminate odors and stains and are safe and effective to use on most household surfaces.
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Do enzyme cleaners kill viruses and bacteria
Enzyme cleaners do not kill bacteria, because they are not disinfectants. While enzyme cleaners are really good at cleaning various surfaces and getting rid of stinky smells, you cannot depend on an enzyme cleaner alone to kill bacteria or viruses.
Using enzyme cleaners and bleach together
An enzyme cleaner is a great addition to your cleaning cabinet, but to 100 percent get rid of germs, you will need to supplement it with a disinfectant cleaner, like bleach. However, it’s important to be aware that if you use bleach right after using an enzyme cleaner, the enzymes will become ineffective.
So, if you want to use bleach or another disinfectant in addition to your enzyme cleaner, you have to start with the bleach. You can use bleach beforehand to kill germs, but make sure it’s completely dry, rinsed and wiped away before using your enzyme cleaner. If the disinfectant and enzymatic cleaner mix together, it will reduce the effectiveness of both of them.
What is an enzyme cleaner?
Just because they don’t disinfect, doesn’t mean you should eliminate enzymes from your cleaning repertoire. Enzymatic cleaners are safe to use and highly effective at getting rid of odors and stains. You can comfortably use them in your home, as they are gentle and safe on plumbing and household surfaces.
Enzyme cleaners are non-toxic cleaning products that break down stains and eliminate odors by using biology. They are made from natural-occurring enzymes, which are plant and animal-based substances that make chemical reactions happen faster. Instead of covering stains and odors up, they break them down naturally.
Unlike many cleaning products that just cover up unpleasant odors with strong scents, enzyme cleaners actually get rid of stains and odors by completely breaking them apart They can be used to eliminate many natural occurring things like, urine, blood, feces fats and foods.
Using enzyme cleaners at home
Enzyme cleaners have many uses. One of the uses they’re most well-known for is getting rid of pet stains and odors. They are also effective on laundry odors, clothing stains and even unclogging your bathroom drain.
You can use an enzyme cleaner to clean your carpet if it gets stained with blood, wine, pee or any other natural occurring stain. Washing your kitchen floors or other hard surfaces in your house is also possible with enzyme cleaners.
Frequently asked questions about enzyme cleaners
Do enzyme cleaners kill germs?
No, enzyme cleaners are not certified to kill germs. They can eliminate odors and get rid of stains, but they are not disinfectants. You’ll need to supplement with bleach or another disinfectant if you want to be 100% certain the germs are killed.
While non-toxic, natural enzymatic cleaners have many practical uses in the home, killing bacteria and viruses is not one of them.
How does enzyme cleaner work?
The enzymes in enzyme cleaners work by breaking down stains and odors at their root. They don’t cover up odors, but rather get rid of them completely. Enzymes occur naturally in plants and animals and they cause natural chemical processes to speed up.
Different types of enzymes target different types of stains, so the enzyme responsible for naturally eliminating urine stains may not be the same as the one that eliminates blood stains. It’s important to read the label carefully to see which kind of stain it works on.
How long does it take for enzyme cleaner to work?
Don’t wash your enzymatic cleaner off because it needs time to do its job. You should let the enzyme cleaner soak on the stain for at least 15 minutes and up to 8 hours or longer if there’s a tough stain. This is true for most surfaces, however, if your stain is on wool or linen clothing, don’t let the enzyme sit on it for longer than an hour.
Enzyme cleaners are great because they also continue working long after you’re done cleaning. There’s evidence that some enzymes continue cleaning for as much as 80 hours after their initial use. Adding a small amount of water after a few hours will also reactivate the enzymes so they can continue working and neutralizing odors.
If you’re using an enzyme drain cleaner to unplug a drain, you also need to give it ample time to work. Overnight is good, but the longer, the better.
What is the best dog urine odor eliminator?
Enzymatic cleaners are excellent for getting rid of dog urine odors. As any pet owner will tell you, having a dog can get stinky. If your puppy isn’t fully housebroken, or your older dog suffers from occasional incontinence, you will probably have to deal with pee stains on your floors or furniture from time to time.
Enzyme cleaners are a great choice for dog owners because they don’t just cover up unpleasant pee accidents, but they remove the stain and odor completely. This is beneficial because sometimes dogs smell the place where they’ve previously peed and do it again in the same spot. If the odor is completely gone, then they won’t have that opportunity and will hopefully pee outside instead.
Our recommendation for the best dog urine odor eliminator is the Life Miracle Natural Enzyme Cleaner. It has excellent reviews and works well as a dog stain remover, odor eliminator and pet urine neutralizer. It is non-toxic and part of the US EPA’s safer choice program, meaning it’s safe to use around children and pets.
Does enzyme cleaner kill coronavirus?
No, enzymatic cleaners do not have disinfecting properties, so they can’t kill viruses like the coronavirus. To fully kill viruses like the coronavirus, you need to use a proper disinfectant like Lysol spray or Clorox disinfecting wipes.
When you use these products, start by cleaning the surface and then make sure to read the label and use the products accordingly. Some products need to remain wet on the surface for a few minutes to be effective and you may need to spray multiple times.
If you can’t get your hands on any Lysol or Clorox, you can make your own disinfectant at home by mixing a half a cup of bleach with a gallon of water. Your homemade disinfectant can be used to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces in your home.
The power of enzymes
While enzyme cleaners cannot disinfect, they are still a valuable addition to your home. They can eliminate odors, remove stains and be used to clean your home’s surfaces. Most people’s everyday cleaning routines don’t need to involve disinfection, unless someone in their home is sick with the flu, coronavirus or something else. So, an enzyme cleaner might be perfect for your everyday needs.
