Enzymes line the aisle of every pet store. There are countless numbers of enzymes and cleaners that claim to be miracles. Enzymes are often praised for their natural ability and are hailed as being a green cleaner. This is because they operate on the principal that they biologically break down stains using rapid decomposition upon their introduction. In theory, it sounds simple enough. Allow the bacteria from the enzyme cleaner to be introduced to the stain, and watch it break it down. If only it were that simple. Being a biological process, it is far more complex. Often, to simplify the explanation of how enzymes work, they are compared to a lock and key situation. A lock requires a specifically cut key to open it. There could be a thousand keys around, but only the correct key will open the lock. All the other keys could be right there, but if used, nothing will happen. Enzymes are like keys, while stains are like locks. For them to interact, there has to be a perfect match. Too many variables prevent enzymes from working. These include temperature, the surface of the material being cleaned, the introduction of any other previously used cleaner, the health of the pet, the acidic levels of the urine, the food found in the waste . . . the variables are endless. To find the right enzyme to react favorably with a stain is very much like finding the right key to a lock.

Generally, enzymes seem to remove the stain upon first using them. However stains typically reappear after a number of days. In addition to the stain, the smell also tends to linger, and in some cases worse when enzymes are used. Because enzymes are really a form of bacteria, they do not remove any odor permanently. Nor do they kill any bacteria that may be in the carpet. In the first few days after using an enzymatic cleaner, the area may seem clean, but it does not take long for your dog to find the spot and start all over.