Two years ago I decided to welcome a new dog into my life to fill the hole left behind after my beloved black Lab, Eleanor Rigby, passed away. As I browsed the online photos of a local shelter very early one morning, one dog caught my eye. She looked shy and frightened but that face. I drove to the shelter and was waiting in the parking lot when they opened. The director took me to the kennel where she was housed with another dog who ignored me.
But my shy girl came right to the chain link and pushed out her nose for a touch. Her caregivers asked if I'd like to play with her awhile and they brought out a wiggling bundle of dog. The minute I held her, she settled against my chest and snuggled to my neck. She was mine.
Once home, I realized that sudden movements and hovering over her caused her to have an accident. She wasn't sure what was going to happen next and she left a puddle. I have more than 40 years of testing cleaning products for companies and publications, so I began researching the best product to remedy the issue. That's when I discovered Rocco & Roxie Stain and Odor Eliminator, and I've been using it ever since.
When my editor asked me to review Rocco & Roxie's full line of cleaning products two months ago, I was happy to oblige. In addition to the Stain and Odor Eliminator, Rocco & Roxie sent me review samples of its Oxy Stain Remover, Pet Urine Detector, and Litter Box Odor Eliminator (for which I recruited a cat owner to test).
Stain and Odor Eliminator
Rocco & Roxie/INSIDER
Even though most of my home consists of hardwood floors, urine puddles are still a problem. Gracie was indiscriminate in her accident locations, but most dogs will return to an area if they catch a whiff of urine. I need something that works and is safe to use around her and my toddler grandson.
Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator is nontoxic, safe for carpets and upholstery, and gets rid of all of the odor permanently. After absorbing as much urine as possible with paper towels, I just spray the area with the cleaner, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and then blot the area dry.
The first product developed by the Rocco & Roxie company, the cleaner uses a proprietary biological blend to remove odor and a nonionic surfactant to lift out stains. It's safe to use on upholstery, washable fabrics, and carpet and is certified by the Rug and Carpet Institute.
The Stain and Odor Eliminator uses essential oils (wintergreen, eucalyptus, and clove) to deter repeat staining in the same spot. I love it so much, I've bought the 1-gallon bottle so I have the cleaner on hand to refill the spray bottle.
The one downside I see is that I wish the product could be used as an overall carpet shampoo in a steam cleaner.
Pros: 95% natural ingredients; biodegradable; safe for carpets, fabrics, and hard surfaces; effective on stains and odor; 1-gallon bottles are available for refills
Cons: Not effective as an overall carpet shampoo for use in a steam cleaner
We all know that it's easier to remove stains when they are fresh and quick removal lessens the chance of permanent staining. But sometimes messes happen when you're not around and that's when you need Rocco & Roxy Oxy Stain Remover.
I live in an area that has red clay soil. The iron particles in the soil make it particularly difficult to remove muddy paw prints from upholstery and area rugs. Luckily, the hydrogen peroxide-based formula in this cleaner acts as a mild bleach and removes them without a trace. This is particularly important for pet stains like feces and vomit that may contain foods that leave traces of dye on surfaces.
Oxygen-based bleaches, like hydrogen peroxide (the key ingredient in this product), sodium perborate, and sodium percarbonate, are much gentler on fabrics and surfaces than chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and also work more slowly. They have been added to laundry detergents for many years to help remove stains and brighten fabrics and do a great job with most types of stains except those that are oil-based.
While the directions on Rocco & Roxie Oxy Stain Remover recommend spraying the area and waiting a few minutes, for older stains, you'll need to wait for at least 15 to 30 minutes before scrubbing and blotting the stain away. If you only leave it for a few minutes, you'll need to repeat the treatment.
I like this product, but you can find other oxygen-based stain removers that work just as well for less money. Ideally, a powder-based oxygen formula that you activate with water just before use is the most effective. Oxygen-based cleaners lose their potency over time when premixed with water and exposed to light and temperature variations.
Pros: Effective cleaner, safe for most fabrics and surfaces
Cons: Directions could be clearer, less expensive oxygen-based cleaners are available
When Insider Reviews asked me to test Rocco & Roxie Litter Box Odor Eliminator, I thought I'd have to turn down the assignment. I don't have a cat and never will because my youngest son is highly allergic. While I love a kitty, I love seeing him and his family more.
Luckily, I have a friend with both a cat and a sensitive nose and she agreed to give it a try. I knew she was the perfect tester because her home is immaculate. Nothing was going to get by her. The timing was also perfect because she had just switched brands of kitty litter and didn't like the fragrance even when it was fresh. As I suspected, the litter box doesn't stay soiled for very long because she scoops it several times a day.
Following the product directions, she started with a clean litter box and sprinkled about 1/4 cup of the granules over the top and mixed them in. Her initial reports were positive. The fragrance of the kitty litter was reduced. Unfortunately, the granules didn't mask it completely, but overall she was pleased.
The Odor Eliminator is made of dried corncob pieces and essential oils. The corncob acts as an agent to wick away moisture and the essential oils both mask and break down the odor molecules. The directions recommend adding another sprinkle of the product after each scooping.
While I can report that even before my friend tried this product, I've never smelled the presence of a litter box at her home. But she was pretty pleased with the product and saw an improvement. It didn't completely eliminate litter odor, but it did help and she will use it again.
Pros: All-natural ingredients, easy to use, money-back guarantee, can be used to eliminate odors in animal carriers and trash cans
Cons: Does not completely eliminate litter box odor
If you are getting a whiff of urine or worse when you walk in the door, you need the Rocco & Roxie Pet Urine Detector because your pet has a secret. They have left a puddle somewhere and you missed it.
Since Gracie is crated whenever I'm away from home for a few hours, I usually find her accidents right away. But even when I'm home, she occasionally leaves a mess that I don't find quickly. Now that I have the Pet Urine Detector, I don't have to spend lots of time trying to pinpoint the problem area.
The Detector is a UV blacklight flashlight. In a darkened room, the proteins and phosphorus in pet urine, excrement, and vomit will glow a bright blue on fabrics and hard surfaces. Even if you've cleaned up, if you didn't do a great job, you'll see a blue glow.
I found a problem in my laundry room, which is also my pup's feeding room. Even after mopping and cleaning, some urine had seeped into the grout between the tiles. I would have never found the source of the odor without the detector.
One tip: I was thrilled that the flashlight came with batteries installed. However, I was disappointed that it didn't work until I explored further. Be sure to remove the protective plastic disk near the base that prevents power contact with the batteries.
Pros: Flashlight comes complete with 3 AAA batteries, water-resistant, money-back guarantee
If you have a dog or cat, I highly recommend taking a look at Rocco & Roxie products. The Stain and Odor Eliminator and Pet Urine Detector are excellent. I can't find a single flaw. While the Oxy Stain Remover performs admirably and is worth a try, it doesn't remove every stain and similar products work just as well. The Litter Box Odor Eliminator also performs well, but may not remove every odor that a sensitive nose can detect. Overall, Rocco & Roxie cleaners for pet accidents are some of the best around.