Does your house smell like a kennel? Would it even be possible for you to tell if it did? It’s likely that you’re acclimated to the smell of a dog. This unpleasant odor can seep into your upholstered furniture, carpet, and flooring, creating problems that can persist for a long time.
If you have grown accustomed to the pet odors in your home, it may be difficult for you to recognize them when they occur. But those who visit your home will definitely be able to tell. Is dog smell hard to get rid of?
If you are tired of asking yourself, “Why does my house smell like my dog” and you’re ready to rid yourself of that familiar odor and make sure your house smells clean again (and even better), read on.
Give your Dog a Bath
To remove that nasty dog smell from your home, you will need to bathe your canine companion with a mild dog shampoo regularly. Monthly bathing is ideal for most dog breeds. However, be sure to use a shampoo that is free of artificial fragrances and does not cause skin irritation. If you have a long-haired breed, you should also consider getting them clipped around their ears every six weeks or so.
After bathing your dog, it is extremely important to get them completely dry as excess moisture can lead to yeast growth or a yeast infection, which is the cause of the typical “dog smell.” Additionally, diet plays a role in how your dog smells. Consider talking with your vet about changing your dog’s food.
You will need:
- Dog shampoo (make sure it is free from artificial fragrances)
- A sponge or soft brush for cleaning under their eyes and around their mouth (to remove any excess pet hair that has built up there)
Vacuum, Vacuum, and Then Vacuum More
Carpet can trap a significant quantity of dirt, dog hair, and dander, which contributes to an unpleasant odor in the home. It is essential that you give each and every square inch of carpet in your home a thorough vacuuming. If you own a dog breed that is known for shedding, you may want to invest in a vacuum cleaner designed for dog hair. This includes vacuuming your area rugs as well as any other surface or space in your home where your dog likes to rest (upholstered furniture, rugs, favorite spot, etc.).
After you are finished vacuuming your carpet and area rugs, move on to the rest of your smelly furniture, making sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies. This will assist in removing the concealed dust, dander, and dog hair that are contributing to the odor. In addition, consider removing the cushion covers and giving them a wash if they are machine washable.
Steam the Carpet to Remove the Dog Smell
How do I get rid of the dog smell on my carpet?
Once you have thoroughly vacuumed every square inch of your carpet, it is time for some steam cleaning to remove pet odors that are trapped deep in the carpet fibers.
Now, if you would like to save yourself some time, consider hiring a professional service to come in and steam your carpet to remove carpet odor. However, if you have a steam cleaner, you can use it to remove bad smells from your carpeting while saving yourself some money. You can also use a commercial cleaning solution on pet stains, but be sure not to use bleach or ammonia products in the process, as they can damage your flooring over time.
Don’t scrub hard! Just let the steam do its job by allowing it to run through each section of the carpet until all odor is gone from beneath your feet!
Use an Ozone Machine to Eliminate Pet Odors
Ozone is a chemical that’s found in the air. It produces oxygen, which makes it a good tool for cleaning the air in your home or car. Ozone machines can be used to clean up that nasty dog smell.
Ozone machines are effective at eliminating odors because they work by passing ultraviolet light through plain water vapor that has been exposed to ozone gas (a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen). The ultraviolet light breaks down organic compounds in these liquids into simpler ones that aren’t as strong or pungent as the original smell was—and you’ll be left with fresh-smelling air!
While ozone machines are effective at removing nasty smells from homes and cars—they’re also very expensive compared with other cleaning solutions on our list here today! But don’t worry: there’s no need to splurge just yet! We’ve got plenty more options available if you’re looking for something cheaper but still effective.
Wash your Dog’s Bedding
If you want to attempt a home treatment that might work better than regular laundry detergent, apple cider vinegar is a great option. When you wash your dog’s bed or blanket, include a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar in the wash along with the regular laundry detergent.
Wash your Dog’s Toys to Remove Pet Odor
Washing your dog’s toys can be a good way to get rid of their smell. You can wash them in the washing machine, in the dishwasher, or by hand if that’s what you prefer. If some of your dog’s toys have an inside section like a chew ring, be sure to clean the inside of the toy as well.
An additional trick for ensuring that your dog toys come out odor free is throwing in about a cup of vinegar to the wash or a similar enzymatic deodorizing product.
Vinegar can Combat Dog Odor on Surfaces
How do I get rid of the dog smell naturally?
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, which means it can remove urine odors from surfaces. It’s also an effective deodorizer and urine stain remover. Creating a white vinegar solution to use on your hard-surface floors can help eliminate the dog smell.
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle or bucket
- Spray or lightly pour the solution onto your floors
- Mop away any excess solution and let it dry
Use Baking Soda to Absorb Strong Odor
Baking soda is a natural odor eliminator, and it can be used to remove the dog smell from your carpet or other spots that your dog frequents. Baking soda reacts with dog urine, making it a great way to neutralize the smell.
You can sprinkle baking soda onto fabrics that are difficult to wash or that cannot be washed. Then let the baking soda sit overnight and wipe away the excess in the morning using a wet cloth or paper towel. Baking soda also works great for neutralizing odors that have been absorbed into the carpet. Just sprinkle some baking soda on the carpet, let it sit for 12 to 24 hours, and then vacuum it away.
Cleanse the Air with Essential Oils
Essential oils are natural compounds that occur in many plants and flowers, including citrus fruits like lemon and orange peel, mint leaves (which contain menthol), sandalwood oil, cinnamon bark powder, and peppermint leaf. They’re also found in herbs such as lavender oil or sage leaves—and even some fruits like apples! All these natural ingredients have antibacterial properties that help remove dog odor and leave a nice scent behind.
You can use essential oils in your house by mixing them with warm water into a spray bottle full of distilled water. Then spray the solution on furniture that might be harboring pesky smells. Make sure you do not soak the furniture, as it can cause mold growth.
Essential oils that are safe for dogs
- Myrrh
- Frankincense
- Chamomile
- Lavender oil
- Ginger
- Rosemary
Let in Some Fresh Air
The first thing you should do is open as many windows as possible. This will help with ventilation and also get rid of any odors that might still be lingering in your house. If you can’t open your windows due to the outdoor temperature, you can open your doors when possible. This will also help with fresh air circulation.
Use an Air Purifier
Do air purifiers help with dog smell?
Air purifiers are a great way to get rid of dog odor in your house, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Air purifiers can remove dust particles and pollen from the air as well as kill many bacteria and viruses that are found in dog saliva. There are many different types of air purifiers on the market today, but they all work in the same way: by collecting airborne particles and releasing them into another area of your home (or outside).
The most common type of air filter is called an activated carbon filter. This type filters out odors while still allowing clean oxygen through, so you don’t have to worry about any issues with breathing when using them around pets!
In the end, the best way to keep your house smelling fresh is with a combination of the different cleaning methods and cleaning products that we mentioned above.