Owning a canine companion means having to deal with pet odour from time to time. So how do you get rid of the dog smell in your house? Here are tried and true housecleaning tips to effectively remove the stinky odour your furry friend leaves behind.
Tip #1: Bathe Your Dog Before Cleaning Your Home.
Most of the time, our four-legged friend is the main source of dog odours. The first logical step to take is to wash the dog. This will keep him from smearing dog smell all over your home before and after cleaning.
What to do if your dog smells so bad? Keep your pooch fresh-smelling with this pet odour-eliminator shampoo:
- Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups of water.
- Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dog shampoo.
- Shake well to mix the ingredients properly.
When bathing your dog, avoid spritzing the shampoo on his eyes and face. Do not leave it on his coat for more than 5 to 8 minutes. Baking soda has high concentrations of alkaline, which can dry out his hair and skin’s natural oils.
Tip #2: Use Homemade Pet-Friendly Odour Neutralisers.
How to get rid of dog smell in carpets, bedding, or linens? Several items in your kitchen can eliminate the stink, such as vinegar and baking soda. Follow these steps to make DIY cleaning solutions out of them:
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Cleaning Solution
Use a cleaning solution that is a combination of white vinegar and baking soda to neutralise smelly areas.
- Mix 1 cup of ACV or distilled white vinegar, 1 cup of water, and 2 teaspoons of baking soda in a clean spray bottle.
- Shake it well and spray on the stain.
- Leave it on for a few minutes to get rid of the dog smell.
- Proceed by completely drying the sprayed area with towels.
Baking Soda Pet Odour Eliminator
Sprinkle baking soda to get rid of the dog smell in certain areas of your home. It is also safe to use on upholstery, carpets, and rugs. Do not forget to drizzle baking soda on your dog’s bed too. Leave it for at least 15 minutes.
You have the option to let it sit overnight to get rid of the stink as much as it can. After that, vacuum the baking soda and you’re done.
Baking soda can also remove foul dog odour on clothes and towels. All you need to do is put half a cup of baking soda in the laundry and it will do its job.
Tip #3: Find Invisible Spots Using a Black Light.
A black light can help dog owners thoroughly clean their homes. Use it to see dried urine stains on floors, carpets, furniture, and in rooms. When choosing a black light, keep in mind that the greater its wavelength, the better it can show urine stains.
Also, note that the black light works best in a dark room. So use it at night unless you have other means of darkening your home during the day. Old pet stains and those that are not appropriately cleaned often have a yellow or green glow under the black light.
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Tip #4: Remove Old Dog Stains With an Enzyme Cleaner.
How to get rid of dog urine smell in your home? Dog urine contains small proteins, which make its scent cling to surfaces.
Many experts recommend using an enzymatic cleaner to remove its stink. It is a biological substance that effectively breaks down biological compounds, including protein, starch, and oil. Enzyme cleaner also works well in removing traces of dog poop.
Apply a few drops of the enzyme cleaner on urine stains. Allow it to soak in for around 30 minutes or longer to get rid of the dog smell and the stain.
You can use a black light to check if the urine stain is fully dissolved. You may need to apply the enzyme cleaner repeatedly on hard-to-remove urine stains.
Tip #5: Know the Cleaning Don’ts.
Some cleaning methods are not effective in removing four dog odours. It may worsen the problem or even endanger you and your pooch’s health. Here are some cleaning techniques to avoid when getting rid of dog smell:
- Do not use a steam cleaner to remove dog urine from carpets or upholstery. Its heat will cause the odour and stain of the urine to be permanently set on man-made fibres.
- Never use ammonia, especially the ones caused by urine. It will make the stink worse instead of removing it.
- Mixing bleach and ammonia is not a good idea. It is extremely dangerous and should be avoided. The combination of these two substances will create toxic fumes that can result in serious respiratory issues.
- Avoid mixing ammonia and vinegar. Vinegar is an effective natural pet odour eliminator. However, when combined with ammonia, it creates a strong chemical odour. And this may encourage your dog to mark the area again.
Tip #6: Add Fragrance in Your Home.
Consider diffusing essential oils or lighting up scented candles. It keeps your home smelling fresh and helps combat the stinky air of dog smell. Here are a few things to keep in mind when using these scented items:
Essential Oils
If you opt for essential oils to get rid of dog smell, it is very important to choose oils that are safe for dogs. Dog owners need to know that some essential oils are toxic to dogs when ingested, applied to the skin, or diffused in the air.
Ylang-ylang, oregano, eucalyptus, and anise are some essential oils that may be poisonous to dogs. Safe options that you can pick are frankincense, cardamom, valerian, and clary sage.
Make sure to properly dilute the essential oil before diffusing it. Undiluted essential oil is highly potent and can potentially harm your dog. It is advised to only use the diffuser for 10 minutes at most. After that, let the scent do its work and leave the air clean for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Scented Candles
If you decide to use scented candles, it is recommended that you purchase the ones that are made with only natural ingredients, such as beeswax and soy.
Avoid scented candles with artificial fragrances to get rid of the dog smell. These ingredients may contain toxic substances for dogs.
Once you’re done using the scented candle, always fully extinguish it to prevent the risk of fire. Do not use water to put out the candle, as it can break the glass container or splatter the hot wax.
Above all else, diffusers, essential oils, and scented candles should be kept away from your dog. Avoid using air fresheners to mask dog smell in your house as they are not pet-friendly.
These products usually contain ingredients like formaldehyde and naphthalene, which are respiratory irritants and toxic. Also, most air fresheners do not include ingredient lists on their labels, making it difficult to check if it is made up of dangerous ingredients.
If you are worried about the potential dangers that essential oils, diffusers, and scented candles may have on your dog, you may try to use an air purifier instead.
Search for air purifiers with activated-carbon air filters to eliminate doggy stink in your home. Some of them also come with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that help remove allergens like dog hair and dander.
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FAQs About How to Get Rid of Dog Smell
1. Do Air Purifiers Really Help With Bad Dog Smells?
Air purifiers can help in removing bad dog smells, but not eliminate them entirely. Thus, dog owners should use other strategies to combat the doggy stink permeating their homes.
2. Can I Sprinkle Baking Soda on My Smelly Dog?
You can sprinkle baking soda on your smelly dog. It has odour-neutralising properties that can combat his stink. However, do it sparingly to prevent drying out his coat and skin.
3. Can I Put Baby Powder on My Dog?
You can put baby powder on your dog, but avoid products that contain talc as it may be contaminated with asbestos. Prolonged exposure to this chemical can result in serious health implications.
Use baby powder on your pet sparingly and in small amounts. Just like baking soda, constant use can lead to dry skin and hair.
4. Is It OK to Let a Dog Dry Naturally After a Bath?
It is not the best idea to let your dog dry naturally after a bath because it makes him strongly emanate a wet dog smell. His wet coat becomes an easy magnet for dirt and debris.
Moreover, the dampness can cause bacteria to populate between his paws and inside his ears. As a result, he may develop health issues like, yeast infections, skin infections, and ear infections, which can exacerbate bad dog smell. Air drying may also cause matting in long-haired canines.
Conclusion
Bad dog smell is not easy to get rid of. Dog owners must stay consistent and diligent when performing cleaning routines to achieve good results. Significant efforts must also be placed in grooming and bathing dogs, as it helps mitigate and reduce pungent doggy odour.