Owning a canine companion means having to deal with pet odour from time to time. So how to get rid of the dog smell in your house? Here are tried and true housecleaning tips to effectively get rid of dog smell.
Tip #1 for getting rid of dog smell: Bathe your dog before cleaning your home.
Most of the time, our four-legged friend is the main source of dog odors. 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.
How to get rid of dog smell on a dog? Keep your pooch fresh-smelling with this pet odor 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 spritzing the shampoo on your dog, avoid spraying on his eyes and face. Then make sure to wash it off completely.
Tip #2 for getting rid of dog smell: Use home-made pet odor neutralisers.
How to get rid of dog smell in carpet, beddings, or linens? Several items in your kitchen can effectively get rid of the dog smell. Here are a few DIY cleaning solutions for you:
Vinegar Cleaning Solution
Use a cleaning solution that is a combination of white vinegar and baking soda to neutralise smelly areas.
- Mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar 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 for a few minutes to get rid of the dog smell.
- Proceed by completely drying the sprayed area with towels.
Baking Soda Pet Odor Eliminator
Sprinkle baking soda to get rid of dog smell in certain areas in 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 dog smell as much as it can. After that, vacuum the baking soda, and you’re done.
Baking soda can also get rid of dog smell 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.
Note that a small amount of baking soda is okay for dogs, but large quantities can be poisonous. Keep your dog away from the areas you are cleaning. Only allow him inside if you have completely vacuumed the area.
Tip #3 for getting rid of dog smell: 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.
Tip #4 for getting rid of dog smell: Remove old dog stains with an enzyme cleaner.
How to get rid of dog urine smell in your home? Dog urine is composed of proteins. Get an enzyme cleaner to remove the stink.
This 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 for getting rid of dog smell: Know the cleaning don’ts.
Some cleaning methods are not effective in removing dog smells. 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 odor and stain of the urine to be permanently set on man-made fibres.
- Never use ammonia to get rid of dog smell, 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 2 substances will create toxic fumes that can result in serious respiratory problems.
- Avoid mixing ammonia and vinegar to get rid of dog smell. Vinegar is an effective natural pet odor eliminator. However, when combined with ammonia, it creates a strong chemical odor. And this may encourage your dog to mark the area again.
Tip #6 for getting rid of dog smell: Add fragrance in your home.
Consider diffusing essential oils or lighting up scented candles to eliminate the wet dog smell. It will help your house smell better within minutes. 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 on 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 choose 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 Candle
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 dog smell. These ingredients may contain toxic substances to dogs.Once you’re done using the scented candle, always fully extinguished 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 get rid of dog smell. These are not pet-friendly.
These air fresheners usually contain ingredients like formaldehyde and naphthalene, which are respiratory irritants and toxic. Also, most air fresheners do not include ingredients list 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 as they get rid of the dog smell in your home.
