April 07, 2023

How to Get Rid of Dog Smell in Your Home

Dogs can be messy by nature. They play outside and bring dirt inside. They can also have accidents in the house that leave an unwanted smell. As much as you love your pets, getting rid of a dog smell in your house can be challenging because odors are often persistent.
Pet odors can go unnoticed by the people living in the home, but your visitors won’t be immune to the smell. Consider the following tips if you’re wondering how to get rid of a dog smell in your house:

Vacuum Everything

Vacuuming the floor is one way to get rid of pet hair and dander, but it is effective to vacuum other areas as well. Regularly vacuum curtains, furniture, and other places your dog usually spends time around. The following tips can help you eliminate as much hair and dander as possible:
  • Use attachments: Use a soft brush attachment, upholstery tool, and crevice tool on your curtains and furniture if your vacuum features these options. Soft brush attachments and upholstery tools make it easier to vacuum fabric surfaces, and a crevice tool can help you reach tight spaces.
  • Shake your curtains before vacuuming: Shaking your curtains can help loosen dust, dander, hair, and dirt before you vacuum, making it easier to remove.
  • Start at the top of your curtains: Starting at the top of your curtains and making short, downward brush strokes is the most effective way to remove pet hair and dust. Pay special attention to hems and pleats where dirt and hair can accumulate.
  • Use low suction settings for delicate fabric: Use your vacuum’s lowest setting when vacuuming delicate fabrics, such as silk, to prevent tears.
  • Focus on tight spaces: Vacuum your couch crevices, corners, and seams to remove accumulated dust, dirt, and dog hair. It’s also helpful to vacuum between and underneath cushions to gather any hidden hair and dirt.
  • Brush furniture in one direction: Use an upholstery attachment, soft brush tool, or stiff brush to brush pet hair in the same direction as your furniture’s fibers and loosen as much of it as possible.

Use a Vinegar Solution

White vinegar can effectively remove lingering smells, and it’s an eco-friendly, nontoxic alternative to chemical cleaning agents. You can mix water with white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to mop the following types of floors:
  • No-wax linoleum: Combine ½ gallon of water with ½ cup of vinegar to clean no-wax linoleum floors.
  • Ceramic tile: Mix ½ cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of water to mop ceramic tile floors.
While the vinegar smell dissipates after about an hour, white distilled vinegar has a stronger smell while cleaning. You can opt for apple cider vinegar if you want to reduce the odor while cleaning, but it’s important to dilute it effectively since it’s darker in color. Adding essential oils and opening your windows can also reduce the smell or help it dissipate faster.

Wash Furniture Coverings and Dog Items

If your furniture coverings are washable, consider washing them regularly. Dog saliva and dander often cause unwanted odors on the items your pets use. You should also wash dog beds, toys, and bowls as often as possible to eliminate any odors or bacteria that stick to these items. Adding a cup of distilled white vinegar to your laundry can help remove odors from fabric items, such as furniture coverings, blankets, and dog beds.

Sprinkle Baking Soda on Fabric Items

Baking soda is another great neutralizer for pet odor. You can sprinkle baking soda on fabrics, dog beds and carpets and let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe the area that has baking soda with a wet cloth or vacuum it to eliminate the unpleasant pet smell.

Regularly Bathe Your Pets

Giving your dog a bath on a regular basis can help remove odors, allergens, and dirt. It can also improve your dog’s health by preventing complications like allergies, skin irritation, and discomfort. Giving your dog a bath is easy and effective with the following tips:
  • Gather essential supplies, such as a brush, dog shampoo, and two or three towels.
  • Brush your dog before their bathtime to remove loose fur and avoid tangles during the bath.
  • Place a drain hair catcher over your drain to catch any fur your dog sheds during their bath.
  • Use dog facial and ear wipes, and keep shampoo away from your dog’s eyes and ears to prevent infection.
  • Praise your dog and give them treats during their bath to ease any anxiety they may have.
  • Lather, rinse, and dry your dog thoroughly to remove dirt and ensure no shampoo remains on their skin.
  • Use a low-heat dryer setting to blow your dog’s fur dry if they tolerate the air and noise.
  • Ensure your dog stays off the furniture or carpets until they are completely dry.
You can also take your dog to a professional groomer for bathing if you want to save time and energy. Professional grooming often leaves dogs smelling fantastic for longer because groomers use special shampoos, conditioners, and techniques.

Hire a Professional

If you’ve tried everything and still can’t remove the smell, you should consider hiring a professional cleaning company. Pet odors tend to linger on carpets and require a steam clean or other methods that can only be done by professional cleaners.

What Scent Gets Rid of a Dog Smell?

Certain scents can help neutralize pet odors. Use natural scents, such as lavender, to help refresh your home. Some scented products and essential oils can be harmful to pets, so keeping certain items out of your dog’s reach is important. For example, you’ll want to avoid oil of cinnamon, citrus, peppermint and pine.

Give Your Home a Fresh and Clean Smell

Professional cleaning is the most effective method for removing pet odors. Maid Bright’s team of skilled professionals provides specialized cleaning services to remove unwanted smells and make your home a more sanitary space. We use the proper equipment and eco-friendly products to deliver a deep clean that’s safe for your family and beloved pets. Schedule a free estimate to work with an award-winning cleaning service.

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