How to Remove Dog Smell

As a dog owner, you’ve likely wondered how to remove dog smell from your home. While living with our furry friends brings joy, companionship, and love into our lives, it often comes with the challenge of tackling extra dirt and unpleasant odours. Between playing outdoors in the dirt and having the occasional accident inside, dog smells occur in the home for a variety of reasons.

With 69% of households in Australia owning pets, Australia boasts one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world. Dogs are the most common as approximately 40% of households in Australia have at least one dog.

Therefore, understanding how to remove dog smell is essential for maintaining a fresh and inviting living space. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to combat and eliminate dog smells in your home for good.

Common Causes of Dog Smells in the Home

Our furry friends bring a myriad of scents into our homes, and these can stem from various sources. So, before we venture into ways to eliminate the smells, let’s explore the primary culprits:

• Natural Dog Odours: All dogs have a natural scent. However, breeds like Basset Hounds and Golden Retrievers tend to be more pungent because of heavier sebaceous gland secretion. 

• Poor Hygiene Practices: Neglecting to clean pet bedding, toys, or frequently visited areas by dogs can result in unpleasant odours. Furthermore, not bathing or grooming your furry friend regularly leads to a buildup of dirt and oils on their fur and skin, contributing to bad smells in your home.

• Skin Infections: Skin infections are caused by bacteria, fungi, yeast, and endocrine disorders. So, for instance, breeds like Spaniels, Pugs, and Bulldogs are prone to skin fold dermatitis, a foul-smelling skin disorder.

• Shedding and bodily fluids: Dog saliva, oils, urine, dander, and fur accumulate on your furniture, carpet, and floors. Consequently, your home will inevitably develop that distinctive dog smell if these areas are not regularly cleaned.

How to Remove Dog Smell from the Home

Wet fur and paws from outdoor adventures can introduce the unmistakable “wet dog” aroma to your home, lingering on upholstery and floors. Similarly, occasional accidents, especially during training or due to health issues result in persistent odours if not promptly and thoroughly cleaned. Therefore, selecting the right cleaning products is crucial. So, how exactly do we make that choice?

Enzyme-Based Cleaning Products

Enzymatic cleaners, safer for pets, children, and the environment than chemical alternatives, work by using enzymes to break down organic stains and odours. So, they specifically target proteins, fats, and other compounds found in pet accidents like urine, faeces, or vomit.  Moreover, these cleaners also operate at a microscopic level. Thus, they effectively eliminate dog smells at their source instead of simply masking them.

Household Items

In addition, simple household items like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and vinegar can neutralise odours effectively. These natural ingredients can also be combined to create homemade sprays or used individually to absorb unpleasant smells.

How to Remove Dog Smell from Carpets

1. Vacuuming and Enzymatic Applying a Cleaner

Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove loose dirt, pet hair, and dander trapped within the fibres. Then, treat the affected areas with an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for pet odours. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, then allow the cleaner to sit for the recommended duration.

Next, after applying the cleaner, blot the area with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb excess moisture. You must also allow the carpet to air dry completely.

2. Baking Soda Solution

For lingering odours, create a solution using water and baking soda. To do so, mix one part baking soda with three parts water, ensuring the baking soda is well dissolved in the water before application. Then, after applying the mixture to the affected area, allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes before blotting it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide 

Always spot test first on a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet to ensure the hydrogen peroxide doesn’t cause discolouration or damage. 

For the mixture, combine equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle or a bowl. Then, spray or apply the hydrogen peroxide solution directly onto the affected areas of the carpet. 

Lastly, blot the treated area with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb excess moisture and allow the carpet to air dry.

4. Steam Cleaning 

Consider using a steam cleaner with a pet-specific detergent to deep clean the carpet fibres. Or you can also choose to hire a professional cleaning service.

How to Remove Dog Smell from Couches

1. Vacuuming and Baking Soda

Thoroughly vacuum the couch to remove loose pet hair, dirt, and debris. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the entire surface of the couch to absorb and neutralise dog odours. Allow the baking soda to sit on the couch for at least 15-20 minutes, or overnight for more intense odours. Then, vacuum the couch again to remove the baking soda.

2. Deep Cleaning

For fabric couches, wash all removable covers with pet-safe detergent and tackle tough stains with baking soda. In cases where the covers aren’t removable, you can also use a soft brush to remove hair and dander. Then, follow this by wiping the surface with a damp cloth. For leather couches, however, gently wipe with a mixture of vinegar and water.

3. Sunlight

If possible, place the couch or even just the cushion in direct sunlight or open windows to allow fresh air to circulate. 

How to Remove Dog Smell from Curtains

To deodorise your curtains, mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Then, lightly mist the curtains with this solution. In addition, sunlight aids in neutralising any lingering dog smell. If accessible, you can also hang the curtains in direct sunlight. Otherwise, allow the curtains to air dry. 

How to Remove Dog Smell and Maintain a Fresh-Smelling Home

Establishing a routine for cleaning and odour control contributes significantly to maintaining a pleasant-smelling home. So, by incorporating the following into your routine, you can effectively minimise and also eliminate dog smells from your home:

1. Regular Grooming: 

Routinely groom your dog by brushing its coat, bathing it at least once a month using pet-friendly shampoos, and trimming its fur. This helps reduce shedding and also keeps your fur baby’s coat smelling fresh.

2. Clean Pet Bedding and Toys:

Wash your dog’s bedding, blankets, and toys weekly using pet-safe detergents. Additionally, for optimal odour neutralisation, add some apple cider vinegar during the wash. Also, be sure to let these items thoroughly dry before giving them back to your dog.

3. Clean Accidents Promptly:

If your pet has an accident indoors, promptly clean and disinfect the affected area using enzymatic cleaners, thus, preventing odours from setting in.

4. Regular Vacuuming, Sweeping, and Mopping:

Vacuum your home regularly, including carpets, rugs, upholstery, and any other areas your dog frequents, to remove pet hair, dander, and dirt.

5. Air Purifiers:

Air purifiers for pet owners have an active carbon filter that absorbs dog odours. You can also use HEPA filters with your air purifier to capture dog hair, dander, and particles that can cause unpleasant odours in the home.

6. Odour Absorbers:

Place odour-absorbing materials like baking soda or activated charcoal in strategic locations around your home. So, you want to place these near pet beds or in closets, to help neutralise odours.

7. Proper Ventilation:

You can also ensure good airflow in your home by opening windows to air out your house.

8. Pet Hygiene:

Maintain your pet’s overall hygiene by regularly cleaning their paws after outdoor activities. This helps to prevent tracking in dirt and it also prevents odours.

Final Thoughts

Living with furry companions means we need to take the extra steps to ensure we keep them and our homes as clean as possible. This dedication involves not only regular grooming and cleanliness routines for our pets but also implementing consistent cleaning practices within our living spaces. So, now that you’re armed with the understanding of how to remove dog smell from the home, you can cultivate an amazing environment for your pets to flourish alongside you. 

At Simply Spotless, we understand that you’d prefer to let someone else handle the heavy lifting when it comes to eliminating stubborn dog smells from your home. Whether you’re short on time or prefer the expertise of trained professionals, we’ve got you covered. So, book a home cleaning service online today for a fresh, odour-free home that both you and your furry friend can be comfortable in.