We all love our furry friends and often consider them to be part of our family. Between the lingering smells in the room and the drool they leave on the sofa during their nap, it can become clear that our snuggly pups are overdue for bath time. Here’s our guide to locating and eliminating pet odors from around your home.
Investigate
The first step in eradicating the distinct scent of man’s best friend is locating the most affected areas. Dogs always have their favorite spots around the house, so make a note of those locations. These more than likely include their bed, your bed, by the windows, by the back door, and even the sofa if they’re allowed. Take some time to watch your dog’s habits during the day and see where they spend most of their time inside the house. You should also watch them while they are outside to see if they get into anything particularly stinky or dirty.
The Culprit
You know the source, and now you know where you’ll need to clean and deodorize around the house. Before any cleaning and deodorizing starts, you’ll need to prep for bath time. Here’s a few tips to help neutralize your furry friend’s stink during their bath:
- More expensive shampoo and conditioner can be worth the investment for a longer-lasting odor-fighting solution.
- Scrub your dog thoroughly during bath time to make sure they are as clean as possible, and be sure to brush them well to remove any shedding fur and debris.
- The scent of wet dog can linger long after your pet has dried, so be sure to towel dry, blow dry, and brush your dog as soon as bathtime is over.
- Washing your dog on a daily or even weekly basis can be unrealistic, so shop around for a high-quality product to use between washes in order to keep odors at bay.
- Stick to a regular bath time routine and grooming schedule so that you can stay ahead of the odors both on your pet and around the house.
Fighting Back
You know where to look, your pet is clean, and now it’s time to get to work cleaning and deodorizing around the house. Before working with your furniture, it is a good idea to make sure your dog’s bed and toys are clean and ready for them. If possible, toss your dog’s bed in the wash and add a small amount of baking soda to help with any lingering odors. While the washing machine does its job, you can get to work. Here’s a quick cleaning guide for around the house:
- Start by vacuuming thoroughly all over the house. Focus on the areas where your pet spends most of their time on the floor, the sofa, and any other furniture they have sat on.
- After vacuuming, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the high-traffic carpets and floors around the house. Be sure to focus on the areas your dog spends their time. Allow the baking soda to sit on the areas for 15 to 20 minutes before vacuuming again.
- To treat and deodorize your furniture, try this DIY cleaning solution: Mix a 50/50 ratio of white vinegar and hot water together with a few small drops of dish soap. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake it well. Remove any furniture covers and pillows from the area you are about to spray with the mixture. You can toss the covers in the wash with the pet bed. Spray the mixture on the affected furniture and scrub with a scrub brush or sponge. Allow your furniture time to fully dry before putting the covers and pillows back.
- To neutralize odors on curtains, pillows, blankets, rugs, and other areas you can mix together some white vinegar and baking soda in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the mix around the house to combat any particularly stubborn pet odors.
- Finally, as a final touch, you can open up a few windows around the house (if the weather is favorable) to allow some fresh air to circulate.
Final Tips
You’re on your way to a pet odor-free home and a sweet-smelling furry friend. Keep up with regular baths and deodorizing methods and you should be smelling the difference in no time! Here’s a few final tips for keeping your home smelling great:
- Vacuum high-traffic areas regularly
- Use a blacklight to find any hidden urine stains around the house. Urine usually glows yellow or green under a black light, so you’ll be able to spot any problem areas that need to be treated.
- Check and change your air filters regularly. This will help keep clean and fresh air moving through the home and prevent odors from lingering for too long.
If you’re looking for some help getting rid of stubborn pet odors, we’ve got your back! Follow the link to check out any of our cleaning services and see how we can help.
