Keeping your home smelling fresh when you have a dog can be a challenge. The most important thing when it comes to removing pet odors is acting immediately. Getting the area clean while still wet will go a long way in helping to remove dog odors.
If your dog goes to the bathroom on your carpeted floor, use newspaper or paper towels to soak up any urine. Do not allow the stains to dry, this will actually make the smell stronger. Use carpet shampoo to clean the area, then sprinkle it with baking soda and allow it to sit for ten minutes before blotting the area dry.
In cases where the stain dries on the carpet, use a commercial product that contains enzymes, which will break down the source of the odor. If the area still smells, sprinkle with baking soda and allow it to sit overnight before vacuuming the area the following morning. You can then spray the area with a concentrated solution of water and vinegar, then with plain water, and blot it with newspaper or paper towels. When the area is completely dry, the smell of vinegar will disappear.
Buying or renting a steam cleaner is also a great option for cleaning dog odor and stains out of carpet. The steam cleaner will basically suck the stain — the source of the odor — right out of the carpet. You will be amazed at how clean you can get your carpets with a steam cleaner.
Try using diluted liquid laundry detergent or a commercial upholstery cleaner if the odor is a problem on your furniture. Be sure to test the product on a hidden area first to make sure that it will not stain or remove the color from the fabric.
If the accident occurred on a hardwood floor, wipe the area clean. Use a commercial product for hardwood floor or clean it with a solution of vinegar or ammonia. If dog urine is allowed to dry on hardwood floors, it may stain and actually require you to strip the area and re-stain the floor.
When there are odors in your clothing or washable items, place them in the washing machine with regular detergent and a pound (0.45 kg) of baking soda. If odors are a problem in your dog’s bed, sprinkle the bed with baking soda. You can also add it to the bed’s stuffing.
The best way to handle dog odor in your home is to prevent them in the first place. Fabrics and carpet easily absorb odor, so some people choose not allow their dog to get on the furniture or to even go into rooms that have carpet. You can also eliminate some odors by giving your dog frequent baths. Use a dog shampoo that kills odor causing bacteria on your dog. Remember, if your dog does have an accident in your home, clean it as soon as possible.
