5 Tips for Getting Dog Smell Out of Your House

You love your dogs. They’re loyal, lovable companions who help make your house feel like a home. But by nature, they can be messy creatures. They play outside and sometimes have accidents in the house, especially as puppies. Unfortunately, dog smells stink. Worse, temporarily unpleasant odors like dog smell can seep into your furniture, carpet and flooring, resulting in long-term issues.

Sometimes, it can be tough to notice these smells in your home if you’ve gotten used to them. But your guests will, and so will potential buyers if you decide to sell your home. And there’s little that will ruin the mood at a dinner party or an open house, like an unpleasant odor clashing with the other scents in the house.

Learning easy, DIY ways to eliminate these odors can help keep your home smelling fresh. We spoke to three experts for their insight on what causes odors and how to control and eliminate them. Here’s everything you need to know about getting rid of dog smells in the house.

Why Is Dog Smell So Hard To Get Rid Of?

“Dog smells are hard to get rid of because there are a lot of causes behind them,” says Dr. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian. “Oils in the skin, known as sebum, can emit an odor. Some dogs make excessive amounts of sebum and it gets onto everything in your house.”

Bonk says these oils and other things, like dog dandruff, are often difficult to remove from certain fabrics and carpets. “Bacteria and yeast that are normally present on your dog’s skin and in their ears can cause odor,” she says. “Dogs also have an innate desire to mark everything with their scent. Some dogs will urinate on anything to claim it as their own.”

How To Get Rid of Dog Smell

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Luckily, professional cleaning expert Bruce Vance of Town & Country Cleaning Services says dog smells are much easier to eliminate than cat smells, although dog owners often clean larger areas. “Dogs can release a lot of urine, and the spot on the carpet may be much smaller than the area in the carpet backing and pad where the urine has spread out,” he says.

Don’t worry, though! There are remedies for all types of dog smells. Here are five tricks to try.

Steam your carpet

Carpet steaming is one of the best solutions for dog smell, Vance says. Various handheld carpet steamers on the market combine warm water, cleaning solution and suction power to pull out dog smells lodged deep in carpet fibers.

To use a handheld carpet steamer, fill it with warm water and solution (if applicable) and run it over the affected area. Some carpet steamers require a cleaning product, while others only use water. You can also make a cleaning solution yourself by mixing a few tablespoons of dishwasher liquid with hot water.

Make sure your carpet is completely dry, roughly an hour or two cleaning, before determining if it needs a second pass.

Sweep and mop with vinegar solution

For wood or other hard-surface floors, Bonk recommends a good sweep, followed by mopping with a vinegar solution. White vinegar acts as a deodorizer, neutralizing new and lingering smells. Here’s a step-by-step guide for this simple dog smell elimination technique.

• Sweep the floors with a broom, cleaning the area as much as possible.
• Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle or bucket.
• Spray or lightly pour the solution on your floors, distributing it evenly with a mop.
• Mop away any excess solution and let dry.

Sprinkle baking soda

Baking soda reacts with acidic smells, such as from dog urine, making it a great neutralizer for new or old odors. It can be especially useful on upholstery.

Bonk swears by baking soda to counteract dog smell. “Sprinkle baking soda onto fabrics that can’t be washed, then let it set overnight,” she says. The following morning, wipe away excess baking soda with a wet cloth or paper towel. Depending on where it’s sprinkled, like on carpet, you can also vacuum it up.

Wash fabrics and furniture coverings

If smelly fabrics or furniture coverings are machine washable, Bonk advises washing them at least once a week or every other week. This way you’re preventing the odors from building up.

You can also consider purchasing washable dog beds or dog beds with washable covers. Bonk says FurHaven Plush & Velvet Orthopedic Comfy Couch Dog & Cat Bed are a great option for keeping smells at bay.

Regularly bathe your dog

“In order to remove the dog smell from your home, you’ll want to bathe your dog frequently with a mild shampoo,” Bonk explains. “It’s very important that your dog gets 100 percent dry after baths because moisture is a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria and yeast.”

Monthly bathing would be ideal. Try Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Dog Shampoo or a similar product from any pet store or online retailer that works for your dog’s individual needs.

Still Can’t Get Rid of Dog Smell?

If none of these solutions solve your dog smell problem, consider hiring a professional cleaning or floor care company. “Just removing the surface spot may not fix the problem,” Vance says. “In extreme cases, it may require removing the carpet and pad, allowing the subfloor to dry and then sealing the floor with a lacquer sealant.”

No matter what you try, steer clear of plain water. Bonk says water activates dog smells that come from skin and oils. Attempts to clean up the odor with water can actually make it worse,” Bonk says.

FAQ

How do you prevent dog smell from building up in your house?

Schar Ward, an author and the founder of Domestic Engineering-a professional cleaning company has a list of tips she uses to prevent dog smell from building up:

1. Regular Bathing. Bathe your dog regularly with a good-quality dog shampoo. This helps remove dirt and oils that can contribute to odor.
2. Grooming. Regularly brush your dog’s coat to reduce shedding and dander and to help keep its skin healthy.
3. Clean Bedding. Wash your dog’s bedding, blankets, and toys frequently. This can help eliminate any odor that may accumulate there.
4. Vacuum your carpet often. Use a vacuum cleaner with a sealed HEPA filter, which cleans the air as you vacuum. Place a few teaspoons of baking soda into the vacuum bag or keep a cheese shaker filled with baking soda and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to sprinkle on the carpet before vacuuming. Although the mixture should not stain or discolor the carpet, it is a good idea to do a spot test on a hidden area to make sure. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer. It is essential to empty the vacuum cleaner when it is half full; the longer the dirt sits in the bag, the more chance of bacteria to grow and create odors.
5. Air Out the House. Open windows and doors to let fresh air circulate in your home. Proper ventilation can significantly reduce pet smells.
6. Use Air Purifiers. Invest in air purifiers with HEPA filters to help capture pet dander and odors from the air.
7. Quality Dog Food. Feed your dog high-quality food that aids in digestion. Poor diet can sometimes lead to stronger odors.
8. Established Bathroom Routine. Take your dog outside regularly to eliminate odors. A consistent bathroom routine will help keep your home cleaner.
9. Check for Health Issues. If your dog has an unusual odor, it could be a sign of skin issues or other health problems. Consult a veterinarian if you’re concerned.

About the Experts

• Bruce Vance is a certified house cleaning technician with Town & Country Cleaning Services.
• Dr. Chyrle Bonk is a veterinarian with ten years of experience and contributor to Excited Cats, a resource for pet owners.
• Schar Ward founded Domestic Engineering, a professional cleaning company, in 1973. Her latest book, Are You a Junkaholic?, published November 1, 2023, is a guide for hoarders. Ward has appeared on HGTV and many local television shows. She was the Green Cleaning Lady for Twin Cities Live in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and wrote a cleaning column for Dog Fancy magazine for two years.