We love our dogs with all our hearts. They are cherished members of our families, bringing endless joy, companionship, and laughter into our homes. But let’s be honest, they can also bring a distinct, lingering aroma.
That familiar “dog smell” can permeate carpets, furniture, and the very air we breathe, making our homes feel less than fresh.
If you’ve ever walked in your front door and been greeted by that tell-tale scent, you know how frustrating it can be.
The good news is you don’t have to choose between your furry friend and a fresh-smelling home.
Learning how to get rid of dog smell in the house is not about masking the odor with air fresheners; it’s about eliminating it at its source.
This guide is your ultimate roadmap to a cleaner, fresher home.
We will break down the causes of dog odor and provide you with a comprehensive, room-by-room strategy, full of amazing tips and DIY solutions that actually work.
Forget covering up smells and get ready to eradicate them. Let’s embark on a mission to reclaim your home’s freshness, creating a clean and inviting environment for both you and your beloved pet.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Source: Why Do Dogs Smell?
Before we can effectively tackle the problem, it’s important to understand where the smell comes from. The quest for how to get rid of dog smell in the house begins by identifying the culprits. Dog odor is not just one thing; it’s a combination of several factors.
- Natural Skin Oils (Sebum): Dogs produce natural oils to keep their skin and coat healthy. These oils have a unique scent that, over time, can transfer to everything they touch—their bed, your couch, the carpet, and your favorite blanket. This is the most common source of the general “doggy” smell.
- Yeast and Bacteria: The skin and ears of a dog are home to a natural microbiome of yeast and bacteria. When these populations overgrow, often due to moisture or allergies, they can produce a pungent, musty odor. This is often the cause of “Frito feet” and smelly ears.
- Anal Glands: Dogs have two small scent glands on either side of their anus that can sometimes release a very strong, fishy-smelling fluid, especially when they are scared or excited.
- Urine Accidents: Even a small, hidden urine spot can release potent ammonia odors as it breaks down, especially in porous surfaces like carpet padding or grout.
- Bringing the Outdoors In: Dogs are experts at rolling in things we’d rather they didn’t. They also track in dirt, mud, and moisture from outside, all of which contribute to odors as they dry and fester in your home.
By understanding these sources, you can see that the solution isn’t a single magic spray but a multi-faceted approach that involves cleaning your dog, your fabrics, your floors, and your air.
Your Cleaning Arsenal: Essential Tools and Supplies
To effectively combat dog odors, you’ll need to assemble a powerful cleaning toolkit. Many of the most effective solutions are simple, inexpensive household staples.
Must-Have Cleaning Supplies:
- Baking Soda: This is your number one odor-absorbing champion. It’s natural, cheap, and incredibly effective at neutralizing acidic odors on fabrics and carpets.
- White Vinegar: Another miracle cleaner. The acetic acid in vinegar neutralizes alkaline odors (like ammonia in urine) and acts as a natural disinfectant. Don’t worry, the vinegar smell disappears as it dries.
- Enzymatic Cleaner: This is a non-negotiable for pet owners. These cleaners contain beneficial bacteria and enzymes that physically break down and “eat” the organic matter in urine, vomit, and feces, completely eliminating the odor instead of just covering it up.
- High-Quality Vacuum with a HEPA Filter: A powerful vacuum is crucial for pulling up dander, hair, and odor-causing particles from deep within carpet fibers. A HEPA filter traps these microscopic allergens, preventing them from being blown back into your air.
- Steam Cleaner or Carpet Cleaner: For deep-cleaning carpets and upholstery, a steam cleaner or a wet-vac carpet cleaner can work wonders, washing away years of embedded dirt and oils.
- Microfiber Cloths and Sponges: For wiping down surfaces.
- Spray Bottles: For your homemade vinegar and water cleaning solutions.
- An Air Purifier: A good quality air purifier with a HEPA filter and an activated carbon layer is a game-changer for continuously removing airborne dander and odor molecules.
The Strategy: A Room-by-Room Guide to Eliminating Dog Odor
The key to how to get rid of dog smell in the house is a systematic, deep-cleaning approach. We will tackle the problem from the ground up, starting with the biggest odor culprits.
Phase 1: Tackling Fabrics and Upholstery
Soft surfaces are like sponges for dog odors. This is where the oils, dander, and hair accumulate the most.
1. Wash Everything You Can
Gather up all washable items that your dog comes into contact with.
- Dog beds and blankets
- Your own bedding if your dog sleeps with you
- Couch cushion covers and throw pillows
- Washable rugs
- Dog toys (plush and rubber toys can often be washed)
Washing Instructions: Wash these items in the hottest water the fabric will allow. Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. The vinegar will help neutralize odors and soften the fabric. Dry everything thoroughly; dampness is a breeding ground for mildew smells.
2. Deodorize Non-Washable Upholstery and Mattresses
For your couch, chairs, and mattress, baking soda is your best friend.
- Vacuum Thoroughly: First, use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment to thoroughly vacuum the furniture, getting into all the crevices.
- Apply Baking Soda: Generously sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface of the fabric. Don’t be shy! Use a soft brush to gently work it into the fibers.
- Let it Sit: Allow the baking soda to sit for several hours, or even overnight. The longer it sits, the more odors it will absorb.
- Vacuum Again: Vacuum up all the baking soda thoroughly. You’ll be amazed at how much fresher the fabric smells.
Phase 2: Deep Cleaning Floors and Carpets
Floors are the next major harbor for dog smells. Whether you have carpet or hard flooring, a deep clean is essential.
1. How to Deodorize Carpets
Carpets are notorious for trapping odors deep within their fibers and padding.
- Baking Soda First: Just as with your furniture, start with a generous application of baking soda all over your carpets. Let it sit for at least a few hours.
- Vacuum Slowly: Vacuum your entire carpet, but do it slowly. A slow pass allows the vacuum’s brush and suction to pull up more dirt, dander, and baking soda from deep in the pile. Go over each area several times in different directions.
- Deep Clean with a Carpet Cleaner: If you own or can rent a carpet cleaner, now is the time to use it. Instead of the chemical-laden shampoos, try a solution of hot water mixed with one cup of white vinegar per gallon. This will clean and deodorize without leaving a sticky residue.
- Spot Treat with Enzymatic Cleaner: Use a blacklight to find any old, hidden urine spots (they will glow under the UV light). Thoroughly saturate these spots with a good quality enzymatic cleaner and let it air dry completely. This is the only way to permanently destroy the urine odor.
2. Cleaning Hard Floors (Hardwood, Tile, Laminate)
Don’t assume hard floors are immune to odors. Dog dander and urine can get into the cracks and grout.
- Vacuum or Sweep: First, remove all the loose hair and debris.
- Mop with a Vinegar Solution: Mix a solution of one gallon of warm water with one cup of white vinegar. Use this to mop your floors. The vinegar will clean, disinfect, and neutralize odors. It is safe for most sealed hardwood, tile, vinyl, and laminate flooring. (Always test in an inconspicuous area first).
Phase 3: Cleaning the Air and the Dog Itself
Now that the major surfaces are clean, it’s time to tackle the source of the smell—your dog—and the air in your home.
1. Grooming Your Dog
A clean dog is the foundation of a clean-smelling house.
- Regular Baths: Bathe your dog regularly with a high-quality dog shampoo. The frequency depends on the breed and coat, but a bath every 4-6 weeks is a good baseline. Don’t over-bathe, as this can strip their skin of healthy oils.
- Consistent Brushing: Brushing your dog several times a week removes loose, dead fur and dander before it has a chance to end up on your floor and furniture.
- Ear Cleaning: Check and clean your dog’s ears regularly with a vet-approved solution to prevent smelly yeast and bacterial infections.
- Dental Health: Bad breath contributes to the overall dog smell. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly and provide dental chews to keep their mouth healthy.
2. Freshening the Air
- Open the Windows: The simplest and most effective trick is to air out your house regularly. Open the windows for at least 15-30 minutes a day to allow fresh air to circulate and flush out stale, odorous air.
- Use an Air Purifier: An air purifier with a HEPA filter and an activated carbon layer is a powerful tool. The HEPA filter captures dander, and the carbon absorbs odor molecules. Run it continuously in the room where your dog spends the most time.
- Clean Your Vents and Change Filters: Your home’s HVAC system can circulate dander and odors. Change your furnace filter regularly (choose one with a high MERV rating designed for pets) and vacuum out your air vents.
- Simmer Pots: For a natural, pleasant scent, simmer a pot of water on the stove with citrus peels (lemon, orange), a few cinnamon sticks, and cloves. This will make your whole house smell wonderful without artificial chemicals.
Maintaining a Fresh Home: A Routine for Success
You’ve done the deep clean, and your house smells amazing! The final step in learning how to get rid of dog smell in the house is establishing a routine to keep it that way.
- Daily: Open windows for a short period. Wipe your dog’s paws when they come in from outside.
- Weekly: Vacuum all carpets and floors. Wash your dog’s bedding. Brush your dog.
- Monthly: Do a baking soda treatment on carpets and furniture. Mop hard floors. Bathe your dog (or as needed). Check and change your HVAC filter.
- Quarterly: Deep clean carpets with a carpet cleaner. Wash walls and baseboards.
By incorporating these tasks into your regular cleaning schedule, you can stay on top of dog odors and maintain a fresh, clean, and happy home for everyone.
You’ve tackled the problem at the source and created a sustainable plan for a beautiful living space that you and your furry best friend can enjoy together.
