How to Get Rid of Dog Smell in Your Home: 9 Effective Tips & Tricks | Pupford
There are so many things we love about our dogs. The unconditional love, the laughs when they do something silly, the smell…. Okay, maybe not the smell.
Many dog parents are all too familiar with the smell we’re talking about, that faint lingering of wet dog + past accident stains + smells from your dog scooting on their butt + the funk of rolling in who-knows-what in the backyard…
We’ve had a lot of community members ask for advice on how to get rid of dog smell. For a lot of households, no matter how much they clean they just can’t nix the dog scent for good.
Luckily we know a few tricks to help you -- and your nose -- out.
Here are tips for getting rid of dog smell without damaging any surfaces in your home or, more importantly, harming your pup!
HOW TO GET RID OF DOG SMELL
While you may not notice or mind the dog smell as much, others might! So here are 9 ways to get rid of the dog smell in your home:
- Regular bathing
- Dry shampoo between baths
- Get rid of pet stains
- Baking soda is powerful
- Clean paws after every walk
- Clean floors frequently
- Wash your dog's bedding
- Use heat and a/c filters
- Light some candles
Now, let's dive into each one below. 👇
Related Reading: How to Clean a Puppy Without Bathing
1. REGULAR BATHING WITH AN ESSENTIAL-OIL BASED DOG SHAMPOO
If you notice your dog’s freshness fades quickly after a bath, it might be time for an ingredient check.
The key to keeping your dog smelling clean long after bathtime (in return, not stinking up the house) is having essential oils as the basis for their shampoo. But make sure those essential oils are safe for your pup.
Pupford’s Sudsy shampoo bar for dogs is made with 100% dog-safe essential oils as well as shea butter, avocado, and coconut oil. It’s available in two scents that keep your dog smelling super fresh long after bath day. Plus, it helps reduce shedding, hot spots, and pests -- win-win!
Now, regular bathing does not mean over-bathing, as bathing too much can strip their natural oils, and can result in a dull and dry coat. Generally, every 3-6 weeks is recommended. So what do you do in between bath time? That brings us to point number two.
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2. USE DRY SHAMPOO FOR DOGS BETWEEN BATHS
We know many humans rely on dry shampoo to get by between washes (no judgment to your day 5 hair!) -- so why not your dog too?
That’s right, dry shampoo for dogs is a real thing, and it’s a great way to keep your dog smelling great between baths so they don’t stink up furniture and rugs. Simply sprinkle on your dog’s coat and brush through!
This is also a great option when you’re on the go, on vacation, or for dogs who get anxious during bathtime.
Just be sure to look for one with dog-safe ingredients, like arrowroot powder, rice bran oil, lavender, eucalyptus, cedarwood atlas, etc.
🐶 Dry shampoo for your dog is a key to a smell-free home, shop here! 🙌
3. TACKLE THOSE PET STAINS
Two things are certain when it comes to having a dog: there will be accidents, and they will stink.
Even if your dog is fully potty trained, accidents can still happen. And even if there hasn’t been an accident for a little while, they can leave lingering smells no matter how well you cleaned them up.
To truly break down pet stains and eliminate odors, you need an enzymatic cleaner. The Pupford Oops Eraser Enzymatic Cleaner is made with 3 simple ingredients (water, an enzyme blend, and orange oil) to break down odors and leave a fresh scent behind.
Pro tip: Use a blacklight to reveal those “hidden” stain spots that are usually the culprit of lingering smells.
Related Reading: How to Keep a House Clean with Dogs, Including Floors
4. BAKING SODA IS YOUR BEST FRIEND TO REMOVE SMELLS
Baking soda is a great way to neutralize odors. Couches, pillows, carpets, curtains, duvets, and laundry can all be freshened up by sprinkling some baking soda, scrubbing it in with a brush, and removing the loose powder.
Since it’s a deodorizer but has no scent itself, baking soda won’t mask the dog smell with a perfume, it will just remove the smell from your surfaces.
5. CLEAN THOSE PAWS AFTER EACH WALK
Dogs step in all kinds of smelly stuff when they’re out for a walk or to play and bring it right back into the house. Over time, it can build up and allow bacteria to grow, which causes a less-than-pleasant smell.
You wipe your feet when you come inside, and so should your dog!
Removing dirt and bacteria and drying off moisture from their paws will keep them from tracking all that yuckiness around the house. There are dedicated dog paw cleaners, like the Mudbuster, but a simple washcloth or towel will work just fine too! Learn all about how to clean dog paws here.
PS- You can also teach your pup to wipe their paws before coming inside. Maybe not as effective, but 10/10 for effort.
6. CLEAN YOUR FLOORS MORE OFTEN THAN YOU THINK YOU NEED TO
If your dog sheds, cleaning the floors may seem like a futile task. You just put the vacuum away and the floor’s already covered in fur. We get it.
As frustrating as it is, cleaning your floors often (more often than is “necessary”) prevents pet dander and other dog smell culprits from setting in. Invest in a good mop and a vacuum designed for pet hair -- it will make a big difference.
I personally love using a robot vacuum!
Related Reading: Stinky Dog Breath? 7+ Solutions + Reasons
7. THE SAME GOES FOR WASHING YOUR DOG’S BEDDING
Depending on how much time your dog spends in their bed, it can soak up dog smells fast. Washing any dog beds or blankets that your dog lays on can keep those smells from spreading throughout the house.
A good rule of thumb is to wash their bedding when you wash yours, so you don’t forget and you can be sure it’s done regularly. Most dog beds are machine washable on a delicate setting, but if yours isn’t, hand washing it with lukewarm water and laundry detergent works too.
8. DON’T FORGET YOUR HEATING AND COOLING FILTERS
A sneaky culprit for smells in your home (as well as allergies and poor air quality) is dirty filters in your heating and cooling filters.
Make sure those are cleaned and replaced regularly, even more often when you have multiple pets or during shedding seasons. For best results, use air purifying filters or get an air purifier to further clean the air of dog smells.
9. LIGHT SOME CANDLES
Essential oil-based candles can be a great way to freshen up your home and clear out any dog smells. Plus, depending on the essential oil, they can have additional positive effects like boosting your mood, improving your concentration and repelling bugs (just to name a few).
If candles aren’t your thing, you can also use smart home diffusers that are dog safe.
But remember, keep candles far out of reach of your dogs, even when they are not lit. Also, don’t leave a candle lit when you leave the house, even if it’s out of your dog’s reach!
RECAP OF GETTING RID OF DOG SMELL IN YOUR HOUSE
The fact of life with a dog is that there will be some smell. But following these tips can help reduce the smell and stink in your house!
Here's a quick list recap of the 9 ways to get rid of dog smell in your home:
- Regular bathing
- Dry shampoo between baths
- Get rid of pet stains
- Baking soda is powerful
- Clean paws after every walk
- Clean floors frequently
- Wash your dog's bedding
- Use heat and a/c filters
- Light some candles
Do you have any other helpful tips for getting rid of dog smells in your home? Share them in the comments below!
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