7 hacks to remove pet odor and hair

Pets bring joy into our lives. They’re loyal, smart, and a lot of fun. And there’s nothing better when you’ve come home after a long day to find a four-legged bundle of love, ready to cheer you up and make you feel great. Unfortunately, your dog gives you more than love and cuddles. When you get a dog, you also get pet odor and hair, which isn’t nearly as appealing. Fortunately, you can minimize the damage by using these handy hacks to remove pet odor and hair.

Use an air purifier 

A good HEPA air purifier can help eliminate up to 99% of airborne germs and dust particles. That helps remove pet odor and hair. 

Use a small room-sized filter, and be sure to change the filter once every two months. If you have more than one dog, make it monthly.

Eliminate carpet 

Vacuuming and steam cleaning can help with the smells that stick to fiber carpets, but rugs and carpets collect a lot of hair and dust. You can also consider using a portable carpet cleaner that can remove pet hair and odor.

If you don’t want to spend more time cleaning up after the dog than having fun, consider getting rid of your carpet. Hardwood and even laminated flooring are easier to clean with regular sweeping, and a mop and bucket are a lot cheaper than steam cleaning!

Use some elbow grease

Regular scrubbing can cut down on odors and will definitely keep pet hair to a minimum.

Having pets means doing a lot of extra cleaning, but it’s important to work smarter, not harder. Sweep and mop floors regularly.

Dogs tend to have accidents in the same spots, so do regular spot-checks under furniture, around corners, and other difficult places, to get rid of scents and discourage accidents.

DIY scent control

Cleaning helps, but the last thing you want is to replace the pet smell with a chemical one.

Fortunately, there are plenty of things around the house that can help remove pet odor.

Did you know that a 1 part mouthwash solution to 1 part water can create a spray that kills smells?

Try it on the furniture, pet bed, and tough stains on rugs or floors.

Get some fresh air

Air circulation is always important, but the need for it grows exponentially with pets.

Air filters are great, but they can leave your home feeling stale or musty – so open some windows!

Even a few minutes a day can make a huge difference to the air quality in your home. Use ceiling fans to encourage circulation.

More baths 

It may not be easy to get your furry best friend in the bath, but a well-groomed dog sheds a lot less than a dog that gets a little too shaggy.

Regular washes in plain water can help cut down on dander, which reduces dust in the air and odor particles.

Give your favorite furry family member regular grooming to help remove pet odors and hair in your home.

Wash beds in extra hot water

The dog bed is the worst offender when it comes to both hair and odor. So are the dog’s favorite cushions on the couch – and any mats or rugs.

Wash upholstery regularly in hot water to kill germs.

You can hang your upholstery outside for an extra breath of fresh air or dry in the spin cycle. Wash pet bedding at least once a week.

Conclusion

We love our pets. But the mess that comes with them leads to odors that can feel impossible to eliminate. With a little extra work, you can keep all the parts of the dog you love and remove pet odor, hair, and mess – without giving up quality time with your dog.

*DogsBestLife.com is a participant in the Chewy Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to let our site earn fees by linking to Chewy.com. 

Is it better to have two dogs?