Pets bring joy into our lives. They’re loyal, intelligent, 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 it once every two months. If you have more than one dog, do 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 to remove pet hair and odor.
Consider removing your carpet if you don’t want more time cleaning up after the dog than having fun. Hardwood and laminated flooring are easier to clean with regular sweeping, and a mop and bucket are much 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 in other difficult places to remove 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, plenty of things around the house 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 beds, 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
Getting your furry best friend in the bath may not be easy, 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 reduce 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 regarding both hair and odor. So are the dog’s favorite cushions and any mats or rugs on the couch.
Wash upholstery regularly in hot water to kill germs.
You can hang your upholstery outside for extra 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.