10 tips to eliminate dog smells from your home

Dogs are the most lovable, playful and amazing pets. They give the best furry cuddles and are definite mood boosters. But one thing all dog owners commonly suffer from is horrible dog smells.

That doesn’t mean your house has to have dog smells.

There are still ways to keep your house smelling fresh when you own a dog. Here are 10 hacks that I religiously follow.

1. Identify the source of dog smells

Sometimes pee and barf spots go unnoticed. That’s why you should be vigilant and always keep an eye out for stains and accidents.

If you’re a little late to the party, then definitely go on a stain hunt using your power of smell. Pet odors are usually pretty strong and the general source area can usually be identified quite easily.

If this fails and the mystery source can’t be identified, consider buying a black light. Your dog’s bodily fluids like pee and drool easily show up under the blacklight. Just turn off your lights before you try this.

Other liquids like spilled drinks also may show up. But these have a white glow while your pet’s accidents show up as pale yellow to green.

2. Fresh air brings fresh smells

Letting fresh air inside may seem like a simple solution but it certainly makes a huge difference. Just set a time every day when you can keep your windows open, preferably during daylight.

During those times, also leave all your fans on. Do this for every room and 15 minutes should be enough to drive away the doggy odor and let in the smell of the outdoors.

3. Keep your floors spotless

This one’s pretty obvious. When you have a dog, your floors need to be cleaned frequently. If you don’t get rid of the dirt and furry mess your dog makes, the dog smell will never go away.

When sweeping, do it gently, or the dirt and hair will fly away and spread. Use a dustpan to carefully carry debris to the trashcan. Always keep your trashcan covered or the dirt might fly away.

After sweeping, go over the floor again with a wet mop. This will guarantee that there’s no grime remaining on the floors. It also will keep your house smelling clean.

4. Don’t skimp on vacuuming

Vacuums are a staple cleaning tool in every dog owner’s house. There are several carpet cleaners available that do a great job at getting away the dander and debris.

If you have a dog, your carpet and rugs are dirt magnets. They also are the major source of dog smells. So, use pet vacuum cleaners regularly and thoroughly.

It’s also important to vacuum your sofas, making sure to reach all the nooks and crannies. And, of course, don’t forget the curtains.

When you are done vacuuming, never leave your canister full. It’s best to empty it right away, or the horrible stench you’re trying to avoid will be stuck.

If your dog’s afraid of the vacuum, use treats and training to help him cope.

5. Invest in an air purifier

Air purifiers truly are magical machines. Though they seem like luxury items, they’re actually a total game changer and a worthy purchase.

Air purifiers do just as their names suggest. They get rid of the dirt, hair, and dander from the air, which is found in abundance when you own a dog.

Good quality purifiers even tackle bacteria and fungi in the air. While there are several options available, there are also some air purifiers specifically designed for getting rid of dog odor.

Buy Dog Grooming Supplies Today – Shop over 1,000 Brands at Chewy!* 

6. Odor sealing paint will change your life

Yes, you’ve heard that right – odor sealing paint! Dogs don’t limit their shenanigans to just floors and carpets – some pee on walls, too.

And we all know how difficult it is to clean drywall. There’s really no option but to replace it and train your dog better. But thankfully, science has come a long way and you can use odor sealing paint instead.

Simply go over the area with odor sealing paint primer and watch the smell disappear. What’s more, you can even use it on wooden furniture!

7. Steam clean carpets

Sometimes stains are so deep that vacuuming alone won’t work. That’s why you should steam clean at least once every two months or so when you own a dog.

To steam clean, you’ll only need hot water and a good quality detergent. Using vinegar instead of detergent works as well.

By steam cleaning, the pee, dander or dust stuck in the tiniest pores of your carpet will be removed.

8. Introduce external perfumes

When you have a dog, it’s not possible to have a fully odor-free house. The best you can do is keep dog smells at a minimum. So, consider adding different perfumes to mask it.

Scented candles, potpourri baskets and air fresheners are good options. Just make sure they’re pet-friendly. And always keep them where your dog can’t reach.

9. DIY solutions

You don’t have to buy fancy dog odor products to get rid of the smell. You can use the ingredients in your kitchen. For example, sprinkling a bit of baking soda where your pet lies overnight is a good way to keep your house smelling fresh.

And if you didn’t know, foam shaving cream is a good stain remover. All you have to do is spray it on the problem area for a minute. Then wash it off with warm water.

You also can make an odor neutralizer. Simply add 4 tablespoons of baking soda to a spray bottle containing 2 cups of white vinegar.

Then, add water to fill the bottle and spray the solution on your pet’s accidents. After letting it rest a bit, use a clean piece of cloth to blot and dry the area.

10. Keep your dog groomed

Dog smells can be overwhelming when your pup is dirty. And if you’re not managing your dog’s hair, shedding can become overwhelming. Of course, if you really don’t want to deal with the hair, consider getting a low-shedding breed.

So, it’s important to make sure you give your dog proper hygiene and hair care. Brush your dog regularly and bathe him as needed, such as if he splashes in the mud. Also, keep your dog’s paws clean.

And, of course, don’t forget about ear care. Wax buildup can be a major cause of dog smells. Clean your dog’s ears regularly and take your dog for routine veterinary checks.

You also need to keep your dog’s teeth clean to prevent bad breath. Dental chews and regular brushing will help keep your dog’s breath smelling fresh. If your dog has good dental care, it’s slobbery messes won’t be as stinky.

Final thoughts

Sometimes dog smells can be quite unbearable, but that’s no reason to get annoyed.

It’s actually our jobs as pet owners to stay alert and keep our house as clean as possible. But don’t worry, because everything I’ve mentioned here has been tested in my own dog-ruled house.

So, try these hacks yourself, just make sure to thank me later!

Shawn Richards is a content writer at FeedFond. He’s a doting father not only to his two children but also to his two golden retrievers. Check out more of his articles at FeedFond.com.

*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.