You may love petting your dog but when they stay on the couch and leave a bad odor, you’d probably want to know how to get the dog smell out of your house. Dogs, like most animals, tend to leave smells behind for easily identifying others of their kind. However, the smell can be off-putting for humans.
Even if you do give Fido regular baths and grooming sessions to ward off the doggy smell (and also to keep them from shedding too much), there will be times when the house does get a terrible dog stench, which might put off guests.
That’s when odor neutralizers could come in handy so that you and your folks at home won’t feel irritated by Fido’s smell.
How to keep your house from smelling like dog
- Bathe your dog more often. Bathing not only refreshes your dog but also minimizes their natural dog smell. Dogs also feel that they are closer to their master(s) when they are bathed and see it as a bonding activity.
Also, make sure that they are completely dry because damp dog hair could leave behind a foul stench similar to mold smells. If your dog tends to roll around the grass immediately after bathing or even before you completely dry them up, you can try using waterless shampoos for pets, too.
- Launder anything your dog often touches. A dog’s smell can linger into their bedsheets and their toys, which might also add the stench to a room or part of the house. You can also use vinegar to help the dog smell dissipate from the item. Additionally, putting baking soda on areas of the house where your dog usually stays can help minimize the odor.
- Ventilate your indoor space. Sometimes, a house could smell more dog-like if you don’t open the windows too often, trapping the odor inside. Try adding some air circulation indoors using windows from time to time.
- Try using an air purifier. An air purifier not only gets rid of dust particles in the air but it could also help reduce bad odor using its activated carbon/charcoal filter, which is usually integrated into the air purifier’s filter cabinet. Carbon and charcoal can both absorb and neutralize odors, which can include dog smells.
- Groom your pet regularly. Needless to say, pet grooming not only keeps your dog from shedding too much but it also lessens the likelihood of the smell lingering around the house due to their excessive coat. There are many DIY pet grooming kits out there that you can try – grooming at home also helps increase your bond levels with your pet.
- If possible, build an outdoor dog house. This isn’t exactly driving away your precious pet – it’s a way of setting healthy boundaries so that when your dog sleeps on your living room carpet, he/she won’t make it smelly over time. Dog houses also help them have a sense of privacy.
How do I make my house smell good with pets?
You can start by cleaning up rooms and floors that your dog usually lounges in. For instance, if your pet tends to sit around the living room or your bedroom, that’s probably where the smell might originate so try cleaning that first, especially by mopping with vinegar and water solution.
Cleaning your carpets can also be helpful, especially if your dog likes to sit and roll there. Carpets are the best in absorbing not just dirt but also odors so getting them dry-cleaned can reduce the bad smell. Dry cleaning is more ideal for homes and areas that are prone to mold.
If you do have an air purifier at home, make sure that the filters are always changed regularly. An air filter doesn’t last forever – you should look into the manufacturer’s specification as to when to change them. If you don’t change them regularly, they can reek of odor and accumulated dust, which might spread back into the air.
What is the best pet odor neutralizer?
For pet odor control, we suggest the Alen BreatheSmart T500 True HEPA Air Purifier, since it can be typically placed on living rooms due to its tower design.
| Filter type | True HEPA, activated carbon filter |
| Ideal room size | 500 square feet |
| Best for | Bedrooms, small dorms or condo units, offices, living rooms |
Activated carbon is part of the filter system, which neutralizes not just pet odors but also a myriad of other funky smells. It has 3 speeds for you to choose from and it is Energy Star-certified, consuming only 30 to 55 watts depending on the speed setting you choose.
What is the best pet odor eliminator?
For eliminating pet odor, we think that the Alen BreatheSmart Classic Large Room Air Purifier can be a good start since it has many different filter options, in which the FreshPlus contains 2.7 lbs. of carbon to help eliminate pet odors. This one has up to 4 different fan speeds.
| Filter type | A choice of HEPA-Pure, Silver, FreshPlus, and OdorCell |
| Ideal room size | 1,100 square feet. |
| Best for | Large bedrooms, living rooms, large offices |
Another great suggestion would be the AllerAir AirMedic Pro 6 HD Exec Air Purifier, which has 24 lbs. of carbon filter for minimizing odors alongside the true HEPA filter. This might work if you need an air purifier for a large space. Since it has wheels at the bottom, moving the air purifier from room to room can be a breeze.
| Filter type | Pre-filter, carbon filter, true HEPA filter |
| Ideal room size | Up to 1,500 square feet (500 in quiet mode) |
| Best for | Moving between rooms, bedrooms, living rooms |
Alternatively, if you want more suggestions, you can also check out other picks for the best air purifier to remove odors.
Conclusion
Dog smells inside a home might put off your guests, but you can do something about it. By regularly cleaning your upholstery, carpets, dog items, and using an air purifier to minimize bad odor, you can make your indoor air cleaner and fresher again. We hope this article informed you about dog smell problems at home!
