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I recently saw this question in a Reddit thread, “Do people with dogs know their homes smell?” Not surprisingly, this was quite an active thread. You had those owners who fully embrace their eau de Fido home, pup parents who clean like crazy, and, of course, those who find their friends or family members’ homes with dogs an appalling aromatic adventure.
Have you heard comments about the canine scent in your home from your friends or family members? Or perhaps you’re tired of feeling like your house constantly stinks like a dog. If you’re up to the challenge, you might need to start with an initial massive odor overhaul for a clean scent slate. But even if you’re not a cleaning fanatic, there are many easy solutions to rid your home of its musky bouquet.
My House Stinks Like A Dog: Start With The Source
Okay, before I go further in this article, I have to confess — I, like many dog owners, get used to the “unique” scents of my hound home. Seriously, it’s only when I go on vacation for a week and return to my house that I realize what all the stink is about with dog odors in a home. But if you’re a pup parent and care about your home’s odor, here’s where to start.
The easiest place to eliminate dog stench is to go straight to the odor offender. Yes, I’m talking about your dog. Here are some tips to help keep your pup from robbing your home of its fresh scent. With a regular hygiene routine, you (ideally) won’t have as many musky smells to remove from your house in the long run.
- Regularly bathe your dog, ideally every 1 to 3 months. The frequency depends on your furry friend’s coat type, hair length, activity level, and skin problems. Bathing too often robs your pup’s coat of natural oils and can lead to dry, irritated skin. Consider Arm & Hammer Odor Control Dog Shampoo or one of our top recommendations for the best dog oatmeal shampoos.
- Brush your dog 2 to 5 times a week to distribute natural oils, remove dander and dead fur, and minimize shedding. If your pup has a thick undercoat, you’ll need a deshedding brush, too.
- Use a mild dry shampoo for dogs in between baths to help cut down on odors. You can also sprinkle some baking soda or cornstarch on your pup’s fur to neutralize the stink.
- Don’t forget about teeth. Dogs need tooth brushing ideally every day. Otherwise, they’ll develop gum disease, which leads to majorly stinky breath and saliva.
- Wash your dog’s bedding, toys, bowls, collars, and leashes regularly.
Feed Your Pup A High-Quality Diet
You may not equate your dog’s food with odor, but a healthy body can go a long way to help cut down the smelliness. How? An all-natural, high-quality dog food can help improve your pup’s skin and coat health and anal gland function and reduce digestive issues that lead to gas and stinky poops. Read my reviews of the best fresh dog food to see my top picks. Many of these fresh meals contain human-grade, whole-food ingredients with lots of superfoods to keep your pup healthy.
Air Filters & Air Purifiers Are A Must
Keeping your house’s air as clean as possible is an easy way to help clear out the dog stink. When the weather cooperates, open windows to air out your home. Also, be sure to change your HVAC air filters regularly. Experts generally recommend changing your air filters every one to two months if you have a pet. With multiple pets in your home, it’s best to change air filters at least every month.
I have a dog, three indoor cats, and multiple allergy sufferers in my home, and one of the best things I’ve done is purchase air purifiers. A high-quality air purifier helps filter out dust, germs, allergens, pet dander, and odors. For homes with pets, an air purifier with a HEPA filter is crucial. Our top pick is the GermGuardian 5-In-1 HEPA Air Purifier, which works for areas up to 743 square feet. For more options, see our reviews of the best air purifiers for pets.
Expert Tip: Place activated charcoal bags in every room your dog spends time in (just keep out of reach from inquisitive pups). They’re effective in absorbing odors to freshen your air for up to two years.
How To Eliminate Dog Odor In Your Carpeting & Other Flooring
How to remove dog smell from a house can depend a lot on the type of flooring you have. Carpets are especially prone to absorbing pet hair, dander, body oils, and even saliva. It’s really gross if you stop and think about what’s lurking in your carpet or rugs. Regularly vacuuming your carpet is a must. See our reviews of the best vacuums for homes with pets. If you hate vacuuming as much as I do, check out our reviews of the best robot vacuums for pet hair, dander, etc.
Frankly, a vacuum isn’t always enough if you have a dog who’s super smelly or one who soils your carpets with urine or vomit. If this sounds like your furry friend, you may also want to consider the Bissel TurboClean PowerBrush Pet Carpet Cleaner. This reasonably priced machine gives you the ability to spray cleaning and deodorizing formula onto your carpet before you vacuum it up.
For hardwood and tile flooring, your best bet is vacuuming first and then mopping with a pet-safe, vinegar-based solution. Many pup parents swear by Aunt Fannies Ultra Concentrated Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash for mopping. It’s all-natural, pet-friendly, powered by vinegar, and comes in lemon, lavender, or eucalyptus scents.
How To Get Rid Of Dog Smell Out Of Couches
Like carpeting, upholstered furniture is a natural suction for pet odors. I regularly borrow my neighbor’s Bissell Little Green Portable machine. It’s an amazing upholstery cleaner to get the pet muck out of my couches and upholstered chairs. You can also use it on carpeting, but I find it doesn’t work as well for flooring as a high-powered carpet steam cleaner.
In between thorough cleanings, you can use a pet-friendly upholstery spray to freshen up your couch and chairs. I recommend the bestselling Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator, which doesn’t just mask odor; it neutralizes it. Angry Orange has a fresh citrus scent, and you can use it on multiple surfaces, including furniture, tile, carpeting, hardwoods, concrete, and turf. If you’re dealing with stains and odor, Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator is a top choice for many dog owners.
Another option is to invest in a machine-washable couch cover. There are some affordable and attractive ones out there that can save you the hassle of upholstery cleaning. See our reviews of the best couch covers for dogs for our recommendations.
Baking Soda Works Wonders
Seriously, this is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to deodorize your pup and your house. You can sprinkle baking soda on nearly anything to neutralize odors — your dog’s fur, carpets, bedding, you name it. You can even add a few small drops of a pet-safe essential oil for a fresher scent. Typically, it takes about 24 hours for baking soda to fully absorb odors.
What makes baking soda so effective? Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda eliminates odors by neutralizing acidic and alkaline molecules that cause unpleasant smells. It works through a chemical reaction, where the baking soda interacts with odor-causing compounds to neutralize them rather than just masking the odors.
Remove Potty Accidents ASAP
It’s crucial to clean up any potty accidents on your flooring as soon as possible to prevent urine odors. For fresh accidents, soak up the urine with paper towels. Once you’ve soaked it all up, rinse the area with cool water, and be sure to remove the water with towels. After the area has dried, hit it with your vacuum. For older accidents or dried urine, see my article on how to get dog pee smell out of carpets, which includes more of my recommendations for fantastic dog odor and stain eliminators.
Need A Quick Pet Smell Remover?
Of course, you have those times when you get company at the last minute. Be prepared for these situations if you own a stinky pup. What’s the best way to clear the air? Open windows and doors if possible, turn on ceiling fans, burn scented candles, or use an air freshening spray. To quickly deodorize carpets, furniture, or your pup’s bedding, create a simple spray. Mix ¼ witch hazel with ¾ water in a spray bottle, add about 5 drops of lavender essential oil, and spray away.
Looking for more dog odor eliminators for your furry friend or your house? Read my colleague’s article on the best pet odor eliminators & neutralizers for almost any need.
How To Get Rid Of Dog Scent In Your Car
Having dog-reek in your car can be even worse than in your home because it’s such an enclosed space. If you cart your dog around with you in the car, Meguiars Whole Car Air Re-Fresher Odor Eliminator is a fantastic dog odor eliminator. See what one guy did to rid his newly purchased used car of wet dog smell in the video below. He wasn’t even a pet owner!
When Is Dog Odor Abnormal?
Dogs naturally carry some scents, but if these smells are strong or long-lasting, they may indicate underlying health problems. Skin conditions can lead to odors, especially in breeds with skin folds, where bacteria can accumulate and create unpleasant smells. An odor from your dog’s ears may suggest a yeast or bacterial ear infection, while a fishy smell from their rear could indicate anal gland problems. Check out our reviews of the best dog wipes to help keep your furry friend’s skin, ears, rear, and more clean. If you’re concerned about a persistent smell, it’s wise to consult your veterinarian before attempting to cover it up with any products.
Do you take offense when you hear someone that all pup parents’ homes smell like a dog? Share your thoughts in our comments below!
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Sally has over 20 years of experience in human health sciences communications, including 10 years as an expert on pet health conditions and treatment. She has reviewed and researched hundreds of dog products, including pet odor-removal products. Sally is part of a team of dedicated canine professionals and long-time dog owners at Canine Journal. We test and research the best pet products, not only for our own pups but for all of our readers.
