I have one dog and I’m constantly surprised at how much I can smell him. No matter how many baths he gets, or how I vacuum and sweep daily, I smell him. In a fit of desperation I even purchased a new vacuum because I felt like my old one smelled like dog. I made a habit of cleaning out my new vacuum after each use (total pain, but I do it) and it still smells like dog. So, I went on a hunt to find some tips and tricks on conquering pet odor. If you’re struggling with Fido stinking up your house, hopefully these will be helpful for you too!
Vacuum Regularly
As mentioned above, regularly vacuuming up pet hair and dander will help, but don’t stop at the floors. You need to make sure to vacuum anywhere the hair and dander can be hiding, sofas, under the furniture, and in all the corners. Don’t forget areas like steps and area rugs where some pets like to snooze.
Washing Regularly
Pet beds and cushion covers where your furbaby hangs out need to be washed and dried regularly. Blankets and any linens on your bed if your pet is allowed to sleep with you.
Bathe Them Regularly
If you bathe your pup at home, set a reminder on your phone or calendar to remind you of when it’s time for another bath. If bathing your pup on your own is too much of a chore, or the idea of that chore is the one thing that will tip you over the edge, set a regular appointment with the groomer so you have it scheduled out and on autopilot.
Hepa Filter
A HEPA air filter might be a good idea to really tackle any dander or pet odor issues head on. A HEPA filter is a mechanical air-purifying filter that forces air through a fine mesh in order to trap harmful particles such as pet dander. You can purchase air purifiers with HEPA filters, and there are even some vacuum cleaners that come with HEPA filters.
Baking Soda is your Friend
Baking soda is a fantastic odor neutralizer, sprinkle baking soda on your pet’s bed or on your couch cushions (make sure to check labels and test in a small area first), let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up.
Cleaning your Vacuum
My vacuum seems to be the culprit for holding on to pet smells, the baking soda tip above will also help with the smell in your vacuum. You can also try placing a scented dryer sheet in the canister. Since vacuums can be so different my experience is with a bag-less model. Make sure to clean out the canister after each use and try rinsing it with white vinegar and make sure to rinse the filter. After cleaning the canister or changing out the bag, let it air out on a nice day.
Professional Cleaning
If you’re where I am, crying uncle, consider a professional cleaning. I feel like I go through this step every so often with my house and carpets. I keep it just clean enough but eventually admit my limits and bring in the professionals for a deep clean to get me back to even, in hopes that I can keep it up on my own. A professional carpet cleaning can remove up to 97% of pet dander, and that’s going to be a better start than anything you can do at home on your own.
What tips do you have for keeping pet odors at bay?
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