How to get dog smell out of your carpet
How to get dog smell out of your carpet
These days, many of us are proud dog owners, enjoying the companionship, love and joy they can bring into our lives. Sadly, this isn’t always all they bring into the home. Another common thing they bring to our home is a bad smell! While I’m confident they don’t do this deliberately, it is, however, an unavoidable fact of dog ownership.
Bad smells caused by dogs can be caused by several things, including toilet accidents, wet paws and fur from the garden or muddy walks, or simply their own natural odour. Here we will look at what these are and what we can do to restore your carpets to smelling nice and fresh, creating a nice environment for your family to enjoy once again.
How can I get dog smell out of my carpet?
Thorough vacuuming regime
The first step in the odour eliminating process is giving your carpets a thorough vacuum. This will remove any loose debris, dust, dirt, pollen and pet hair from deep within your carpet fibres. The best vacuum for getting the most from your carpet is one that has a rotating brush within the vacuum head. This helps to agitate the carpet fibres and loosens any debris within the carpet. Flat head vacuums with no rotating brush simply will not do an effective job. Try to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture even the smallest particles and allergens.
Baking soda magic
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is known for its ability to eliminate odours due to its natural properties. Here's how it works:
- Neutralisation: Baking soda is amphoteric, which means it can act as both an acid and a base. When it encounters odorous substances that are acidic or basic, it can neutralize them. Many odours are caused by acidic or basic molecules, and baking soda helps balance the pH by neutralising these molecules. This neutralisation process can reduce or eliminate the odour.
- Absorption: Baking soda has a high surface area, which allows it to adsorb (not absorb) odorous molecules. This means that the odour molecules adhere to the surface of the baking soda particles, essentially trapping them. As a result, the air is cleaned of these molecules, leading to a reduction in the odour.
- Release of Carbon Dioxide: When baking soda meets moisture or humidity, it can release carbon dioxide gas. This effervescence can help to dislodge and carry away odour molecules, further reducing the perception of the odour.
To use baking soda to eliminate odours, you can place an open box or a small dish of baking soda in areas where odours are a problem, like refrigerators, closets, shoes, or pet areas. It's important to replace or refresh the baking soda regularly since it can become saturated with odours over time. Additionally, you can mix baking soda with water to create a paste and use it to clean surfaces that have absorbed odours, such as carpets, upholstery, or refrigerators.
Baking soda is a safe and environmentally friendly way to deal with a variety of household odours without relying on harsh chemicals.
How to prevent the dog smell
Regular washing and grooming
Bathing your dog is an important part of their overall grooming and hygiene routine. There are several reasons why you should bathe your dog:
- Cleanliness: Just like humans, dogs can get dirty, and their fur can accumulate dust, dirt, and debris. Regular bathing helps keep your dog clean and smelling fresh.
- Skin and Coat Health: Bathing can help remove excess oils and dandruff from your dog's skin, which can contribute to a healthier coat. It can also prevent matting in long-haired breeds.
- Allergen Control: Regular baths can reduce the number of allergens (such as pollen and dust) that stick to your dog's fur, potentially benefiting both your dog and allergy-sensitive family members.
- Flea and Tick Control: Bathing with a flea and tick shampoo can help kill or repel these parasites. It's an important part of your dog's overall pest control regimen.
- Odour Management: Dogs can develop unpleasant odours over time. Bathing helps to remove these odours and leaves your dog smelling better.
- Health Monitoring: During a bath, you can check your dog's body for any lumps, bumps, or skin issues that may need attention. Regular grooming can help you spot potential health concerns early.
- Bonding: Bathing your dog can be a bonding experience. It allows you to spend quality time with your pet, which can strengthen your relationship.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Regular baths can make your dog look cleaner and more attractive, which is important if you participate in dog shows or simply want your pet to look its best.
It's important to note that you shouldn't overdo it – too-frequent bathing can strip your dog's coat of natural oils and lead to dry skin. The frequency of baths will depend on your dog's breed, lifestyle, and individual needs. Consult with your veterinarian or a professional groomer for guidance on how often to bathe your specific dog.
Ventilation
Airing your home is an important step to keeping your home smelling fresh. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate through your home. This helps remove stagnant odours and replaces them with clean, outdoor air.
Wash pet bedding
Regularly washing your pets bedding with poet safe detergent helps to reduce the build-up of foul odours in your home. Like us, your pets like a clean place to sleep too!
Train your dog to go to the toilet outside.
It may not always be possible to have your pets go to the toilet outside, such as in flats etc, but where possible, pets should go to the toilet in the garden to reduce smells permeating through your home. If they accidentally go to the toilet on your carpet or soft furnishings, this should be dealt with immediately by a professional where possible for best results. If you can’t get a professional to visit in good time, you can use pet friendly urine products.These can help when a small accident occurs. It is important to read and follow the manufacturers instructions so not to damage your carpets or soft furnishings.
Use throws to cover sofas.
Covering your sofas with washable throws will stop your items from smelling of your pet over time if you allow them onto your furniture. They are also easily removable if you have guests to visit.
Hire a professional
If all else fails, you can always hire a professional. Professional carpet cleaners have experience and training above most non-professionals. A professional carpet will have pet friendly products especially for removing stubborn pet odours.
Conclusion
Remember that the key to removing dog smells from your carpet is to act quickly and thoroughly clean the affected area. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help keep your home smelling fresh and clean.
