Dog smell in your carpet? Not alone! Learn easy ways to freshen up your space!
Of course, we love our dogs to death, but let’s face it: their odour? Not so much. We vacuum, mop, and use all of those magic pet sprays and yet the odious stench of a dog lingers stubbornly on your carpets. Why? It’s more than hair and dirt.
Dog odours stick to your carpet due to oils, dander, and sweat from your furry friend. Add a little bit of moisture from paws or accidents, and your carpet becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Once that odour gets trapped, it can feel impossible to shake. Are you wondering how to get dog smell out of carpet? Together we will discuss some effective techniques for eliminating stubborn odors and keeping your home fresh and inviting.
How to get dog smell out of carpet?
One of the most annoying issues that pet owners have to deal with is dog smells in carpets. It seems that no matter how many times you clean the carpet, the smell always comes back. Such smells usually arise from oils, dander, and bacteria that get embedded into the carpet fibres. This all-inclusive guide explores methods for removing these nasty odours. Understanding why dogs lick their paws can help in recognizing sources of odours in the home
We begin with simple, DIY methods, such as baking soda and vinegar, to handle surface smells. We will discuss deeper treatments involving hydrogen peroxide and enzymatic cleaners to address more serious problems. Precautions for preventing your carpet from smelling must be discussed so that you can keep them fresh in the future. End. With that said, that’s the guide you will use to get all information able to be regained for your carpet and even the house staying odor-free.
Why Do Dog Odors Stay Stuck in Carpets?
Do you sometimes wonder why, dog odours seem to last around the carpet longer than they should? The perpetrator is far from just fur. What happens beneath the surface:
- Oils from the fur.
The secretions that dogs exude through their skin for health reasons can seep into your carpet fibres, sticking to the smell.
- Moisture + Bacteria
Dogs bring moisture and dirt inside when they enter from the outdoors. Moisture, in particular, creates an ideal environment within your carpet for bacteria to thrive. That is what causes the lingering smell.
- Sweat and Dander
Dogs do not have sweat glands like humans but do sweat through their paw pads and skin. Dander mixed with these can penetrate very deep into the carpet.
Once these have settled within your carpet, the ultimate environment for this obnoxious dog smell would thrive.
DIY Methods That Actually Work
Now that you understand why dog smells linger on, let’s dive into what you’ve been wanting to know: how to get rid of it at last. As much as pet owners want to eliminate dog smells through air fresheners or some commercially available spray, these will only cover the smell up temporarily, not remove the source. Instead, what you want are solutions that attack the source.
Here is a breakdown of DIY remedies that work:
1. Baking Soda and Vacuum Combo
It’s a household hero for removing smells. But this is the secret: just sprinkle on and vacuum. No. For maximum effectiveness:
- Sprinkle liberally on the areas affected before bedtime.
- Let it sit overnight. In this way, baking soda may absorb all the moisture and could neutralize the smell quite well.
- Vacuum in the morning with a high-powered vacuum. Ensure that you suck up all the powder so that it does not pile up.
This best works in tandem with routine cleaning so don’t do it once and expect miracles!
2. Vinegar and Water Spray
The reason white vinegar is good at eliminating bad odours is that it alters the pH of the bacteria itself which causes the smell. Here is how you can use it:
- Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Lightly mist the carpet, however, never soak it because this might just create a mould.
- Let it dry open. As it dries the vinegar smell will dissipate with it, taking the dog stink with it.
This method is great for spot treatments and regular maintenance.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
Hydrogen peroxide can be a very potent ally for much more tenacious odours. It dissolves organic matter, so it is great for attacking the source of the smell.
- Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water in a spray bottle.
- Mist it and allow it to stay there for 15-20 minutes.
- Dampen a cloth with water. Use it to blot the area of contamination to remove residue.
Test this method first on a small, out-of-the-way area as it can bleach some carpets quite lightly.
When DIY Isn’t Enough – Call the Pros
Sometimes, you can use enough baking soda or vinegar but the smell just won’t go away. At this point, after using DIY methods and finding yourself still battling dog odour, it is time to call in the professionals.
Professional-grade cleaning machines and pet-safe solutions with professional carpet cleaners can easily penetrate deep into the carpet fibres to break down and remove the bacteria and oils causing the smell. Furthermore, they can use the steam cleaning method with professional deodorizers to break down the toughest smells.
- When To Call Pro
If the smell persists even after homemade attempts, it probably means that the odour source is buried too deep for the household treatments to reach.
Preventing Future Dog Smells in Carpets
And just when you finally get the smell to go away, keeping it fresh in the carpets proves to be difficult. How to prevent those future smells from coming:
1. Use Pet-Safe Deodorizers regularly
You can find on the market many pet-safe products meant to neutralize odours. The biggest best friend when it comes to this task is the use of an enzymatic cleaner since it breaks the bacteria which cause the stench. Using them always will help keep your carpet smelling nice.
2. Vacuum
It’s easy to forget to vacuum when life gets busy, but in all honesty, the best prevention of dirt and oils settling in your carpet is to vacuum frequently. Invest in a good vacuum with good suction power and a HEPA filter that will catch the finest dust particles.
Tip:
“If your dog sheds like crazy, vacuum twice a week to stay on top of the fur and dander.”
3. Keep Your Dog Clean
No dirty dog, no dirty room! Clean dog results in a cleaner home because regular baths and brushing may reduce the dirt, oil, and dander carried by your dog into carpets.
The Final Word
You do not have to fight a lifelong battle against dog odours on your carpet. Understanding what causes the smell and utilizing effective cleaning techniques can make it possible to keep your home smelling fresh and clean. Whether you do this with baking soda and vinegar at home or hire a professional, the bottom line is consistency. Do not wait until your carpet gets a bad smell, bash it and solve the problem now, and you will have a fresher home that you and your dog will love.
Knowing how to get dog smell out of carpet is important in having a fresh and welcoming house. With the techniques enumerated in this guide, one can efficiently remove odours and maintain a clean setting for you and your pet. You will have a clean, inviting place with proper techniques, maintenance, and techniques without having that pesky odour of dogs around.
