Having a dog can mean having to deal with all sorts of unpleasant smells in your home.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to keep the air fresh and breathable for everyone. In this article, we will explore some of the best methods to use for doing this.
1. Clean Your Floors Thoroughly
It is very important that you clean all of the hard flooring in your home thoroughly with a mop and warm water. This can go a long way towards getting rid of stinky smells that your pooch leaves behind.
You’ll want to make a point of sweeping the floors before you apply any water. This way you won’t have to worry about missing any debris. You can use a pet cleaning solution on your floors if you don’t feel like mopping them. Make sure that you use a product that is designed to get pet smells out.
2. Vacuum Your Carpeting
If any areas of your home are carpeted, you will need to vacuum them on a regular basis. This will pick up the pet hair, dander and dust that can really start to stink after a while. You’ll want to use a powerful vacuum, because otherwise you might still be left with some unpleasant aromas.
3. The Power of Steam Cleaning
It is also a good idea to steam clean your carpeting and upholstered furniture. This is a very effective method of removing unwanted smells within a matter of minutes. If you do not own a steam cleaner, you’ll probably be able to rent one from a local business.
You should definitely consider buying one of these devices if you haven’t already. It will provide you with a highly effective means of removing dirt and odor from your carpeting and upholstery.
If you don’t have access to a steam cleaner, there are other ways to get dog smell out of your furniture. You can simply go over your couch and other pieces with a damp cloth. Make sure that the cloth is not dripping wet, as it will make this task even more difficult.
4. Enzyme Cleaners
Keep in mind that a good enzyme cleaner is an absolute necessity for anyone who owns a dog. These cleaning solutions can do wonders with removing even the most pungent and stubborn pet odors. They are capable of breaking down the proteins in dog urine so you won’t be left with an unpleasant smell. It is an excellent choice for when you are cleaning an area on your hard floor or carpeting where your dog urinated.
5. Bathe Your Dog
You should also consider giving your dog a bath once in a while. This is a very effective and fairly easy way to prevent your pet from stinking up the house. Some dogs can be very stubborn about taking baths, so you might have to coax yours into the tub with a treat.
Make sure that you use a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs. This will also improve the look and health of your dog’s coat, which is always a good thing. Lather the shampoo up by rubbing it into your dog’s fur in circular motions.
Another great thing about giving your dog regular baths is that it can help prevent issues with fleas, which can be a real nightmare. Most dogs only need to get a bath once every two weeks.
6. Clean Your Dog’s Bed
A lot of people don’t think that it is even necessary to clean their dog’s bed, but this is not something you should neglect. It is a good idea to manually clean their bed with an enzymatic cleaner once every week. This will do a lot to keep your dog smelling fresh.
Make sure that you read the tag on your dog’s bed so you know how to properly clean it. You might be able to clean it in the bathtub, but it all depends on the material. By doing this you will be able to avoid accidentally ruining their bed.
7. Cleaning the Create
You also want to make a point of cleaning your dog’s crate, especially if they spend a good amount of time in it. If your dog is still a puppy, there is a good chance that you put them in the crate fairly often.
When you are ready to clean the crate, just combine a few tablespoons of vinegar with half a gallon of water. Put the solution into a spray bottle and start spraying down the dog’s crate. Wipe the solution off with a clean cloth or paper towel.
It is important that you get every corner and side of the crate so it is cleaned thoroughly. This can also be very helpful with keeping the dog smells in your home to a minimum.
8. Replace your Air Filters
It is absolutely essential for you to replace your home’s air filters every couple of months. This will ensure that the air in your home stays clean and breathable. While you might not be thrilled about this semi-regular expense, it will definitely be worth every penny you spend.
Conclusion
- It is important that you sweep and mop the hard floors in your home on a regular basis.
- You’ll also need to make a point of vacuuming any carpeting to pick up pet hair, dander, dirt and all sorts of other things.
- Consider using a steam cleaner on your carpeting and upholstery at least once every month.
- If you don’t currently own a steam cleaner, it is definitely a good investment for all dog owners.
- Don’t forget to thoroughly clean your dog’s crate and bed.
- You should use an enzymatic cleaner whenever you clean an area that your dog urinated on inside the house.
- It is also crucial that you give your dog a bath every couple of weeks (more if they are particularly smelly).
- You should also make a point of changing out the air filters in your home every sixty days.