Tips to Remove Pet Odors

Pets have a certain odor that can overtake a room, or in some cases the whole house. Those who live in the home may not mind the smell, but any guests that come over will. Removing and keeping the pet odor at a minimum isn't physically hard. It just takes some time to get rid of the odor, and then a commitment to do a little each day to keep the odor from coming back and building up so strongly.

  1. Give Your Pet a Bath

    • The pet is where all of the odor originates. Start by giving your pet a bath. If you have a cat that scratches, you may want to hire a professional cat groomer to bathe your cat. Schedule a bath for your pet once per month.

    Wash Toys

    • Make sure your pet's toys are clean. Plastic toys can be washed with dish soap and a little vinegar to remove any smells. Stuffed toys can be washed in a washing machine. Use a laundry detergent that also contains baking soda such as Arm &Hammer to remove any odors that were lingering on the toys. You can throw pet toys in the dryer if they are made of only fabric. Otherwise, allow them to air dry.

    Wash Flooring

    • Keep your floors clean. This applies for any animal that is not in a tank. Place your pet in a bedroom for the night and then sprinkle baking soda all over the carpets. In the morning vacuum up all of the baking soda and let your pet back out. Baking soda is very successful at removing strong odors. For non-carpet type flooring mix 1/2 cup of vinegar in a gallon of hot water and mop the floors.

    Eliminating Odors from the Air

    • Now that your pet, his toys,and the floors have all been cleaned, address any lingering odors that are in the air. You have your choice of pet odor neutralizers. You can use a spray or a container of crystals as long as they are specifically for pet odors.
      Or, use a home remedy. Place bowls of charcoal or vinegar in the room with the odor and leave it overnight. Both products absorb odors and leave a room smelling fresh.