How to Get Rid of Dog Smell on Linoleum

An inevitable part of owning a dog are the smells that come along with it. These smells can saturate carpet and furniture, but an often-overlooked source of dog smells are linoleum floors. The two most common places for linoleum floors are the kitchen and bathroom--where you eat and where you bathe, two of the last places you want pet odor. The next time you clean the carpet and furniture to remove dog smells, remember to add the linoleum-floored areas to the mix. And remember, linoleum can't take as much wear and tear as vinyl or hardwood floors, so frequent cleaning is of utmost importance.

Things You'll Need

Plastic bucket
Broom
2 clean rags
House hand mop
Apple vinegar

Instructions

- 1
  Sweep the linoleum area free of any surface dirt and debris, wiping the area clean of pet accidents or puddles of water. It will be easier to clean the floors if there aren't any obstructions.
- 2
  Mix warm water with dish soap in the sink. Use the house mop to do an initial clean on the floor. Go over the floor twice, once with more water and again with less water. Make sure there's no standing water.
- 3
  Mix the vinegar with lukewarm water in a large bucket. For most floors, a half bottle is plenty; for large floors, a full bottle is good. Put enough water in the solution so it's not syrupy--about two parts vinegar and one part water. Soak the clean rag in the solution for a few minutes.
- 4
  Apply the vinegar-water solution to the floor after wringing out the rag. It's important to wring out the rag because the cleaning process works best when the solution is applied in multiple thin coats, as opposed to one heavy coating. Wipe the entire floor thoroughly with the damp rag.
- 5
  Repeat step 4 a couple more times, letting the floor dry after each time. Make sure to cover every inch of the floor so the full dog odor/residue is removed.
- 6
  Mop the floor once more with soapy water and dry with a damp, almost-dry mop. Let dry.