Things You'll Need
- Rag
- Mop
- Disinfecting wipes (optional)
- Commercial floor cleaner
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tsp. tea tree oil
- Plastic water bottle
Instructions
Wipe up any solid or liquid debris or waste left behind by your dog. This is often the main source of odors. Examples include urine and puddles of water left by your dog after some rain. Use paper towels or a rag to wipe up the contaminant. For safety reasons, some dog owners like to clean up dog waste products with disinfecting wipes such as those made by Clorox.
Clean the hardwood floor with a hardwood floor cleaning solution. Use the solution and a mop or rag to clean any floor space with which your dog has come in contact. Consider using a scented floor cleaner to instantly freshen the floor's smell while removing the odor-causing dog residues. Examples of products for this purpose include Johnson's Pledge Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner and Dissolve's Liquid Floor Cleaner.
Use an all-natural floor cleaner if you are worried about the cleaning chemicals in commercial products. Most perform equally well but are made with vegetable-based surfactants. Possible products include Earth Friendly Products' Floor Cleaner and Nature Clean's Natural Floor Cleaner. These and similar products are available at most health food stores and specialty household retailers.
Mix your own pet-safe homemade deodorizer to disinfect and deodorize your floor's surface. Many commercial disinfectants are made with chemicals that may harm your dog. As an alternative, pour half a cup of white vinegar combined with a cup of water into a plastic spray bottle. Vinegar cuts through dirt and grease, and its acidic nature acts as a natural disinfectant.
Add an optional teaspoon of tea tree oil. The oil is a natural disinfectant and also imparts a fresh, mint-like smell. Cover the bottle. Shake the bottle vigorously to mix the solution. Spray the mxture on your floor and allow the mist to sit for five minutes. Wipe with a rag or mop.