There’s no getting around it—some dogs simply stink. No one has to ask if you have a pet; it’s evident when they enter your home. However, no one wants their house to smell like a kennel. Dogs should be seen but not smelt. If you want to eliminate the doggie odor, you have many options to get the stink under control. It often involves multiple treatments to reach a sweet solution, but by trying a few of our tips below, you’ll be sure to have your home smelling fresh and clean again in no time.

Top 15 Tips to Remove Dog Odor From Your Home

1. Give Your Dog a Bath

We recommend starting with the source of the problem: your dog. Maybe your pup found something stinky in the yard, or perhaps it was that evening walk in the rain that now has everyone running for cover when your pooch enters a room. Bath time can provide a quick, albeit temporary, fix to the problem. Ask your vet or groomer about the best dog-safe products for your pet.

---

2. Vacuum Your Home

Accumulating dog hair or fur could make your home unpleasant smelling. Running the vacuum could do the job and eliminate anything else contributing to the issue. Make sure to move the furniture so that your dog isn’t taking the rap for someone else’s mess, as well as to get in those hard-to-reach areas. Using baking soda can help absorb any lingering odors as well!

---

3. Mop the Floors

Undetected accidents could be an oft-missed culprit. A quick swipe of a mop and a floor cleaner may be all you need to do to remove dog odors. A steam mop can also eliminate the bacteria that is making the odor even worse. Make sure to clean under tables and other furniture, paying particular attention to the places your dog uses frequently.

---

4. Wash Your Pup’s Blankets and Bedding

The odor may not be your dog but their belongings. We recommend washing your pet’s blanket and bedding regularly to keep odors under control. You can use products formulated for these purposes. Think of them like your own bedding, only hairier and stinkier. You should also inspect them for wear and replace them as necessary.

---

5. Air Out Your Home

You can remove doggie odors simply by airing out your home. Let the sunshine in with open windows to encourage cross ventilation to optimize airflow. A window fan will maximize the effects. We suggest doing it daily, if possible. It’s a great way to start your day with some fresh air.

---

6. Bust Out the Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the best things to use in your cleaning routine. You can use it for many household tasks. After all, odor control is its purpose, whether for the litter box, your fridge, or your dog’s bedding. Add 1 cup to the wash with the items, and you’re good to go. Or sprinkle some all over your carpeting or furniture, let it sit for a while, and then vacuum it up.

---

7. Wash Your Carpets

Oil, hair, and dander could build up in your carpets and cause odors. Washing your carpets could be just the thing to make your home smell pleasant again. You can make it a project by vacuuming first, followed by a deep cleaning to cover all your bases. Make sure to keep your dog out of the room until the carpeting is completely dry.

---

8. Invest in a HEPA Air Filter

A HEPA air filter is an excellent investment to keep your rooms smelling fresh while removing dander for those with allergies. Particulate matter can be a seemingly hidden source of odors that this device can remove. Make sure to check the coverage to ensure you’re getting the most out of your purchase. You should have one for every room in which there is a problem.

---

9. Keep Fido Off the Furniture

This tip might be a no-brainer for some pet owners, but if your home has an odor problem, there is more to clean if you let your dog climb on the furniture. This often makes your furniture and pillows more difficult to wash, making the situation even more challenging to handle. An alternative is to put sheets or covers on the places you allow your pup to use, as they’re easier to clean by simply throwing them in the wash.

---

10. Wash Your Dog’s Toys

Cloth toys or those made of other absorbent materials can retain bad smells, making your living space unpleasant. It’s also a good time to inspect them for damage. Replace them as needed, and make sure to wash out any toys you fill with peanut butter or other treats—what you may be thinking is doggie odor might actually be spoilage.

---

11. Clean Up Messes Promptly

Messes are easier to clean thoroughly if you treat them promptly. The longer they sit, the more likely the material will absorb the odors. That makes a simple task that much harder to resolve, so make sure that you clean things the moment you notice them.

---

12. Use a Black Light

Dog odors often become a problem simply because they go undetected. One way to get the jump on potential issues is to run a blacklight around the offending room. Any stains will become fluorescent, making them easy to spot. We suggest scanning the area occasionally to avoid a repeat performance. Also, you should use this tip in conjunction with our next one.

---

13. Invest in an Enzymatic Cleaner

Enzymatic cleaners provide a permanent solution for lingering odors by binding with the source and eliminating them. If your dog can still smell the odor, your pet will likely return to the spot and worsen the problem. Thankfully, these powerful products are designed specifically for pet odors and can break this vicious cycle and make your home smell pleasant again.

---

14. Rule Out Medical Issues

Many medical issues can cause your dog to stink. Off smells are often a telltale sign of a health problem. Health conditions include ear infections or skin disorders. Another common source is periodontal disease. Your dog’s bad breath may make your home smell foul. It’s also a significant health concern for your pooch. Therefore, we recommend scheduling a checkup with your vet to rule out medical causes.

---

15. Call in the Big Guns!

If you have tried several of our suggestions and still have a problem, we suggest calling in the big guns, meaning a professional cleaner. They have the experience and products to deal with stubborn issues. You can eliminate doggie odors with our tips. However, some cases may require a different approach to make your home odor-free again.

Conclusion

Pet ownership is sometimes challenging. You must invest time and effort in training your pet, but sharing your home with a dog can present other issues, such as unpleasant odors. Fortunately, several options exist for managing this vexing problem. You may find using more than one of our tips helpful for a long-term solution, and the goal is an odor-free home that doesn’t make your pup’s presence obvious, so use as many as it takes until the problem is resolved.

---

Featured Image Credit: Prostock-studio, Shutterstock