Dog owners have long battled the problem of lingering pet odors in their home. While you might keep your pooch bathed and groomed, accidents and built-up odors over time still tend to leave behind that telltale dog scent. Help keep your home pet-odor free by using natural products that won’t harm your pet or the environment.
Clean on Contact
When dogs urinate or defecate on carpets or furniture, you might find that after you’ve removed the stain, an odor lingers. According to Bane-Clene, a professional carpet cleaning company, this is because the odor is embedded deep into the carpet fibers, padding, and even the floor beneath. Household white vinegar works as a natural odor remover on most surfaces, including carpet and upholstery. Mix three parts vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle, and spray the area that contains the odor until saturated. Let it stay for several minutes. Use a clean white towel to blot up excess liquid. Continue blotting with clean towels until the towel is mostly dry. Vinegar has a strong odor that dissipates as it dries. Test the vinegar and water solution on an inconspicuous area first, to be sure it doesn’t discolor the carpet or fabric.
Freshen the Air
For removing general pet odor from the air, head to your local natural food store and look for a natural air freshener. These products are made of volcanic material or charcoal, both of which are known to pull foul scents from the air. Baking soda also acts as an odor absorber. If you can locate the general vicinity of the odor, an open box of baking soda might help weaken the strength of the odor. If a box is too unsightly, make your own baking soda sachet by pouring the contents of a box of baking soda into a muslin bag and tying it shut with a colorful ribbon. For a large area, you will need more than one air freshener.
Wash Pet Bedding
Many pet owners are diligent when it comes to washing their pooch, but they neglect to wash the bedding as often. You could have the cleanest dog in the neighborhood, but if her bedding smells, your home will continue to have that doggy smell even after she has been bathed and brushed. An easy way to keep track of how often you wash your pet’s bedding is to throw it in the washer on the same day you bathe her. Once a week should help keep her bedding fresh. There are many natural laundry detergents on the market that work well at removing odors. If the bed itself is too large to toss in the washing machine, cover it with a fitted sheet or sew your own removable cover. While the odor will still sink into the bed, a clean cover will help keep odors to a minimum.
