How to eliminate pet odours

We love our furry friends more than anything in the world but sometimes the smells that accompany them can be a little overpowering. No matter how much you love your pet, nobody really wants their house to smell like one. The easiest way to keep the air in your home fresh is to crack open some windows and let the breeze do the job, but obviously this may not be possible in the middle of winter.

The first step is to tackle the floors. Most of the ‘dog’ smell will come from all the hair and dander that they shed that floats around the house and works its way into the cracks and crevices of your sofa or under your furniture. Dogs can also sweat on their paw pads and this gets walked around and into your carpets and soft furnishings. If you’ve got hard floors, start by sweeping up all the loose debris and then mop or wipe the floor thoroughly with a pet-safe solution. If you’ve got carpet, give it a good vacuum and make sure you get in all the hard to reach spots. Some hoovers are specifically designed to help you tackle pet hair. It may also be worth investing in a carpet cleaner or hiring a professional to get any really stubborn odours out.

Next you need to tackle your soft furnishings. Give your sofa and chairs a thorough hoover and stick any materials that can be machine washed in for a spin. Anything that can’t go in the washing machine can either be sprayed with a pet-friendly odour remover, or simply sprinkle baking soda over the surface, leave overnight and hoover up in the morning. Don’t forget to about bedding and cushions and pillows too.

There’s a high chance that your dog’s bed will be the worst offender when it comes to bad odours if that’s where they spend most of their time. You’ll need to read the instructions to work out the best way to clean yours properly but most good dog beds allow you to remove the cover so it can be washed in the machine.

If the problem is really bad, you could consider investing in an air purifier. These range in size and price but they generally remove all bacteria and bad smells from the air and will keep your home smelling super fresh.

As always, remember to use dog-safe products when de-odourising and cleaning your home or stick to all-natural cleaning methods using old-fashioned ingredients like lemon, baking soda and white vinegar to make sure that your home is safe and fresh for everyone that lives there.

Fri Nov 23 2018