Did you know that, as of 2016, an estimated 62% of Australian households are home to a pet? And with a population of approximately 4.8 million, dogs remain the most loved pet among families. We’re clearly fond of them and consider them as part of the family, but if you’re one of the 3.6 million households who own a dog or two, then you would know the havoc they can sometimes cause at home, particularly on our carpets and furniture!
While we enjoy having them inside the house, cuddling with them on the sofa, or snuggling with them in bed, we can’t deny that they leave a distinct dog smell on our carpet, couches and beds. Even the most enthusiastic dog lovers among us may not find this dog smell appealing, especially if we are expecting guests! If you want to prevent your home from smelling like a pup in need of a good washing, here are some easy ways to get rid of dog odour from your carpets, couches and other furnishings.
Tip #1 – Use removable slipcovers or cushion covers on your couch and chairs.
This makes top-level washing and stain removal much easier and more efficient, as you can quickly take them off and wash them as needed.
Tip #2 – Be thorough.
Take the cushions, pillows, and blankets from your couch and vacuum everything thoroughly. Get into the crevices of the furniture to remove any fur that may have gathered. On the floors, make sure to clean under all of the furniture and in the corners, where pet hair may to collect.
Tip #3 – Use a combination of powder laundry detergent and apple cider vinegar.
Wash all of your linens, blankets and cushion covers in a mix of powered laundry detergent and a ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar. Vinegar can help neutralise smelly odours. There are also pet odour removers available at pet supply stores, but you may find that home remedies can be equally, if not more, effective.
Tip #4 – Deodorise carpets and couches with baking soda.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on carpets, rugs and couches using a cleaning brush to spread it around and into the fabric. Leave it for several hours or, if possible, overnight so that the baking soda can best absorb the odours. Then vacuum thoroughly.
If you plan to shampoo your carpet, make sure that you neutralise the smell first by using baking soda. The last thing you want is the combined smell of dog odour and perfumed shampoo!
Tip #5 – Keep your pet well-groomed.
Make sure they get regular baths, haircuts and nail trimmings. If they’re clean, then it would be easier to keep nasty dog odours at bay. Also, regularly clean your dog’s ears to prevent yeast build-up, as yeast can produce a very distinct and unpleasant smell.
Tip #6 – Regularly schedule a professional carpet cleaning service.
If you have pets who spend their time primarily indoors with you, your carpets may need cleaning at between 6 to 9 months. Pet hair, dirt, dander and whatever they’ve rolled in will find its way into the carpet fibre and settle.
Sometimes you might not see a dirty patch but you may smell that unmistakable pet odour or, if you sit on the carpet, find your skin becoming irritated. A regular professional steam clean will remove all the built-up dirt buried in the carpet pile.
Following these simple tips can help you get rid of any nasty dog smell at home. However, if the dog odour and stains on carpets and couches are proving to be hard to remove, call in the cleaning experts at Wizard. Our team provides professional steam carpet cleaning, couch, mattress cleaning and upholstery cleaning. We also use eco-friendly and pet-friendly products that will not harm the health of your family and your pets.
We love our dogs - sometimes so much that we can't even bear to kick them off the couch when they join us for a Netflix binge session.
No matter how much you try to avoid it, pet odor comes with the territory when you have pets - especially dogs. Although many breeds clean themselves, they don't do it as often - or as thoroughly - as cats. They are also going on walks, tagging along on hikes and maybe going to the bathroom outside much more often, opening them up to a variety of dirt, mud and bacteria.
To minimize general stinkiness, make sure you're bathing and brushing your pet regularly. You can also wipe your dog's paws after he or she has been outside.
If you're in the middle of housetraining, your dog has a bad habit, or your dog is trying to tell you that something is wrong, your main offender is probably urine odor.
Ammonia tops the list of cleaning methods to avoid to get dog urine out of your couch. Urine already smells like ammonia, so it will only make that pungent stench worse. Both bleach and hydrogen peroxide tend to brighten surfaces as they clean, so they may not be the best choice for colorful couches.
Other commonly used cleaning products, like dish soap or white vinegar, may remove urine stains, but may only mask the pet urine smell temporarily. This may entice your dog or another pet to re-mark that spot even after it's been cleaned.
Whether you're working to get dog pee out of the couch or trying to get it to smell a little less like a dog bed, Simple Green Bio Dog Stain & Odor Remover permanently eliminates tough stains and removes odors. The stain remover uses powerful natural bacteria to eat away at the organics in pet soils and break down unpleasant odors at the source.
Directions for Removing Dog Smell from a Couch:
Assure color-fastness and surface compatibility by spot-testing on a small inconspicuous area first before making a full application. Remove any solid soil and blot up excess liquid. Shake spray bottle gently.
- Take everything off your couch. Take the pillows and cushions off, if you are able to. Even further, remove the cushion covers, if you can, and wash as usual.
- Vacuum. Use your vacuum's upholstery attachment to grab loose hair and dirt on the surface, under cushions and on the arms and sides.
- Clean the area. Spray soiled areas with Simple Green Bio Dog and let it dry on the surface. For more intense stains, saturate the area with the cleaning solution and cover it with a clean cloth or paper towel and a weight, like the product bottle. Leave it for 4 to 5 hours.
- Repeat. If necessary, repeat until the stains are gone.
- Air dry. Once the area is dry, brush upholstery to help it return to its original texture.