Does Your Home Have Pet Odors?
We love our pets like family but sometimes we have to deal with problems like urine stains, poop or vomit stains and the most widespread problem…foul odors in the home. Fortunately, we can take care of all those problems with some maintenance tips and a few common household ingredients like vinegar and baking soda.
Keeping the Air Fresh
The first step to removing pet odors is to keep the air clean. Use a HEPA filter vacuum, change furnace and A/C filters frequently and make sure your air ducts are clean. No matter how clean you keep your pet’s area, airborne odors can get trapped and re-circulate throughout your home.
Remove Odors from Pet Bedding, Toys and Blankets
Pet bed covers, blankets and washable toys should be washed every week or two to keep pet odors from lingering. Toss items in the laundry as normal and add 1 cup of vinegar in the wash cycle. If the item is especially stinky add an additional cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle as well for more intense odor control. When necessary, treat urine stains prior to washing.
Remove Odors from the Litter Box
Add a layer of litter to a dry, clean litter box, then sprinkle enough baking soda to thinly cover the litter. Start off with approx. 1 cup and add more if needed. Add the rest of the litter on top of the baking soda. Some cats will tolerate an additional sprinkle of baking soda on top of the litter for extra odor control so if you are feeling brave, give it a try. When it is time to change the litter out, wipe sides and bottom with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution and allow to dry completely before filling with fresh litter and baking soda.
Being a painting contractor, we run into a lot of re-sale and rental homes with pet, and tobacco smoke odors. Painting the inside walls will not remove the odors as they are impregnated in the carpet, carpet pads, and walls making the home harder to sell or rent, looks good smells bad. We have used an ozone generator, which worked well, but the house had to be vacated during the operation slowing the work schedule. Contractor mentioned a product called Air-ReNu, which you mix with the paint. Works like a charm, no odor, no electricity, no filters and no problems. It might be something to consider if you have an odor problem, their web site.
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Vinegar, I would have never thought about that. Great tips!! I have fur babies, but I do not want guests to smell my babies before they meet them.
Great tips, we do not have any animals but some of your tips are great for a children in a full house !
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i am going to have to try some of your tips.
Great tips…with a 100 pound lab I am always looking for ways to make sure my home does not smell Doggie!
i have tried B. S. in the litter box before but i think i didn’t use enough. we have 2 kittens and i feel like it is ALWAYS stinky no matter what.
These are wonderful tips. I’ve used some of these before but there are some I’ll definitely have to try! Thanks for sharing!
My dogs sits (and licks) on the sofa and sometimes the smell permeates the cushions. Any idea how to get the odor out of them?
These are some great tips. Thank you for passing them on!
Fantastic ideas, Thanks so much!
I always use vinegar in the wash if something is really stinky! Especially the dog beds! I am going to tell my mother about the litter box trick. She has 3 cats and her boxes always smell!
I am going to try this tip for the litter box. My cats are the world’s worst about scattering litter!
Really good collection of tips. I am always looking at ways to clean and leave my house smelling fresh that are based on natural ingredients since I try to limit the presence of chemicals in my house.
With the menagerie of animals we have, pet odors can be an issue. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for these great tips! I would also like to know how you go about removing old pet urine stains?
Excellent tips. We only have one dog and he’s pretty good about accidents, but I will keep these in mind just in case
How do you get out old stains?
We had a couple of feral kittens that decided to pee on our walls and on our carpets down in the basement. (besides ripping out drywall and carpet)
I think it still smells.
My kids say it doesn’t but I just don’t believe it.
I am not sure if my first comment went through so I am commenting again. If duplicate, you can delete. I like the idea of putting vinegar in teh wash. I use vinegar to clean up messes but have never added to the washer.
Awesome tips. I never thought about adding vinegar to the laundry for pet stains. I use vinegar to clean up urine spills since it neutralizes the odor.
Great tips! Especially the baking soda in the litter box. That makes a huge difference.