What's That Smell? How to Deal with Dog Odor

Dogs may be man's best friend, but they can also be your home's worst enemy. It's easy to forgive the shedding, slobbering, and muddy footprints – that comes with the territory. But often, the odor can be hard to forget. A bath can take care of the smell on the dog, but what about the aroma they leave in your home? Try one of these odor-fighting tools in your kitchen pantry to combat Eau De Canine on your carpet or couch.

White Vinegar 

This is the best option when the spot is still wet. Be sure to blot the spot; rubbing will only push it further into the fiber. Then, mix up equal parts white vinegar and cold water. Pour the mixture generously over the urine spot, blot well and let it dry. A fan will speed up the drying process. After it's dry, vacuum the area. While vinegar does have a distinct odor, it's a safe, eco-friendly cleaning option and the vinegar smell should dissipate quickly.

Baking Soda

It's a natural odor absorber. If the area is dry, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the area and let it sit for a couple hours. If the spot is still covered in urine or slobber, gently pat the area first. After the baking soda has set for a few hours, vacuum it away.

Club Soda

From shirt stains to pet stains, club soda is great for pre-treating spots. After you blot up the wet urine spot, pour club soda over it and immediately blot the area again. Once the area is dry, use the baking soda treatment (see above).

Diluted Bleach 

If you have stains and smell, try diluted bleach. Dilute some bleach with water (use 10 parts water to 1 part bleach) and spray the solution on the stain. Let it dry completely, and check out your situation. If the stain still shows, spray again. Remember, bleach will lighten dark colors, so don't try this on a dark carpet.

If your house still smells funky after one of these tactics, your pet might not be to blame for the odor. Search for signs that mice or other rodents have snuck in. The most common signs of rodents are burrows, fecal droppings, tracks, chewed out holes in walls, chewed wires, urine stains, and nesting material. Learn more about mouse prevention techniques with these blog posts.