How to remove pet odours from your home

From used litter boxes to wet dog smells and dirty paws, lingering pet scents are a smelly inevitability that can be difficult to avoid. But it's not simply a case of covering them up with air fresheners or opening windows: you need longer-serving methods to keep bad pet smells at bay.

Carry on reading for a few tips on how to remove pet odours.

Vanquish pet hairs

Did you know that some of the longest-serving odours in the home are attached to pet hairs? To tackle these smelly strays, you need a specialist pet vacuum to get into every nook and cranny.

Enter, the Gtech Pro 2 K9. This lightweight vacuum (1.4kg in handheld mode) comes with attachments built to reach between sofa cushions and other hard-to-reach crevices. What’s more, our specialist K9 vacuum cleaners can be fitted with either scented cartridges or tabs, which give a burst of fragrance as you vacuum.

The magic of vinegar

While malt vinegar may be reserved for fish 'n' chips, white vinegar is your all-purpose pet odour remover. The strong acidity of the vinegar is the ultimate DIY deterrent for removing muddy paw prints, litter spills and - ahem - "accidents" from the home.

Even when it comes to musky dog smells, vinegar can be your saving grace. All you need to do is lightly spray your pet's bedding with a little vinegar. Once it evaporates, the odour disappears too.

You can use a similar technique to counteract litter box smells. Simply fill a small bowl with white vinegar and place near the litter box. This helps to neutralise odours without releasing potentially harmful chemicals into the air.

TOP TIP: Make sure you place the bowl of white vinegar out of the reach of any curious cats, to stop them having a taste.

A sprinkle of baking soda

Vinegar isn't the only household item that can help to evict pet odour from your home. Baking soda is just as effective.

Before you go to bed at night, just sprinkle a helping of baking soda on the carpets and in your pet's favourite areas. Then leave it overnight. In the morning, vacuum up the remaining baking soda.

The result is a fresh-smelling space. This is also a chemical-free method which won't leave any nasty toxins left in the air after a clean.

TOP TIP: If your pet despises bathtime, try sprinkling baking soda across their fur coat and gently rub it in. It works much the same way as dry shampoo.

Keep your fabrics fresh

Even thin and delicate fabrics have a habit of clinging to musty pet odours and stray fur.

To combat this, you need to remember to clean your household fabrics regularly. From duvet sets to couch cushion covers, anything that's machine washable should be put through a cycle as often as possible.

You can check how to clean different fabrics by reading the attached care label or by directly contacting the manufacturer.

Regular pet pampering

Okay, while we know pets can't help but emit musky scents from time to time, there are ways you can minimise the smell - all while making them feel loved in the process.

One way to keep smells at bay is by regularly grooming your four-legged friend. This helps to limit stray pet hairs before they spread throughout your home. You'll also want to bathe them regularly to prevent outdoor odours from entering the home.

TOP TIP: Ran out of dog shampoo? Use white vinegar after bathing your pooch to give them fresh-smelling fur (don't worry, it won't smell vinegary for long).

To get your home smelling fresh, you need a vacuum cleaner that is up to the task. For some of the most efficient devices on the market, browse our range of specialist pet vacuums.

Share: