Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Pet Odours and Hair From Your Home
Get rid of those stubborn pet smells and freshen up your living spaces with our handy tips
Pets bring much love and joy into our lives, but they can introduce smelly odours and difficult-to-remove hair too. If you’re expecting visitors to your home over the holiday season, now’s the time to focus on getting it looking and smelling sensational. Here’s how.
Wash soft furnishings
To remove pet odours from bedding, cushion covers and blankets, pop them in your machine with a normal amount of detergent and a quarter of a cup of apple cider vinegar.
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To remove pet odours from bedding, cushion covers and blankets, pop them in your machine with a normal amount of detergent and a quarter of a cup of apple cider vinegar.
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Refresh beds and carpets
While your washing machine is running, sprinkle a little baking soda on your carpet and mattress, and spread it around with a cleaning brush. Let it sit for about an hour, so the baking soda has a chance to absorb the odours.
While your washing machine is running, sprinkle a little baking soda on your carpet and mattress, and spread it around with a cleaning brush. Let it sit for about an hour, so the baking soda has a chance to absorb the odours.
When the hour’s up, grab your vacuum cleaner and go over all of your floors. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach places such as furniture crevices, under beds and in corners where hair balls tend to gather.
If you think your carpets would benefit from a more intensive clean, there are a few options available. If they are not too soiled, sprinkle a dry, powdered carpet cleaner all over your soft floors. Let the cleaner sit for at least 30 minutes and then vacuum. For a deeper clean, considering hiring a wet vacuum, or call in a professional carpet cleaner to give your soft flooring a once over.
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Clean furniture
To remove troublesome smells from leather or faux-leather furniture, mix one cup of vinegar with one cup of warm water, and wipe into the surface gently with a soft cloth.
For upholstered furniture, dip a soft-bristled brush into a bucket of warm water and dishwashing liquid. Gently rub into furniture, then wipe with a damp cloth and allow to air dry.
To remove troublesome smells from leather or faux-leather furniture, mix one cup of vinegar with one cup of warm water, and wipe into the surface gently with a soft cloth.
For upholstered furniture, dip a soft-bristled brush into a bucket of warm water and dishwashing liquid. Gently rub into furniture, then wipe with a damp cloth and allow to air dry.
Turn your attention to pet beds
Once you have cleaned your furniture, carpets and bed, it’s time to freshen up your pet’s living space. There are a couple of types of pet beds on the market – one-piece beds and those with a removable cover. Most all-in-one pet beds can be machine-washed using a regular cycle and warm or hot water.
If your pet bed has a removable cover, give it a wash in your machine. To target odours in the stuffing of the insert, wash it in the bath with warm, soapy water then put it in a sunny spot to air dry. Or, for a faster solution, sprinkle the insert with baking soda. Leave for 30 minutes or so, vacuum and replace the cover. A clean, odour-free pet bed awaits.
Pet toys, leads and collars should also be cleaned on a monthly basis using warm water and detergent. Wash pet bowls weekly (or more often, if necessary).
Once you have cleaned your furniture, carpets and bed, it’s time to freshen up your pet’s living space. There are a couple of types of pet beds on the market – one-piece beds and those with a removable cover. Most all-in-one pet beds can be machine-washed using a regular cycle and warm or hot water.
If your pet bed has a removable cover, give it a wash in your machine. To target odours in the stuffing of the insert, wash it in the bath with warm, soapy water then put it in a sunny spot to air dry. Or, for a faster solution, sprinkle the insert with baking soda. Leave for 30 minutes or so, vacuum and replace the cover. A clean, odour-free pet bed awaits.
Pet toys, leads and collars should also be cleaned on a monthly basis using warm water and detergent. Wash pet bowls weekly (or more often, if necessary).
Wash your pet
While it’s generally recommended that you give dogs a bath only once a month, if you want to keep your pet smelling sweet you can give them a weekly bath. Wash your pet in the bath or shower, or use a hose to wet your pet’s fur. Apply pet shampoo to your pet’s fur (using soap-free or moisturising shampoo to keep their skin from drying out) and lather it in with your hands until it is nice and foamy. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry your pet’s fur. Make sure you are gentle with your pet so you don’t get shampoo in their eyes or ears.
If your pet has long hair, cutting their hair short will reduce the volume of fur they shed and result in a more pleasant-smelling home.
While it’s generally recommended that you give dogs a bath only once a month, if you want to keep your pet smelling sweet you can give them a weekly bath. Wash your pet in the bath or shower, or use a hose to wet your pet’s fur. Apply pet shampoo to your pet’s fur (using soap-free or moisturising shampoo to keep their skin from drying out) and lather it in with your hands until it is nice and foamy. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry your pet’s fur. Make sure you are gentle with your pet so you don’t get shampoo in their eyes or ears.
If your pet has long hair, cutting their hair short will reduce the volume of fur they shed and result in a more pleasant-smelling home.
Spritz the air
To make your home smell fresh and inviting, spray the air with an air freshener. Opt for a non-toxic freshener as animals can be sensitive to the chemicals in commercial products. Or, if you prefer natural products, mix 1/4 cup baking soda with water and a couple of drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well and spritz.
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To make your home smell fresh and inviting, spray the air with an air freshener. Opt for a non-toxic freshener as animals can be sensitive to the chemicals in commercial products. Or, if you prefer natural products, mix 1/4 cup baking soda with water and a couple of drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well and spritz.
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Encourage good habits
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, accidents and messes still occur. If you find large puddles of urine on the floor, it is likely that your pet hasn’t been properly trained or they couldn’t get outside in time.
To reduce the chances of this occurring, install a pet door so your pet can come and go as they please. Also train your dog using tasty treats as a reward. Dr Michael at St Ives Veterinary Surgery recommends using a product called Urine Off to remove nasty smells and encourage animals to urinate outside.
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, accidents and messes still occur. If you find large puddles of urine on the floor, it is likely that your pet hasn’t been properly trained or they couldn’t get outside in time.
To reduce the chances of this occurring, install a pet door so your pet can come and go as they please. Also train your dog using tasty treats as a reward. Dr Michael at St Ives Veterinary Surgery recommends using a product called Urine Off to remove nasty smells and encourage animals to urinate outside.
To decrease the amount of dirt and mud entering your home, place a towel in the doorway, so that muddy paws are wiped off before they enter the house. You can also place mats on the inside and outside of your doors, and train your dog to wait on the mat until you are ready to wipe down their paws and let them inside.
Reduce the damage
Sometimes our much-loved pets can unwittingly damage our home. Putting thick covers over furniture during your pet’s training stages can help minimise damage.
According to Dr Michael, the best way to stop your cat destroying your furniture is to provide a scratching post and other toys that will satisfy their urges instead. “If you see your cat scratching inappropriately, gently redirect them towards an appropriate scratching area or post,” he advises. “You can do this by encouraging them over to the correct scratching area with a toy or simulated scratching movements. Never yell at your cat or smack them to discourage scratching, as this form of punishment will only teach them to avoid you.”
Dr Michael also suggests providing an additional reward after your cat moves the correct area. “Offer a food treat in another separate area if they scratch their post.”
Sometimes our much-loved pets can unwittingly damage our home. Putting thick covers over furniture during your pet’s training stages can help minimise damage.
According to Dr Michael, the best way to stop your cat destroying your furniture is to provide a scratching post and other toys that will satisfy their urges instead. “If you see your cat scratching inappropriately, gently redirect them towards an appropriate scratching area or post,” he advises. “You can do this by encouraging them over to the correct scratching area with a toy or simulated scratching movements. Never yell at your cat or smack them to discourage scratching, as this form of punishment will only teach them to avoid you.”
Dr Michael also suggests providing an additional reward after your cat moves the correct area. “Offer a food treat in another separate area if they scratch their post.”
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How do you keep your pet-friendly home clean and fresh? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
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How do you keep your pet-friendly home clean and fresh? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
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Find cleaners and rubbish removalists
Start by gathering your cleaning and deodorising supplies. There are plenty of pet odour removers available at pet supply stores. In my experience, it’s best to choose an enzyme-based cleaner over an ammonia-based one as they are better at removing scents. For a more natural solution, mix two cups of white distilled vinegar with two cups of lukewarm water and four tablespoons of baking soda in a spray bottle.
Focus on those areas where your pet spends most of their time. And keep an eye out for hidden messes – they can often be the culprits behind stubborn, lingering odours.