It’s common knowledge in the world of pet lovers that dogs and carpets aren’t exactly a match made in heaven. Regardless of how clean your dog is and how often you clean your carpets, doggy smells are usually inevitable.
The big problem here is one of desensitisation. Homeowners live with gradually worsening smells, so they’re often oblivious to the scale of the problem. It often requires a well-meaning friend or relative to raise the issue of carpets smelling like dog — but that’s rarely a comfortable conversation to have.
If you have dog smells in your carpets that you just can’t remove, it might be time to change your approach. Your usual routine of vacuuming and cleaning obviously isn’t delivering results, but the following steps might.
Sprinkle and vacuum
There are many different carpet cleaning products on the market today, and many of them claim to target pet smells specifically. In truth, there are very few products as effective as baking soda. This everyday substance that many people have in their kitchen cupboards perpetually is a fantastic absorption agent. Just sprinkle your carpets liberally with baking soda, and leave it there overnight.
The powder absorbs both moisture and odours, without the need for intervention. Choose the best vacuum cleaner for pet smells based on customer reviews and online discussion forums — and give the area a thorough clean. Make sure you use the crevice attachment to get into the pile, and use a motorised brushroll if possible.
Blot and vacuum
If you believe the doggy smell is related to moisture, a slightly different approach is needed. This might be the case if your dog has urinated on your carpet, or if it has been wet after a walk.
The first thing to do is blot the mess with paper towels. Avoid the temptation to scrub, as this will simply spread the problem to different areas.
Once you have soaked up the majority of the moisture, spray the affected area with a solution of water and white vinegar (in equal parts). Let the solution sit there for 30 minutes before blotting the area dry with paper towels again.
Again, baking soda is going to be your most powerful weapon. Sprinkle it liberally over the carpet, and leave it there overnight. First thing in the morning, vacuum the area thoroughly using the most appropriate accessories. Just remember to keep your dog away from the area in the meantime.
If you find that the odour remains, repeat these steps a couple of times over the course of the following few days. Alternatively, you could try an enzyme spray that targets the odour-causing bacteria. This involves destroying the source of the smell, and it can be very effective. However, make sure the enzyme spray you choose is pet-friendly.
Prevention is the best cure
Dogs are always going to leave odours on carpets, and there’s very little you can do to prevent this (other than restrict your dog to non-carpeted areas of your home). But you can slow down the odour-creation process with a few simple steps.
For example, give your dog its own sitting area. Place a comfy bed there, and lay a towel or carpet remnant underneath. You can protect other areas of your carpet by wiping your dog’s feet every time it comes in from outside. There are some very effective grooming wipes on the market for this.
It’s also important to keep your dog clean with regular baths. And you can remove smelly dander from his or her coat with regular brushing. Of course, the simplest thing to do is switch from carpet to a hard floor covering that is easier to clean and maintain.
You’ll probably never be able to prevent dog odours in your carpet if your pooch has the run of your home. But prevention and quick action should be enough to keep the worst of the dog-related pongs at bay.