Having a furry canine companion comes with many joys as well as some frustrations. As much as you love your pooch, that doggy odor permeating your home can be annoying. Even after baths and grooming, dogs tend to give off a particular musky or funky scent. This smell gets trapped in carpets and fabrics, leaving your home with a lingering dog aroma.
At Eagle’s Eye Carpet Cleaning, we know how to banish that bothersome dog smell from carpets and upholstery. After deep cleaning thousands of homes, we’ve perfected pet odor removal techniques. Follow our proven tips below to get rid of dog odors in your carpets for good.
Common Causes of Dog Odors in Carpets
Before treating dog odors, it helps to understand what’s causing that smell in the first place. Here are some of the most common culprits of dog odors in your home:
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Accidents – Urine and feces mishaps from puppies or older dogs leave behind smells. Even after cleaning up the mess, odors can linger.
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Fur and dander – Dog hair and skin flakes shed everywhere and get ground into carpets.
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Skin oils – Oils in a dog’s coat transfer to surfaces when they brush up against them. This gives off a musky odor.
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Drool – Some dogs are prone to slobbering and drooling, which leaves carpets damp.
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Paws – Dirt and debris tracked inside on paws can cause musty odors.
Any combination of these elements builds up in carpets and leads to that characteristic dog smell. Thorough cleaning is required to remove the odors.
How to Remove Dog Smells from Carpets
Eliminating dog odors from carpets involves thoroughly cleaning carpets, using odor-fighting products, and maintaining a schedule to prevent smells from returning. Follow these tips to freshen carpets:
Vacuum Daily
The first line of defense against dog odors is daily vacuuming. Frequent vacuuming removes:
- Loose hair and dander
- Dirt from paws
- Fabric fibers holding odors
Use a vacuum with a motorized brush head to agitate carpet fibers and lift debris. Empty the canister after each use so odors don’t linger in the vacuum.
Clean Accidents Promptly
Have an enzymatic cleaner like Nature’s Miracle on hand to clean up urine, feces, vomit, or drool right after an accident. The natural enzymes in these products break down organic matter and eliminate odors. For old or set-in stains, use an extractor to penetrate deep into the padding.
Bathe and Groom Regularly
Give your dog regular baths with an odor-eliminating shampoo. Brush frequently to remove loose fur. Trim fur around paws to minimize tracked-in dirt. Clean facial folds, skin folds, and wrinkles where odors concentrate.
Wash Bedding and Toys
Frequently launder dog beds, blankets, pillows, and soft toys. These collect oils, fur, and dirt. Wash them weekly in hot water with an odor-fighting detergent. Replace worn or soiled items.
Clean Pet Feeding Areas
Promptly wipe up spilled food and water in your pet’s eating zone. Vacuum or mop the floors daily. Disinfect food bowls, mats, and the surrounding flooring regularly.
Air Out the House
Open up windows regularly to circulate fresh air. Run ceiling or portable fans to keep air moving. Position a dehumidifier or air purifier near problem odor areas.
Deep Clean Carpets
Every 3-6 months, hire professional carpet cleaners to deep clean with truck-mounted equipment. Hot water extraction removes ground-in dirt, allergens, and odors from carpet fibers and padding. Ask about pet odor treatments for stubborn smells.
Consider Low-Odor Flooring
For high-traffic areas prone to odors, install floors like luxury vinyl, tile, or wood. Avoid absorbent carpeting if odor control is a big concern. Washable floors are easier to keep smelling fresh.
Best Products for Removing Dog Odors from Carpets
Along with routine cleaning habits, using the right products helps conquer doggie odors in carpets. We recommend these effective solutions:
Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda generously on carpets. The sodium bicarbonate absorbs odors without chemicals. Let it sit overnight, then vacuum. Repeat weekly.
White Vinegar
Spray full-strength vinegar on carpets to eliminate odors and lift stains. The acetic acid cuts through urine smells. Rinse with water and allow carpets to fully dry.
Enzymatic Cleaners
Pet enzyme cleaners use natural bacteria to digest organic matter and destroy odors on contact. Excellent for accident stains and everyday cleaning.
Odor-Fighting Detergent
Look for laundry detergents formulated to eliminate pet odors. Use them when washing dog bedding, blankets, throws, and toys.
esssential Oils
Add a few drops of refreshing essential oils like lemon, lavender, rosemary, or tea tree oil to the vinegar spray bottle. The pleasant aroma helps mask odors.
Pet Odor Carpet Powder
Specialty carpet powders contain odor-absorbing ingredients along with a light scent. Sprinkle over carpets, let sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum up.
Carpet Deodorizer
After carpet cleaning, mist on a lightweight carpet deodorizer formulated to neutralize odors. Reapply weekly between deep cleanings.
When to Call a Professional Carpet Cleaner
For severe or persistent dog odors in carpets, turn to professional carpet cleaners for thorough odor removal. We use powerful truck-mounted equipment and commercial-grade pet treatments to eliminate smells at the source.
Signs it’s time to hire the pros include:
- Old urine stains resurfacing
- Smell persists after cleaning attempts
- Odor is noticeable from outside the home
- Padding or flooring underneath is damaged
- Need access to underlying flooring or carpet edges
At Eagle’s Eye Carpet Cleaning, we offer pet odor removal treatments, pet stain pre-treatments, deodorizing rinses, and anti-microbial carpet sanitizers to leave carpets fresh. We remove all traces of odor and revive carpets.
Preventing Dog Odors in Carpets
While it’s normal for a home with dogs to have some odor, following healthy home habits minimizes smells. Prevent doggie odors from taking over carpets with these tips:
- Bathe and groom dogs regularly
- Wash bedding and fabric toys weekly
- Pick up solid wastes immediately
- Blot urine accidents right away
- Vacuum carpets and mop floors daily
- Clean up food spills ASAP
- Take shoes/paws off at the door
- Limit dogs to non-carpeted areas
- Freshen carpets monthly with baking soda
- Deep clean carpets every 3-6 months
With diligent daily maintenance and regular deep carpet cleaning, you can keep dog odors at bay and enjoy pet-friendly floors. Contact our carpet care experts for pet odor removal services backed by our satisfaction guarantee. We look forward to refreshing your home and restoring the carpets.