Home Remedies for Pet Odors Pet Owners Will Want to Try!

Pet owners know that owning pets can take a toll on their homes. Pets, even well-behaved ones, leave behind hair and odors. But there are affordable and effective home remedies for pet odors to keep your home smelling fresh, no matter how many times your cat uses the litter box. These home remedies for pet odors will make life with your pet easier and more pleasant.

Before I go any further, and especially for dogs, you must make sure they are bathed regularly.

Bathing goes a long way in keeping the musky smell down.

However, make sure you strike a happy medium between too much bathing (will dry their skin out) and not enough.

Carpets And Upholstered Furniture

This removes pet hair and dander. Drapes and throw pillows can also be vacuumed.

Baking soda can also be used to remove pet odors and is very effective.

Sprinkle on carpets and upholstered furniture and let sit for about half an hour.

Make sure you vacuum the powder back up well. This prevents it from trapping odors.

You can also add small amounts of lavender oil or another essence oil to the baking soda before you sprinkle it to make your house smell great!

We have an easy DIY Carpet Deodorizer that uses essential oils that is great for freshening your carpets!

Pet Urine Stains In Carpets

Stains Are Not Only Unsightly But Are Often The Culprit of Odors

I have found that using white vinegar and warm water, mixed half and half is very effective in lifting the stain and eliminating the odors.

Pour a good amount of the vinegar mixture on the spot and let it sit for a few minutes.

Scrub the stain with a cloth or brush until you can no longer see it on the carpet.

Blot the spot with a towel, getting as much of the liquid out of the carpet as possible. Let dry.

Once the spot is dry, you will no longer smell any vinegar.

If necessary, repeat the process. The enzymes in the vinegar actually eat the bacteria causing the odors and eliminate them.

Keep Food And Water Bowls Fresh And Clean

It is also important to make sure that you keep your pet’s food and water bowls clean, as well as the area around them.

Old food causes a bad odor and isn’t very pleasant for you or your pet.

Musky Pet Bedding Odors

Regularly washing your pet’s bed and bedding in the washing machine also eliminates odors and makes your pet more comfortable.

When you purchase pet beds make sure they are machine washable. Then, wash them as frequently as needed along with any blankets your pet may use.

Litter Box Odors Can be the Worst!

Cat owners should pay careful attention to litter boxes. Cat urine odor is the worst not to mention fecal matter!

Your cat has a very acute sense of smell and if you think the box smells bad, your cat thinks it’s horrific!

Removing soiled litter and fecal matter several times a day helps keep odors to a minimum.

You can also add baking soda to the bottom of the litter box before filling it with litter to help keep odors at bay.

Messes On The Carpet And Rugs Can Cause Bad Odors

Having a pet make a mess of a carpet, rug or floor can leave a bad smell in the house, as well as a stain.

While training a pet is an effective way to avoid these problems, accidents can happen, particularly as pets age.

Cleaning up pet odors and stains with household products is an inexpensive way to remove bad smells and spots in the house.

Keeping the house clean with these home remedies for pet odors is easy!

Spot-Cleaning Messes

Clean up the mess as soon as it is noticed. This is the easiest way to prevent odors from lingering and stains from forming.

Wipe up the mess with a damp cloth and dispose of it or wash it thoroughly.

Fill a bucket with a mixture of hot water, white vinegar, and mild dish soap.

Scrub the area thoroughly to remove the remaining traces of the mess.

An immediate response to a pet’s mess can help eliminate odors immediately and prevent stains.

Set-in Stains

Removing pet stains can be a major challenge once they have set in.

Rinse fabrics like curtains or cushions in cold water to remove as much of the stain as possible.

Allow the fabric to sit in cold water and mild dish soap.

Blot carpets with a rag; dampen the rag with cold water and mild soap to help remove the stain and carpet odor.

Apply pressure to the stain to help lift it; do not rub stains, as this can set them into the fabric.

Wash surfaces like wood and concrete floors with a mixture of cold water and vinegar to remove stains.

Removing Pet Odors

Remove and wash any fabric and items, such as chairs and tables, that may carry the odor.

Use a black light to find areas where pet urine splashed, as they can become a source of odor.

Use hot water and vinegar to wash items and remove the odor.

Put baking soda mixed with hydrogen peroxide on any areas where the odor comes from and allow it to sit for five minutes before wiping it up with a cloth.

Pet odors can make an otherwise welcoming home an unpleasant environment.

Chemical cleaners are often efficient in getting rid of pet odors, but they can leave behind synthetic smells that are harsh on the sinuses and can have negative side effects.

Consider homeopathic odor combatants to free your home of unwanted smells.

Air Fresheners

For lingering pet odors, air fresheners can mask the scent. However, manufactured air fresheners can sometimes have an artificial and overpowering smell.

A simple homemade air freshener can be made from boiling cinnamon sticks and/or cloves.

The aroma of the spices is pleasing to the nose, safe to breathe, and travels through the air easily.

Essential oils are also a safe alternative to chemical scents.

Another simple recipe is to mix eight drops of cedarwood oil with four drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle containing one ounce of water.

Shake the mixture together and spray around your house where pet odors are strongest.

You may even want to check out our easy DIY Air Freshener Spray! It is not only super easy to make but will rid your home of pet odors and leave your home smelling amazing!

Safe, Odor-Eliminating Cleaners

If your pet has urinated on the carpet, quickly blot it up using a paper towel and sprinkle borax over the spill.

Borax seeps into the lowest layer of trapped urine, absorbing both the remaining liquid and smell.

Let it sit for five minutes before vacuuming it up.

Another simple solution is to quickly absorb the excess urine and gently blot clothing detergent into the spot, making sure not to over-wet the spot.

Work from the outside until the spot has been cleaned and rinse it with fresh water. Blot the area dry with a towel.

To help eliminate the odor, take a one-to-two ratio of white vinegar and water and continue to blot the spot.

Dab up the excess, sprinkle baking soda over the spot, and vacuum.

Litter Box Odor Solutions

For litter box odors, spread a small layer of cedar chips with fresh litter on top and sprinkle in a hefty amount of baking soda with the litter.

The cedar chips and baking soda will help absorb odors and won’t harm your pet.

If you are in the process of training your pet to go to the bathroom outside, move the litter box closer to being outside a little bit each week.

In Conclusion

These home remedies for pet odors are a game-changer for any pet owner.

Say goodbye to unpleasant smells and hello to a fresh and clean home.

With these simple and natural solutions, you can enjoy the company of your furry friend without worrying about lingering odors.

So, try out these easy, inexpensive home remedies for pet odors and let your home smell like a breath of fresh air.

Your nose (and your pet) will thank you!