How To Remove Dog Smell From Carpets, Sofas, And Upholstery

Having a furry friend at home, especially a dog, is a blissful blessing. They tend to bring love, joy, security, success and positive energy to the owner’s life. A pooch can be a stress buster until you find unexpected pee stains on your plush carpets and upholstered furniture. No matter how cute they look, it is impossible to ignore the unpleasant odours.

Dogs usually leave a bad odour behind due to various reasons, including infections, bacteria, yeast and poor dental health. Organic compounds on their fur create moisture, which leads to musty and icky dog smell, ruining the entire look and feel of your home despite your housekeeping efforts. The worst part is banishing the stench from delicate floor coverings and couches. Using harsh chemicals or products often causes discolouration or permanent damage over time.

Fret not! Here is a comprehensive guide on eliminating dog smell from carpets, sofas and upholstery using all natural products. Whether you’re performing a regular house cleaning session or a professional end of lease cleaning Sydney, ensure you create a pleasant and breathable indoor air quality to leave a lasting impression on guests and landlords.

Let’s Get Started!

1. What Causes Consistent Dog Smell from your Carpets and Upholstery?

It is the distinctive smell that comes from a dog’s dander, natural oils, saliva, sweat and breath that may linger wherever they sit or play, like couches, upholstery furniture, and carpets. Key factors like hygiene, diet, breed and health can also affect the smell’s intensity.

The bacteria that thrive in their damp fur can also create a lousy dog smell, which can seep into delicate furnishings and fabrics. Sudden pet accidents, such as urine or vomit, can also contribute to unpleasant odours. If you are a tenant, ensure you stay in compliance with rental pet laws in NSW and maintain the hygiene of your rental property throughout your lease to avoid penalties and deductions.

2. Proactively Act on Dog Accidents: Pee Stains & Vomit

Whether it’s your delicate carpet or sofa, or other upholstered furniture, acting on pet accidents immediately can do wonders. The sooner you remove pee or vomit stains, the easier it is to achieve the desired results without any elbow grease. This can also prevent the lingering of icky dog smell. According to end of lease cleaning Sydney professionals, it is good to blot up fresh stains using paper towels or microfibre cloths. Do not scrub or rub the furnishing or fabric, as it can worsen the situation and embed stains deep inside the fibres.

Next, blot the surface using a white vinegar and warm water solution. Leave it for a few minutes, and it will banish the smell naturally. It is good to follow the cleaning routine with pets to keep your house clean and hygienic.

3. Use A DIY Enzyme Carpet Cleaner to Remove Dog Smell

It contains enzymes that break down stubborn pet pee stains and banish bad odours. These are super effective at refreshing your plush and cosy floor furnishings without causing any damage. Instead of buying a store bought cleaner, prepare a DIY enzyme carpet cleaner using this recipe:

Add chopped citrus peels, warm water, and half a cup of brown sugar to a clean plastic bottle. Seal it tightly and leave it until the sugar dissolves. Let it ferment in a dark area for two weeks. Strain the solution into a spray bottle and apply it to the affected area of your carpet. Leave the product for a few minutes (to be precise, 20 minutes) to let the homemade enzyme do the magic. Then, blot the stain and let it air dry. The citrus peel enzymatic cleaner can easily reach deep into the fibres and banish lingering smells.

Tip: Ensure you dry your carpet to prevent residues and further stench.

4. Use Baking Soda to Deodorise Sofas and Upholstery

There is no denying that baking soda is the most versatile cleaning product in the natural cleaning domain. The white powder can remove grease stains, kill lurking germs, freshen up carpets and eliminate dog smell from delicate sofas and upholstery.

If your dog loves to pose on your delicate furnishings, you can use this DIY deodoriser to banish odours. Sprinkle a generous amount on the surface and leave it for two hours. Don’t let your furry friend get on it until you thoroughly vacuum it. This will freshen up your couch while removing white residue without causing any damage.

5. Use Eco Friendly Essential Oil to Get Rid of Dog Smell

This is one of the easiest yet effective ways to eliminate dog smell from your carpets, sofas and other upholstered furniture. In a spray bottle, take half a cup of vinegar, warm water and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. You can use lavender or eucalyptus essential oil for the best results.

Next, spray the solution on the smelly area for a few minutes, then let it dry overnight. Make sure you vacuum the couch the next day to restore its shine.

6. Steam Cleaner To Banish Lingering Pet Smell

Believe it or not! Steam cleaning is one of the best methods for eliminating dog smell from delicate furnishings and floorings. The steam penetrates deep inside the fabric to lift dirt, bacteria and odours without causing any damage or discolouration.

If the fabric has stubborn stains, spray a white vinegar solution and steam clean the surface. It is good to read the manual instructions carefully and always use the machine in a well ventilated area.

7. Machine Wash Sofa Cushions & Covers

Don’t forget cushions and covers when refreshing your sofa and upholstery furniture. You can safely wash them in your washing machine using a mild laundry detergent to banish odours. Using hot water can also kill lurking germs, bacteria and other hidden enemies in no time.

8. What are the Cleaning Codes on Your Upholstered Furniture?

It is important to check the care labels before cleaning or deodorising your upholstery to prevent permanent damage. The following codes will help you choose the right method to clean different types of upholstery:

• W: Always use water based solution on the upholstery. You can also use a fabric steam cleaner to remove stains and odours.
• S: You can either spot clean the surface with cleaning solvents or dry clean the area.
• S/W: Both water based and solvent based cleaners are best to spot clean or deodorise the couch.
• Wash: You can wash the fabric in the machine using cold water and a delicate setting.
• X: vacuum the couch. To banish dog smell, use baking soda and vacuum clean the upholstery for effective results.

You can also book experts for a budget end of lease cleaning Sydney if you are at the end of your tenancy. They will clean the entire property and strive hard to retrieve your bond money without any rental disputes or penalties.

Infographic: Best Ways to Banish Dog Smell From Carpets and Couches

Wrapping Up

Dog smell may linger from your carpets, couches and other upholstered furniture due to damp dander, accidental stains, and bacterial infection. Apart from grooming your dog regularly, you can consider these simple yet effective tips to banish pet smell using all natural products. This will help you create a fresh smelling and hygienic indoor environment all year round.