How to Get Rid of Dog Smell from Everywhere in Your House

Our two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Scarlett and Red, are part of our family—and, by far, its smelliest members. As a result, a big part of my regular cleaning routine revolves around figuring out how to get rid of dog smell from the various parts of the house. I worry all the time about whether people who visit are bowled over by the smell that we’re used to, but most of the time, I think I’m successful in my cleaning efforts … until we come home after being gone for a few days (or even a few hours!) and realize that our home does, in fact, smell like dog.

As someone who’s been writing about cleaning for more than a decade, I know how to clean a house from top to bottom and also use commonsense approaches to minimizing dog smell. The latter includes things like bathing your dogs regularly and making sure to wash their bedding and the areas that they make their own. (For us, that’s the family-room couch.) However, these strategies aren’t always enough, and I’m not sure why.

I decided that enough was finally enough and turned to the experts for a better solution. Two vets weighed in on the dog behaviors and health issues that can contribute to dog smell, and then cleaning experts Kathy Cohoon and Angela Brown pinned down the most effective strategies for addressing the odors that go hand-in-hand with dog ownership. Believe it or not, those strategies are a lot easier than you might think! Ahead, find out how to make sure that dog smell doesn’t become the dominant scent in your home.

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What is dog smell, exactly?

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Dog smell is a combination of what dogs bring in from the outdoors and natural secretions from dogs’ bodies. Let’s deal with the outdoor aspect first. As you know all too well, when dogs roll in the dirt, they bring it back into the house, says Chandler Hawk Higdon, DVM, a small-animal practitioner in Tennessee. Any substances they bring inside, along with the smells they carry, transfer to your home’s indoor air and any surfaces they rub against or sit on. Of course, that’s not all that different from what humans do—well, not the rolling-in-the-dirt part, unless you’re dealing with kids.

The trickier component has to do with dogs’ bodies. “Dogs produce secretions that enable other dogs to recognize them by smell as dogs and as individuals,” explains Sarah Sprayberry, DVM, a veterinarian in Tallahassee, Florida. Dogs use these secretions to mark their territory and communicate with other dogs. The main culprits, she says, are:

• Apocrine glands, sweat glands that produce pheromones for communication
• Eccrine glands on a dog’s paws, which are also home to natural microorganisms
• Ceruminous and sebaceous glands on a dog’s ears, where “microorganisms also live naturally and give the ears a slightly yeasty odor, even when ears are healthy”
• The skin’s natural biome, which consists of bacterial flora
• Anal glands, which produce a noxious-smelling fluid that’s naturally expressed when dogs have a bowel movement but sometimes leak

These odors are, by design, hard to erase. Dr. Higdon explains that before dogs were domesticated, canines out in the wild had to mark their territories, and the marking had to “withstand all kinds of weather.” Dog smell is also so pervasive, adds Dr. Sprayberry, because “the materials that contribute to the smell are constantly being produced.”

What to keep in mind about dog smells in your house

Each dog has a distinctive smell. It’s just a part of who they are and how they operate in the world. But that doesn’t mean you have to consign yourself to a stinky house. Before we show you the best way to get rid of dog smell, there are a few things you should know:

• You’ll need to clean more often than people who don’t have dogs. This includes basic tasks like dusting and vacuuming to remove the dirt that your dog tracks in, as well as the fur and pet dander that carry many of their secretions and accompanying smells.
• Some dog smells are a sign of a health problem. “Your dog should smell unique but not offensive,” says Dr. Sprayberry. A fishy smell could signify an anal-gland issue, while a foul odor from the face could be a sign of dental, ear or eye disease, adds Dr. Higdon. As always, check with your vet if you have any concerns.

How to get rid of dog smell from carpet

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Whether you have area rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting, you know that dog smell seems to permeate those fibers. The good news is that because so much of a dog’s smell is transmitted through its fur and dander, frequent vacuuming will go a long way toward removing dog smell from carpet. Follow this deodorizing routine recommended by Cohoon, who has been a professional cleaner for more than two decades, for best results.

Supplies you’ll need

• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner
• Carpet shampoo (optional)

Directions

1. Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the area of carpet where the dog smell is concentrated.
2. Let the baking soda sit for at least 15 to 30 minutes to absorb odors.
3. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove all traces of baking soda. Move the unit slowly, passing it over the area several times and in several different directions.
4. If the smell persists, consider using a carpet shampoo specifically designed to eliminate pet odors. Follow the directions on the product.

How to get rid of dog smell from couches and upholstery

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Even if your dog isn’t allowed on the couch and chairs, ambient dander and fur can carry dog smell to your upholstery. While regular furniture-cleaning is a must, make sure to check manufacturers’ codes for cleaning recommendations and instructions before you do it for the first time, says Cohoon; otherwise, you could accidentally damage the fabric. Once you have the green light, follow these steps for how to get rid of dog smell in these fabric-covered areas:

Supplies you’ll need

• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner
• White vinegar
• Water
• Upholstery cleaner

Directions

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar will neutralize the odors.
2. Lightly spray the affected areas on the couch or upholstery. Since the point of the vinegar is to neutralize odors rather than clean, there is no need to make the fabric wet; a mist is sufficient.
3. Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the dampened areas, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. The baking soda will absorb the dampness and also help neutralize the odors.
4. Let the fabric dry completely.
5. Next, vacuum the area thoroughly, using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Make sure to remove all traces of the baking soda.
6. For stubborn odors, use a machine designed for upholstery cleaning. Dr. Higdon recommends Bissell’s handheld portable cleaner, especially when used in conjunction with the brand’s cleaning solution designed for pets.

How to get rid of dog smell from bedding

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If your dogs sleep in or on your bed, they will mark your bed as theirs with their scent glands, purposely or not. While you are probably washing your bedding regularly anyway, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to address pet odors. Cleaning your mattress should also be a regular part of this process.

Supplies you’ll need

• Laundry detergent
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner with attachment (for mattress)
• Washing machine

Directions

1. Strip your bed.
2. Place sheets and other bedding in your washing machine, making sure it’s not more than two-thirds full (which could reduce the effectiveness of your wash cycle).
3. Add the laundry detergent of your choice, and use whatever water temperature is recommended on the care labels of your bedding. Water temperature does not affect odor neutralizing.
4. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle, putting it in the fabric-softener or bleach compartment of your machine.
5. While your bedding is in the washer, sprinkle baking soda onto your mattress and any throw pillows that cannot be put in the washing machine. Allow it to sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
6. Vacuum away the baking soda, using the upholstery attachment.
7. Replace the freshly washed and dried bedding.

How to get rid of dog smell from the air

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Pet dander is one of the hardest indoor-air contaminants to get rid of because it is so small and light. While dusting and vacuuming removes some of it from your environment, the very act of cleaning also disturbs both pet dander and fur—and that releases odors into the air. These can be captured by an air purifier fitted with a HEPA filter, which, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm).”

Make sure to choose an air purifier that will be efficient for the square footage of the space you’ll place it in. Also, check and replace or clean the filter regularly, in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions. The time between filter changes will vary significantly based on how often you use it, the size of your space and the presence of additional airborne substances, such as pollen in the springtime. Failing to replace the filter when needed will compromise the effectiveness of your unit.

How to get rid of dog pee and poop smells

Getting rid of the mess with everyday cleaning products isn’t enough to get rid of the smell … or stop your dog from going in the same spot over and over again. The key here is to attack the mess with a product that will neutralize the odors—namely, an enzymatic cleaner, which actually digests the molecules that make up the stain rather than superficially removing it or masking the smell. You’ll also need to follow certain steps and a few pro tips to do it right. For those specifics, check out these stories on how to get dog pee and dog poop out of your carpet and other accident-prone spots.

Tips to prevent dog smell in your house

Although there’s nothing you can do to stop dogs from producing odors, there are many steps you can take to keep the smell of your dog from becoming the scent of your home. Layering the following approaches as much as possible will help keep your home its freshest.

• Bathe and groom your dog frequently. While bathing your dog doesn’t affect naturally produced secretions, it will help with odors that are trapped in your dog’s coat. Dr. Sprayberry also recommends trimming away matted fur that can trap debris and odor.
• Keep up with your dog’s hygiene. For starters, maintain good dental hygiene with regular tooth brushing, dental cleanings and daily dental chews or treats. Beyond that, says Dr. Sprayberry, if your pet has skin folds around the face and eyes, use deodorizing wipes (labeled safe for pets) to clean in the folds where odor-causing moisture and debris collect.
• Wash all your dog’s items. In addition to washing your dog, regularly clean everything that belongs to him. We’re talking bedding, toys and food bowls. That last one is often overlooked, says Cohoon, but it’s super important since “odor can be trapped in food residues on the bowl.”
• Create a relaxed environment for your pet. Stress can exacerbate pet odors and cause some dogs to mark their territory by peeing in the house. But making sure your dog has its own space and feels relaxed, safe and happy will lessen this possibility, says Dr. Higdon. Have a dog bed or a small area that “belongs” to your dog, and keep these areas and their food bowls in the same spot. Consistency will help your dog feel secure.
• Increase airflow. Translation: Open the windows! This is the easiest way to reduce dog smell in your home, say both Cohoon and Dr. Higdon.

FAQs

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Do air purifiers help with pet odor?

Yes! Air purifiers are one of the best ways to reduce pet odor and get rid of dog smell in your house. By removing dander from indoor air, they remove one of the main carriers of dog smell that cannot be addressed merely by vacuuming and other traditional cleaning methods. Choose an air purifier with HEPA filtration that has an appropriate MERV rating for pet dander, and make sure your unit has the correct air exchanges per hour for the space you’re putting it in.

What is the best odor eliminator?

Baking soda is the best natural odor eliminator for general dog smell. Rather than covering it up with fragrances, baking soda neutralizes it, says Cohoon. She also likes that it’s customizable, since you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to freshen up the air. Just don’t add those oils in your baking soda when using it on carpet or upholstery, since oils can stain fabrics.

Brown, a cleaning influencer who has trained house cleaners in 37 countries, suggests using the baking-soda boxes with “windows,” which allow air to flow through in any room where dog smell is an issue. “They can be hidden behind open doors, behind books on bookshelves, behind sofas or behind plants,” she points out. “The key is to put them in places where the air can flow through the spill-proof boxes’ open doors and absorb odors.”

Can I sprinkle baking soda on my dog?

It is not a good idea to sprinkle baking soda on your dog. Dr. Higdon says that baking soda could be caustic to their skin. Plus, she adds, if they or another pet were to lick off, it could cause tummy upset, at minimum.

How do you get rid of wet-dog smell without a bath?

To get rid of wet-dog smell, dry off your dog thoroughly and as quickly as possible. “Wet-dog smell is the result of residual moisture on the skin interacting with the substances produced by all of those glands mentioned earlier,” says Dr. Sprayberry. “A good absorbent towel, followed by a thorough blow-dry, is in order.” Once your dog is dry, the wet-dog smell should dissipate.

Just make sure not to let your dog rub against furniture or rugs in the meantime or else the odors will transfer to soft surfaces and give you additional cleaning work.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece on how to get rid of dog smell, Shifrah Combiths tapped her decade-long experience as a home and cleaning writer, and then Mary Marlowe Leverette, a housekeeping and fabric-care expert with more than 40 years of experience, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We relied on reputable primary sources, including carpet-cleaning experts and veterinarians, verified all facts and data, and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.   

Sources:

• Sarah Sprayberry, DVM, veterinarian at Capital Circle Veterinary Hospital; email interview, April 15, 2024
• Chandler Hawk Higdon, DVM, small-animal practitioner at Concord Veterinary Hospital; phone interview, April 13, 2024
• Kathy Cohoon, professional house cleaner and operations manager for Two Maids in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area; email interview, April 19, 2024
• Angela Brown, “cleanfluencer” and trainer of professional house cleaners; email interview, April 11, 2024
• Environmental Protection Agency: “What is a HEPA filter?”

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