The smell your favorite dog has left on the carpet can be removed in several ways. Freshen the rug with baking soda, and then vacuum the rug to catch the fur and dander from the animal, which also creates an unpleasant odor. You can get rid of urine odors with a vinegar and baking soda spray, or with an enzymatic cleaner. To keep the dog clean, you need to bathe it regularly, comb it, and also wipe its paws after walking.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Cleaning your carpet with baking soda
Step 1. Vacuum the carpet
The first thing to do to get the dog smell off the carpet is to vacuum it thoroughly. Animal hair and dander easily get stuck in the fibers of the carpet, leaving an unpleasant odor. Vacuum large carpets with conventional vacuum cleaners, while small rugs and mats can be hand vacuum cleaned.
- If you do not have a large vacuum cleaner, rent a wet and dry vacuum from your local hardware store, or search for private rental advertisements online (such as avito).
- Use a vacuum cleaner attachment to get into tight corners and vacuum under furniture.
Step 2. Sprinkle baking soda over the carpet and let it sit for 2-3 hours
Baking soda is ideal for neutralizing odors that may have penetrated the carpet fibers. Spread a layer of baking soda all over the carpet. Leave the baking soda for 2-3 hours to absorb the smell.
- If the smell comes from only one spot on the carpet, sprinkle baking soda on that spot only to focus your efforts on that spot.
- Don't let your pets get close to the area while the baking soda is on it. It is not toxic to dogs, but can harm them if ingested in large quantities.
Step 3. Vacuum the baking soda
After 2-3 hours, vacuum the carpet again to remove the baking soda, and with it the smell it absorbed. Be careful to remove any baking soda from the carpet.
Method 2 of 3: Removing the smell of dog urine
Step 1. Detect dried urine stains with ultraviolet light
If the carpet smells like urine, it can be difficult to spot the dried stain that is causing the smell. Buy a UV flashlight online and shine it on the carpet to find the stain. Apply odor neutralizer directly to the stain to remove odor.
Ultraviolet flashlights for detecting places marked by animals can be purchased online and at some pet stores
Step 2. Blot a fresh urine stain with a clean rag
Collect as much urine as possible before starting to clean the carpet. Take a clean rag or some paper towels and gently blot the stain to absorb the urine. Repeat the procedure until you have removed as much liquid as possible.
Step 3. Make a vinegar and baking soda spray
In an empty household spray bottle, combine 2 cups (480 ml) vinegar, 2 cups (480 ml) warm water, and 4 tablespoons (60 g) baking soda. Apply a generous amount of anti-odor product to the urine stains and wait 5 minutes. Then, gently blot the liquid with a clean rag or several paper towels.
Step 4. Alternatively, you can use an enzymatic cleaner that is safe for pets
To remove residual pet urine odor that hasn't been removed with vinegar and baking soda, search online or at your local pet store for a pet-friendly enzymatic cleaner. The enzymes will destroy odor-causing bacteria and give the carpet a fresh smell. Find a veterinarian-approved, non-toxic spray that can be used on carpets and is not harmful to children and pets.
Step 5. Do not use a steam cleaner to remove urine stains
Steam cleaners are great for removing many stains from carpets, but they can cause urine odor to sink deep into the carpet fibers. The hot steam will bind the proteins in the urine to the fibers of the carpet, making the stain even more difficult to remove. If urine stains remain even after you have tried to remove them with different cleaning products, still do not try to remove them with steam or other heat sources.
Method 3 of 3: How to prevent odor
Step 1. Bathe your dog as often as your veterinarian will allow
Bathe your dog as often as possible so that there is no scent on the carpet. Due to some skin diseases, breed characteristics and the degree of physical activity, some dogs need to be bathed more often, while others, on the contrary, less often. Ask your veterinarian how often you can bathe your dog and try to follow their advice.
In addition to bathing regularly, bathe your dog when his coat gets dirty after playing outside
Step 2. Wipe the paws of the animal with special wet wipes for dogs and cats
The dog can easily transfer dirt and unpleasant odors to the carpet from its paws. Buy pet cleansing wipes from the pet store or online to clean your dog's paws after walking or playing outside. Gently lift each paw of the animal and wipe it down with disposable wipes.
After brushing your dog's paws, pet him or give him a treat to develop a positive association with the process
Step 3. Brush your dog regularly
The dog should be combed as often as required by its breed. Brushing removes dandruff, dust and dirt from your pet's coat, leaving it healthy and clean. Regular brushing, in turn, will not only improve the smell of the animal, but also rid you of the hair on the carpet.
Brush your dog in a place that can be easily cleaned up later, such as on a ceramic floor
Step 4. Ventilate the room
Prevent the smell of the dog from penetrating the carpet fibers by regularly ventilating the rooms in the house. When the weather permits, open doors and windows to let fresh air into your home. If the room is not ventilated, the smell will have nowhere to go, and over time it will penetrate the fibers of the carpet.