How to Get Rid of Dog Poop Smell in the House: 5 Effective Methods

There are numerous joys that come from sharing your life with a pet, but cleaning up dog poop is not one of them! Life with a dog will inevitably include an accident from time to time. Even though you hope most of the accidents take place when they’re a puppy, there are times when mature dogs have accidents, too.

Removing the stench of dog poop from your carpet or furniture in the house is vital if you want your home to continue smelling fresh and clean. This quick article will tell you everything you need to do to remove the smell of dog poop from your home.

 

Are Pet Odors Dangerous?

Dog poop having a bad odor isn’t the only thing you need to be worried about. Dog poop and other types of pet waste are potentially dangerous for humans with prolonged exposure. The odor alone can cause nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress.

That’s not even the worst of it. Animal feces can make humans sick with E. coli, salmonella, and other types of infections. Most people wouldn’t allow animal waste to sit in their homes; however, this makes cleaning up their messes quickly an even more important task. Now that you understand the risk let’s look at some ways to keep your home clean and free from dog poop odors.

How to Get Rid of Dog Poop Smell in the House

1. Practice Good Pet Hygiene

Dog poop isn’t the only part of owning a pet that stinks. Have you ever smelled a wet dog? Animals are messy and don’t mind getting dirty. It becomes a problem, though, when they decide to track their mess into your house. If you want to keep your home from smelling bad, then you need to practice good hygiene with your dog. You can do this by giving your pups frequent baths or taking them to a groomer.

You might even consider having your dog’s anal glands squeezed. When their glands are full, they tend to rub their rear ends on your carpet. This can leave behind small particles of fecal matter that might be contributing to the odor.

2. Clean the Home Regularly

Cleaning the entire house can be a hassle, but part of owning a dog is understanding that they make your home dirtier faster. Once you notice a mess, whether it be from poop, hair, or drool, clean and disinfect the area right away. If they made a foul mess on the carpet, you could opt for a carpet cleaner. If they pooped on your hardwoods, don’t forget to mop the area with a cleaning solution once you’ve removed the waste. The ultimate goal is to kill as much of the bacteria left behind as possible.

3. Deep Cleaning Tougher Odors

There are times in every pet parent’s life when their regular disinfectants aren’t doing to job. For tougher smells and stains on your rugs, carpet, and sofas, try making a homemade odor killer with vinegar. The high acidity is perfect for breaking down tough odors.

DIY Pet Odor Eliminator

Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water in your spray bottle. Replace the cap and shake the bottle so that everything is evenly mixed. Test a small, inconspicuous spot on your carpet or furniture before starting to ensure that it doesn’t damage the fibers. Once you’re sure that the vinegar solution is safe, spray the soiled area thoroughly with the vinegar water and allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes. Grab some paper towels and begin blotting the area repeatedly until the mess and smell are gone. You may need to repeat this entire process several times for the best results.

4. Neutralize Odors With Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the very best ingredients for cleaning, especially when it comes to eliminating nasty odors. Baking soda is also safe to use on carpets and upholstery without being toxic to humans or pets.

To use baking soda for removing poop odors in the house, sprinkle the powder directly over the smelly surface and let it sit for at least 15 minutes or even overnight. For an even deeper clean, spray the powder with a vinegar and water solution to soften the stain. Dab up the liquid and powder and allow it to dry before vacuuming away the remaining powder.

5. Continue House Training

Have you ever noticed that your dog prefers to use the bathroom on your rugs rather than a surface that is easier to clean? This is because your carpeting is absorbent. The more you allow this behavior, the more it reinforces to your dog that it is acceptable behavior.

While you may have had your dog house trained for years, this doesn’t mean that they can’t or won’t still have accidents from time to time. Sometimes you finish training your young dog, only for them to start using the bathroom indoors again. It is crucial to keep up with their training even after you think they’ll no longer have any accidents. Continue to reinforce good behavior even when they turn into mature animals.

 

Conclusion

Nobody wants to walk into their home and get a whiff of dog poop, and the only way to keep your house from smelling like this permanently is to keep it clean and disinfect the soiled areas properly. There are plenty of options for you to choose from. It doesn’t matter if you buy cleaning supplies from the store or make your own cleaning solutions at home, you must use some sort of cleaning and disinfecting agent if you truly want to eliminate the bacteria that make dog poop smell so unpleasant.

See Also:

• How to Wash a Dog Bed with Urine in It (6 Simple Steps)
• How to Get Dog Poop Smell Out of Hardwood Floors (4 Potential Methods)

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