We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: pets stink.
Not figuratively, of course. Pets are the best! But literally, they stink. 💩
If you live in a home with animals, you’ve probably wondered how to get rid of those icky pet odors. Because even if you follow these nine ways to keep a pet-friendly home clean, there’s usually a bit of a stench lingering in your carpet or walls.
Luckily, there are some ways you can make your home smell a little less Fido and a little more fresh. Here are our 13 steps to reducing pet odors in Sioux Falls homes.
13 Steps to Getting Rid of Pet Odors
1. Sweep, mop, and vacuum your floors.
Don’t be too quick or aggressive, or you’ll just kick the pet hair and dander into the air, where they’ll spread to other areas of your home. Take your time sweeping, mopping, and then vacuuming every inch of your floors to completely remove all pet debris.
2. Deep-clean your carpets.
You can try the DIY carpet cleaning route, but truthfully, you’re better off hiring professional Sioux Falls carpet cleaners. INTEK uses a special hot water extraction process to thoroughly remove deep stains and smells.
3. Clean furniture, curtains, and other linens.
Once your floors are completely clean, tackle other surfaces, especially fabric-covered furniture, window treatments, and linens. Start with a vacuum attachment, and apply cleaning products if necessary (always test the fabric first!). You can also throw bedding, pillowcases, and even some couch cushions in the wash.
4. Spot-treat problem areas.
Still seeing stains? Treat them with an enzymatic cleaner. Not seeing stains, but still smelling odors? Use a black light to point out urine-covered areas you may not have noticed.
5. Wash all of your pet’s supplies.
Needless to say, your pet’s toys, accessories, and bedding are prime places for smells to collect. Clean them once a week if you can.
6. Clean the litter and cage.
Cat owners, we don’t have to tell you to clean the litter box frequently. The Humane Society recommends scooping the waste daily and changing the litter weekly or biweekly. You should also give your pet’s cage or kennel a deep clean every month or two to keep it looking and smelling fresh.
7. Open the windows.
The quickest way to get rid of musty smells is to throw open the windows and let the breeze carry them away. If you can get rugs or other removable items outside in the sun, even better.
8. Change your air filters.
Air filters should be changed every month, especially during allergy season. This will help your heating and cooling system work much more efficiently, so it doesn’t have to circulate air so much on a daily basis.
9. Run an air purifier.
Another way to keep your pet-friendly home smelling fresh is by using an air purifier, which pulls dander and debris out of the air and even kills bacteria and fungi. (Remember to replace these filters regularly, too!)
10. Wash and paint walls.
Tried all this, and still smelling something funky? Pet odors could be trapped on your walls. Try cleaning them first; if that doesn’t work, consider using an odor-sealing paint to cover over the smell.
11. Use fragrance.
Perfume may be a Band-Aid solution, but hey, it helps! Odor-neutralizing sprays, scented candles, and potpourri baskets are all effective ways to make your home smell nice. (Just make sure they’re safe for dogs and cats!)
12. Give your pet a bath.
Don’t forget the number-one way to keep your pet-friendly home clean: keep your pet clean! Dogs should be bathed with water and gentle shampoo at least once a month. You should also aim to brush your pet’s fur once a day and their teeth once a week.
13. Prevent future pet odors.
Now that you’ve removed pet smells from your home, keep them from coming back! Along with grooming your dog or cat regularly, be sure to wipe their paws when they come in from outside, and clean any accidents immediately. You can also consider placing a washable cover on your furniture, and don’t forget to launder pet bedding and blankets regularly. It’s not fun stuff, but it’s all part of being a responsible pet owner!
What if My Home Still Smells?
We hate to break it to you, but it’s nearly impossible to completely remove pet smells from carpet. In some extreme cases, your carpet may need to be replaced entirely.
That said, a professional cleaning company in Sioux Falls can get your carpet much cleaner (and much more pleasant-smelling) than most DIY tactics. At INTEK, we use a special hot water extraction process to attack pet smells by removing dirt and stains without leaving any residue that can cause buildup.
And, depending on which of our Sioux Falls carpet cleaning packages you choose, we can also apply carpet protector and even give you a discount on our furniture cleaning services.
So if you’ve got some seriously stubborn pet smells stuck in your carpet, click below to see how INTEK can help!
