Effective Ways to Eliminate Pet Odors

There will be times, during a pet owner’s life, when your pet will have an accident in the house. Accidents are, quite honestly, inevitable. Knowing how to clean pet stains and the odors associated with them are essential.

While it is frustrating, it’s simply part of owning a pet, regardless of how well trained they may be.

Now with these tips, the next time it happens, you’ll be ready to clean and remove odors with these effective ways to eliminate pet odors.

How to Get Rid of Pet Odors

If your pet has an accident and you act quickly, the more successful you will be at completely removing stains and odors. But, if you cannot get to it right away, that doesn’t mean it can’t be cleaned.

The following are some excellent options to combat pet stains and odors, making your furniture or carpeting look and smell good as new.

Removing Pet Odors from Bedding

For areas that are washable such as bedding, linen, blankets, and some pillows, you can machine wash these as usual.

After treating the stain, the key to removing the odor is to add a small box of baking soda to the wash along with your regular detergent.

Give the bedding the “sniff test” before putting it in the dryer. If all’s good, dry as usual.

Stubborn odors may require a second wash with either:

• White vinegar (1/3 cup to 1 cup depending on the load size)
• Enzymatic cleaner designed to break down pet waste odors.

Effective Ways to Clean Pet Waste Odors From a Mattress

Because this can get quite detailed and make this post a very long one, here are three articles for cleaning mattresses that can help you out.

Removing Cat Urine from a Mattress

Cleaning a Foam Mattress

Cleaning a Variety of Stains from a Mattress

Removing Pet Odors From Furniture

If an accident occurs on a piece of upholstered furniture, soak up as much as you can with absorbent material such as terry cloth towel or paper towels. I recommend wearing a pair of kitchen gloves and press firmly.

Make a mix of water and white vinegar (50/50) and spray the stain. We want to wet the stained area but not spread it further around the upholstery or into the upholstery foam, so make sure you don’t spray so much it spreads the stain and the odor.

Let sit about 5 minutes, blot the liquid up again then use a shop vac to suck out the remaining liquid. If it’s a removable cushion cover, let it air dry outside.

Allow enough time to dry to avoid mildew growth.

If there is any odor remaining:

• Apply a fair amount of baking soda to the area. Gently push it into the area. Cover and let sit overnight. Vacuum in the morning.
• Try an enzymatic cleaner to help neutralize the odors.

Some furniture can also be cleaned with a carpet cleaner if the mess is larger than a small area by using warm water and mild carpet shampoo. If you are not sure you want to tackle this on your own, call in a professional.

Removing Pet Odors from Carpeting

Once again we need to absorb as much liquid as we can. You can apply multiple layers of paper towel, put your sandals on and stand on the area. Repeat with the paper towels until you have removed as much liquid as possible.

For carpets; we are also going to use the warm water and white vinegar (a 50/50) mix. Completely spray or pour some (not too much) of the mix over the soiled area. With gloves on, carefully work it into the carpet.

Cover and let this sit 5 to 10 minutes then once again soak up the liquid. Cover again with clean towel and let completely dry.

If you still notice an odor after it has dried, rewet the stain and pour enough baking soda over the stained area then gently work it in to the carpet with you fingers.

Cover and allow the baking soda to sit overnight. Vacuum up the baking soda in the morning.

You can also use an enzymatic cleaner. These are effective for breaking down and neutralizing pet urine odors. Follow the product instructions.

How to Effectively Remove Pet Urine Odors From Walls

If the urine is fresh, gently blot the area with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Avoid rubbing to prevent spreading and damaging the paint.

Cleaning the Wall

1. Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a bowl. Add a small amount of mild dish soap. Mix to combine the dish soap.
2. Dip a clean cloth or sponge into the cleaning solution and wipe the affected area. Be careful not to over saturate the area and avoid using abrasive materials that could damage the surface of the wall.

Removing Odors From the Wall

If there are any lingering odors, apply an enzymatic cleaner directly to the affected area. Enzymatic cleaners break down the organic components causing the odor. Follow product instructions for recommended drying time.

Fixing Hard to Remove Pet Odors From Walls

If any odor persists or if there is visible staining after cleaning, you may need to repaint the affected area.

Apply an odor-blocking primer before repainting to prevent any remaining odors from seeping through the new paint. Once the primer is dry, repaint the wall with a fresh coat of paint.

Removing Old Pet Odors

If you have old pet stains causing odor problems, you’ll have to track them down using your eyes and nose or you can use a black light.

A black light, used in the dark is excellent at finding the potty spot. It will cause biological material to become florescent and pinpoint the exact location of the stain.

When you’ve found the odor causing problem, rewet the area and clean as indicated above.

If accidents persist, contact your veterinarian to rule out medical issues.