Removing pet odor from your home goes deeper than the air. The smell originates from somewhere -- usually your carpet, furniture, maybe even Fido himself. Your pet has probably had an accident or two, and left traces of fecal or urine odor in your carpet, no matter how well you think you cleaned it up. Maybe your dog has a favorite corner of the sofa where it prefers to sleep. Its dander may not be visible to the naked eye, but it is there. Purifying the air means getting to the root of the problem first.
Immediate Action
If your dog has an accident indoors even once, getting rid of the odor immediately and completely is paramount to fighting odor long term. Dogs have a far better sense of smell than you do and they will return to doing their business in that spot again and again unless you get the odor out. The website Paw-rescue.org recommends first soaking up urine by placing a paper towel over it, then placing a heavy object on top of the towel. When it has all absorbed, pour water or club soda over the spot to dilute any trace that is left. Then blot again and sprinkle with baking soda. Let the baking soda sit for at least two hours, then vacuum. The same routine works for feces, according to Paw-rescue.org, after you've picked it up.
Preparation
Paw-rescue.org suggests treating upholstery and the carpet before you treat the air. Mix one part fabric softener and three parts water, then spray it on rugs and furniture. Leave it for several hours, then vacuum. Place a dryer sheet of fabric softener near the exhaust vent of your vacuum cleaner so the pet odor won't waft right back out and into the room again. If you are unsure where the worst of the odor is coming from, pet stores sell fluorescent black lights that will make hot spots appear on the floor, furniture and even draperies. Chlorhexidine is safe for pets and is available for purchase through your veterinarian for cleaning severe trouble spots, according to Realtor.org.
Recommendations
Once you have laid the ground work, you can attack any lingering problem in the air. Different air purifiers work better on different smells. Research any you are thinking of buying to make sure they specifically address dog odors. IQAir GC Multigas is one brand that is designed with pets in mind, according to the website Best Personal Air Purifiers, but any that use activated carbon, HEPA, UV light and ionization are good for dog odors. If buying an air purifier is not in your budget, Realtor.org suggests a product such as Fresh Wave, which sells air sprays specifically for pet odors, as well as crystal gels and carpet shakes.
What Not To Do
When blotting up urine from your carpet, do not rub the spot. It spreads the urine into nearby carpet fibers and can make the problem worse. Never use ammonia to deodorize. It smells similar to urine to dogs and can draw your pet back to the same spot as easily as if you didn't clean up at all.
Ongoing Efforts
Paw-rescue.org recommends placing a washable towel or blanket over your dog's favorite sleeping spot. You can launder it much more easily than you can clean upholstery or your carpet to keep dander smells at bay. If your dog will allow itself to be vacuumed once a week or so, this will cut down on the inevitable dander it will leave around your home as well. Paw-rescue.org says some animals actually like it.
