A Fresher Home for Pet Lovers: Eliminating Pet Odors Safely

As pet owners, we cherish the companionship and joy our furry friends bring into our lives. However, along with the love and cuddles, sometimes come less pleasant odors. In this guide, we’ll explore effective and safe methods for deodorizing your home, while also highlighting some critical “Don’ts” to keep in mind.

The Don’ts

1. Don’t use ammonia – ammonia is a component of urine, and your pet’s advanced sense of smell will interpret it as another animal marking their territory. This can lead to your pet re-offending in the same spot, making the problem worse.
2. Avoid vinegar and baking soda as long-term solutions. While they are often suggested as temporary fixes for pet urine odors, they are just that – temporary. At best, these remedies provide a short-lived solution, lasting mere days if you’re lucky. For a more lasting solution, it’s best to explore alternative options.
3. Keep your pet away from cleaners – be sure to keep your pet at a safe distance to prevent accidental ingestion or contact with potentially harmful substances. Even seemingly harmless cleaning agents like baking soda can be toxic to pets in large amounts.

Get Pet Odors Out of Furniture

If you find that your furniture still carries your pet’s scent despite all your preventive measures, follow these steps to eliminate the odors:

1. Begin by thoroughly vacuuming all furniture surfaces.
2. Wash everything washable, following the manufacturer’s instructions, including throw pillows.
3. Use a high-quality pet odor neutralizer to treat affected areas.
4. Take your cushions outside and let them sit in the sun for an afternoon to air out.

Professional Cleaning: If all else fails, consider having your furniture professionally cleaned.

Finding Older Messes

In some cases, old messes may have dried invisibly, making them hard to locate. To identify them:

1. Use your nose to sniff out soiled areas.
2. Examine suspect areas closely for hard-to-find soiling.
3. If available, use a black light to identify soiled areas and lightly outline them with chalk.

Pro Tip: Always clean urine-soaked fabric with cool water and avoid using steam, as heat can set odors and stains by bonding urine proteins to fabric fibers.

Keeping Your Whole House Smelling Fresh

Once you’ve tackled surfaces, it’s essential to maintain a consistently fresh-smelling environment:

1. Introduce Fresh Air: Open windows and turn on fans to allow fresh air to circulate. Adequate ventilation is a natural way to combat odors.
2. Charcoal Bags: These natural odor absorbers effectively soak up moisture and odors. Place them in various rooms to combat lingering pet smells.
3. Opt for Odor Neutralizing Sprays: Unlike air fresheners that merely mask odors, odor-neutralizing sprays contain chemical compounds that form a ring around odor-causing molecules, preventing them from activating your sense of smell.
4. Invest in an Air Purifier: An air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter can remove airborne pollutants that contribute to odors. Continuous use can help purify the air in your rooms.

Here’s a DIY recipe for a pet and kid-friendly carpet and upholstery freshener:

• 1 cup Baking Soda
• 1 tablespoon Borax OR food-grade Diatomaceous Earth
• 5 drops of your favorite essential oil (like Peppermint, or citrus blends)
• A shaker container (like a cleaned, dry, Parmesan cheese container)

In your clean, dry shaker container, combine 1 cup of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of Borax or food-grade Diatomaceous Earth, and 5 drops of your chosen essential oil. (Please be sure to research whether your chosen essential oil/s are safe to use around pets and children if you decide to use something other than peppermint or citrus blends.)

Close the container tightly and shake it vigorously to mix the ingredients evenly.

Sprinkle the mixture generously on carpets or soft surfaces around your home where you want to eliminate odors.

Allow the mixture to sit for at least 15 minutes to absorb odors. You can leave it for longer if needed.

After letting it sit, thoroughly vacuum the treated areas to remove the mixture along with the absorbed odors.

Repeat as Needed: Use this carpet freshener whenever you need to refresh your carpets, keeping your home smelling fresh and clean.

This natural and non-toxic carpet freshener is safe for both pets and kids, making it a perfect choice for keeping your home smelling pleasant without any harmful chemicals.

Get an Odor-Free Litter Box

For cat owners, managing litter box odors is essential:

• Scoop Daily
• Wearing gloves, wash the litter box every week with plain soap and water.
• If a clean box still emits odors, it may be time for a replacement.
• Add a layer of baking soda beneath the litter to help neutralize odors.

By following these do’s and avoiding the don’ts, you can enjoy a fresher-smelling home while ensuring your beloved pets’ safety and comfort. With regular maintenance and the right tools, you can create a harmonious living space for both you and your four-legged companions.