How to Get Rid of Dog Smell in the House

Most dog owners stop noticing their dog’s smell, but guests notice it the moment they walk in. A “dog smell” in the house usually comes from a few places: the dog’s bed and blankets, soft furniture and rugs the dog lies on, the air, and sometimes urine you have not found yet. Masking it with air freshener does not last. Finding and cleaning the sources does.

This guide works through those sources one by one, based on guidance from the American Kennel Club (AKC), Humane World for Animals and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Start with the source, not the air

The EPA says the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is usually to remove the individual sources of pollution or reduce what they give off. The same goes for pet smells. Sprays and candles cover the smell for a few hours; washing the bed and treating hidden spots removes it. Work through the list below in order.

1. The dog’s bed, blankets and toys

The bed is usually the biggest source. The AKC notes that the CDC recommends washing your dog’s bedding weekly, and that how often yours needs it depends on shedding, coat type and how much time your dog spends outside.

1. Remove hair first. The AKC advises vacuuming the bed or using a lint roller before washing, because dog hair clumps in water and can clog your machine.
2. Machine wash if the bed fits and the label allows it, using a fragrance-free, pet-friendly detergent, as the AKC suggests. A hot cycle cleans more deeply, if the label allows it.
3. Dry it completely. The AKC says air drying is usually best, because some fillings clump in the dryer, and that thick beds must be fully dry before your dog uses them, since damp bedding encourages mold.
4. Wash toys, collars and harnesses too, following their labels. Fabric collars and harnesses hold a lot of smell.

For washables that have been soiled, Humane World for Animals suggests adding a one-pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent, and using an enzymatic cleaner in the wash if the smell remains. A bed with a removable, washable cover makes all of this much easier.

For covers, foam inserts, drying and urine accidents, see our full guide on how to clean a dog bed or cat bed.

2. Couches, chairs and rugs

• Vacuum often, including under cushions and along the edges where hair and dander collect. Use an upholstery tool on furniture.
• Wash covers and throws that your dog lies on, as their labels allow. A washable throw on your dog’s favorite spot is easier to clean than the couch.
• Spot clean upholstery using the fabric code on the tag. Our couch cleaning guide explains the codes.
• Rugs and carpet: vacuum slowly and often. Humane World for Animals notes that some companies now make washable area rugs, which helps a lot with pets.

3. Hidden urine

If the house still smells after the bed and furniture are clean, look for urine. Old spots on carpet, along baseboards and behind furniture often keep a room smelling long after they are dry. A UV black light in a dark room is the easiest way to find them; Humane World for Animals suggests outlining each spot with chalk so you treat the whole area. Our black light guide explains how, and our carpet urine guide covers the treatment.

Avoid ammonia-based cleaners and vinegar on any spot your dog has soiled. Humane World for Animals warns that strong chemical smells may encourage a pet to mark the area again, and the ASPCA notes that urine contains ammonia. Our comparison of home remedies explains why.

4. Floors

• Vacuum hard floors before mopping, so you are not just pushing wet hair around.
• Mop with a cleaner made for your floor type. On wood, use as little water as possible; see our hardwood floor guide.
• Pay attention to the spots by the door and where your dog eats and drinks.

If the smell is strongest by the back door or in the garage, check the patio, the garage floor or the artificial turf your dog uses. See how to clean dog pee on concrete, patios and artificial turf.

5. The air

• Ventilate. The EPA says opening windows and doors, and running window or attic fans when the weather permits, increases the amount of outdoor air coming in. Bathroom and kitchen fans that vent outside help too.
• Change HVAC filters on schedule. Pet hair and dander build up in them, and homes with pets may need more frequent changes. Follow your system maker’s guidance.
• Air cleaners can help with airborne particles, but the EPA notes they are generally not designed to remove gases, and they only work if they are maintained. They are a supplement to cleaning, not a replacement.

Curtains and blinds hold hair and smell too; see how to clean pet hair and smell out of curtains and blinds.

6. The dog

A clean house will not stay fresh for long if the dog is the source.

• Bathing: a veterinary dermatologist quoted by the AKC suggests that bathing monthly is a good idea, using a shampoo made for dogs.
• Dry wet dogs before they roam the house. A wet dog spreads its smell onto every surface it touches.
• Brush regularly, ideally outside, to remove loose hair before it lands on your floors and furniture.
• See your veterinarian if your dog smells strongly even after a bath. The AKC notes that yeast or bacterial infections of the skin or ears are the most common medical reasons a dog smells bad. Do not try to cover it with perfume: the AKC also warns against home remedies such as vinegar, bleach and hydrogen peroxide on a dog’s skin.

Nose prints and drool on the glass door? See how to clean pet nose prints and drool off windows and glass doors.

Skunk smell is a different problem; see dog sprayed by a skunk: how to clean the house, car and fabrics.

Keep the brushes you groom with clean too; see how to clean pet grooming brushes, combs and deshedding tools.

If the smell is sharp and fishy, it is often your dog’s anal glands. See how to get dog anal gland smell out of carpet, furniture and bedding.

A simple weekly routine

• Wash the dog’s bed cover, blankets and throws.
• Vacuum floors, rugs and furniture, including under cushions.
• Wipe the area around food and water bowls.
• Air out the house when the weather allows.
• Do a quick black light check of known problem spots once a month.

If the smell has followed your dog into the car, see how to clean pet accidents in the car for seats, car carpet and crates.

Food and water bowls and the mat under them can smell too; see how to clean pet food and water bowls and the feeding area.

Keep supplies ready

For the accidents that cause many lingering smells, a black light, gloves, an absorbent powder, a pet odor product and a brush cover most cleanups. Our Pet Cleanup Kit includes all five.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my house smell like dog even after cleaning?

Usually because a source was missed: the dog’s bed, fabric collars, the HVAC filter, or old urine in carpet or along baseboards. Check with a black light for hidden urine, and wash the bed and anything your dog lies on.

How often should I wash my dog’s bed?

The AKC notes that the CDC recommends washing pet bedding weekly. Dogs that shed a lot or spend time outdoors may need it more often.

Do air fresheners get rid of dog smell?

They cover it for a while. The EPA says removing the source is usually the most effective way to improve indoor air, so clean the bed, fabrics and any urine spots first.

When is dog smell a health problem?

If your dog smells strongly soon after a bath, or the smell comes from the ears, skin or mouth, see your veterinarian. The AKC notes that skin and ear infections are common causes.

Sources

• American Kennel Club: How to clean your dog’s bed
• American Kennel Club: Why does my dog smell?
• Humane World for Animals: How to remove pet stains and odors
• U.S. EPA: Improving indoor air quality
• ASPCA: Urine marking in cats

This guide is general cleaning information, not veterinary advice. Follow care labels and product directions, and talk to your veterinarian about any change in your dog’s smell or health.