How to Clean an Outdoor Dog House and Kennel Run

An outdoor dog house or kennel run takes everything the weather and your dog can throw at it: mud, rain, urine, droppings, shed hair, spilled food and damp bedding. Left alone, the bedding goes musty, the floor smells, and flies and rodents move in. Regular cleaning keeps the space dry, fresh and pleasant for your dog. This guide covers the daily pick-up, the full clean of a dog house, the concrete run, bedding, bowls and food storage.

It follows shelter sanitation guidance from the University of Florida shelter medicine program and Iowa State University, kennel care tips from the Purina Pro Club, and Humane World for Animals’ guidance on bedding for outdoor shelters. Ask your veterinarian about anything to do with your dog’s health.

The golden rule: clean first, then disinfect

University of Florida shelter guidance for dog runs uses a two-step process: first pick up feces and clean the surfaces with a detergent, then apply a disinfectant, because most disinfectants need a clean surface to work. Always clean before disinfecting. The Purina Pro Club explains why: organic materials such as feces, urine and soil decrease the effectiveness of many disinfectants.

The same guidance names ordinary dish detergent for the cleaning step. After scrubbing, rinse off the soap and debris, then apply the disinfectant. Iowa State University’s Center for Food Security and Public Health explains why the rinse matters: leftover soap can stop some disinfectants from working.

Every day: the pick-up

Pick up droppings in the run and yard at least once a day, and more often if your dog spends long hours there.
Hose down urine spots on concrete so they do not build up a smell.
Empty, rinse and refill the water bowl or bucket, and take away uneaten food.
Check the bedding. Pull out anything wet, soiled or packed down.

In our view, this kind of spot cleaning is enough on most days: when the house or run is not visibly dirty and the same dog is using it, focus on the areas that need attention rather than doing a full clean.

How to deep clean a dog house

Pick a dry, sunny day so everything can dry before night, and keep your dog in another safe spot while you work.
Take everything out: bedding, toys and bowls. Bag old bedding for the trash or compost.
Sweep or vacuum out loose hair, dirt and old straw. A stiff brush helps in the corners.
Scrub every surface inside and out, including the floor and the door opening, with warm water and dish soap.
Rinse well with a hose and let it drain. Tip the house on its side if it holds water.
Disinfect if needed. Use a disinfectant on the clean surface, following the label for dilution and contact time (see below).
Rinse again and let it dry completely, with the door facing the sun, before you put in fresh bedding.

Check for mold or mildew on the floor and in the corners while you clean. These need damp to grow, so a dog house that stays wet needs a look at its drainage and roof, and its bedding.

The kennel run and concrete floor

Clear solids first, then hose and scrub the floor with dish soap and a stiff deck brush, working toward the drain.
Disinfect on the clean surface and let it sit for the time on the label, then rinse.
Let it dry before your dog walks on it again.
Repair cracks. The Purina Pro Club says cracks and holes in concrete invite rodents and insects, and that freeze and thaw cycles and ice melting salt damage concrete over time. It suggests working epoxy into damaged areas to seal them.
Refresh worn surfaces. The Purina Pro Club says heavily used kennel walls and floors may need repainting, and that epoxy costs more than paint but is more durable. Move your dog away and ventilate the area while you paint.

For lingering urine smell on concrete, see how to get dog pee smell out of concrete and artificial turf.

Disinfectants: use with care

Follow the label. Iowa State University’s disinfection guide says to read and follow the product label, which gives the dilution and how long the surface must stay wet.
Bleach only on a clean surface. University of Florida guidance uses household bleach at 1:32 (about 1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water), mixed fresh each day, with at least 10 minutes of contact. Bleach does not clean, so use it only after all dirt and feces have been removed.
Rinse it off. The Purina Pro Club says to use bleach minimally and rinse thoroughly with water, because it can be corrosive to a dog’s skin, paw pads and digestive system.
Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other cleaners, and keep your dog away until surfaces are rinsed and dry.

Keep backyard chickens too? See how to clean a chicken coop.

Bedding for an outdoor dog house

Humane World for Animals’ fact sheet on bedding for outdoor shelters (written for community cat shelters) says:

Straw is the best option. It repels moisture and traps heat. Replace it annually or more often as needed.
Not hay. Hay looks like straw, but it soaks up moisture and becomes moldy.
Not blankets, towels or cloth beds in an outdoor shelter, as they attract and retain moisture and may even freeze.
Shredded newspaper is an acceptable alternative in milder, drier climates. Check it often and after any rain, and replace it if wet.

Whatever you use, replace bedding that is wet, soiled or flattened, rather than topping it up. For a dog bed that comes indoors, see how to clean a dog bed.

Bowls, buckets and food storage

Scrub bowls and water buckets with warm, soapy water. The Purina Pro Club says stainless steel water buckets and feeding bowls should be thoroughly cleaned to reduce the spread of disease. See how to clean pet food and water bowls.
Store food in airtight containers. The Purina Pro Club says this keeps out rodents and insects, and that spilled or poorly stored food is an invitation for an infestation. Check containers for cracks or loose lids.
Check the dog door if your kennel has one. The Purina Pro Club says to look for cracks or gaps and to keep doors clean. See how to clean a pet door or cat flap.

A simple routine

Every day: pick up droppings, rinse urine spots, refresh water and check the bedding.
Every week or two: scrub the run floor and bowls, and change the bedding.
Every season: empty and deep clean the dog house, check for mildew, cracks and leaks, and repair them.
Before winter: put in fresh, dry straw.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

Our Pet Cleanup Kit has gloves, an enzyme odor product, an absorbent powder and a UV black light in one pouch, for the accidents that happen once your dog comes back indoors. For the dog house and run, use soap, water and a label-followed disinfectant as above. For indoor crates, see how to clean a dog crate or pet carrier.

Frequently asked questions

How do you clean and disinfect a dog kennel?

Remove droppings, bedding and dirt first, scrub with dish soap and water, rinse, then apply a disinfectant following the label and rinse again. Always clean before you disinfect.

Is bleach safe for a dog kennel?

Only diluted, on a surface already cleaned of organic matter, and rinsed off thoroughly. The Purina Pro Club warns bleach can be corrosive to a dog’s skin and paw pads. Keep your dog away until it is rinsed and dry.

What is the best bedding for an outdoor dog house?

Straw, which repels moisture and traps heat, as Humane World for Animals advises for outdoor shelters. Avoid hay, blankets and towels outdoors, as they hold moisture.

How often should I clean a dog house?

Pick up waste and check bedding daily, change bedding when it is damp or soiled, and empty and scrub the whole house every season or whenever it smells.

Sources

University of Florida: Best practices for sanitation of dog housing (PDF)
Iowa State University CFSPH: Disinfection 101 (PDF)
Purina Pro Club: 7 easy spring cleaning dog kennel tips
Humane World for Animals (HumanePro): Fact sheet: Straw for outdoor paws

This guide is general cleaning information, not veterinary advice. If your dog is unwell, or you are unsure whether your dog can safely stay outdoors in your weather, talk to your veterinarian.