How do you keep your house from smelling like your pets?

[Longhorn]

With four dogs, I'm always worried that my house has that doggy smell that I may be used to but visitors notice. I've certainly noticed it in other people's houses, sometimes to the point where I can hardly breathe!

Any cleaning and/or air freshener tips you care to pass on to help with this? Maybe I need to bathe them more frequently, vacuum more often, use more fragrance? Thanks!

[prole_for_peace]

1. There is a pet smell eliminator oil diffuser thing at Petsmart.

I have one near one of my litter boxes and it seems to work pretty well. But I don't know if you want to buy one for each room.

Of course they are more expensive than the regular oil diffusers. I think the refill are about $6 and they can fit the Glade diffusers.

[Longhorn]

2. Thanks!

I don't mind spending a little money if it actually works! I'll check into it. :hi:

[xultar]

3. I use the baking soda carpet sprinkle stuff I spread it over night on

the carpet and vacuum in the morning. I use it primarily when guests are coming. I also use Fabreez.

[Lefta Dissenter]

10. When we bought this house

20 years ago, the carpets were completely trashed (pets and disabled teenager all peed in the house!!!) - and when the carpet guy was pulling the old stuff out, he said never NEVER use the powdered fresheners! He said that your vacuum can't possibly get it all back out, and the residue just sits there underneath the carpet, acting like a sponge when it gets wet (aka peed on).

Ours had what was almost like a filthy paste underneath some areas.

I'm sure others will disagree and love the products, but after seeing that, there's no way I'd use it.

[Carla in Ca]

12. One thing we did was replace a 'bag' vacuum cleaner

with one that has a plastic tube. Best thing we did. You have to empty it after each use but the dog smell is gone!

[americanwomanone]

15. That makes a huge difference as I found out.

I would start the bag cleaner and it would smell nasty. When it died, with a bit of help, I got the bagless and no more smell!

[InvisibleTouch]

4. I've tried every imaginable air filter...

...mostly for the sake of my allergies rather than doggy smell, but I've finally found one that works wonders for both. It's called AirSource. Kinda pricey, but well worth it.

[Lorien]

5. Me too-the AirSource is great!

My pet sitter recommended it after two air purifiers from the Sharper Image stopped working. I got mine, semi used, on Ebay for $200 off. Works great!

[SW FL Dem]

6. Luckily, I have gotten rid of most of the carpet in my house

so it is easier to get rid of the dog smell. I use a new anti bacterial infuser (Neutra Air by Lysol) in the laundry room where the litter box is and in the master bedroom which still has carpet and is where the dogs sleep. It seems to be helping. The other key for me is opening the windows as much as possible.

[Longhorn]

7. We got rid of all the carpet in the main living area several years ago

and replaced with ceramic tile. I couldn't believe how nasty the underside was of that carpet! Our house had been a rental prior to our buying it so the blame wasn't all ours. We also replaced most of the upholstered furniture with leather furniture.

I think from these suggestions, I'll check into one of the infusers. I tried the little Glade deodorizers that let out a little puff of fragrance but it sure didn't last very long and I wasn't very impressed with the effectiveness. I'll keep experimenting. Thanks!

[Lizzie Borden]

8. I don't.

I have a Mastiff who has a distinctly "doggie" oder. Even after a bath he smells that way. All my friends know I have animals. They likewise know my attitude is, " I f you don't liike it, don't visit me".

[arikara]

9. I think the smell of dog

is far preferable than the smell of chemical "air fresheners" and fragrances unless they are the actual essential oils. Healthier for everyone too. The baking powder trick is good though.

[Chovexani]

18. Not if you're someone who's allergic to pet dander

The pet smell only exacerbates it from my experience (I used to be allergic to cats).

Better than "air fresheners" are anti-bacterial sanitizers. They kill the smell without leaving a chemical type smell around (of course, a little bit goes a long way with anything...there's no need to spray the entire can).

[scarlet_owl]

11. I have found that nothing I do can mask the fact that

we have ferrets. They're just stinky animals. If I have company coming, I usually melt a wax tart in a warmer. It seems to work okay.

[demnan]

13. The thing I like about cats

is that if you keep the litter boxes clean there is absolutely no odor to deal with. I'm pretty good at that and the litter boxes are covered as well.

[geekgrrl]

16. I agree- we have 8 cats & no smell- our landlord is always amazed! nt

[americanwomanone]

14. I have quite a few animals

I have found that if you keep the cat litter boxes clean, clean the ferret litter daily and give them clean bedding weekly that makes a huge difference. It also helps to keep your dogs clean. Just don't bathe them too often. Some dogs just seem to smell doggy no matter what you do and sometimes it can be a skin condition. Right now one of my dogs is a 12 year old greyhound and she has what I call that "old dog smell". Every so often I spray the "Oust".

[Chovexani]

17. Oust Air Sanitizer works wonders.

I don't have carpeting in my house (at least on the first floor, which is where my kitty spends most of his time), and I find that helps too. I find that aside from the usual stuff like making sure furniture is free of dander and keeping the litter box tidy, etc (I keep Frodo's in the basement), spraying Oust can really get rid of the odors. I suppose you can use any kind of anti-bacterial air freshener for the same effect.

People always marvel about how my house never smells like the cat. I really think it's the Oust.

[Phentex]

19. the dogs are mainly in the family room with us...

and in the kitchen with me. I'm about to put tile in both rooms. I think the family room can smell doggy to an outsider. I try to wash their stuff regularly, and I use slipcovers on the furniture that I can easily wash. They aren't allowed ON the furniture but they rub themselves all over it. I think Oust helps as well.

[politicat]

20. minimize carpet, bathe regularly.

we've found that keeping the carpet to one room of the house has helped a lot. The rest of the house has tile or hardwood, so I only dust mop in there and use a bagless vacuum in the living room.

Pcat

[Longhorn]

21. We took out the carpet in the living area years ago.

With four teenagers at the time and four dogs, it was getting pretty nasty!

I have been bathing the dogs more frequently. It kills my back but they smell fresher and their coats are softer afterward. And I've been cleaning their bedding more often. I forgot about how well Oust works -- I think I'll get some more to have in different rooms or see if they have a continuous system.

[Cooley Hurd]

22. I just pee in the corner of the room...

...so it smells like me, and not him.:D

[The empressof all]

23. Aaaaaah the smell of wet dog

Living in Western Wa., my home is prone to wet dog syndrome due to my two babies. My little terrier smells worse than the Dalbador but after a good run in the rain there really is no way to avoid the smell. My husband takes them out before I get up so I'm usually woken up by the wet dog smell jumping into the bed.

I too have gotten rid of most of the carpeting which makes cleaning so much easier. I wash the little one alot more than I would care to-just to reduce her smell.

I use Caldera cleaning products because they have a strong but very pleasant smell.-even just cleaning the counter in the kitchen makes half the house smell good http://caldrea.com

I burn candles, use Oust, and keep washable throws on my furniture so that the upholstery is at least somewhat protected

[Eurobabe]

24. I have two cats, and I vacuum regularly

and put fresh scoopable litter in their box, about 5-6 inches at a time, clean it out everyday -- and totally change the litter 2X month. I use unscented litter, have found stuff with odor control actually makes it smell worse! Works like a charm, and no one has ever smelled cats in my house (unless one of them has just laid a fresh egg!)

Not sure with dogs, I think this has alot to do with individual breeds, some just smell more than others. The shorthairs like Boxers don't usually smell doggy, and Poodles are very close to hypoallergenic for some reason.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

26. Poodles have fur

that is really more like human hair. They shed very little - that's why you need to keep them clipped, otherwise it would grow to the floor. You can actually cord it into dreadlocks if it gets long enough. They don't produce dander and have no smell (I'm sniffing mine right now). I had allergy problems so when we went looking for a dog we purposely looked for a poodle.

[Imalittleteapot]

25. Stonewick Catalytic Lamp

Or Lampe Berger. They burn oil without a flame. Works much better than candles. Oils are available in many yummy fragrances. I prefer the Stonewick brand oils. Odors are gone in minutes.

[sadinred]

27. candles, clean litter (cats), and wash floors/rugs often!!!!! n/t

[calico1]

28. I have 5 cats and a Rotweiller.

People are always telling me they can't tell I have animals from any smell. I have 4 litter boxes and clean them out every day. I use an old plastic litter box container to store the used litter until I throw it out so that its in something with a lid and not just out there. I also use Arm & Hammer cat litter deodorizer and those lava rocks that I hang over each box. I also have a bagless vacuum cleaner. Now I hope it too dies so that I can get a Dyson! I use the Arm & Hammer pet potpourri that is also supposed to help loosen hairs. And I keep on hand a bottle of Nature's Miracle for when they have any kind of accident on the carpets. The Nature's Miracle gets rid of the stain but more importantly the odor. Regular cleaners won't do that so its good to have around if you have pets. I also comb all my pets about once a week. I think that helps too.