Some houses smell like fresh air and some have a “dogs live here” odor. The stinkiest combine wet dog fragrances with urine, fecal matter, vomit, skin or coat problems, and food stains. What is the fastest way to get rid of dog smells in the house, and what is the best way to keep it fresh and pleasant?
How To Get Rid of Dog Smells in the House: Start with the Obvious
There are stains on the floor. Your puppy keeps urinating on the same section of carpet. Your elderly dog just had an accident. Your dog’s bed simply stinks. Wherever you find an obvious odor source is a good place to start.
How To Remove Dog-Related Stains
Fast action helps with recent in-house mishaps. Whether the stain is from urine, fecal matter, or vomit, blot and remove what you can with paper towels or rags, then treat the stain with an enzyme, mineral, oxidizing, or other pet stain eliminator. In general, the sooner you remove an odor’s source, the less likely a problem smell will linger, but many products can be used on really old, smelly stains as well as new ones.
Enzyme Deodorizers
Enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that act as catalysts, speeding chemical reactions. In products designed for pet use, the enzyme uricase breaks uric acid into carbon dioxide and water, and other enzymes break down vomit, fecal matter, stinky dog deposits, and other organic stains and odors.
The downside of enzyme deodorizers is that they take time to work, often hours or days, and when large quantities are needed, their sometimes lengthy drying time is an important factor. In addition, many enzyme deodorizing products contain added fragrances, some of which can be intense or unpleasant. Consider starting with an unscented or lightly scented enzyme product or compare customer ratings while shopping.
Mineral-Based Deodorizers
Mineral-based deodorizers often list their ingredients as a “proprietary blend” or “biodegradable molecular complex” that breaks down urine, vomit, and fecal stains at the molecular level. These are fast-acting products that remove the odor’s source on contact.
Probiotic Stain Removers
Probiotic stain removers contain live beneficial bacteria that produce their own enzymes and continue to work for days after the initial application, helping them eliminate odor-causing bacteria on a variety of surfaces.
Oxidizing Cleaners
Oxidizing (oxy) cleaners are popular laundry products, and several pet stain removers rely on oxidizing hydrogen peroxide to treat pet urine and other stains. Oxidation breaks down and changes chemical compounds into odorless, inert substances. Most oxidizing pet stain removers can be used alone or in conjunction with other stain and odor products.
Choosing and Using Pet Stain Deodorizers
Recommended products for removing dog odors and stains involving urine, feces, vomit, blood, dog drool, body oils, and other organic compounds include:
- Biokleen Bac-Out Formula (an enzyme-producing spray or foam)
- Rocco & Roxie Formula (a bio-enzymatic spray)
- Lively Pet Odor & Stain Remover (a probiotic spray)
- Skout’s Honor Molecular Deodorizer (a mineral-based spray)
- OxiClean Carpet Pet Stain Remover (an oxygen-based spray)
Hand-held spray bottles are convenient, affordable, and widely sold in pet supply stores, supermarkets, box stores, and online. Most pet deodorizing products are also available in larger sizes, such as gallon bottles.
Before using any pet-deodorizing product:
- Study labels and check manufacturer websites for complete instructions and usage tips. Be sure the product is appropriate for use on your carpet, hardwood floor, tile floor, upholstery, deck, back yard, or other surface.
- If the label recommends starting with a spot test, apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area following label directions. If the test causes discoloration or other damage, use a different product.
- Large or old stains may need more cleaner, take longer to treat, or need a second application, so be sure you have enough to completely cover the affected area.
- Urine soaks into carpets, its underlayers, and even subflooring, so apply enough cleaner to penetrate as deeply as the urine did.
- If recommended, blot the treated stain area with absorbent towels to remove as much moisture as possible, then speed drying with open windows, fans, a wet vacuum, or a carpet cleaner to remove trapped moisture and prevent mold or mildew.
- Check online reviews and descriptions for comments about fragrances, potential problems, ease of use, and effectiveness.
Getting Rid of Dog Odor in the House: Vacuum Everything
Dog hair is difficult to remove because it clings to carpets, clothing, and furniture; contributes to dander and allergy problems; and tends to tangle the brush rolls in vacuum cleaners.
Several vacuum cleaners feature “pet friendly” models, which offer:
- Strong suction that pulls hair out of carpets and upholstery
- Motorized brush rolls that loosen hair that’s tangled in fabric
- Tangle-resistant rollers or rubber rollers that help prevent hair from wrapping around brushes
- Attachments for removing pet hair from sofas, stairs, car seats, and pet beds
- Improved filtration, such as HEPA or sealed systems that capture dander and fine dust
- Large dustbins that collect dust and hair without interruption
- Easy-emptying mechanisms that simplify use
A 2026 WDJ review of vacuums that handle dog hair gave top ratings for affordability and performance to these models:
- Shark PowerDetect Cordless Stick Vacuum
- Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum
- Dyson Ball Animal 3
- Dyson V15 Detect
Wash Laundry-safe Pet Items to Get Rid of Dog Smell
Pet bedding, blankets, towels, dog bed covers, car seat covers, and pet clothing can be cleaned in your clothes washer with products designed to remove urine, feces, vomit, slobber, wet dog smells, dirt, grime, and food stains.
Some odor-busting options that can replace your regular detergent include:
- ACTIVE Pet Laundry Detergent (which contains enzymes and hypoallergenic ingredients) and
- Good Natured Brand Pet Laundry Powder (containing minerals and essential oils).
Also, you can add a product designed to release odors from washable fabrics when combined with laundry detergent such as:
- Nature’s Miracle Laundry Boost (a bioenzymatic formula)
- Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator (which captures odor molecules with cyclodextrin)
- Skout’s Honor Laundry Booster Stain & Odor Remover (a mineral deodorizer)
Using Rug and Upholstery Cleaners to Remove Pet Odor
Full-sized and portable carpet shampooers and rug cleaners designed for pet use deep-clean floors and furniture with pet-specific cleaning solutions, water, heat, and fast-drying vacuum suction.
Upright models from Bissell, Hoover, and Rug Doctor cost between $100 and $500 and are a good match for physically active dog owners who vacuum often and expect to use a shampooer at least twice a year.
Portable spot cleaners from Bissell and Rug Doctor are less expensive and easier to use than full-sized machines. With appropriate attachments they can treat carpets, area rugs, upholstery, mattresses, pet beds, and car interiors.
Use Air Filters and Purifiers to Keep Dog Smell Down
Once malodorous conditions have been corrected, consider keeping your home’s air clean with an air purifier. For guidance, see WDJ’s 2025 review of recommended air filters, which describes how filters quickly trap dust, pollen, mold, mildew, pet dander, and dust, reducing allergic reactions in pets and people.
Air filters with pre-filters can help reduce loose pet hair in your home by trapping larger particles like pet hair and dust bunnies, whereas HEPA filters in air purifiers trap smaller particles, like pet dander and pollen. Air purifiers with activated carbon filters or odor neutralizers help prevent unpleasant dog odors, maintaining a fresh-air atmosphere in multi-pet households.
Keep Your Dog Smelling Sweet
If your dog stinks, see our recommendations for improving his fragrance with bathing, deodorizing shampoos, grooming products, nutrition, and veterinary checkups. Your healthy, well-groomed dog will help keep your house smelling pleasant.
