We’re a nation of dog lovers with many millions of Americans owning pet dogs, in fact, there are plenty who believe that a home is not complete unless it contains a dog or two (or three, or four!). However, few pet owners can deny that their homes can quickly begin to smell like a dog kennel if the odour created by the presence of pet dogs isn’t tackled often enough.
Here are a few tips for keeping your home smelling sweet and fresh, without having to banish your beloved pets:
Consider buying an odor-resistant pet bed:
Dogs love their beds and spend many hours snoozing on them, meaning that they often absorb the odors of your pet. To avoid it from smelling so much that the aroma fills the entire room or house, you might want to think about buying a bed that has anti-microbial properties and resists odors. Many such beds come with removable covers that can be popped into the washing machine as often as is necessary.
Air purifiers can bring a breath of fresh air to your home:
Helping to minimise allergies and cleanse the air, air purifiers with HEPA-type filters can make a huge difference to a home with pets. The purifiers trap up to 99% of airborne particles and can be used with or without air fresheners.
Allocate a day to washing any smelly pet related items, including your pets!
Choose one day of the week to gather up all items that your pet comes into regular contact with, such as their bed, blankets, and toys, and wash them. This will make a big difference to the smell of your home, and the area in which your pet spends most of their time. Bathing your dog regularly will help minimise the smell, too.
Arm yourself with a tub of baking soda:
This super cheap and readily accessible product is a store-cupboard essential for many of us and is fantastic for absorbing odors on clothes and other household items. It can even be used as a dry shampoo for your dog; shake it onto their fur to absorb the smell and then comb it through afterwards to help remove insects and other debris.
Good old incense sticks:
Incense sticks will quickly eradicate any foul odors in your home, as will oil burners and scented candles.
Don’t make lemonade with your lemons, make a doggy air freshener!
A cup of lemon juice when mixed with 6 tablespoons of brown sugar and 700 ml of water, and added to a spray bottle, makes a wonderfully effective natural air freshener. Versatile, it can also be used to help remove paw stains from carpets, clothing, and upholstery.
Your home can still be a haven for your pets, without making visitors feel the need to cover their noses and run for fresh air! With these simple tips, you can welcome friends and family to your sweet-smelling home, and not have to worry about smelling like a dog when you visit their homes, either.
