How to Get Rid of Pet Odor in Your House

To get rid of pet odor, find every source first, clean each one with the right method, wash the fabrics, and let fresh air in. Urine needs an enzyme cleaner rather than a perfume, and no deodorizer can replace cleaning, because the source is still there.

Find the Source of the Smell

Start by locating where the odor is coming from. Sniff low to the ground, look closely at carpet edges, baseboards, furniture legs and your pet’s favorite spots, and check bedding and the litter area. Humane World for Animals suggests using a black light to find old stains and then lightly circling them with chalk. The same page notes that a pet who can still smell its own scent may return to that spot.

Make a list of every spot before you clean anything, since a missed spot can keep the smell going.

Urine Odor: Use an Enzyme Cleaner

For urine, the ASPCA advises that you clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleanser designed to neutralize pet odors, and says these are sold at most pet stores. The Cornell Feline Health Center adds that odor has to be neutralized, not just covered up, and that cleaning works best soon after the item was soiled.

Our guide to enzyme cleaners for pet urine goes into more detail on these products.

How to Get Pet Odor Out of Carpet and Rugs

Fresh accidents

Humane World for Animals recommends blotting with thick layers of paper towels topped with newspaper, standing on them for about a minute, and repeating until the spot is only damp. Then rinse with cool clean water and blot dry. The Carpet and Rug Institute says to blot with plain white towels or paper, because printed paper can bleed, and not to rub or scrub. It also advises trying any cleaner on a hidden spot first and working from the edge of the stain toward the center.

Old or dried stains

For old stains, Humane World suggests renting a carpet-cleaning machine from a store, then applying a quality pet odor neutralizer once the area is clean. If urine has soaked into the padding, the same page says you may need to replace sections of carpet and pad.

The AKC says to rewet a dried stain, extract it with a wet-dry vacuum and repeat, then use an enzyme cleaner on any remaining smell. It also describes sprinkling up to about 1/4 cup of baking soda on a damp area, leaving it overnight and vacuuming it up. The AKC suggests calling a professional if the smell remains after repeated cleaning or the stains are numerous or deep.

Skip the steam cleaner

The Carpet and Rug Institute puts it plainly: don’t use a steam cleaner on urine spots, because heat sets the stain and the smell. If you are comparing products for carpet, see our roundup of pet stain removers for carpet.

Couches and Upholstery

Check the care tag before you put any liquid on a couch. According to Living Spaces, W means water-based cleaners are fine, S means solvent (dry-cleaning) products only and no water, WS means either works, and X means vacuum only. Using a solution on an X fabric can damage it permanently.

Whatever the code, try the cleaner on a hidden spot first, and blot rather than scrub. Fur is a separate job from odor, and our guide on how to get pet hair off a couch, clothes and car seats covers it. The AKC notes that upholstery may need deeper cleaning, specialized products or a professional.

Hardwood Floors

Follow your flooring manufacturer’s care guide first, since finishes differ. The general principles are to act quickly and to avoid soaking the floor. Floor-care company Bona says cleaning pet accidents as soon as possible helps prevent damage to the floor and lingering odor, and that too much water can damage hardwood.

For a fresh puddle, the AKC suggests pressing towels onto it and swapping them until the spot is dry, then using a cleaner made for hardwood if needed. For dried urine that has soaked in, it suggests a wood-surface cleaner to draw out the liquid, which may take several repeats. If the wood has discolored, Humane World says the urine’s acid has reacted with the varnish or paint, and that layer may need to be removed and replaced.

Sources do not agree on vinegar. The AKC includes vinegar mixes in its advice, while Bona says vinegar is an acid that can break down a hardwood finish and leave it dull over time. Because finishes can be damaged, this guide leaves it out.

Pet Bedding and Fabrics

Soft items hold odor, so wash them on a regular schedule. The AKC cites the CDC and the Canadian Medical Association Journal in recommending that you wash a dog’s bedding weekly, and it suggests a fragrance-free, pet-friendly detergent. It says air drying is often better, the bed should dry completely because leftover moisture can lead to mildew, and an old bed that still smells after washing may be ready for replacement.

For washable items that still smell, Humane World suggests adding a one-pound box of baking soda to your regular detergent, then washing again with an enzymatic cleaner if odor remains. For step-by-step instructions, see how to clean a dog bed.

Litter Box Odor

The ASPCA advises you scoop at least once a day and, each week, rinse the box with baking soda or unscented soap and replace all the litter. It adds that most cats prefer unscented clumping litter, and that cats may develop an aversion to the smell of scented cleaning products. VCA Animal Hospitals says clumping litter may only need a full change and box wash every 2 to 4 weeks.

Because the two sources give different intervals, adjust to what you see and smell. Cornell says to change litter more often when several cats share a box. Our guide on how often to change cat litter goes through that in more detail. VCA also notes that a box used for several years may hold a residual odor, and replacing it can help.

Air and Ventilation

Once the sources are cleaned, open windows when the weather allows and let rooms dry fully. Fresh air is simple housekeeping, not a substitute for cleaning.

VCA lists a small bowl of baking soda placed out of your pets’ reach, which may take a few days to work, and an air purifier as alternatives to scented products. VCA says air purifiers clean the air and neutralize pet odors. Its page does not compare models.

What to Avoid

Ammonia-based cleaners. The ASPCA says not to use them on accidents, because urine contains ammonia and the smell can draw cats back to the same spot. Cornell says ammonia and vinegar products smell like urine and can be irritating. Humane World gives similar advice for pets in general.
Steam cleaners. Heat can set the stain and smell, as covered above.
Strong or perfumed products. The ASPCA warns that a cat can develop an aversion to the scent of a scented litter box cleaner. The AKC says fragrance sprays can irritate a dog’s skin, and they only mask the smell.
Essential oil diffusers. VCA says scented oils are dangerous for pets, that inhaling diffused oils can harm both dogs and cats (especially in small, closed rooms), and that it is best to avoid diffusing them entirely. It adds that products labeled “pet-safe” can still cause reactions.

Cats are especially vulnerable. VCA explains that cats have fewer of the liver enzymes needed to process these oils, that even a small lick or a little skin contact can cause harm, and that oils such as cinnamon, citrus, peppermint, pine, tea tree and ylang ylang are among those toxic to cats. If your pet swallows something or reacts to fumes, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.

When Odor Points to a Health Issue

Sometimes the smell is a symptom. The AKC says yeast or bacterial infections of the skin or ears are the most common medical cause of odor in dogs, and allergies often start the cycle. Signs include scratching, head shaking, licking, rubbing, skin color changes, hair loss, crusting and redness. A smell that keeps getting worse is a reason to see your veterinarian. The AKC adds that a house-trained dog who loses bladder control may have a medical condition, so talk to your veterinarian if it persists.

For cats, VCA says urinary disease can cause accidents outside the box, and kidney, liver and thyroid problems, diabetes, age-related cognitive decline and joint pain may also change litter habits. The ASPCA notes that a cat who goes to the box often but passes little urine may have a urinary tract infection and should see a veterinarian. It also warns that interstitial cystitis can be life-threatening and needs prompt treatment. Repeated accidents, a sudden change in habits or a worsening smell are all good reasons to talk to your veterinarian.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get pet odor out of the house?

Find and clean the source quickly. Blot fresh accidents, use an enzyme cleaner made for pet waste, wash soft items and open windows. Covering the smell with a spray or diffuser does not remove it.

Does baking soda remove pet odor?

It can help as a supplement. Sources describe sprinkling a small amount on a damp spot overnight and vacuuming it up, adding it to a laundry load, or leaving a small bowl out of pets’ reach. It does not replace cleaning the stain itself.

Is there a home remedy for pet odor in carpet?

The reliable basics are blotting, rinsing with cool water and a little baking soda. This guide does not recommend homemade mixtures because sources disagree on them, vinegar in particular.

Can I use vinegar or ammonia to clean pet urine?

This guide avoids both. Cornell says they smell like urine and can be irritating, and the ASPCA warns that ammonia can draw cats back to the spot. Bona says vinegar can damage hardwood finishes.

Is it safe to use an essential oil diffuser to cover pet smells?

VCA advises avoiding diffused scented oils altogether, and it notes that cats are especially sensitive to many essential oils. Clean the source and ventilate instead, and ask your veterinarian if you have concerns.

Sources

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Best Pet Supplies Guide

Best Pet Supplies Guide publishes research-based buying guides, size guides and care how-tos for dog, cat and pet home supplies, using manufacturer specifications and guidance from reputable pet-care organizations.