If you have a pet, you probably have thought about how to get rid of pet odor in your home. Maybe you spray your house down with Febreeze  or you send your dog to the groomer for a last minute bath before guests come over. Chances are, those two things aren’t helping as much as you want them to.

To get rid of pet odor, you have to do more than cover it up and also use the right stuff. Here are some tips to get to the source of your odor problem (without getting rid of your pets of course).

8 Tips for Eliminating Pet Odors

Have the right stuff

Not all cleaners are created equal! You always want to have pet enzyme cleaner handy at your house for when accidents occur. Enzyme cleaners break down the molecules (and odor). Regular cleaners may disinfect, but they leave a lot behind, including unwanted smells. We like Only Natural Pet Organic Stain & Odor Remover and Natures Miracle Urine Destroyer. Finally, when you realize your pet has had an accident, be sure to clean it quickly so it doesn’t saturate or stain.

Vacuum frequently

Whether you know it or not, pets (even hypo allergenic ones) are constantly shedding hair and skin (much like humans). Dead skin (otherwise known as pet dander) is microscopic but can accumulate around your house and cause odor. If you have a dog or cat, we recommend vacuuming at least twice a week with a HEPA filter vacuum. If you have a dog with an thick undercoat and it’s shedding season, you will want to increase the frequency to every other day or may even want to invest in a Roomba.

Wipe down your pup

Wet dogs need to be dried thoroughly to eliminate that wet dog smell. A great tip is to use a ShamWow or other mirco fiber pet towels. ShamWow can pull 90% of moisture from a surface (your dog) and limits what’s left behind on your carpets or furniture. You can also use dog wipes for a quick facial or paw cleaning.  Avoid using baby wipes. Dog wipes are PH balanced for dogs.

Why a wipe down and not a bath? A bath may seem like the best way to eliminate odors on your dog, however, you can’t bath your dog every day. Dogs should be bathed every two to four weeks and no more than once a week. Over-bathing can cause dry, itchy skin and be very uncomfortable for your dog.

Brush them out

Brushing your pup has many positive benefits beyond odor control. Brushing removes dead hair and skin, distributes natural oils and stimulates the skin and blood flow.  We recommend brushing your dog at least twice a week to reduce dander and hair around the home.

Use an air purifier

Air purifiers not only get rid of pet odor and dander, but they filter out smoke, dust mites, pollutants, and pollen, which is beneficial for both odor reduction and health.  Look for air purifiers that have a HEPA filter for best results.

Give them a little spritz

In between bathes and brush-outs, scented spritzers will refresh and condition your dog’s coat. Look for all natural options without harsh chemicals that won’t damage their skin and overpower their noses with artificial scents.  Mauro Pet Care has several Body Mists to help refresh and rehydrate your dog’s coat between baths.

Wash their bedding regularly

Pet bedding should be washed every 1 to 2 weeks. Look for beds that have a cover that is easily removed and machine washable.  In between washes, you can vacuum the bed and spray it with Mauro’s My Space: An Aromatherapy Pet Bed Spray.

Refresh with essential oils

Essential oils are a wonderful way to incorporate pleasant smells and aromatherapy into your home. Whether you add them to cleaning agents, diffusers, or rollerballs, essential oils can energize any space. Lemon, rose and lavender are a few of our favorites.

But not all oils are good for dogs. Avoid using these oils on your dog: cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang-ylang. While tea tree is very popular, avoid shampoos, soaps, or anything with tea tree in it – even if it’s labeled for dogs.

In general, anytime you use scented solutions to mask odors, take your dog’s nose into consideration.  Dogs noses are way more powerful and sensitive than ours. Before using scented sprays, cleaning solutions, essential oils, or anything with an odor, be mindful of your pups snout and look for their reaction before reaching for it again.

Let us know your tips to getting rid of pet odor and having a sweet smelling house.