Those of us who have furry little friends, know what great companions they are. We also know the state they can leave our house in, which can often include leaving behind foul smelling odours. It’s easy to grow accustomed to these smells, so next time you walk through your front door, take a good whiff and see if you’ve become “nose blind” to the odours your pet leaves behind. Just because you have a pet, doesn’t mean your house needs to smell like it! Here are four tips on how to eliminate pet odours.

1. Clean Often: Many pet odours come from the hair the leave behind. Vacuum your furniture, floors, and pet beds consistently to keep the hair from building up. Be sure to spend extra time on your pet’s favourite hangout spots.
2. Bathe your pet frequently and have them groomed: Many animals have a lot of fur which can trap bad smells and hold onto dirt. Keeping them well groomed and clean means that your house has a better chance of staying clean and smelling wonderful.
3. Keep your house full of nice smells: Candles, air fresheners, and diffusers are all great ways to have your house smelling great, especially if you’re expecting guests!
4. Fresh air works wonders: While keeping the windows open isn’t always an option due to safety and climate, opening the windows when possible will help circulate the air, making it harder for odours to stay in a confined space. Keep in mind your house may get dusty faster with the windows open.
5. Remove stubborn odours: If all else fails, deodorizing sprays work well on furniture, carpet, curtains, and other fabrics. For a more natural approach, sprinkle baking soda onto the areas that are holding onto the odours. The longer you leave the baking soda on, the greater the absorption. Vacuum the baking soda from the carpet or furniture when you think you have lifted most or all of the odour. Leaving out a few shallow bowls of fresh coffee grounds over night traps the odours, and if you drink coffee, is a FREE alternative. Throw out the coffee grounds the next morning, and repeat as often as necessary.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Remember to use cleaning products that are pet safe to avoid your pet becoming sick.
• The more consistently you vacuum and clean, the less chance there is of pet odours becoming trapped in your furniture, curtains, carpets, etc.
• Baking soda and vinegar can really help cut down odours. Try making your own cleaning products with these two ingredients that are free of harsh chemicals AND effective.