The presence of a dog in a tiny house means that every little scent is felt. Having little air and less space, even the slightest tint of dander or dirt could easily take over. Dog hair blown into corners, the pollen brought in on paws, and the oddest spot of dripping drool, and now, all at once, your home seems rather less homely.
Your dog might be proud of his smell as a status symbol, and you are the one who has to deal with hot dog breath on pillows, the greasy marks of skin on the couch, and the distinct smell of dog that lingers on the cloth.
It does not need to be complex to freshen things up. Even little cleaning tricks can help your small home become spacious and welcoming once more, and allow you to have some fun with your four-legged housemate.
7 Cleaning Hacks to Eliminate Dog Odors in Small Homes
1. Wash Pet Bedding and Blankets Regularly
Dog beds and blankets act as sponges. They attract fur, dander, and skin oils from your dog. Whenever your dog goes to sleep, the smells are forced to the top, in the air, and a small house becomes stuffy very quickly.
In case you are not sure how to wash pet bedding and blankets, Atlanta Maids recommends using a hot water cycle to loosen oils and hair. Detergent can also be added, but when rinsing, a drop of vinegar should be added to neutralize the deep odors. It is always important to dry everything as much as possible, as even a little dampness can cause mildew and leave a bad smell.
When you treat bedding in this way, you eliminate one of the most potent sources of the dog odor before it can leech into carpets and furniture.
2. Sprinkle Baking Soda on Carpets and Rugs
A small box of baking soda should be kept in each kitchen. It’s a reliable odor-fighter. In case your dog leaves a scent in carpets or rugs, this white powder will quietly absorb those smells that can only be covered by cleaning sprays.
All you have to do is sprinkle it intensively over the surface, leave it for 15-30 minutes, and vacuum. Use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, as this not only picks up the baking soda, but also dander and hair, which are the initial cause of the odors. It is important to remember to clean or change the filter after some time, otherwise you will find that the smell which you are trying to get out will creep right back in.
This routine should be repeated in high-traffic areas or areas that your dog likes to lounge in a couple of times per week. It maintains the cleanliness of carpets without relying on heavy perfumes.
3. Deodorize Upholstery and Soft Surfaces
Dogs do not just keep their smells in carpets. The real evidence is usually sitting on your couch and your chairs. These soft surfaces in a small home are sponges and absorb fur, body oils, and even the slight smell of drool after an afternoon nap. When you do not pay attention to them, the smell lingers no matter how much you sweep or mop.
The simplest solution would be adding water and vinegar in equal amounts to a spray bottle and lightly spraying the fabric. Vinegar decomposes the smell itself and evaporates without causing a strong lingering odour.
When it is possible, the covers should be thrown into the laundry in order to get a complete clean. The other easy way is by sprinkling baking soda over the surface and leaving it to dry, and then vacuuming the surface completely.
Be particularly concerned with those areas where your dog spends most of his time. Frequent cleaning prevents sofas, pillows, and chairs from becoming silent contributors to that dog smell that is hard to eliminate.
4. Improve Ventilation and Air Circulation
Houses that feel shut down tend to smell like it. Stagnant air entraps odors of pets, and the issue is more serious in small rooms where all things are too close. The quickest solution is to give the room some airing.
Open your windows for a few minutes and change the heavy air with light and fresh air. Put in a fan and you shall see the difference almost immediately. To have a more lasting solution, an air purifier with a HEPA filter and activated carbon should be used. These two cleanses remove the stubborn odors that remain behind after simple cleaning.
Adding airflow as part of your routine will help to avoid the presence of the dog smell and make the place look light and inviting, rather than stuffy.
5. Use Natural Odor Absorbers Around the Home
To combat dog odor, sometimes it is best to let nature take its course. Small houses do not have a lot of room for lingering odors to hide, so having small odor absorbents in the correct areas can have a surprising impact.
A plain bowl of baking soda or activated charcoal in one corner silently draws odors out of the air. It does not contain artificial perfumes. House plants such as peace lilies or spider plants are also useful in air purification and to provide greenery to small areas. In case you enjoy a little smell, some drops of pet-safe essential oils may be applied sparingly. Some of the toxic types should be avoided, like tea tree oil.
These silent servants do not occupy much space, but they operate 24 hrs to ensure that your home is cleaner between the cleaning days.
6. Clean Floors Daily to Reduce Odor Sources
There is a story in the footsteps of a small house. When your dog comes, you have fur, dander, and muddy paw prints. When unattended, these traces accumulate very fast and end up being the cause of odors that render a space less fresh.
A sweep or a vacuum around the entryways and feeding areas takes care of most of the mess before it gets spread. Corners should be given special attention, as the hair of pets likes to accumulate in silent heaps. Wipe the floor with a vinegar-water solution once a week. This remedy eliminates the lingering odors without using harsh chemicals to clean the floor.
Odors do not settle when floor care becomes routine. With each step, your little house seems brighter and purer.
7. Keep Your Dog Clean and Groomed
A small portion of dander or oil on the coat of a dog is enough to cause the room to smell stale. Frequent cleaning prevents the spreading of such smells to your furniture.
Wash your dog up with a pet-friendly, odor-targeting shampoo that will not harm them. This removes the oils and dirt that trap smells. Brush the coat to manage the fur and dander. Brush dogs once a week with short-haired, or brush every day with heavy coats. Wipe paws when you come back home after a walk to prevent entering the living area with mud, allergens, and dust.
A regular grooming routine will help to keep your dog comfortable and your small house fresh.
Conclusion
Cute houses and cute dogs make a home, and they do not have to stink. Wash your bedding, spray your carpets with baking soda, and take your dog to the spa on a regular schedule. This prevents the lingering smell. The key is consistency. Routines should be kept simple, natural, and your little room can be as fresh as a walk in the morning. Ultimately, it should not be odor but just the wagging tail of your dog.
Share: