dog odor in home · getting rid of dog smell in house · how to get dog smell out of your house · Oct 22, 2026

How to Get Dog Smell Out of Your House?

When you are looking for ways to eliminate the smell of your dog from your home, begin by identifying where the smell accumulates. These areas include the bedding, coats, flooring and filters used in your home. It is uncommon to have a single large area that causes the odor. The pet odor accumulates in fabric and on floor surfaces, and then diminishes when you regularly clean these areas.

The difficult part is that you become accustomed to the smell, you live with your dog every day, therefore, your nose becomes acclimated to the smell well before a guest comes into your home and can smell it. This is why a regular cleaning schedule will be more effective for keeping down the smell in your home than one large monthly cleaning. This is what to clean, how often to clean it, and the areas of your home most often forgotten by homeowners when cleaning up after their dogs.

Where does dog smell in the house come from?

What makes dogs smell is the oil that their skin creates and then transfers to the surfaces they lay down on. In addition to the oils, there are also the other things that dogs shed or carry around with them such as saliva, hair, dander, wet fur from walking in the rain, and mud/dirt from their paws. All of these combined make the typical "dog" smell.

The vast majority of the dust that enters through your home's HVAC system will settle into soft, porous materials (such as your dog's bed, your favorite blanket, the cushions of your sofa, etc.). However, a portion of the dust will also settle onto hard surfaces like your floors and baseboards. After a long period of time, the dust and hair that you have pulled in via your HVAC system will begin to accumulate on the filter as well.

So there isn't just one product to fix this. There are 4 habits that target each of those areas.

How often should you wash your dog's bedding?

Wash your dog's bedding each week. Although the American Kennel Club says there are "no set guidelines," it cites the CDC and a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal that suggest washing your dog's bedding each week (AKC).

Because you spend many hours each week sleeping on your bed with your dog, your bed will typically be one of the most odorous items in your home. Washing your bedding weekly will prevent odors from accumulating on your bed.

A few steps make the wash work better:

The AKC suggests that you should first use either a pet hair vacuum or a pet hair removal tool to clean the top, sides and nooks and crannies of your dog's bed prior to cleaning it, as well as after each time you wash it.

Use the correct soap. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends using an odorless, dog-safe soap when you are machine washing your dog's items.

Select a high-temp program. The AKC states that high-temp programs provide a deep clean. Before washing, check the care label on the bed.

Dry the dog's bed completely. The most effective way to dry a dog's bed is by letting it air dry, as certain types of filling can bunch together in a clothes dryer. Let a very thick, fibrous-filled dog bed completely dry prior to having your dog use it once more.

If your bed does not have a removable cover, then you should vacuum it weekly and clean whatever part of the bedding that can be removed (such as the blanket).

What about blankets and the couch?

Keep those items on the dog's bed as well. You can use a washable throw or slipcover to protect the areas of your couch that your dog enjoys sitting on and then wash these items along with your other laundry each week. It will take less time to clean a blanket than to thoroughly clean the cushion. Additionally, you should vacuum the entire couch each week. Make sure to vacuum both beneath the cushions and within all of the crevices and seams of the couch where hair accumulates.

How often should you bathe your dog?

The frequency of bathing depends upon the dog's coat. A dog with a medium or large coat can require bathing anywhere from once a week to once every four to six weeks, provided that the coat has been properly cared for in-between each bath. This information was provided by a groomer interviewed by the American Kennel Club. In addition, dogs of hairless breed require weekly baths.

"Less is usually more." The American Kennel Club (AKC) cautions against washing a dog with a thick coat or a double coat too often, as doing so will remove too much natural oil from the dog's skin. The AKC's general guideline for when to bathe a dog is straightforward: only bathe him when you cannot hug him.

To keep bath day working for the rest of the house:

Make sure to dry your dog completely. When a dog has damp hair on the couch or in bed, the odor comes right back. It's best to towel off after bathing and when walking in the rain.

Brush your dog’s coat after each bath. The loose hair you remove with the brush won’t fall into your carpet.

Clean your dogs gear. Collars, leashes, and harnesses are sitting on your dogs fur every single day. Wash those items with your hands using warm, soapy water then lay them out to dry. Also clean your dogs food and water bowls often.

If your dog begins to have an odor that is significantly different than usual, or if it has an increased amount of odor after a bath, then you should contact your veterinarian.

How do you get dog smell out of floors and carpets?

Vacuum frequently and wash hard floor surfaces often. Hair, dander and dirt brought into the house by your dog will accumulate on floors, but carpet will retain them.

Carpet and rugs: Vacuuming those parts of your home where your dog spends time multiple times per week (and not just during your regular cleaning schedule) is essential. Take special care when vacuuming in front of your sofa, near the entrance of your home and in close proximity to your dog's bed.

Hard floors: Sweep or vacuum first, then mop with the right type of cleaner for your floor. Wipe up mud on paws and drool spots immediately so they don't dry out and become harder to remove.

Baseboards: The area where dogs' height catches hair and dirt. When you are mopping your floors, wipe the baseboard down as well.

Empty the canister or bag on your vacuum frequently, replace its filter per the manufacturer's directions, and use a pair of scissors to remove any dog hair from the brush roll. If you leave too much dog hair in your vacuum, it will likely return the same odor to your home.

Accidents are a whole other job. Get rid of them immediately after finding them, and apply a pet mess-specific enzyme cleaner to the affected area. When dealing with long-standing or recurring accident areas on your carpet, a professional carpet cleaner may be the best option.

Which air filters matter, and how often should you change them?

The most critical factor to consider is the type of filter (HVAC/furnace) that you use. The filter will capture the pet hair, dander, and dust from the air that your system draws through the home. Therefore, if you have a dog in your home, the filter may need to be replaced much quicker than you would normally anticipate.

The EPA's Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home recommends replacing filters on a regular basis based upon the manufacturer's suggested replacement interval. This usually occurs every 60 to 90 days. If the filter appears very dirty prior to that time, it is recommended to change it. Upon purchasing a new filter, the EPA recommends selecting one with a MERV rating of at least 13, and preferably higher than what your system can support.

Two easy habits help:

Check the filter on a monthly basis. Replace the filter with a new one when you see that the filter is gray and covered with hair, whether or not the filter has been in place for the full 60 to 90 days.

Write the date on the frame. It takes the guesswork out of the next change.

The EPA is additionally specific in stating that reducing sources first is the most successful method of improving indoor air. In a home with a dog, this would include the bedding, baths and floors above. The filter will aid in maintaining this routine; it cannot substitute for it.

A simple weekly routine

The easiest way to make your house not smell like dog is to put these jobs on a schedule, so nothing gets a chance to build up.

Daily habits do most of the work. Wipe your dog’s paws after every walk, dry damp fur before it settles into the couch, and clean up drool and muddy prints as they happen. Several times a week, vacuum the rooms and spots your dog uses most.

Once a week, wash the dog bed, blankets and couch throws, vacuum the couch, mop hard floors, wipe down baseboards, and wash the food and water bowls. Bathe your dog every one to six weeks depending on the coat, and brush in between baths to keep loose hair and dander under control.

Every month, check the HVAC filter, wash collars, leashes and harnesses, and clean the vacuum’s canister, filter and brush roll. Replace the HVAC filter every 60 to 90 days, or sooner if it looks heavily soiled.

Why does my house still smell like a dog after cleaning?

Most of the time it is either because you have missed one area, or because you clean your house in short spurts instead of having a regular cleaning routine. Some of the most frequent sources of dirt that people do not recognize as "dog-related" are:

the crate and any crate pad

the car seat cover or the blanket in the back seat

couch cushions under their covers, and the seams where hair collects

collars, leashes and harnesses

a full vacuum canister or a clogged vacuum filter

an HVAC filter that has not been changed in months

Additionally, you'll be the last to know. After your nose has adjusted to your pet, have someone who doesn't reside in your home (friend or relative) tell you if there is an odor in your home. This response will provide a more objective assessment of your home's scent than yours can.

The deep cleaning process can be helped along with fresh air. Professionals who clean houses stated that opening two windows/doors that are on opposite sides of your home will help clear out any stale air. They suggested doing this for approximately 10 minutes.

Adding the Clarifion ODRx to your rooms

The Clarifion ODRx is an air deodorizer. It freshens the air in your room.

Shop Clarifion ODRx →

How to get rid of dog smell in house: FAQ

How do I get my house to stop smelling like a dog? Regularly clean the areas of your home where your dog leaves his scent. Wash the dog bed and blankets once per week; bathe your dog based on how often his coat requires it; vacuum and mop the floors that your dog spends time on; and replace your HVAC filter every two to three months.

Will dog smell eventually go away? The odor of your dog will not disappear completely without action on your part, as long as he/she resides within your home, since there are constantly new sources being introduced. If you establish a regular cleaning schedule, the level of the natural odor will remain at an acceptable level. If the odor is from a former resident's pet, then thoroughly clean all of the soft items in the house, clean the carpets and replace the filter for your heating/cooling system. A professional cleaner may be required to treat the carpets if they have had previous accidents.

How can I get dog smell out of my carpet? You need to vacuum the areas where your dog spends time multiple times each week. Additionally, you should clean up any spills immediately using a product specifically designed to eliminate odors caused by pets (an enzyme-based product). If you have persistent odors in your carpets, you may want to hire a professional carpet cleaner.

How often should I wash my dog's bed? You can wash your dog's bedding once each week. The American Kennel Club refers to studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Canadian Medical Association Journal which indicate that you should wash your dog's bedding on a weekly basis. In addition, you may want to vacuum the bedding in-between washes.

How do I get dog smell out of my house fast? Open two opposite-facing windows or doors of your home for approximately ten minutes, place the dog's bedding and blanket covers into the washing machine, clean the major living areas of your home using a vacuum cleaner, and wipe away all drool and/or paw prints from the floors of your home. Once you have completed these steps, continue with your weekly cleaning schedule, so that you do not need to perform this task in a hurry once again.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

This article is for general information. If your dog's smell changes suddenly or seems unusually strong, talk to your veterinarian.