How To Get Rid Of Dog Poop Smell In The House

There is no doubt about the fact that your pet dog is just like a family member to you, and they bring you immense joy. At the same time, you also love them to bits. However, it is true that as a pet owner, you also have to deal with their urine and poop and that strong, unpleasant odor that comes with it.

And it is not just that it is annoying. It also carries millions of parasites and bacteria which can be actually harmful to your health. Sometimes, we might become so accustomed to these odors that we do not even realize how uncomfortable it can be for others, especially when a visitor comes to your place. They might also feel that the environment in your house is very disorganized and unhygienic.

Eliminating smelly poop odor is definitely challenging, but with proper strategies and hacks, it is 100% possible to do so. And you are going to learn about precisely that in this article.

Are dog poop smells hazardous to health?

It’s not just the bad odor from dog poop that you should be worried about. Whether it is poop from your dog or any other pet, feces are potentially dangerous for humans if they face long-time exposure to it. The smell can cause a feeling of nausea and can even lead to vomiting or gastrointestinal distress.

But that’s not all. Animal waste can also cause multiple types of diseases in humans. It can lead to salmonella, E. coli, and various other types of infections. Harmful toxins are released into the air when left and cleaned, and if it is left for too long, they can harden and stick to surfaces.

The smell of dog poop also contains millions of pathogens and breathing it can lead to utter discomfort for both children and adults. It can also trigger allergic reactions, a slight burning sensation in your throat or nose, breathing issues, lightheadedness, and even irritation in your skin and eyes.

Long-term or continuous exposure to it can also cause serious effects like skin burns and permanent damage to the eyes, including blindness.

You should never allow pet waste to sit in your homes for a longer time period and it is very necessary to clean up the mess as quickly as possible.

Also read, How To Get Skunk Smell Out of House

Why is it very important to clean up the smell immediately?

Usually, when a dog poops in a place, they tend to come back to that particular spot over and over again to poop.  The choice of the area where your dog poops are dependent on what feels like home to him. Usually, they do not do it near where they eat or sleep. This is why you may often find waste in corners that are not used often or behind furniture.

Once he finds that spot, his sense of smell will give him a signal that it is his personal toilet area, and he will return to it repeatedly until you remove the entire dog smell from there. If you remove the scent thoroughly and clean it up without any sign of traces left behind, it will discourage him from using that exact spot in the future.

How To Get Rid Of Dog Poop Smell In The House

1. Use an air purifier

Air filters and air purifiers do not always create a direct impact on the smell of poop inside the house, but they play a major role in promoting better airflow.

If you are air filters are clogged up with pollutants and allergens, your house will feel stuffy, and the smell of poop will seem unbearable after a while. Hence, good airflow is critical in letting out the bad air and inviting in fresh air from outside.

Air purifiers really help in keeping your house smelling clean and fresh. There are many options available in the market today, and some are specially designed to tackle pet odors for pet owners.

They come with different filters, and these pet-friendly air purifiers help deal with the particulate matter at home and can also eliminate fungi and bacteria that come with odor and poop.

2. Allow in some fresh air.

You do not need to do this immediately, but after a while, allowing fresh air to enter your space will work great in eliminating the poop smell from the house. But of course, consider the safety of your dog while doing so.

During summer, try to schedule a good time to let the air out by considering the temperature outside. Open up all the windows inside the house and turn on the fans, including the air conditioner if it’s there.

After some time, when there is sufficient airflow, you can close off the windows and turn off the fans.

3. Sweep and mop up the space immediately 

This has to be the first step you need to take to make your home smell better. And that is to remove the loose debris and waste your dog has created. Dispose of the poop and clean up the area using a towel and some water to remove any residue.

You can use paper towels to do so. And only plain water will suffice if the smell is not too strong. However, if you notice that a very intense scent is there, you can mix some laundry detergent with the water to eliminate pet odors.

4. Make use of a vacuum cleaner.

You can easily mop up hardwoods and tile floors. But how to focus on removing poop smell from carpets? This is where a vacuum cleaner comes in handy.

Apart from absorbing stinks, your carpet also traps a massive quantity of hair, dust particles, and pet dander. This is why you need to vacuum every square inch of your carpet, including those fluffy rugs most of us have at home.

It’s not just the carpets that need vacuuming. Your furniture also needs equal attention. Hit all those nooks and crevices by changing the attachments accordingly. You can go ahead with almost any vacuum cleaner to do this job. However, look for one which is particularly designed for pet owners.

Keep changing the air filters frequently and empty the canister after vacuuming is done. Doing this will ensure that your device is operating efficiently.

5. Use a vinegar solution.

When your dog recently poops on the carpet, it does not usually penetrate the fibers deeply as dried waste does. So it’s easier to clean, provided they are not diarrhea stains.

For solid piles of waste, scoop the poop using a proper scooper, a cardboard piece, or rubber gloves. However, make sure that you do not apply much pressure so that the material pushes deeper into the fibers of the carpet.

Dispose of the waste by storing it in a plastic bag and putting it in the trash can outside. Now mix 1 cup of vinegar with one cup of water and pour that solution over the affected spot. Give it at least 5 minutes before blotting the stain using a microfiber towel or a paper towel. Repeat this process until you notice that the odor is not present anymore.

6. Wash off the fabrics regularly.

Any fabric used in your home can develop pet odors. So make sure to wash them regularly in the washing machine and use a good quality laundry detergent. If it does not harm your fabric, wash them with hot water.

When we are talking about fabrics, it means all your bed linens, sofa and cushion covers, throw pillows, and anything else that can be machine washed.

Make sure that everything is properly dried before you put them back on. When you have a dog at home, your clothes can also start smelling like your dog.

So once you start the deep cleaning process, include your personal clothes as well. This will help keep the house smelling fresh and much better.

7. Use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.

This technique works best when you are using it on your carpet or tiles. If you use it on wooden materials, it might lead to slight discoloration due to the presence of vinegar.

For this method, all you need to do is make a cup of lukewarm water with a cup of white vinegar. Store it in a spraying bottle and spray this vinegar and water solution on the spot. Now, cover the affected area with some baking soda.

Once you do that, the liquid solution and baking soda will react and start foaming. Use a towel to blot the stain carefully and let it dry for a minimum of 6 hours.

Now bring out your vacuum cleaner and vacuum up the spot thoroughly, and check if the smell is still lingering. It should be gone by now, but if you notice that the smell is still slightly present, repeat the process.

8. Use a steam cleaner on your carpets.

After removing the dry waste from your carpets, using a steam cleaner is a great idea to eliminate any odors which are still trapped in the fibers of the carpet.

You can always choose any carpet cleaning services available in your locality too. But if you would rather do it yourself, ensure that the cleaning chemicals you use are pet-friendly.

Keep your dog outside in the garage or in the backyard during this cleaning process, and make sure that you let your dog back in only when the carpets are completely dry.

Tension to a dog’s behavior during this time as these animals like to mark their territory, and a change in the carpet odor can trigger them.

9. Use enzymatic cleaners.

Enzymatic cleaners are undoubtedly the favorite option for many as they do their job very efficiently. If you are using it for the first time, spray the stain with the enzymatic cleaner and give it at least 10 minutes to react.

Enzymatic cleaners are great for dealing with odor-causing bacteria and can effectively reduce the chances of it happening again.

Even vinegar and baking soda are not as effective as enzymatic cleaners as these can remove the dog scent entirely. Moreover, you just need a few applications to do the job.

If your dog has diarrhea and it has led to massive pet stains, you can still follow the same procedure, but the only change is that you have to leave the Cleaners on the affected area for a longer time duration.

Apply it on the spot and leave it to do its magic for two or three hours. If the smell from the feces is still remaining, you can repeat the process again.

10. Potty training is essential.

For any dog owner, going ahead and potty training your dog is a highly essential step that you cannot miss.

But you must know that while some dogs learn the procedure quickly, some might be comparatively slower.

However, if you notice that your dog is facing some trouble defecating in the appropriate area, you can increase the frequency of taking them outdoors so that there is a higher chance that the waste will stay outside.

Create a soothing environment for your dog because a highly anxious pet can end up urinating or defecating indoors to avoid any commotion outside. You can also try another trick by rewarding them with a treat whenever they do their business outside.

11. Wash your dog’s bedding.

The crate where the dog lives, the bedding, and that particular area probably stink the most in your entire house.

It is because your pooch hangs out there for the maximum amount of time, and it is constantly being slathered with pet hair, urine, dirt, and dander. You can wash most dog beds in the washing machine.

However, you will have to take off the cover before washing it. Some can be dried in the machine itself, while others need air drying. This process will remove most of the stains and bad smells.

If the odor is still present, you will have to wash the core of the bed, provided it is mentioned as acceptable by the manufacturer.

If not, you will have to replace it and purchase a new one altogether. It is important to take care of your dog’s favorite spot regularly so as to keep it smelling fresh.

After you are done washing the cover and putting it back on, take a little extra care and add a stain repellent to treat the cover. This will keep the place cleaner and smelling much better.

12. Use perfume if nothing else works in emergency cases.

Odor neutralizing sprays might not always be successful in completely masking serious dog poop smell. But they are very useful in tackling minor scenarios and can keep your home smelling fresh in between deep cleaning sessions.

Just make sure that your perfume or odor-neutralizing spray is safe to use around your dog. But it is recommended that you put your dog outside while spraying your house and let it settle down for some time. Some alternatives include potpourri, pet-safe air fresheners, scented candles, etc.

13. Use odor-sealing paint for spots on the wall.

Many times you might also notice that the poop and urine stains are not limited to the floor and can even be present in the lower parts of your walls. This can also leave a nasty dog poop odor, which is extremely hard to get rid of.

There are two ways you can approach such a situation. The first is to replace the entire affected portion of the drywall. And the second is to repaint the affected area with a stain and odor-sealing paint primer, specially designed as a solution to these scenarios.

The second revision is not a very quick and easy one, but it is much simpler and does the job effectively.

You can also this type of paint to eliminate the smell of urine in wooden furniture or wooden floors as well.

Why does a dog poop inside the house?

There are many possible reasons why a dog chooses to poop inside the house. While some of them are completely normal and even predictable, some might hint at serious issues.

If you have a young puppy at home who is not yet house-trained fully, it is not very surprising if he poops at home at times. The dog hasn’t learned yet that he should relieve himself outside.

Or maybe he does know that he should go outside but he does not know how to send you a signal that he needs to do his business.

Just like old people, old dogs also become unable to control when and where they should relieve themselves. Due to this, it is highly likely that he will make a mess inside even though he knows he should have gone outside.

This can be very annoying for you indeed, but you must know that it also causes embarrassment and distress to him.

But what if your dog is healthy, young, and fully-trained? Yes, even healthy dogs may face such incidents then it could be because you forgot to take him outside or maybe you did not open the door for him.

He might even have diarrhea due to eating something which did not suit his stomach. However, accidents like these should not happen regularly and if you notice something unusual about it, then it might be signaling a health problem.

How do you stop your dog from pooping in the house again?

If you have a puppy, it will take time in training them. Catching them red-handed in the act is a great opportunity to tell him it’s the wrong thing. You can stop him by making a sharp sound or saying ‘no’ strictly. You can even take him outside to show him where he needs to finish his business.

If you want to stop your dog from relieving inside the house, try giving him regular breaks offside. You can also try out a little reward system where you give him a treat when he poops in the appropriate location.

If you have an old dog, you must know that they also need regular bathroom breaks and they will not be able to decide the timing for themselves. Hence you will have to make sure that he is taken outside every half an hour.

If your dog eats something nasty which is not suitable for his body, it may result in small accidents like these. Make sure to get veterinary advice if the problem repeats or if you notice any other unusual sense of illness.

Conclusion.

Dealing with dog poop smell is definitely unpleasant but is also a part of your life as a dog owner. Making sure that you are thoroughly cleaning it up sooner reduces the risk of lingering odors around the house later on.

Moreover, it also stops the spread of diseases by flies and bacteria. The tips and recommendations will help you keep your house clean, fresh, and clean.

Investing in an air purifier and good quality and good quality enzymatic cleaner will help to a huge extent, but not sure that you are also keeping an eye on your dog’s health. This will help you figure out the reason behind it if your dog repeats this incident time and again.