Dog Smell in the House: How to Remove It From Couch and Bedding

Dog smell in the house comes from oils, saliva, dander and moisture that settle into fabric, so the fix is to wash what can be washed, deodorize what cannot and keep the dog and its bedding clean. Washing dog bedding at least once a week, vacuuming upholstery often and airing out rooms removes most odors without special products. If a smell returns soon after cleaning, a hidden source such as urine, damp fabric or a health problem in the dog is the likely cause.

Why does a house smell like dog?

A dog’s skin makes oils, and its coat picks up saliva, dirt and moisture. These transfer to anything the dog lies on, and soft materials hold them. Bedding, couch cushions, rugs and curtains trap the odor, and a damp coat makes it stronger.

Odor also builds up in layers. Fur and dander collect in fabric, bacteria feed on the oils, and each new nap adds more. That is why a room can smell of dog even when the dog is not in it.

How do you get dog smell out of dog bedding?

Machine wash it weekly on the hottest cycle the care label allows, then dry it completely. Many covers can take warm water in the range of 104 to 140°F (40 to 60°C). Follow the label first, because foam inserts and some fabrics cannot take heat.

1. Shake the bed outdoors and vacuum off loose hair before washing, so fur does not clog the machine.
2. Wash with a regular detergent, preferably unscented, and run an extra rinse to remove residue.
3. If the smell is strong, add a cup (about 240 ml) of baking soda to the wash drum or a cup of white vinegar to the rinse. Use only one of these per wash, never together, and never with bleach or another cleaner.
4. Dry on a medium setting or in the sun until bone dry. Damp fabric starts to smell musty again within a day.
5. Wash blankets and removable covers on the same schedule, since the dog lies on them too.

For beds that cannot go in the machine, vacuum them, sponge the cover with a mild detergent solution, rinse with a damp cloth and let them dry fully in the sun or in a well-ventilated room.

How do you get dog smell out of a couch?

Vacuum the whole couch, then sprinkle baking soda over the fabric, leave it for 15 minutes to several hours, and vacuum it up again. Baking soda absorbs odors and is safe on most upholstery, though a small test spot is a sensible first step.

• Check the cleaning code on the tag. W means water-based cleaners are fine, S means solvent only, WS means either, and X means vacuum only.
• Remove and wash cushion covers and throws if the tag allows it.
• For a W or WS couch, lightly spray a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water on the fabric, blot it, and let it air dry. Do not mix this with any other cleaner.
• Use an upholstery attachment or a handheld vacuum to pull hair out of seams, where odor collects.
• Leather needs a cleaner made for leather instead of vinegar.

A washable throw or cover over the dog’s favorite spot cuts the number of times the couch itself needs cleaning.

How do you get dog smell out of the rest of the house?

Open windows for 10 to 15 minutes each day, vacuum carpets and rugs frequently, and wash the floors where the dog lies. Moving air carries odor out, and a vacuum with a HEPA filter keeps dander from circulating again. The EPA has general guidance on indoor air quality, including ventilation.

• Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, wait, then vacuum.
• Wash curtains, pillow covers and any fabric the dog sits against.
• Clean the dog’s food and water bowls daily, along with the floor around them.
• Wipe hard floors and baseboards where the dog rubs.
• For accidents on carpet, follow the steps in this guide to getting dog poop out of carpet.

What if the smell keeps coming back?

A smell that returns right after cleaning usually has a source you have not reached. The most common is urine soaked into carpet, a mattress or a cushion, which ordinary cleaning does not break down. An enzymatic cleaner made for pet urine is the standard answer, and the steps for removing urine from a mattress apply to cushions as well.

A damp, sour smell points to moisture instead of the dog. Check under bedding, behind furniture and near windows, and read about getting rid of a musty smell in the house.

If the dog itself smells strong even when freshly bathed, the cause may be ear or skin infections, dental disease or an anal gland problem. A veterinarian should check it. The American Veterinary Medical Association is a place to find general pet health information.

What should you avoid when cleaning pet odors?

Never mix cleaning products, especially bleach with ammonia or with any acid such as vinegar, because the combination can release dangerous gas. Use one product at a time, follow the label, and ventilate the room.

• Skip heavily scented sprays and plug-ins. They cover the smell for a while and do not remove it.
• Be careful with essential oils, since some are harmful to dogs.
• Keep dogs and children away from wet cleaners until the area is dry.
• Do not bathe the dog too often. Frequent baths can dry the skin, so ask a vet or groomer how often suits the coat.

Quick answers

How often should dog bedding be washed?

Once a week is a common and sensible schedule, and more often if the dog is wet, muddy, sick or shedding heavily.

Does baking soda really remove dog odor from a couch?

Baking soda absorbs odor from fabric, and it works best on light, surface-level smells. Deep smells from urine need an enzymatic pet cleaner.

Can vinegar be used on dog bedding?

White vinegar can go in the rinse cycle in place of fabric softener. Do not combine it with bleach or another cleaner in the same load.

Why does my dog smell worse when wet?

Water releases the oils and bacteria in the coat into the air. Drying the dog thoroughly after a bath or a walk in the rain reduces the smell.