We know you care about keeping your home clean without using any harsh chemicals, so we have some tips for you on how to naturally remove pet odors from carpets. It’s time to enjoy your pets without the downside of pet odors.
How to Naturally Remove Pet Odors from Carpets
We have put together a few different options for naturally removing pet odors from carpets. These should help you to get your house smelling fresh so you can focus on your favorite pet.
Quick Clean-Ups
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are natural choices for many cleaning situations. If your pet has an accident, this mixture can save you from having an issue with smells or stains. Before applying the mixture, make sure to pat the area dry with a paper towel. After patting the area dry with paper towels, you will add a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water to the affected area. Add baking soda to the affected area and rub the baking soda in so that it gets down into the carpet. Let the carpet dry completely (usually overnight) and then vacuum up the baking soda.
Safety Tip - Too much baking soda can be harmful to some pets. Keep them away from the area until the baking soda has been cleaned up.
Baking Soda and Vacuuming
Not all pet odors are accident-related. Some are because of the smell of the pet or their shedding. Sprinkle the carpets with baking soda. Let sit for ten minutes. Vacuum the area. The baking soda will help to trap some of the smells and you can remove them when vacuuming. Don’t overdo it on the baking soda or you will be vacuuming for much longer. A light dusting of baking soda can make all the difference in the world.
Scrubbing Options
Use a Wet Vac
Wet vacuums are a great option for removing pet odors without using a lot of chemicals. While steam cleaners can amplify bad smells, a wet vac works in a different way and can trap smells so you can remove them from your home. There are many wet vacs on the market at different price points. These are fantastic for spot cleaning a small mess or treating the entire room as needed. When using a wet vac make sure to give time for the floors to dry.
Peroxide and Baking Soda
Another option for cleaning pet odors out of your home is a combination of peroxide, dish soap, and baking soda. Mix together 1 cup of peroxide with 1 tbsp of baking soda and 1 tbsp of dish soap. After drying the urine out of the carpet, you will want to spray the area with the mixture. Use a paper towel to rub this mixture in and then dry it out. You will want to make sure to test this mixture on a small portion of the carpet. Not all carpets are created equally or respond the same to this mixture.
Natural Odor Eliminators and Enhancers
Essential Oils and Water
Using water and essential oils together can be a natural way to clean odors out of the floor. Dogs are typically deterred from the smell of mint. Because of this, a mixture of a few drops of peppermint oil and a cup of water can give you a solution to use on odors. Use this mixture with a towel to clean the pet stains out. You can also use this mixture on the floor and then use a dry or wet vac to come behind and clean up. It is important to make sure the carpet dries completely before your pet is back in that area.
Diffuse Essential Oils
If your pet odor is not from a urine accident, you may want to try a different approach to carpet odors. Instead of treating the carpet directly, try using the room air to help with the smell. This can mean using a diffuser to freshen the smell of any room. Add a few drops of your favorite smell of essential oils to water in a diffuser. Run the diffuser for as little as thirty minutes or as much as an hour or two. The length of time will depend on the diffuser you are using. Each diffuser allows for different timelines.
Lavender Baking Soda
Cleaning carpets with baking soda can be a natural way to keep a carpet smelling fresh. However, one of the temptations of store-bought cleaners is the great smell they bring along. The good news is there’s a way to make scented carpet powder from home without the chemicals. In a sealable container, combine 1 cup of baking soda with 15 drops of lavender essential oil. Use right when you mix it up or seal it for future uses. When using, you will sprinkle the carpet with the mixture and then vacuum up.
Utilize Dehumidifiers.
Sometimes humidity in the home can add to the bad smells that pets can leave behind. After cleaning the carpet, it may be time for a quality dehumidifier. Running a dehumidifier can help you to eliminate moisture from the room. By removing this moisture, you eliminate some of the more offensive smells. There are many different dehumidifiers on the market so you will need to research to find the one that is best for your home.
Use Natural Cleaning Products
Sometimes the odors are too strong and you have to resort to cleaning products. However, it’s still incredibly important to avoid chemical-based cleaners. Many of the floor cleaners on the market have perchloroethylene and naphthalene which can cause health issues. Instead, opt for carpet cleaners that have only natural and safe ingredients. By moving to these safe cleaners, you can fight the odors and stains while still feeling good about using safe and quality products.
Healthier Home Products’ 5-in-1 Pet Odor Eliminator Carpet Stain Remover and the Hardfloor 6-in-1 Pet Odor Eliminator & Cleaner are both safer cleaning products you can use to refuse those stubborn pet odors and leave your home fresh and clean.