We all love our animals, but not always the smells they tend to leave behind in our homes. If it gets real bad, you may be embarrassed to have people over or feel like you don’t want to spend time inside. Dealing with dog- and cat-related odors is just a part of being a pet parent, but thankfully there are many things we can do to reduce unwanted smells from lingering.
Many of AMLI’s luxury apartments around the country are pet-friendly and many even have pet spas so you can keep your animals smelling, looking and feeling clean! Pet odor is something you can tackle with just a few simple steps. Here are a few tips to reduce pet odor in your apartment.
Sweep and mop hard surfaces
The first thing you should do to make your home smell better is to remove all the debris your pet brings in from outside. This usually includes dirt, dust, hair and dander. Sweep everything and then go back over with a mop to remove anything you may have missed.
Vacuum
Your carpet can hold an incredible amount of pet hair along with dirt and dust. Vacuum your carpet, rugs and furniture—don’t forget to get the small crevasses that are easy to ignore. Most vacuums will do a good job, but if you have a dog who sheds a lot, try out this animal vacuum that works wonders.
Do the laundry
Most family pets enjoy our beds and couches just as much as we do, so it’s important to run your bed linens, couch cushions and pillows through the washing machine. Just about all fabrics can absorb odors, so regularly washing your linens as well as clothing is key to keeping everything fresh.
Wash your pet’s bed
This is probably the main source of bad smells as this is where your dog or cat is constantly snoozing. Most pet beds are machine washable, you just need to remove the cover and put it through the washer and dryer, or hang it on a clothesline.
Bath time
When our pets are outside having fun, they are most likely getting into a mess. Regularly bathing is a good practice for dogs as well as many other animals. Giving your pet a bath yourself or taking them in to see a groomer will help eliminate smells from continuing or from getting worse.
Replace litter
Litter boxes can get smelly pretty fast. Empty the boxes’ contents and throw them away in the garbage. Scrub the box with soap and water before replacing with fresh litter. You can even sprinkle in a tablespoon of baking soda for extra odor protection.
Clean cages and crates
If you have an animal that primarily lives in a cage or a dog that needs to be in a crate while you are not home, this could be an area causing unpleasant smells. Completely empty out the cage and clean the inside with soap and water. It’s also a good idea to clean the toys and dishes that are inside the cage before putting them back inside.
Fresh air
In conjunction with cleaning your space, airing out your apartment will help reduce pet related odors. Open windows and turn on ceiling fans to circulate your air flow. Letting in the fresh breeze from outside will remove the static air inside that’s keeping unwanted smells from hanging around any longer.
Regular cleaning
Getting into a regular cleaning routine is the best way to stop your home from smelling like your pet ever again. Stay on top of regular vacuuming, laundry, dusting and pet baths. Doing a little bit each week will really help your apartment not only smell clean but look great!
Like what you just read? Subscribe to the AMLI Blog so you don’t miss another post
