How to Get Rid of Dog Smell in Your House: Wet Dog, Dog Beds, Sofas and Accidents
You come back from a muddy autumn walk, towel the dog off in the hallway and put the kettle on. An hour later the heating is on, the windows are shut and the whole downstairs smells unmistakably of wet dog. We love our dogs, but nobody loves that smell greeting visitors at the front door.
So, how do you get rid of dog smell in your house? The short answer is to clean the things that hold the smell first, then freshen the air. Wash the dog's bedding and blankets every week or two, vacuum sofas, carpets and rugs often, dry your dog thoroughly after wet walks, deal with any accidents properly with an enzyme cleaner, and air the house every day. Once the house smells neutral, a fresh wax melt, room spray or reed diffuser is the finishing touch.
This guide explains why houses with dogs start to smell, how to get rid of dog smell in your house fast, and what to do about wet dog smell, dog pee smell, dog beds, sofas and carpets, and even a doggy smell when you don't have a dog. It finishes with the fresh scents we reach for once the cleaning is done, and how to use home fragrance carefully around your dog.
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Why does my house smell of dog?
Dogs carry their own scent everywhere they go. Skin oils, shed hair, dander, saliva and whatever they rolled in on their walk all end up on the things they lie on, lean against and rub past. Soft, porous things such as dog beds, blankets, sofas, cushions, carpets, rugs and curtains hold on to it the most.
Late autumn makes it worse. Walks are wetter and muddier, coats take longer to dry, and with the windows shut and the heating on there's far less fresh air moving through the house. Warmth also brings smells out, so a dog bed next to a radiator can scent the whole room.
The good news is that most dog smell in the house comes from a handful of places. Find and clean them, and the house soon smells like a home again rather than a kennel.
How to get rid of dog smell in your house fast
If friends are coming round this evening, this is the order we'd work in:
- Open windows on opposite sides of the house for twenty to thirty minutes. A cross-breeze clears stale air far faster than a single window.
- Strip the dog's bed and blankets and put the washable covers in the machine, following the care labels.
- Vacuum everywhere your dog lies: sofas, cushions, carpets, rugs, stairs and the car seat or boot if they travel with you. A vacuum with a pet hair tool makes this much quicker.
- Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on carpets and rugs, leave it for a few hours (or as long as you can, keeping the dog off it), then vacuum it up. Test a small hidden area first.
- Wipe hard surfaces your dog touches: skirting boards, door frames, the back door, the crate and the floor around food and water bowls. Wash the bowls too.
- Empty the bins and wash the towels you use for muddy paws, as damp dog towels left in a heap are a smell all of their own.
- Then add fragrance. Once the room smells neutral rather than doggy, a few sprays of a fresh room spray or a fresh wax melt finishes the job.
How to get rid of wet dog smell in the house
That wet dog smell comes from water lifting the oils, dirt and doggy scent out of your dog's coat and into the air. It's strongest while the coat is damp, which is why it seems to fill the house after every rainy walk.
- Towel your dog dry straight away, ideally before they're through the back door. Keep a towel by the door and a second one for the final rub down.
- Dry them somewhere easy to clean, such as a utility room, porch or kitchen, rather than letting them shake off on the sofa.
- Rinse off mud from legs and tummies with lukewarm water when you can, rather than letting it dry into the coat.
- Wash dog towels after each use, or at least every few days, and dry them properly. A damp towel left in a heap smells musty very quickly.
- Keep some air moving while your dog dries, with a window open a crack or the extractor fan on.
A quick brush once your dog is dry helps too, as it lifts out loose hair and dirt before it settles on your furniture.
Dog bed, sofa and carpet: where the smell really lives
Dog beds and blankets
The dog's bed is usually the biggest source of dog smell in the house. Wash covers and blankets every week or two, and more often in muddy weeks. Choose beds with removable, machine-washable covers if you can, and vacuum the inner cushion between washes. A spare set of covers means there's always a clean one ready.
Sofas and armchairs
If your dog is allowed on the sofa, a washable throw makes life much easier. Wash it as often as you wash the dog's bed, vacuum the cushions underneath and check the cushion covers' care labels to see whether they can be washed or need specialist cleaning.
Carpets and rugs
Vacuum at least twice a week in rooms where your dog spends time, and use bicarbonate of soda on carpets now and then. For a deeper clean, a carpet cleaner or professional clean once or twice a year makes a real difference in a dog-owning home. Always follow the carpet maker's care advice.
Curtains, cushions and the car
Curtains and cushions pick up more dog smell than you'd expect, especially near where your dog sleeps. Wash or air them every few months. If your dog travels with you, use a washable boot liner or blanket, vacuum the car regularly and wash the blanket along with the dog's bedding, so the smell doesn't come back into the house with them.
How to get rid of dog pee smell in the house
Accidents happen, especially with puppies, older dogs or a new rescue settling in. The key is to clean them properly, because if any smell is left in the carpet your dog may be drawn back to the same spot.
- Blot, don't rub. Soak up as much as you can with kitchen roll or an old towel, pressing firmly.
- Use an enzyme cleaner. Biological or enzymatic cleaners made for pet stains are designed to break down what's left in the fibres. Follow the instructions on the bottle and test a hidden area first.
- Avoid ammonia-based cleaners. Urine already smells of ammonia, so an ammonia-based cleaner can leave a smell that may encourage your dog to go in the same place again.
- Never mix cleaning products, especially bleach with other cleaners.
- Let it dry fully with good airflow, then vacuum. Sprinkling bicarbonate of soda over the dry area and vacuuming it up the next day can help with any lingering smell.
If a house-trained dog suddenly starts having accidents, speak to your vet, as it can be a sign that something isn't right.
Why does my dog suddenly smell bad?
A healthy dog does have a gentle doggy smell, but a sudden strong or unpleasant smell is worth paying attention to. Smelly ears, a yeasty or greasy coat, very bad breath or a fishy smell from the back end can all point to ear, skin, dental or anal gland problems. If your dog suddenly smells bad, or is scratching, licking or shaking their head more than usual, book an appointment with your vet rather than reaching for the shampoo.
For everyday grooming:
- Brush your dog regularly to lift loose hair and dirt, which also means less hair on the sofa.
- Bath them only when needed with a shampoo made for dogs, never human shampoo, and dry them thoroughly afterwards. Your vet or groomer can tell you how often suits your dog's coat and skin.
- Look after their teeth with the dental care your vet recommends.
- Keep their collar and harness clean, as these hold on to smell surprisingly well.
Dog smell in the house but no dog?
If you can smell wet dog in the house and you don't own a dog, the cause is usually something else. A musty, wet dog type of smell is often damp: condensation on windows, a damp wall behind furniture, wet washing drying indoors, or a washing machine with a smelly seal and drawer. Drains, a leak under the sink or a damp carpet can smell similar.
If you've recently moved in, the smell may also come from a previous owner's pets in the carpets or underlay, in which case a deep clean of the carpets is the place to start.
Our guide to the musty smell in the house explains how to track down a damp smell in autumn. If you see mould, or the smell keeps coming back, speak to your landlord or a qualified damp specialist rather than covering it with fragrance.
Does an air purifier help with dog smell?
An air purifier can help as part of your routine. Many models use a HEPA filter to catch airborne pet hair and dander, and some also include a carbon filter aimed at smells. Choose one sized for the room, check what the maker says it can and can't do, and change the filters as recommended. It won't clean the dog's bed or the sofa for you, though, so it works well alongside regular washing and vacuuming.
What smells good in a house with a dog? Fresh scents to finish
Once the house smells neutral again, a fresh fragrance makes it feel clean and welcoming. Fragrance won't remove dog smell from a bed or carpet, so use it as the finishing touch after cleaning, not instead of it. These scent families work well in a dog-owning home:
- Fresh laundry. The scent of clean washing is perfect after a big wash day. Our Fresh Linen Wax Melts blend airy cotton sheets with soft florals, white musk and a powdery finish, while Fluffy Towels Wax Melts mix zesty lemon and crisp apple with lavender and lily. Browse more in our laundry wax melts collection.
- Soft and powdery. Our Baby Powder Room Spray opens with fresh cotton, rose petals and light citrus over creamy musk and vanilla, lovely in hallways and bedrooms.
- Citrus. Bright and zesty, and great in kitchens and utility rooms where dogs often dry off. Our Orange and Bergamot Room Spray blends sweet orange and crisp bergamot with neroli, amber and cedarwood.
- Cool and crisp. Our Frosted Eucalyptus Room Spray opens with eucalyptus and soft fruit before a floral heart and a base of patchouli and musk.
- Woodland walks. If you'd rather your hallway smelled of the walk than the wet dog, our New Forest Walk Room Spray is inspired by autumn walks in Hampshire's New Forest, with mandarin, rosemary and bergamot, crisp leaves and oak, and cedar, musk and vanilla.
Prefer a candle? Our Fresh Linen Candle Tin (£14.99) pairs orange and citrus with rose, lily and jasmine over soft musk and patchouli, and has a cotton wick. For more ideas room by room, see our guide on how to make your house smell nice.
Room spray, wax melts or a reed diffuser: which suits a home with a dog?
| Format | Good for | Using it with a dog in the house |
|---|---|---|
| Room spray | A quick lift before visitors arrive | Spray into the air away from your dog, their bed and bowls, and away from flames |
| Wax melts | Filling a room with fragrance for the evening | Use a burner on a stable, high surface your dog can't reach or knock, and never leave it unattended |
| Reed diffuser | Gentle, all-day background scent | Place it high up where it can't be knocked over or drunk from |
| Candle | A cosy evening glow | Keep it well out of reach of wagging tails, and never leave it burning in an empty room |
A room spray is the quickest fix: our sprays come in 150ml (£9.99) with a fine mist trigger and lock, or 300ml (£18.99) with a screw cap and a separate trigger spray to fit. Wax melts are £3.75 for a Mini Snap Bar or £6.00 for a Snap Bar, and a reed diffuser (£19.99 for 100ml) keeps a soft scent going day after day with no flames or electricity. If you're torn, our room spray vs reed diffuser guide explains the differences.
Using home fragrance safely around your dog
Dogs have a far stronger sense of smell than we do, so a little fragrance goes a long way. Keep it gentle and follow these simple rules:
- Keep wax melts, candles and burners out of reach, on a stable, heat-resistant surface your dog can't reach, nudge or knock with their tail. Store packs of wax melts in a closed cupboard.
- Never leave a lit candle or burner unattended, and let melted wax cool and set before you move the burner.
- Ventilate the room and use less fragrance in smaller rooms. Make sure your dog can always leave the room, and keep their bed in a scent-free spot.
- Don't spray near your dog. Spray room spray into the air when your dog isn't in the room, and keep sprays off your dog, their bedding, toys and food and water bowls.
- Patch test fabrics. You can lightly mist curtains, cushions and linen, but test a small hidden area first. Our sprays can mark some fabrics and polished, painted, leather or plastic surfaces.
- Keep sprays away from flames. Our room sprays are made with perfumer's alcohol, so they're flammable. Never spray near a lit candle, tealight burner, log burner, open fire or hob.
- Follow the product label on every candle, wax melt, burner and spray.
If your dog seems uncomfortable, stop using the fragrance, air the room and speak to your vet. If you think your dog has eaten a wax melt, contact your vet straight away and keep the packaging. Our guide are wax melts safe for dogs and cats? goes into more detail.
Dog smell in house: FAQs
Do dogs make your house smell?
Most dogs have a gentle smell of their own, and it builds up on their bed, blankets, sofas and carpets over time. Regular washing, vacuuming, grooming and fresh air keep it under control, so a dog-owning home doesn't have to smell of dog.
What is the fastest way to get rid of dog smell in the house?
Open windows on opposite sides of the house, wash the dog's bedding and throws, vacuum sofas and carpets, and wipe the hard surfaces your dog touches. Once the room smells neutral, a fresh room spray gives a quick lift.
How do I stop my house smelling of wet dog?
Towel your dog dry as soon as they come in, dry them in an easy-to-clean room, rinse off mud and wash dog towels often. Keeping a window open a crack while they dry helps the smell clear rather than settle.
How often should I wash my dog's bed?
Every week or two is a good routine for covers and blankets, and more often after muddy walks or if your dog is unwell. Vacuum the bed between washes and always follow the care label.
Why does my house smell like wet dog when I don't have a dog?
It's usually damp: condensation, a damp wall, wet washing drying indoors, a smelly washing machine seal or drains. A previous owner's pets can also leave a smell in carpets. If you see mould or the smell keeps returning, get it checked properly.
Will a candle or room spray get rid of dog smell?
A candle, wax melt or room spray adds fragrance, but it won't remove dog smell from a bed, sofa or carpet. Clean and air the house first, then use fragrance as the finishing touch, always out of your dog's reach and away from their bedding and bowls.
Keep your home fresh, with the dog included
So, how do you get rid of dog smell in your house? Clean the places the smell lives (the dog's bed, blankets, sofas, carpets and towels), dry your dog well after wet walks, deal with accidents using an enzyme cleaner, and let fresh air through every day. Then add a fresh scent so your home smells welcoming, muddy paws and all.
Our wax melts are handmade in the UK using 100% soy wax and fragrance oils, and they're vegan and cruelty-free. We hand-pour our home fragrance at our workshop at Eastover Farm, Abbots Ann, near Andover, with more than 200 fragrances across the wider range. For more ideas, see our guide to making your home smell fresh all day.