How to remove dog smell from your car
It can last for days and is quite intense and unpleasant.
Owning a dog has countless benefits that are well known and appreciated by those who share their lives with one, but at the same time, having a furry animal at home has certain drawbacks that are minor, but do exist. And one of them is the dog odor that can linger in the car when we’ve traveled with our pet. This smell, especially in large breeds, can be very intense and even bothersome. Furthermore, the stench that remains can last for days and seem impossible to eliminate. But, as always, there are effective options and remedies that, when applied correctly, can help us restore a neutral aroma and eliminate unwanted odors in our vehicle.
Removing dog hair
The fact that dogs shed hair and leave it in the car causes the smell to become much more concentrated, since even if the animal is no longer in the vehicle, its traces of fur remain. Therefore, the first essential step to eliminating dog odor is to remove these residues. The quickest and easiest way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner, which we should use over all the car seats and floor mats. If a vacuum cleaner is not available, we can also use the handy rolls of adhesive tape to remove lint from clothing. It’s a slower and more laborious procedure, but quite effective.
Baking soda or ground coffee
Once we have the car free of dog hair, it’s time to use baking soda, which, as always, comes to our aid, in this case for its power to eliminate and absorb all kinds of odors. Simply sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the car’s upholstery and carpets, especially in the area where our dog usually travels. Let the baking soda sit overnight, and the next morning, vacuum up all the baking soda and, with it, vacuum up the unpleasant odors . We can do this method exactly the same way, but with a bowl of ground coffee. And, if we wish, and after thoroughly airing out the car, we can use an air freshener to finish the job.
Also with vinegar
Using vinegar is also a recommended option for effectively removing dog odor from your car. In this case, after vacuuming, mix equal parts white cleaning vinegar and water in a container. Next, wet a cloth with the mixture and thoroughly rub the car seats and carpets. It’s best to leave the windows slightly down for the next few hours to allow the upholstery and floor mats to dry thoroughly. And, as with the previous tip, you can use a car air freshener for even better results.
Or with citrus fruits
Citrus fruits also work very well for absorbing odors and also have a built-in air freshener. What we should do is spread pieces of orange, lemon, or tangerine peel (whichever scent we like best) around the vehicle and let them sit overnight. We can remove them the next day, although if the smell persists, we can repeat with fresh pieces.
