Pet feces, urine, and vomit are some of the unfortunate side effects of your four-legged friend.
The smell of dog poop in the house comes from organic compounds, bacterial growth, and stains that cleaning can’t fully remove. When waste is left even briefly, urine, feces, and microscopic residues seep into carpet fibers, wood grain, grout, and upholstery.
Over time, these substances emit ammonia, greenhouse gases, hydrogen sulfide, and skatole (an organic compound naturally found in feces) that saturate the air.
To truly eliminate the odor, you must remove solid waste (step 1), use cleaners that neutralize (step 2), and treat the microscopic remnants (step 3). So, I will present several methods to eradicate the smell of dog poop.
#1 Use an Enzymatic Cleaner
Enzyme cleaners are bio-based agents specifically designed to tackle odors and tough stains in your home. Since enzymatic cleaners work to remove odors and discolorations, they are better than all-purpose stain removers for bio-based stains.
These cleaners break down organic molecules and eliminate them from surfaces like clothes, walls, carpets, and furniture. They continue working as long as the source of the odour is present.
Important notes – do not use an enzymatic cleaner and carpet cleaner together. Do not use on untreated silk, suede, leather, hardwood, or wool specialty fabrics. Apply the cleaner according to the instructions. Use enzyme cleaners specifically made for pets.
#2 Vinegar & Water Solution
Vinegar can help neutralize odors in the home. Place bowls of vinegar around the room to absorb odors, or mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle for all-purpose cleaning. Vinegar has a fairly strong odor; you can add essential oils to produce a different scent. Vinegar doesn’t leave a residue, so don’t worry about rinsing afterwards.
#3 Steam + Enzyme Clean Combo
Steamers use high-temperature steam to kill bacteria and allergens, soften grime, dissolve grease, and remove odors. Steam, heated to a high temperature, is also able to dissolve dog poop that can be difficult to remove with traditional cleaning methods. No harsh chemicals, no endless scrubbing.
Note – the first step in this method is to spray the area with a good enzymatic cleaner. Make sure the cleaner reaches deep. Let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes so enzymes can break down odor molecules. In the second step, use the steamer.
#4 Baking Soda Application
Baking soda might just be the most versatile staple in your pantry. Sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda, is not an acid but rather a base.
Sprinkle baking soda where the “accident” happened, and let it sit for a bit before scrubbing it with a brush.
Editor’s Pick
#5 Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is one of the most powerful natural cleaning agents. It provides many benefits without the use of harsh chemicals. To use it, in the case of dog poop smell, put bags of activated charcoal around the house to absorb odor. Charcoal bags can also be used as an air purifier, absorber, and dehumidifier.
#6 Houseplants That Purify Air
Indoor plants can reduce levels of indoor air pollution, including the remnants of dog poop smell. The best plants to clean the air by removing harmful pollutants are:
- Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
- Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- English ivy (Hedera helix)
- Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’)
- Florist’s chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
- Mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
- Peace lily (Spathiphyllum sp
- Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’)
- Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Tips
- be wary of using strong chemical cleaners that can harm your pets or children.
- spot identification using UV blacklight. Blacklight is a category of ultraviolet light and is light in the 315 to 400 nanometers wavelength range. When this UV light hits certain substances, these substances fluoresce and become visible to the naked eye. As such, pet stains that weren’t cleaned properly will show up under UV light as well.
- when an accident occurs, it’s crucial to act quickly.
- use multiple cleaning modalities in one session.
- place odor absorbers in corners, near accident spots.