How often have you found yourself waking up to a blanket covered in dog hair? How about waking up smelling like your dog? Sigh, I know. Dog odor can be quite unpleasant, so if you want to eliminate these smells from your home. Read on to find out how to get rid of dog odor out of blankets.
Dog odors are very common, especially during summertime. They are caused by bacteria and fungi that thrive in warm, moist environments. The main culprits behind these lingering odors are dog fur, urine, and feces. These substances can easily spread through the air, causing a strong pet smell.
Contents
Things you will need:
- distilled warm water
- white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- baking soda
- hydrogen peroxide
- dishwashing liquid soap
- spray bottle
- steam cleaner
- laundry detergent
- fabric softener
How to get rid of dog odor out of blankets
1. Use non-toxic cleaners like vinegar and baking soda
As pet owners, we have to be careful in using cleaning solutions and tools to get rid of pet stains or pee smell in our home. Regular detergent dissolved in warm water does the job. But sometimes, they contain toxic ingredients that may harm our dogs.
A popular non-toxic cleaning solution would be the white vinegar-water solution. Simply combine 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1 liter of water, pour it into a spray bottle then spray it all over your blankets. It may smell “vinegary” at first. But when exposed to air, the vinegar scent goes away, along with the foul odor coming from urine stains and other tough odors.
Another popular option is baking soda. Remember how baking soda removes tough dirt and stains on our kitchen sink? It can do the same to your blankets. Just sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda on your blanket. Leave it for 1-2 hours and remove it by using a vacuum cleaner.
2. Use a Fabric freshener or pet odor eliminator that eliminates pet odor
Fabric fresheners are great for eliminating pet odors on clothing and blankets. They absorb the doggy smell and leave a long-lasting scent that makes your blanket feel soft, fresh, and fragrant.
However, fabric fresheners may not be enough to eliminate tough stains, pet odors, and natural oils. Other cleaning products and stain removers you can try are enzymatic cleaners or oxygen bleach for spot cleaning.
3. Wash blankets regularly
If the smell of dog on your blanket is something that cannot be fixed temporarily, throw it in the washing machine and give it a good spin. Just make sure it is machine washable! Use hot water for added cleaning to get rid of that strong odor! Besides, blankets really need to be washed regularly to get rid of dirt, dust, and sweat so you can have a good night’s sleep.
4. Use a steam cleaner and/or vacuum
A steam cleaner is great for cleaning dog blankets because of the use of water vapor and high temperatures to kill bacteria and germs. Not only does your blanket smell and feel clean afterward. But disinfected, too.
Vacuum cleaning is also a great option for cleaning blankets. It sucks the dirt, dust, and dog hair out of your blankets, leaving them squeaky clean.
5. Regular grooming
Grooming your dog regularly prevents funky smells. The best way to do this is to bathe him at least once per week. Bathing dogs is important for several reasons. First, bathing helps remove dirt and other debris from his fur. Second, it also helps keep his coat clean and shiny. Lastly, it removes any dead pet hair that may be stuck to his skin. Finally, your blankets will be free from any dog urine smell, unpleasant odors, and permanent stains that cannot be removed by just one wash.
6. If all else fails go to the Dry Cleaners
If nothing else works and you have a favorite blanket your dog uses then I would recommend you go to a dry cleaner. These people are professional cleaners and can help you get rid of the most stubborn stains and the worst odors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you deodorize a blanket?
There are different ways to deodorize a blanket safely. The first is by using an enzyme cleaner such as baking soda. Pour baking soda and leave it for 1-2 hours. Then remove the baking soda using a vacuum cleaner and you’re all set. Another option is to remove dog fur first using lint rollers, and they spray your blanket with Fabreze.
Q: How long does a dog’s scent stay on a blanket?
A dog’s scent stays on a blanket for up to two weeks. But, if you wash your blankets regularly, the scent will less likely to cling to your blanket. Otherwise, you can get rid of the smell temporarily by spraying fabric freshener or spraying with a vinegar-water solution.
Q: How do you get the smell out of a blanket without washing it?
One of the ways to get rid of the bad smell of a blanket is by using Fabric fresheners. Another option is to use a vinegar-water solution using a spray bottle. Lastly, you may want to ask your dog to sleep on his bed for now, especially if he hasn’t bathed yet.
Q: Can I spray Febreze on my dog’s bed?
Yes. Fabreze is not intended to be sprayed directly on pets like dogs. However, you can use it to freshen and deodorize dog beds, blankets, and toys to remove the awful smell.
Summary
If any of these recommendations don’t work, the easiest solution would be to throw away your old and smelly blankets and replace them with new ones. Besides, professional housekeeping services advise that blankets and other bedroom essentials like mattresses and pillows must be replaced after 3-5 years.
Furthermore, there are instances where, as much as we love our dogs, we need to set boundaries in order to maintain our house neat and tidy. It’s not okay to sacrifice your health just because you love your dog. Train your dog to sleep on his own bed to have a good night’s sleep.
Dr. Elly has always loved animals, and she knew from a young age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. After studying hard in veterinary school, she practiced in several different countries before moving to North Carolina with her husband and young family. She currently works part time as a veterinarian while caring for her 4 busy children and writing this blog. Dr. Elly genuinely cares about the welfare of her patients. She currently has three dogs, two cats, 5 chickens and 2 rabbits (yes a bit of a zoo!)
