If you love your dog, you probably take them in your car. But sometimes, the car starts to smell like your dog. That smell can be strong and hard to get rid of. This guide will help you remove dog smell from your car. You will find simple steps and easy tips.
Why Does Your Car Smell Like a Dog?
Dogs have a natural smell. This comes from their fur, skin, and breath. When your dog rides in your car, some hair, dirt, and oils stick to the seats and floor. Over time, these things cause a bad smell. Wet dogs make the smell stronger. Also, accidents like pee or drool add to the odor.
What You Need to Remove Dog Smell
Before you start, gather these items. They will help you clean well and get rid of odors:
Vacuum cleaner (with brush tool)
Carpet and upholstery cleaner
Baking soda
White vinegar
Soft cloths or towels
Spray bottle
Brush or scrubber
Activated charcoal (optional)
Step 1: Remove Dog Hair and Dirt
The first step is to remove dog hair and dirt from your car. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush tool. Vacuum the seats, floor mats, carpets, and under the seats. Try to get all the hair and dirt. This helps reduce the smell source.
If you don’t have a vacuum, use a sticky tape or rubber glove to pick up hair. Rub the glove on seats and carpets. Hair will stick to it. Repeat until most hair is gone.
Step 2: Clean the Seats and Carpets
Next, clean the seats and carpets with a good cleaner. You can buy a car upholstery cleaner or make your own.
To make a simple cleaner, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the cleaner lightly on the seats and carpets. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Then, use a soft brush to scrub the fabric. This helps remove dirt and odor-causing particles. After scrubbing, wipe with a clean, damp cloth. Open the car doors to let it dry.
Step 3: Use Baking Soda to Remove Odor
Baking soda is a great natural odor remover. After cleaning, sprinkle baking soda on the seats and carpets. Let it sit for several hours or overnight. Baking soda will soak up bad smells.
After waiting, vacuum the baking soda from the car. The smell should be much better now.
Step 4: Clean Air Vents and Hard Surfaces
Dog smells can hide in air vents and hard surfaces like plastic and leather. Use a damp cloth and mild cleaner to wipe all hard surfaces. Clean the dashboard, door panels, and center console.
For air vents, use a small brush or cotton swab to clean inside. You can also spray a small amount of vinegar-water mix into the vents. This helps remove odors inside the air system.
Step 5: Use Activated Charcoal for Extra Freshness
Activated charcoal is good at absorbing odors from the air. You can buy small bags of charcoal and place them in your car. Leave them inside for a few days to absorb the smell.
This method is safe and natural. It works well if the smell is still there after cleaning.
Step 6: Keep Your Dog Clean Before Car Rides
One way to stop dog smell is to keep your dog clean. Brush your dog before the ride. If your dog is wet, dry them well. A clean dog will leave less dirt and smell in your car.
You can also use a dog blanket or seat cover. Wash the cover often to keep your car fresh.
Extra Tips to Prevent Dog Smell in Your Car
Open car windows to air out the car after rides
Use a car air freshener made for pets
Wash car mats regularly
Keep food and treats out of the car to avoid extra smells
Clean up accidents quickly to stop smells from growing
Professional Cleaning Options
If the dog smell is very strong, you might need a deep clean. Some car cleaners use special tools like steam cleaners. Steam cleaning cleans deep inside the fabric and kills odor germs.
Other professionals use ozone machines. Ozone kills odor molecules in the air and on surfaces. This method is very strong but should be done by experts.
Another option is using enzyme cleaners. These break down the smelly particles from dog urine or dirt. Enzyme sprays are safe and work well on tough smells.
Summary Table: How to Remove Dog Smell From Your Car
Step
Action
Tools Needed
Why It Helps
1
Remove hair and dirt
Vacuum, brush, sticky tape
Stops smell source
2
Clean seats and carpets
Cleaner, brush, cloth
Removes dirt and odor particles
3
Use baking soda
Baking soda, vacuum
Absorbs bad smells
4
Clean air vents and surfaces
Cloth, brush, vinegar mix
Removes hidden odors
5
Use activated charcoal
Charcoal bags
Absorbs odors from air
6
Keep dog clean
Brush, towel, seat cover
Prevents future smells
Final Thoughts
Getting dog smell out of your car takes time and care. Clean often and use simple tools. Natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda work well. Keep your dog clean and dry before trips. If the smell stays strong, consider professional cleaning. Your car can smell fresh again.
Remember, patience is key. A clean car feels good for you and your dog. Enjoy your drives without bad smells!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Get Dog Smell Out Of Your Car?
Vacuum your car thoroughly and ventilate it well. Shampoo carpets and seats. Clean air vents. Use odor neutralizers like baking soda or activated charcoal. Regularly wash removable covers and brush your dog before rides to prevent odor buildup.
What Do Car Detailers Use To Remove Odors?
Car detailers remove odors using deep cleaning like steam cleaning, ozone generators, chlorine dioxide foggers, enzymatic cleaners, and activated charcoal. These methods eliminate odor molecules and absorb smells from fabrics, vents, and surfaces for a fresh, odor-free car interior.
What Cancels Out Dog Smell?
To cancel out dog smell, thoroughly vacuum and steam clean fabrics and carpets. Use enzymatic odor neutralizers and activated charcoal. Clean air vents and hard surfaces. Regularly wash removable covers and brush your dog before rides. These steps effectively eliminate dog odors in cars.
How To Completely Remove Smell From Car?
Thoroughly vacuum and steam clean carpets and seats. Clean air vents and hard surfaces. Use enzymatic odor neutralizers or ozone generators. Place activated charcoal or baking soda to absorb lingering smells. Keep removable covers clean and brush pets before rides to prevent odors.
