Effective Tips to Eliminate Dog Odors from Your Car
Published: 2024-11-15
Many people take their furry friends in the car wherever they go. Families bring their dogs on road trips, and even if they are not traveling far, they have many reasons to take their dogs on a car ride. Our furry friends enjoy car rides with the windows down and their tongues flapping in the wind.
While dog owners also enjoy spending time with their pets, driving with them can be unpleasant as they can leave behind a strong dog smell. Sometimes, this car smells of dog can be so bad that you might think twice about taking your dog in the car. The bad odor often comes from yeast and bacteria in your dog’s fur. These tiny particles can get into the car’s air or settle into your seats and carpets.
Pet urine smells can be even tougher to get rid of. The only way to remove these odors is to neutralize the particles causing the smells instead of just masking them temporarily. In this blog, we will share tips on how to get pet smell out of car and keep your car smelling fresh. These tips will help you take your dog on rides without the car smelling bad! So, let us begin!
Related: How to Eliminate Unpleasant Odors in the Home
How to remove pet odor from car?
Vehicles seat covers
Seat covers are one of the easiest ways to prevent dog odor in car. They come in different sizes and are simple to put on and take off when you do not need them.
These covers can also help keep your dog in one area of the car for safety and catch extra fur during shedding season. Just toss the vehicle seat covers in the washing machine and let them air dry to keep them clean.
Baking soda
Another way to eliminate dog odor in car is by using baking soda. Put some baking soda in a bowl and leave it in your car overnight. Keep doing this for several nights in a row if the smell is strong. However, since this method takes some time to completely remove the odor, it might not be the best option if you need a quick solution.
Wash removable parts of your car
You can get rid of car smells of dog and make your car smell fresh by washing all the removal parts of your car. These parts include rubber mats, blankets for your dog and seat covers. It is best to use a cool temperature and a gentle cycle when washing these parts.
Do not forget to check the labels for any special washing instructions to ensure you do not damage the items. In addition to this, consider trying car vent solid gel air freshener by Elix is made using natural essential oils and lasts up to 45 days.
Vacuum
Vacuums are excellent for cleaning up, and the best thing is that they can help with dog smells too. Dog hair can build up and can create a strong smell. If your dog has left a smell in your car, vacuuming is the best way to get rid of that smell as it helps eliminate the source of the odor.
While vacuuming can take some effort, it is very effective and can reach all areas inside your car, especially those hard-to-reach areas where fur might hide. Vacuuming the car daily can help keep dog odors under control. If you do not have a vacuum, many car washes offer vacuum services for a small fee.
Vodka and water
A mix of vodka and water works as an air freshener and helps eliminate odors. You can spray this mixture in your car and target the smelly areas. Remember to keep the windows open afterward to prevent the mixture from getting into your car’s air filters.
Moreover, if you get pulled over, your car might smell like alcohol. So, give it time to air out before you go for a drive.
Change your car’s air filters
Changing your car’s air filters daily can help keep the air clean, especially after driving with your dog. Clogged filters do not work well, but changing them often can be costly. That is why you must consider using washable and reusable air filters instead.
They are easier to maintain and save money over time as they only need cleaning every 50,000 miles compared to 15,000 miles for disposable ones.
White vinegar
Since white vinegar is a natural odor remover, it works well for getting rid dog odor in car. All you need to do is mix it with water and spray it inside your car. The smell will disappear as the solution dries. However, remember to keep your windows down until it dries to prevent them from getting into the air filters of your car.
Bread
Placing a few pieces of bread on a dish towel inside is a natural way to remove dog odors from your car. Leave the bread in the car overnight to soak up the car smells of dog. You can use any type of bread as all of them work well. When you are done, throw the bread out for the birds to avoid waste!
Quickly get rid of new and old urine stains
Sometimes, bad odors come from urine. If your dog has an accident in the car, it is best to deal with it as soon as possible to prevent a lasting unpleasant smell. Rinse the urine stain with water and use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the stain more effectively.
After this, use a pet odor neutralizer by Elix and let the area dry. If you can still see the stain after it dries, clean it with a carpet cleaner.
Suggested Read: The Ultimate Guide to Tackling Kitchen Smells
Conclusion
As a dog owner, you will often need to drive with your dog. Although dogs make great pets, they can sometimes smell, especially in the small space of your car. Fortunately, now you know how to get rid of pet smell in car and can follow the tips discussed in this blog. Lastly, do not forget to check out our website for a wide variety of fragrance and air freshener products!