How To Get Rid Of Pet Odor in an Apartment

You love your pet, but you don’t love the way they smell. Dogs and cats shower us with affection, but their odors tend to linger. Strong pet scents can also eat into your pet fees and security deposit when it’s time to move. Don’t just put up with those putrid perfumes, though. These simple steps can teach you how to get rid of pet odor in an apartment.

1. Clean up accidents when they happen

   We’d all prefer our pets to use their litter boxes or go outside, but sometimes accidents happen. When they do, start cleaning immediately. Procrastinating only gives the scent time to set in. It also encourages your pet to continue remarking the places they regard as their “territory.”
   
   Put a thick layer of paper towels down on any urine stain. Cover that with a layer of newspaper, then stand on the mess for about a minute. The pressure should lift the pee into your paper layers. Check the place where your pet peed, and feel for moisture. It should be relatively dry. If not, repeat the process until it is. Use clean, cool water to rinse up any urine that’s soaked in, then blot the area with a paper towel or an old bath towel.
   
   If the mess is number two, don’t worry. Pick up any solid pieces in toilet paper and flush them. Remove the excess with paper towels. Make a cleaning solution from equal parts white vinegar and bleach-free dish soap. Spritz on the offending site, then blot with paper towels. Repeat until the poo stain disappears. Liberally cover with baking soda and let it sit for 10 minutes. Keep your pet away, as baking soda can make them sick. Vacuum the baking soda, then apply an enzyme cleaner to remove any lingering traces. The same method should also work for vomit.
   These same techniques will also work on urine, waste, and vomit smells you find later if — for example —
   your new apartment has a dog or cat scent, but they may not be as effective. Tackle smells as soon as you uncover them, even if the surfaces are dry, to easily eliminate odors.

2. Use a blacklight to identify problem areas

   Many accidents happen when you’re not looking, but a blacklight can show you where to clean. If your apartment smells like dog pee or cat pee, turn the lights out and shine the blacklight around. Stained areas will glow brightly. Use string to mark these areas so you can spot clean them once you turn your lights back on. Your mix of vinegar and dish soap can come in handy here. Commercial pet cleaners are also useful for eliminating old stains and the odors that come with them. Read online reviews to find the most effective pet cleaners.

3. Clean items your pet uses

   Many renters focus their efforts on the floors, forgetting that dog and cat smell in an apartment can cling to any surface their pets use frequently. For the perfect result, make sure all the items your pet uses get cleaned before they start smelling. Blankets, pillow covers, and many soft pet toys can survive a trip through the washing machine. You may like to get a professional to clean your couch each year if your pet spends time lazing on it.

4. Use a blacklight to identify problem areas

   Many accidents happen when you’re not looking, but a blacklight can show you where to clean. If your apartment smells like dog pee or cat pee, turn the lights out and shine the blacklight around. Stained areas will glow brightly. Use string to mark these areas so you can spot clean them once you turn your lights back on. Your mix of vinegar and dish soap can come in handy here. Commercial pet cleaners are also useful for eliminating old stains and the odors that come with them. Read online reviews to find the most effective pet cleaners.

5. Scrub the walls

   The walls are another often overlooked source of pet odors, but cats and dogs may urinate up these surfaces. Get rid of cat smell in an apartment, and dog smell too, by spraying your walls with a mix of equal parts water and white vinegar. Then scrub them clean with a wet sponge. Rub some baking soda into the walls to neutralize the odor, then brush it away after a few minutes. If the odor is persistent, ask your landlord if you can paint the apartment with an odor- and stain-blocking paint.

6. Add one or more air purifiers

   Air purifiers purify the air in your apartment by trapping contaminants, including the ones that produce nasty pet smells. Look for an air purifier with a HEPA-grade filter, as companies design these units with pet owners in mind. The number of air purifiers you’ll need will depend on the size of your apartment and the number of rooms your pet accesses. Many people buy a separate filter for every room their pet spends a lot of time in.

7. Ventilate your apartment

   Closed windows and a lack of airflow often traps pet odors inside your apartment. Airing your apartment can dissipate pet odors temporarily or even make them disappear permanently. When you’re home and weather permits, open your apartment’s windows. As a bonus, an open window also lets in sunlight, which can neutralize odors. Turn on the ceiling fan to let air flow throughout your rental. If it’s cold or rainy outside, close the windows but run your air conditioner to keep the air moving. Remember to clean or replace your air conditioner’s air filter regularly to ensure your system runs efficiently.

8. Get a professional carpet cleaner

   Professional carpet cleaners can extract odor particles from carpets and leave your apartment smelling fresh. Their services are a great option for end-of-lease cleans when you’re trying to reclaim your full deposit. Ask the professionals about their methods before you commit, as the heat from steam cleaners will set the odor and any stains in place.

9. Bathe your pet regularly

   While pet odors cling to floors and fixtures, they also linger on pets. Regular baths can keep your pet smelling fresh in your apartment. If you have a relaxed pet, you should be able to bathe them yourself. Many apartment blocks have pet washers to make this task easier. If yours loathes baths, book an appointment with a professional pet cleaner used to wrangling reluctant dogs and cats.