With materials you most likely already have at home, there are three simple ways to get rid of dog stains and odors from your car: vinegar and water, baking soda, and mild soap. Continue reading to find out how to maintain a spotless and fragrant car even if you have a dog who rides shotgun all the time.
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How to Get Dog Smell Out of Your Car?
One benefit of having a loyal dog companion is the endless enjoyment you can get out of having your dog drive while you go on adventures. Sadly, you realize that sometimes these incredible journeys have a price: the stink of your car. Here are eight ideas for cleaning your car and adding to the fun you have with your pet.
Find the Root Cause (pet Stain and Urine Detector)
Using a UV stain and urine detector is one of the most effective ways to “detect” intrusive dog urine stains that might be overlooked. A urine illuminator is an excellent tool that can help make sure you have all the surface stains out of your automobile. This portable UV light is simple to attach to any common spray bottle to illuminate urine stains that are difficult to see. This eases the identification and ensures the treatment of the correct spot.
Vacuum the Odor Out
Portable car vacuum cleaners are great at removing odors, including your dog’s. If the stench results from particle properties, vacuum your vehicle first.
Dog hair may be the source of an unpleasant dog odor in your car, so you should do this on a regular basis. You should use a portable vacuum if you have one, and if not, consider renting one from a car wash for a fee. The vacuum attachment for couching can also be used.
Use Car Shampoo
The chemical components in your dog’s urine can be dissolved by the ingredients in car shampoos, which can help get rid of your dog’s odor in the car. If your dog urinates inside the car, washing the interior with shampoo can help.
Change Air Filters
The removal of bad breath is aided by air filters. However, when you do not replace them constantly, they become clogged and eventually, may stop working properly. To make sure that they are free of any pollutants released while the car was moving, you should check the air filters after a trip with your dog.
When you frequently commute with your dog, changing your car’s air filters can be time-consuming and expensive. As a result, it is advised that you purchase some recyclable air filters, which are easier and less expensive to replace than standard air filters.
Apply Odor Neutralizers
You should destroy or neutralize all unwanted odor particles nested deeply inside the fibers of your car’s canvas and other surfaces. Fortunately, there are various solutions for removing such doggy odor:
- Angry Orange pet odor eliminator sprayis the perfect option to help remove the unwanted dog smell that’s left behind in your car. Your car will smell citrusy fresh after using this product, which is made from the oil found in orange peels.
- After drying up, all smells are eliminated by white vinegar, an organic odor remover. Fill a sprayer halfway with water and white vinegar and use the mixture to sanitize both seats and floors. On the other hand, you can wet a rag with this mixture and then wipe everything down.
- A vodka and water solution can be sprinkled in the air to refresh and get rid of smells. Spray the problem right where it’s coming from, then leave the windows of your car open.
Use Baking Soda
Just like with your fridge, if you place a bowl or an open container of baking soda inside your car overnight, it does a great job of absorbing bad smells. If the smell is particularly bad, this may need to be done several nights in a row.
Use An Enzymatic Cleaner for Deep Odors and Stains
You can remove dog spots and smells with enzymatic cleaners that are safe for pets. Such non-toxic treatments contain bacteria and enzymes, just like in yogurt. Once applied, the spots start to “digest” the organic substance. The “meal” is over when the stains and odor are removed, which happens frequently. It is advised to test enzymatic cleaners in a discreet area first to see how your pet responds before using them on your home.
The removal of dog feces stains from car upholstery is another task that enzyme cleaners are helpful for. Use a vinegar or baking soda solution to completely get rid of any smell that may still be present.
Use Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the best cleaners out there, and it also works as an odor remover. If you put equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the inside of your car (not too much, of course), it should help reduce or remove the odor.
Charcoal
Carbon is one of the best materials for odor absorption. Keep a lump of grilling charcoal in your car for a few days. The can aid in the smell’s disappearance.
The simplest method is to purchase a charcoal bag and put it inside your vehicle. Make a hole at the top to allow it to absorb the smell inside as you ride.
How to Prevent Dog Odors and Stains in Your Car?
Use a Dog Car Seat Protector
Your dog is protected from the interior of your car by a car seat protector. All the grunge, grime, and goop she brings into the car get trapped on the seat protector, leaving your car seats splatter-free. Then, when smells and stains build up, you can simply wash the seat protector.
The type of car seat protector you need depends on where your dog relaxes during rides—whether that’s secured with a dog harness or in a travel dog crate. There are specialized, water-resistant car seat covers for the front passenger seat, the back seat, and for the cargo area of an SUV. The entire back seat area is covered in hammock-style covers, including the floors and the backs of the driver and passenger seats.
You can reduce the mess by having your dog ride along in a crate or seat belt harness—some states even require you to restrain your dog in the car. Keeping your dog restrained not only keeps her safe, but also limits the mess to a designated area. Climb in, fasten the clips, and go while knowing that your dog is secure and the mud is kept at bay.
Clean Your Car Seats After Every Ride
Spot check your car upholstery or seat protector after every ride. Give the area a quick wipe down if you see any drool, dirt, excessive dog hair, or crumbs from dog treats. This will stop the accumulation of bad odors and smells.
Keep a Cleaning Kit in the Car
If you routinely go hunting or hiking with your dog, it’s smart to keep a cleaning kit in your car at all times. For quick, post-adventure cleanups, a caddy with a spray bottle filled with water, a few towels, and a small brush will work.
Wipe Off Your Dog
Keep clean, dry, washable, and water-absorbent towels in the car for this purpose. After your adventures, especially those in the rain, snow, or mud, give your dog a quick wipe down or choose a portable dog wash or shower to keep water and mud outside of the car.
Crack the Windows
Mild odors won’t build up over time when fresh air is flowing through the car instead of being trapped inside. Open your car’s front and rear windows if it isn’t bitterly cold outside to let the stench out.
How to Wash a Dog Car Seat Cover?
After each ride, sweep up crumbs and dirt, and use a spot cleaner to remove small stains, mud, and drool. On a warm day, leave the car doors open if there is a wet spot after cleaning to speed up the drying process.
When dirt and odors build up, it’s time to toss the cover into the wash. Large dirt and grime particles should be removed from the car seat protector. Dry on a low heat setting after washing in cool water on a gentle cycle. Restyle and reinstall the seat cover in your car after removing it from the dryer.
Summary: How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Your Car
You can use a steam cleaner to remove the stain if your seats are made of cloth. Or, if you have a wet/dry vacuum, you can use it on your seats along with carpet cleaner.
If you don’t have the time (or the stomach) to do it yourself, you can also have the interior of your car cleaned by a professional.
Consider investing in a water-resistant cover that your dog can sit on during a car trip. There are various types, including hammocks. Verify again that they are either water-resistant or waterproof. Purchasing one of these covers also has the benefit of shielding your seats from dog drool and hair.
