How to Remove Dog Smell from Your Car

It's not uncommon for dog owners to take their furry friends on road trips. After all, a dog should be a man's best friend. Even if you have the most well-mannered dog, joint walks in the park or ...

It's not uncommon for dog owners to take their furry friends on road trips. After all, a dog should be a man's best friend. Even if you have the most obedient dog, walking together in the park or running errands can leave bad odors behind.

The good news is that dog odors are generally easy to remove, and with occasional attention, you can even continue to spend time with your dog on the road.

• Attention: Before attempting any of the methods below, first vacuum the upholstery with a handheld vacuum cleaner, a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, or a self-service car wash vacuum cleaner. This will remove any loose dirt and pet hair, allowing you to better target the source of bad pet odors. Otherwise, your efforts will be like trying to clean the tiled floor with a dirty mop - just moving the dirt around without achieving the desired cleanliness and fresh smell.

Method 1 of 3: Use baking soda to absorb the smell

Baking soda is known for absorbing odors without adding unwanted odors of its own. This is why many people leave an open box in the refrigerator. The same principle works well in cars to remove minor pet odors.

Necessary materials:

• Baking soda
• Bowl

Step 1: Pour the baking soda into a bowl and put it in the car.. Pour ¼ cup of baking soda into a bowl and place it in the center of your car.

Make sure you carefully place the baking soda in a place where it won't spill out, such as the center of the dashboard or the center console.

Step 2: Leave the baking soda on overnight.. Leave the baking soda alone overnight while you sleep.

Step 3: Remove and Discard the Baking Soda. When you're ready to get behind the wheel of your car again, remove the bowl and discard the baking soda.

• Tip: You may need to leave the baking soda in the car for a few days to get rid of more stubborn pet odors.

Method 2 of 3: Use Vinegar to Neutralize Odors

When the water evaporates with the vinegar in the air, the mixture will cause a neutralization reaction between the odor chemicals and the evaporated vinegar. This can be another great option for removing dog odors from your car.

Necessary materials

• Sprayer
• water
• white vinegar

Step 1: Prepare the Vinegar Solution. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

Step 2: Spray the Solution. Lightly and evenly spray the solution onto any fabrics in the car interior.

You should apply just enough of the water-vinegar mixture that it is damp to the touch, but not so much that it completely saturates the inner fabric.

Step 3: Let dry and repeat as needed.. Let the vinegar air dry for a few hours and repeat this process if any odors remain.

Method 3 of 3: Use an upholstery cleaner designed to remove pet odors.

Specialty pet odor removers can also remove odors left behind by your dog. This option can directly target the stain or odor chemicals, but it can also be more costly and require more effort.

Necessary materials

• bristle brush
• Handheld vacuum cleaner or wet/dry vacuum cleaner
• Pet Smell Cleaner for Upholstered Furniture

Step 1: Spray the cleaner onto the fabric. Spray the cleaner generously on any areas of the fabric where you notice an odor.

Step 2: Use a brush to apply sand to the surface. Gently use a bristle brush to remove stinky sand or dirt from the surface.

Apply light pressure while moving the brush in small circular motions to avoid damaging the upholstery.

Step 3: Let the cleaner sit. Leave the cleaner on for the time indicated in the instructions for your specific product.

After the cleaner has done its job on the fabric, the smell should be gone.

Step 4: Vacuum the leftovers. Remove residue with a handheld vacuum cleaner or a wet/dry vacuum cleaner with attachments.

• Tip: You may want to first try this process on a test section of your car's upholstery to make sure it doesn't discolour the fabric or otherwise ruin its appearance. Select a region that is out of view to try the cleaner.

If none of the above methods work to eliminate the source of the dog smell in your car, you can enlist the help of a professional auto repair shop. These professionals have access to industrial products that eliminate stubborn pet odors, making your car smell fresh again.

If you still want to take your dog on a trip after removing such stubborn doggy odors, consider placing a blanket where your pet will lie down so you can easily take it off and wash it when the trip is over. Also, attend to any pet-related accidents immediately to prevent bad odors. This effort is a small price to pay for the joy of being with your dog on the road.