Having a pet can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the world, but they also take a lot of responsibility. Plus, if you are a proud homeowner, it can be difficult to get used to the mess that dogs and cats can make. They are also known for producing unpleasant smells, which are often a challenge to get rid of.

So to help, I’ve put together some suggestions on how you can remove animal odours from your house or flat.

• Wash upholstery

Something you can do regularly to reduce the strength of the scent in the air is wash your upholstery. So if you’ve got rugs and curtains, and you can remove your sofa cover, I would put these in the washing machine every few weeks. This will help to clean the items and give them a more pleasant smell that will then spread through the rest of the house.

• Swap carpets for laminate floors

A more long-term solution is to take off your carpets and replace them with a laminate floor. Carpet fibres can easily trap bad odours, and it can be difficult to get rid of these even with intense carpet shampooing. But with wooden or laminate floors, you can simply wipe and wash them regularly, and the smell won’t linger.

If you’ve had a bad experience with training a puppy or a kitten (and who hasn’t?), you’ll know they can often have accidents and your carpet may sometimes end up being the victim of this. After they have gone to the toilet on your plush carpet, not only will the stain be difficult to remove, but the smell may never fully go away – or, from my experience, your room is left with a stench of bleach, which isn’t pleasant either. So, don’t hesitate in finding a new covering from websites likeUK Flooring Direct if you want to keep your floors looking pristine.

• Buy neutralising odour sprays

Not all pet owners have huge problems with the smell of their animals but just need a little help making their place smell a bit better; this is where neutralising odour sprays come in handy, as they help reduce the stench our furry friends can often leave. You can typically find these in pet stores, and are a quick fix solution to help you get rid of any unpleasant odours quickly. So if you’ve got friends coming over and you don’t have time to wash your upholstery, spray some of this around your house!

• Use household items to help

You don’t have to just buy specialised products to do this though, as there are a number of items you can find around the house that will help neutralise the smell. Vinegar is something you can use, and all you need to do is spray some on your dog or cat’s bedding and place some near the litter tray of your feline friends. If your pet has a little accident on the floor, it is worthwhile using some of this when cleaning it up to get rid of the lingering odour. And if you hate the smell of wet dogs, simply put some on your pooch when you rinse him or her after a wash.

Baking soda and lemon juice are other good items to have around the house. The former can be sprinkled in litter boxes and bedding; you can also put some on carpets before vacuuming the area. Lemon juice is a pleasant smell itself, so it helps add a nice scent to the room. But don’t forget to place this high up so your pets don’t end up drinking it!

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