I bought a house three years ago, and the previous owners had two dogs, a husky and a German shepherd. After cleaning out the central air system, we found a lot of dog hair. Now, my wife says the basement smells like dog all the time. What are the best ways to eliminate this smell? The basement floors are currently tiled, but the stairs leading down have carpet.
3 Answers
The dog smell can mean a bunch of different things, like dog urine or wet dog smell. If it's really bad, I suggest ripping up the carpets and giving everything a deep clean. I’ve used a Big Green Machine rented from Lowes with pet cleaner sprays, and it worked wonders for me. If you stick to just mopping and cleaning, you might miss what's really causing the odor. Following up with an ozone generator is also a game changer.
Honestly, it's tough to fully get rid of dog-related odors, but you've got to start by removing the carpets. Deep cleaning the basement is key, and if that doesn’t do the trick, it could be a bigger problem. Consider using a steam mop with a scented disinfectant, and don’t forget to clean the walls too. If it still smells after all that, you might want to bring in a specialist for a heavy-duty clean.
First off, getting rid of the carpets is a solid move. They can hold onto all kinds of smells. After you pull the carpet, scrub those tiles and maybe consider sealing the concrete underneath if it’s still stinky afterwards. Also, if you find any lingering odors, using an ozonator while you're away for the weekend can really help knock out tough smells. Just make sure to remove pets and plants before you do! Good luck!