The odor won't hit you on the first day you bring home a new furry friend. It builds up gradually, and owners often become nose-blind to it before guests do.
Odors can settle onto surfaces, but also remain in the air. The two primary airborne sources are ammonia from urine and hydrogen sulfide from waste. Both of these are volatile compounds, evaporating into the air and recirculating regardless of surface cleanliness.
If you want to learn how to get rid of pet odor in the house, this guide covers the complete system of both surface and air cleaning.
How to Get Rid of Pet Odor: Surface Cleaning First
Pulling odors on the surfaces of your home is the essential first step in reducing the ongoing production of compounds that can become airborne.
Neutralize with Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda liberally over your upholstery, carpets, and pet bedding and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before vacuuming so you don’t waste the effort. It binds with and neutralizes acidic odor molecules, doing the hard work for you.
Use an Enzyme Cleaner on Stains
Apply an enzyme cleaner directly onto spots of urine or waste and let it air dry fully. The enzymes break down organic matter at the molecular level, eliminating the odor source.
Don't wipe it off early, as interrupting the process leaves residue and odor behind.
Wash Fabric Items Regularly
Wash pet beds, blankets, slipcovers, and curtains regularly in hot water to remove embedded dander, hair, and odor before it transfers back into the air. Throw pillows are easy to overlook, but they're high-traffic odor traps too.
Keep the Litter Box Clean
If you’re a cat owner, scoop the litter daily and deep clean the box itself every week or two with mild soap to cut off the primary ammonia source at its origin. Placement matters too: a confined, low-airflow spot causes odor compounds to concentrate fast.
Why Surface Cleaning Alone Won't Cut It
Surface cleaning is essential, but it can’t remove all pet odors. This is because ammonia and hydrogen sulfide compounds(responsible for cat and dog smells) go airborne and can stay suspended, meaning your mopping and wiping efforts won't touch them.
Odor compounds sit on surfaces, but they also absorb into soft furnishings, circulate through your HVAC system, and can re-enter the air long after cleaning. Even if your home is technically clean, it can still smell because the source isn't your dirty floors or dusty windows, it's the air itself.
3 Air Treatment Solutions for Pet Odor Removal
To truly combat strong pet odors, you’ll need to complement surface cleaning with other strategies. Common options include:
- Natural deodorizers: Baking soda, activated charcoal, or white vinegar can help absorb airborne odors in small spaces. While they’re safe and inexpensive, they require regular application and mostly provide temporary relief.
- Air purifiers: These are designed to continuously capture and neutralize airborne compounds, along with dander and fine hair. Air purifiers clean air in real time, ensuring odors don’t circulate around your living space.
- HVAC systems: Improving airflow or adding in-line filters help reduce odors in your home. However, while HVAC systems can lower airborne smells, they’re less targeted than air purifiers and can accumulate pet hair and dander in filters, requiring frequent maintenance to prevent worsening odors.
Of the three solutions, air purifiers are the most efficient. A good air purifier runs constantly in the background, requiring no effort beyond the occasional filter change. It continuously filters any bad-smelling airborne odor compounds rather than masking them, captures pet dander and fine hair particles, and improves air quality for everyone in the household.
Unlike HVAC systems, which can quickly become clogged, or natural deodorizers, which are temporary, air purifiers provide ongoing odor control with minimal upkeep.
That said, not all air purifiers are built to handle pet odors. Look for activated carbon to break down odor molecules and triple-layer filtration to capture dander and hair effectively.
How to Choose an Air Purifier That Actually Removes Pet Odor
Knowing what to look for in an air purifier ensures your money goes toward an effective solution.
Key elements to compare when choosing an air purifier for pet homes:
| Feature | Essential | Premium | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Coverage | Up to 800ft² (74m²) | 1,300ft²+ (120m²) | Matches your space needs |
| Filtration Stages | 3-stage minimum | 4+ stages | Complete odor elimination |
| Noise Level | <45 dB | <32 dB | 24/7 operation comfort |
| Filter Life | 3 months | 6-12+ months | Lower maintenance costs |
| Smart Features | Basic timer | App control + sensors | Automated optimization |
That’s a quick breakdown, but it’s equally important to consider specific features to ascertain whether an air purifier will actually remove pet odor effectively.
For best results, look out for these specs when buying an air purifier for a pet home:
- Coverage area that matches or exceeds your room size, as undersized units won't cycle the air frequently enough to make a real difference
- Activated carbon layer, which is non-negotiable for odor. It neutralizes the ammonia and hydrogen sulfide at the molecular level
- Triple-layer particle filtration that captures PM2.5, dander, and fine hair that can carry and spread odors
- A 360° airflow design to reach corners and underneath furniture, where hair and dander often accumulate
- Real-time air quality detection, so the unit responds to your air rather than a fixed schedule
- A quiet noise level that allows it to run 24/7, so it doesn't disturb you or your pets
- A pet-safe build, including features like anti-tip design, bite-resistant cord, etc.
Our Recommendation for Pet Odor Removal: The Dreame AP 10
Dreame’s AP10 Pet Air Purifier is purpose-built for pet homes. Each spec and feature addresses a real pain point you experience as a pet owner.
The coverage area is 1346 sq. ft. (125 m²), ideal for open plan or larger homes.
It also features a 360º High Negative Pressure Air Return, capturing 99.9% of fur and dander that carry odor molecules through the home.
The triple-layer filtration system uses a pre-filter to capture hair and debris, followed by a fine particle filter to capture PM2.5 in allergens, and finally, a dual-layer activated carbon filter to remove 99% of ammonia and 99.5% of hydrogen sulfide, for nearly complete elimination of the two airborne molecular compounds responsible for pet odors.
With a noise level of 31.9 dB(A), it offers library-quiet operation that avoids extra stress on your animals and prioritizes your pet's comfort.
Being proactive about odor management is much better than reactive cleaning, and the Dreame AP10's real-time PM2.5 display and smart app control allow you to see air degradation and restoration as it happens.
The Complete Approach: Cleaning + Air Purification
For complete pet odor elimination in your home, you have to combine cleaning with constant air purification. Knowing how to get rid of strong pet odor comes down to two things: cleaning to reduce the source, while air purification handles what that source leaves airborne.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Most Powerful Pet Odor Eliminator?
The best pet odor eliminator is a combination of surface cleaning and air purification. Enzyme cleaners break down organic waste at the source. Inactivated carbon air filters trap and neutralize volatile compounds in the air. You need both for a complete system.
How Long Does It Take To Get Pet Smell Out of the House?
If you clean consistently and continuously run an air purifier, most homes will improve noticeably within 24–72 hours. Airborne compounds will clear faster with active filtration, but embedded surface odors may take longer to remove. If the odors are deeply set in old flooring or walls, consider professional surface treatment.
What Neutralizes Pet Odor?
Baking soda or an enzyme cleaner is the best option to neutralize pet odors on surfaces, but activated carbon filtration is the most proven neutralizer for the air. Baking soda neutralizes acidic compounds on surfaces, and activated carbon absorbs odors, including ammonia, directly from the air. Air fresheners only mask the odor temporarily.
What Kills Dog Smell 100%?
Dog smell requires a multistep odor control system, including regular bathing, frequently washing your soft furnishings and fabrics, treating stains with enzyme treatment, and running an activated carbon air purifier. Full elimination depends on your home size, your pet's shedding, ventilation, and how deeply embedded the odor is.
Your Home Can Smell Fresh, Even With Pets
While total odor control might seem like a lofty goal, it's entirely achievable if you address both the surface source of the odors and the airborne compounds. Your complete system is regular cleaning plus continuous air purification, but the right air purifier matters.
Our AP10 Pet Air Purifier is built specifically for pet homes, including a large coverage area, 360° hair capture, and targeted odor filtration.
Pets and fresh air don't have to be mutually exclusive.
References:
- The impact of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions from animal agriculture (2011) Available at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_impact_of_ammonia_and_hydrogen_sulfide_emissions_from_animal_agricultur
- Biological Pollutants' Impact on Indoor Air Quality (2026). Available at: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/biological-pollutants-impact-indoor-air-quality
- Effect of air filtration on house dust mite, cat and dog allergens and particulate matter in homes (2022). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9022093/
- Baking Soda -- The Everyday Miracle™ (n.d.). Available at: https://oconto.extension.wisc.edu/files/2011/02/Baking-Soda.pdf