Even if a pet behaves while inside, they tend to leave behind odors that are unpleasant to the human nose. No matter how much you seem to clean up after your pet, you may start to notice not-so-subtle smells in your apartment that you simply don’t want to keep living with. If this is the case, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five ways to get rid of those odors from your apartment once and for all.

The 5 Ways to Remove Pet Odors from Apartments

1. Use Baking Soda and a Vacuum

If you are battling pet urine stains in your apartment home, you may be able to break down the odors with the help of baking soda and a vacuum cleaner. Do note that this is only helpful on carpeting and fabric furnishings and belongings. Start by pouring baking soda on the affected odor area and then rubbing it in with a rag or brush.

Let the baking soda sit in the fabric or carpet for about 30 minutes, then vacuum the area. You may need to use a damp cloth to clean the rest of the baking soda off the area after vacuuming. Once the area has been treated, vacuumed, and dried, it should not emit offensive odors any longer.

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2. Introduce Vinegar into the Mix

Vinegar has the ability to penetrate and neutralize bad pet odors when baking soda will not. You can pour white or apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle and about the same amount of water and spray the affected areas thoroughly. Let the areas dry naturally, and then clean the areas with a little soap and water.

After the areas finally dry, you should be left with much less pet odor, if any at all. You should use the vinegar solutions as soon as possible after a new urine stain arises, but it will work even on stubborn stains and odors that have been lingering for days, if not weeks.

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3. Invest in Enzymatic Cleaner

Once you purchase an enzyme cleaner, be sure to follow the directions on the package. You may need to repeat the process of cleaning your stained areas to get the results that you are looking for. Enzyme cleaners can be used in conjunction with other odor-removal options.

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4. Step Up Your Cleaning Game

Even if you are a vigorous cleaner, there are likely a few things that you can do to step up your cleaning game and get a handle on the pet odors that you are tired of living with. When you vacuum, make sure to get underneath your couch cushions and under all your furniture. When you dust, use a scented dusting spray that contains odor neutralizers.

When you mop your floors, take the time to clean affected areas with a little vinegar first. Scrub the walls near your doors, where your animals are most likely to rub their bodies. Take the time to wash your pet’s bedding and toys more often. You can also pay more attention to pet grooming to reduce the chance of bad odor transfer as time goes on.

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5. Consider an Ozone Generator

Ozone generators are used for many applications, including water purification and air filtration. They are known to break down enzymes and molecules that produce unpleasant odors. Running an ozone generator can help clear your home of unwanted pet odors, but beware that you should follow the instructions of the ozone generator that you are using to prevent overexposure of the ozone gas, which could be harmful to your health.

Final Considerations

You may have to employ more than one cleaning option to get the odor-relief results that you are looking for, so don’t give up if your first attempt doesn’t work as well as you would like it to. Try any of these options two or three times before turning to something else. Vinegar combined with any of the other options on this list should be particularly helpful.

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