How to Get Dog Smell Out of Your Car

Co-authored by Chad Zani

Last Updated: November 18, 2022 References

Dogs are delightful pets, but they can be smelly. This is especially true in the confined space of the car. After taking your dogs to the beach or park in the car a few times, your car may end up reeking of doggy odor. Getting rid of odor is fairly simple. If your car is very smelly, clean the interior to remove the odor. For a mild smell, an odor remover can do the trick. There are also steps you can take to prevent odor from developing to begin with.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Car

1
Wash any removable parts of your car. Any parts of your car that can be removed should be washed in a washing machine. This will get the dog smell out, and leave your car smelling fresher.
- Rubber mats, car seat covers, and any blankets you keep for your dog can be removed and washed.
- Use a cool temperature to be safe when washing parts of your car. You may also want to use a gentle cycle.
- Make sure to read the label before washing parts of your car. There may be special instructions to keep in mind.
2
Vacuum your car. You should do this on a regular basis. Dog hair in your car can cause a troublesome doggy odor. If you have a handheld vacuum, you can use that. You can also use your vacuums upholstery attachment. If you don't have a vacuum, most car washes have a vacuum you can use for a fee.

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3
Scrub down hard surfaces with a multi-purpose cleaning spray. Things like the dashboard, and buttons can be cleaned with a multi-purpose cleaning spray. You can find a spray at a grocery or department store. You can also use a spray you have in your kitchen.
- Use the spray on a small portion of your car first. Watch to see if the spray dries without causing any damage.
- If the spray seems to be safe for your car, go ahead and spray down and clean the hard surfaces in the interior.
4
Clean the car with carpet cleaner. Rent a wet/dry vacuum to apply carpet cleaner. This will remove set in smells from the fabric in your car. Make sure to test the carpet cleaner on a small portion of your car's fabric before using it on the entire floor.^{[1]
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- Once you know the cleaner is safe, spray down the floor and seats with a layer of carpet cleaner. If you're unsure of how much to use, refer to the instructions on your bottle.
- Once the carpeting is covered in cleaner, suck up the cleaner with the wet/dry vac. Your car should smell significantly better.
5
Address new urine stains quickly. Odor may be caused by urine. If your dog had an accident in the car, it's best to address it right away. If left untreated, urine can cause an unpleasant lingering smell.^{[2]
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- Immediately place a few layers of absorbent paper towel over the urine. Allow the paper towel to soak up some of the stain.
- Cover the towels with a few large layers of newspaper.
- After soaking up most of the urine, rinse the area with cold water. Then, use towels or a wet/dry vacuum to soak up the water.
6
Get rid of set in urine stains. Sometimes, you may not notice a urine stain right away. In these cases, rinse out the stain with water. If possible, use a wet/dry vacuum, as this will be better equipped at removing the stain.^{[3]
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- Apply a pet odor neutralizer right away. You can find one at a local pet store, online, or at a grocery/department store.
- Allow the spot to dry. If there is still a stain after the spot dries, wash it out with carpet cleaner.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Odor Removers

1
Place baking soda in the car overnight. Baking soda is an excellent odor neutralizer. If your car smells like dog, you can place a bowl of baking soda in your car. Leave the bowl in your car overnight and you should notice some of the odor is gone.^{[4]
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- For a very strong smell, you may have to repeat this a few nights in a row.
2
Lay down slices of bread on towel. Bread can actually absorb smell. It's very simple to use bread. Place an old dish towel somewhere in your car. Lay out several slices of bread. After the smell goes away, you can throw the bread outside for birds to eat.^{[5]
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3
Make a spray with vinegar. White vinegar is an excellent odor neutralizer. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray down the interior of your car with the mixture. Allow it to dry. The odor should be significantly less noticeable.^{[6]
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- Make sure to test the spray on a small portion of your car first. You want to make sure a vinegar spray does not cause your car to develop stains.
4
Use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. If you're neutralizing odor caused by a urine stain, this method is particularly helpful. Sprinkle about a cup of baking soda over the stain.^{[7]
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- Mix half a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of dish soap. Pour this liquid over the baking soda and paper towel.
- Scrub the mixture into the floor with a towel or scrub brush. Let it sit for about 15 minutes and then vacuum the area.
5
Try a citrus-based remover. A citrus scent can replace pet odors with a pleasant smell. This method takes longer, but if you enjoy a citrus scent it may be worth it. Mix 7 tablespoons (100 ml) of brown sugar, one and a half cups of orange peels, and a liter of water together in a large bottle. Give the bottle a good shake, open the lid slightly, and let it sit for about 3 months.^{[8]
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- You can simply place the bottle in your car. It should absorb dog odors and leave your car smelling like oranges.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Dog Odor

1
Lay an old blanket on the seat when traveling with your pet. If you don't want a dog odor to build up, give your dog something to lie down on in your car. Place an old blanket where your dog usually likes to sit in your car.^{[9]
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- If you're taking your dog somewhere like the beach, this can be very helpful. The smell of wet dog can be particularly strong.
- Make sure to wash the blanket regularly.
2
Bathe your dog. A bath can help your dog smell fresh. If you're taking it on a long road trip, give it a nice bath first. This will make your dog smell better when it gets in the car, preventing odor from developing.^{[10]
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- Do not bathe your dog too often, however. Most dogs do fine without regular baths. Only bathe your dog before a longer trip in the car.
3
Take your dog to the vet if you notice an unusually pungent odor. An unusually strong odor may indicate certain glands in your dog's body are clogged. If you notice your dog is suddenly developing a strong odor, take it to the vet. A vet can evaluate whether an odor is indicative of a health problem. If this is the case, your vet can think of solutions for the issue.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How do I get the dog smell out of car vents?

Chad Zani
Auto Detailing Expert
Chad Zani is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. Chad is based in the Los Angeles, California area and uses his passion for auto detailing to teach others how to do so as he grows his company nationwide.

Chad Zani

Auto Detailing Expert

Expert Answer

Remove your car's cabin filter and hit it with a soft brush or bang it against something to clear it out. Then, spray it with an antibacterial air freshener. You should also spray the air intake to flush your car's air conditioner.
Question

These tips are very useful and I will be trying them out, but the dog smell is far worse when I turn on the fan, is it possible that hairs have been sucked up into there?

Velana Valdez

Community Answer

This can be a possible explanation. Have you tried opening the windows to air the smell out? If that makes it worse, it probably isn't because of your fan. Try the methods listed in the article!
Question

How do I remove saliva stains from my car?

Belle K.

Top Answerer

If you are talking about hard plastic or the paint, simply clean it as normal with a washcloth and soap and water. If you mean the fabric of the car, then you should also be able to use soap and water to scrub it out.