4 DIY Pet Odor Eliminators and Cleaning Products That Tackle Stink and Stains

As a pet parent, you know how messy your beloved furry friend can get. And figuring out how to get rid of cat urine odor and dog smells can be quite the project. Some commercial cleaning products contain ingredients that aren’t the best for your pet’s health, but there are other solutions out there.

Homemade cleaners can help you clean up your home without unwanted chemicals from commercial cleaners. They contain natural ingredients that can effectively get cat pee, dog messes and smells out of the carpet and help remove pet stains.

If you have a multi-pet household or have a pet with incontinence issues, these DIY cleaning solutions—a floor and carpet cleaner, a pet stain remover, a cat-safe stain remover and a carpet deodorizer/odor eliminator—will be your new go-to products.

Essential oils pack a powerful punch when it comes to cleaning. Most essential oils have antibacterial and antiviral properties while maintaining a pleasant aroma. Quality matters so choose high-quality, pure, organic essential oils, and make sure you dilute them properly.

WARNING: Essential oils can be toxic to cats. Do not use this DIY solution in cat households. Also note that not all essential oils are safe for dogs. Do not apply this solution directly to your dog; it’s for the cleaning of surfaces only.

What You Need:

• A 16-ounce glass amber spray bottle (essential oils are best kept in glass amber containers)
• Distilled or filtered water
• Apple cider vinegar (optional)
• Pure, organic, high-quality, unadulterated essential oils: eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint and lemongrass

Instructions:

1. Combine 1 1/2 cups of distilled or filtered water with 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar in the amber glass bottle. If you are not using any apple cider vinegar, you can fill the entire bottle with water.
2. Add in 2-3 drops of each essential oil.
3. Place the spray bottle lid on tightly and shake well.
4. Use on carpets, floors and counters. Be sure to shake up the cleaner before each use. Spot test the cleaner before using it on large surfaces, like carpets.
5. Keep in the refrigerator for added freshness.

This pet stain remover works on carpets and fabric furniture. Not only will it remove stains, but it also freshens up your carpet or furniture.

What You Need:

• The DIY essential oil mixture from above
• Warm, soapy water (use clear liquid soap)
• A Magic Eraser sponge
• A dry hand towel or rag

Instructions:

1. Spot test on the furniture or carpet.
2. Spray the essential oil cleaner on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Take your Magic Eraser sponge and dip it into the soapy warm water.
4. Slowly and lightly rub the stain.
5. Use the hand towel or rag to blot away excess water from the sponge.
6. Repeat these steps until the stain is no longer visible.

This homemade odor eliminator neutralizes pet urine and can work on multiple types of carpet that are low and high pile. If your carpet needs an extra deep clean to get rid of strong pet odors, follow up with a store-bought odor-neutralizing powder, like Arm & Hammer’s Pet Fresh Carpet Odor Eliminator.

You can also use this pet odor neutralizer to wipe down cat litter boxes to get rid of urine smells.

What You Need:

• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 1 cup distilled or filtered water
• Spray bottle
• Paper towel or rag
• Arm & Hammer’s Pet Fresh Carpet Odor Eliminator (optional)
• Vacuum (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pour the vinegar and water into the spray bottle. Shake well to mix the solution together.
2. Spot test before using it on carpet.
3. Spray the odor-filled area with the solution.
4. Let the cleaner sit on the carpet for 5-10 minutes.
5. Blot the cleaner with a paper towel or rag and let the area dry.
6. Optional: Once the carpet area is dry, take the Arm & Hammer carpet odor eliminator and sprinkle the powder generously over the affected area. Let the powder sit on the carpet for 30 minutes to an hour.
7. Vacuum up the powder and voilà! Your carpet should smell amazing with no hints of pet odor.

Dr. Mitchell recommends a simple mixture of baking soda and white vinegar.

What You Need:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Hydrogen peroxide (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine two parts baking soda with one part vinegar to create a paste.
2. Add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, if desired.
3. Rub on urine stains or other messes and let sit for a few minutes.
4. Blot with a towel until the stain and the baking soda paste are removed.

Hydrogen peroxide can decolorize things, so it’s best on surfaces, like countertops, versus cloth, Dr. Mitchell cautions. If you want to use this solution on upholstery, test a small area first. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can also swap it with lemon juice.