My mom keeps complaining that the house smells like animals (we have 3 dogs, and 2 guinea pigs). I clean the dogs bedding weekly, and clean the guinea pigs cage every 2-3 days. I vacuum, sweep, and wash the floor daily. I hate using chemicals around them so usually I wash the floor with vinegar and water, and sprinkle the carpet with baking soda. She just started to complain and I didn't change anything, but is there anything else I can try that might help neutralize the smell?

I will not use anything that may harm my babies, so please don't recommend harsh chemicals!(bleach, Lysol, etc)

They make pet-safe cleaners you an get in the pet department of some stores. I have no idea how well they work, though.

I use a "go green" version that is all natural. It's called "All natural neitalizer"... very engenious. But it is pet and eco friendly.

I smells kind of like lime and coconut, not over powering at all, just light hints.. I find it works really great. You can use it clean and disinfect floors, spray on carpet to refresh them, spot clean carpets, floors and furniture. I love it. And you can get it almost every where. I think I even saw it at Wal Mart, but they for sure sell it at petsco, and Petcetra.

I'll have to try the "go green" odor neutralizer. Thanks for the suggestion Aurora_Bell.

I used vinegar on dog bedding... It works great on cat odors. But their stuff still smelled doggy. Then I started to change their bedding every couple of days, washing it in hot water, mild detergent and 1/4 cup of bleach. I run the rinse cycle twice. No more doggy odor.

Vinegar is a wonderful disinfectant but it's best for cat urine odors. It's non toxic and makes the floor shine but my old floor still smells like a dog. A very weak bleach solution on the floor and then a quick rinse does the trick for me.

I have never had a pet smell from dogs or pigs:rolleyes: Unless they were wet and then that went away.
What is she smelling:confused:

I'm with Dahlia, a healthy dog does not smell unless they are pottying in the house?

Some times my dog gets a "smell". She isn't dirty or pottying in the house. She justs gets like a B.O odour. I find common in staffy/bully breeds.

I like using the Omgea oils which help cut down on odour.

I have no idea what my mom is smelling (I think my guinea pigs smell like wood shavings, and my dogs like... well dogs), sometimes she says it smells like pee, other times she says "It smells like pets in here, it is disgusting". She is the only one that smells it (or at least the only one who says anything), but then again she has a super mom nose :). We've steam cleaned the carpet and furniture as well... but she still smells it.
Also, my dog was at the vet in January, and he was healthy, and I haven't noticed an odor from him.

She might be convincing herself that she smells something, especially if she doesn't have animals of her own.

My sister convinced herself she was allergic to our mom's cats, even though they weren't old enough to produce dander, yet.

It's amazing what the mind can do.

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Originally Posted by hheath541

she might be convincing herself that she smells something, especially if she doesn't have animals of her own..

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I live with my mom, and she has had dogs/cats/rodents, since she was little. Is there any way I can... "trick" her mind that she doesn't smell anything?

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Originally Posted by Emily94

I live with my mom, and she has had dogs/cats/rodents, since she was little. Is there any way i can ..."trick" her mind that she doesn't smell anything?

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It's doubtful. Once someone decides something bothers them, it's almost impossible to convince them otherwise.

Emily, I just remembered. If you have a diffuser, great. Essential oil of peppermint, spearmint and sweet orange clean odors out of the air. A spray bottle of water with 3-6 drops of essential oil for every 8-12 ounces works too.

I sometimes put a drop of one of these oils on my dustrag and dust the wooden furniture. It freshens the whole house and in such small amounts will not harm animals or humans.

These are found in the vitamin area of many stores.