Have an accident prone puppy? Does your dog enjoy rolling in your bed sheets? Is the laundry bin your cat’s preferred litter box? Fear not! Removing animal odors from clothing is an age old problem with multiple easy solutions. Here’s a step-by-step to get your clothes back to smelling fresh!
Flush out the stain before washing
Before using the laundry, rinse the stained area by hand in a sink. Run cold water at high pressure through the stain, alternating with side of the fabric is facing the water stream. A minute or two of this cold water flushing should improve your chances for a full recovery!
Cover fabric in vinegar solution
Mix a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water. Cover the smelly garment in this solution and let it stand for a 3-4 minutes.
Apply baking soda
Though not necessary, covering the fabric in baking soda for a few minutes after it has soaked in the vinegar solution will be an extra push toward odor elimination.
Wash the garments
Using a cold or lukewarm setting (heat can set odors permanently), wash the stained fabric without detergent. After the cycle, air dry them so the heat from the dryer doesn’t set the smell.
Wash normally
Once the fabric has air-dried, perform a normal laundry cycle with an enzyme-based detergent on a cold setting. Air dry again. Repeat this step if there are lingering smells!
Follow these simple steps with household items, and ensure your fabrics return to smelling fresh!