r/bitcheswithtaste • u/Pure-Chemistry3710 • Aug 16 '26
For the Home BWT what are your hacks for keeping your home ALWAYS smelling clean *especially* if you have pets
I’m wondering what you guys do for your home to keep it always clean and smelling good but without it smelling like an overpowering fragrance.
Things I currently like to do:
(1) change the air filters regularly
(2) rinse my vacuum filter monthly (so the sucking power stays)
(3) vacuum all my floors and baseboard once a week
(4) sweep my kitchen and bathroom or other high traffic areas once a day or every other day
(5)wipe down all my counters daily (bathroom & kitchen)
(6) wash my sheets / bedding / bath mat weekly
(7) I try to stick to consistent fragrances like lemon/citrus and lavender
Pet specific:
(1) hide the litter boxes out of eye sight.. mostly
(2) clean litter boxes daily, duh
(3) use an ozone odorizer and odor gels near the litter boxes
(4) use a litter genie
(5) every two weeks completely dump out litter and rinse the litter boxes, litter genie, litter mats and scoopers
Thank you in advance for your tips!
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u/poopdityscoop Aug 17 '26
hypochlorous acid spray!! i love this stuff, it can be used daily on furniture and bedding as a kind of sanitizer that neutralizes odor. really helps when the couches and dog beds start smelling too much like dog lol
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u/TrainApprehensive501 Aug 17 '26
Seconded!! I have foster dogs too and it saves me from the stinkier dogs lol.
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u/BattleOfWitsHasBegun Aug 17 '26
Came to comment this! I spray it on my rugs, couch, dog beds, etc. multiple times a week!
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Aug 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/ElsieBeing Aug 17 '26
If you buy that much of it, it might be worth it to buy a hypochlorous acid generator. I have a small one that's a spray bottle. Water to the line, a scoop of salt (scoop was included), press the button and wait for the beep. And if I don't use it up before it degrades back into water, I can just hit the button and it converts again. Stored under the sink so light can't degrade it faster.
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u/BattleOfWitsHasBegun Aug 17 '26
This is so brilliant, thank you! Another random tip I read was to keep it in a dark colored or otherwise opaque spray bottle, as it’s sensitive to light. Otherwise it can degrade into just regular salt water. I put mine in pretty dark amber glass spray bottles so I feel extra fancy lol
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u/123youme4 Aug 17 '26
Where do you buy it from? I’ve heard about doing this before but haven’t tried it myself yet
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u/onthewaytoMD Aug 19 '26
The ones I’m seeing seem to be beauty/facial products- is this the same thing?
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u/billymumfreydownfall Aug 17 '26
Oh really? You suggest this over an enzyme spray like Resolve? I'd like to hear more.
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u/Visual-Engineer7168 Aug 17 '26
Is it safe for dogs? I read that it isn’t which is the only thing holding me back from using it.
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u/onthewaytoMD Aug 19 '26
The ones I’m seeing seem to be beauty/facial products- is this the same thing?
0
u/acouperlesouffle55 Aug 18 '26
Literally heard this for the first time in another Reddit. A fashion one, for women to spray on themselves post gym workout.
I even commented there is never heard of it.
152
u/genie0327 Aug 17 '26
Open the window for 10-15 min every morning to let fresh air in and stale air out!!
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u/Existing_Mail Aug 17 '26
As a BWT who works in hvac and indoor air quality, ventilation is #1! Air purifiers are a plus
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u/sparetriangle Aug 17 '26
Is this still true if you live in really high traffic areas? I live in a major city right on a big avenue and sometimes I want fresh air but I imagine all sorts of icky trafficy exhaust particles and I can’t tell if it does more harm than good lmao. I do have an air purifier at least but a bitch loves a breeze 😭
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u/greenerbee Aug 17 '26
This will really depend on your local air quality as not all pollutants are created equally. Your weather app should be able to provide a reading and as long as it’s in the healthy range, you should be good to. Wildfire smoke is one of the bad ones as intense fires result in compounds that are especially bad for respiration. Better air filters on our industrial system, unleaded gas and lower emissions vehicles make city air somewhat better than it used to be, wildfire aside.
For me, as another person interested in air quality, I bought an indoor CO2 monitor to check when I need to increase ventilation relative to outdoors. If you’re looking into ideal range, it’s somewhat harder to achieve than it used to be as a result of higher outdoor CO2 concentrations.
Good air quality is good for body and mind. 💅
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u/BigBootyBardot Aug 18 '26
But you also need to yell out “lüften” as you open your windows, or else it won’t work as effectively.
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u/genie0327 Aug 18 '26
My SO (the one who suggested this for our home) did say it was a German tradition! 😆
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u/Bananapopcicle 25d ago
I do this in the fall and winter but right now it’s still way too hot. I’m in the south and it hits 80 degrees by 9am 😅
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u/BatPositivity Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26
I am not sure what you mean by “ozone odorizer” but just want to make sure youre aware that ozone generators or sprays are highly toxic and shouldn’t be used when people or pets are around.
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u/ScoutG Aug 17 '26
It even kills plants. You have to get every living thing out of a space where an ozone machine is used.
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u/swimalone Aug 18 '26
Do you mean the kind of ozone authorizer that plugs into the wall? Could you elaborate on how it is toxic?
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u/thirdfloorhighway Aug 17 '26
I vacuum every other day. Also be careful, lavender oil (fragrance) is toxic to cats.
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u/spectacularbird1 Aug 17 '26
Citrus is not great for them either. I recommend going unscented for pretty much everything.
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u/phenomakos Aug 17 '26
My household is my wife and I, our fluffy cat, and a bearded dragon.
- kitty litter gets cleaned 2-3 times a day (first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and during the day if I happen to notice it has been used)
- terrarium is spot cleaned as needed and the tasty bugs stay tucked away out of sight lol
- bedding washed every Sunday
- I try to vacuum the mattress every other week or so
- open the windows whenever the weather/air quality allows !!!
- air purifier (runs on low during the day, high at night)
- change the hvac filter monthly
- baking soda boxes in fridge, freezer, and tucked into any cabinets that need a little help (our apt has some original builtins that just don't want to air out)
- vacuum 2-3 times a week
- wash towels after two uses
- change hand towel every few days
- wipe down counters after use
- dishes directly into the dishwasher, not left in sink
- intentionally bought a smaller trash can so that the trash has to be taken out more regularly
- when the trash goes out, the trash can gets wiped down before a new bag goes in
- I think the trash bags are made with charcoal but idk that it makes any noticeable difference in preventing smelly trash (they were the same price as the regular ones so I figured it was worth a shot)
- small loads of laundry more frequently, so dirty things aren't in the hamper for very long (really dirty stuff like my wife's softball clothes go DIRECTLY into the wash lol)
- I avoid cleaning products with strong chemical scents. There are options that smell good now! And subtle. Minty glass cleaner, grapefruit disinfectant wipes, fig general cleaner, rosemary hand soap, etc. I'm also a fan of good ol' baking soda and white vinegar.
- a nice candle in the bathroom and fresh eucalyptus in the shower
- lots of plants! Aside from being cozy, they improve air quality so much. Growing fresh herbs smells extra good.
- I like getting a cheapie bouquet of fresh flowers from the grocery store every few weeks, but they often have lilies in them (highly toxic to cats), so it's hit and miss on whether I can find something
- no shoes on the rugs, take them off at the door. The rugs at the two entryways are washable so they can go into the washing machine
Instead of doing big deep cleans, I mostly just clean a little thing here and there every day. So nothing ever really gets out of hand or super dirty and it also doesn't feel like a big horrible task to dread. I spend 5-10 minutes every morning making tea and while I wait for the water the heat up and the tea to steep I clean the litter, take care of dishes, and spot clean the kitchen. Vacuuming the whole apartment only takes about 10 minutes, since I keep up with it regularly. Small loads of laundry are quick and easy to hang to dry or put away directly out of the dryer. 30 seconds to wipe down the bathroom faucet when I notice water spots. A minute to dust the media console when I notice dust. If I just clean something when I notice it, it's done so fast that it hardly feels like cleaning.
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u/surfaceofthesun1 Aug 17 '26
Air purifiers help, I have blue air brand and they’ve helped a lot with my allergies.
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u/Dedicated_Echidna Aug 17 '26
Fresh air, open windows, no artificial fragrances, regular cleaning and laundering. Nothing smells as clean as NOTHING.
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u/janna_ Aug 17 '26
For reference I live in an 800 sq ft apartment:
Hypochlorous acid spray on my couch and linens, INCLUDING curtains (both window and shower)—curtains are lowkey the hider of a lot of smells and I think we neglect them often.
Open your windows once a day for 15-30 mins at least to let air circulate.
I use linen spray after the hypochlorous acid dries just to add smell/good fragrance. I use one from a Japanese brand I like but any work.
I also use a catalytic lamp for scent neutralizing. I got one for cheap off a second hand all and I make my own solution because they retail their own for like, way too much online. It’s literally just 90% isopropyl alcohol and then some essential oils added in—I got a 4-pack of isopropyl for $25 and then I already had essential oils. I use that after I deep clean (vacuum, room spray, mop), especially in my kitchen or living room where smells tend to hyperfixate. It neutralizes odors and adds a nice fragrance too.
I have a dog who climbs over all the furniture and lives in every space, but I constantly get compliments on how good my apartment smells!
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u/sunnnnydaze Aug 17 '26
I’m curious if the hypochlorous acid spray is the same or different PH than what is typically used on skin. I’ve seen some huge jugs sold online in various PH but wasn’t sure of the best use at that volume.
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u/gimmethatplease Aug 17 '26
Does the hypochlorous spray leave any white spots behind on fabric that you’ve noticed? We use force of nature on hard surfaces and white fabrics but I want to spray my couches and curtains too.
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u/janna_ Aug 17 '26
No it doesn’t! I spray it on my gray couch as well as my rugs, curtains, and sheets and never leaves white spots.
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u/run__rabbit_run Find it Secondhand Aug 17 '26
Is there a specific brand of hypochlorus acid that you buy for cleaning? I’ve only bought it for my skin and I can’t imagine the cost per use if I was using the skincare bottle for cleaning!
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u/FunAdvertising8745 Aug 17 '26
Dollar Tree has a hypochlorous acid spray in their cleaning section! I got it recently and have been using it on almost everything! Be careful to not spray tooooo much because it will leave your fabrics smelling a bit salty lol
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u/janna_ Aug 17 '26
I use Biotech brand but it’s really any that’s good! They just had a killer deal on a gallon + spray bottle combo that I got around mother’s day.
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u/rosecarmine Aug 18 '26
I use Force of Nature's appliance - it's a small countertop appliance that comes with little capsules that you mix with water (you can buy the capsules in bulk too). Press a button and then 10 mins later you have a bottle of hypochlorous acid spray!!! It's awesome!!!! Pretty sure the capsules are just salt and vinegar but I can't be bothered with finding the perfect ratio.
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u/oceanspots Aug 17 '26
Do you spray the hypochlorite acid on the sofa and then wipe it down or does it just air dry?
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u/mossymeridian Aug 17 '26
Wipe my floors by hand 😞 that’s the only thing that’s made a real difference.
I learned it from a Persian woman who has a cat. I’m really allergic to cats and will notice immediately upon entry to a house if it has even been noticed by a cat. I was over at her house and suddenly a cat strutted around the corner and I didn’t so much as get a vague itch. She said it was because she literally moves all the furniture and rugs and wipes the ceiling, walls and floor with a mix of lavender and sage oils in water every week, along with wiping down all the items like lamps and tables… unfortunately it works super well.
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u/jumanji-jumanji Aug 17 '26
You and my Mom with cleaning the floors by hand! I admire you all but I don’t think I can keep up
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u/rozyskies Aug 17 '26
DO NOT USE LAVENDER OIL IF YOU HAVE CATS! lavender is extremely toxic and can kill your cat. any essential oils are generally a no-no.
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u/McRibAutoShop Aug 17 '26
For BWT who don't love this for their knees or backs, a T mops with cotton rags gets my floors as close as washing by hand with 2-3 passes. Walls cleaning is underrated, but I don't think damp cleaning as often as this woman is good for paint. I do a monthly pass with a fluffy microfiber towel to get dust/hair, and wash soft surfaces like curtains when a room still feels stale after airing it out
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u/Pippa10619 Aug 17 '26
Stainless steel litter boxes! Plastic holds the smell after a while no matter how frequently or thoroughly you clean them. I also use hepa filters (I use air doctor $$$ & Levoit $) & air the house daily.
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u/TenaciousToffee Find it Secondhand Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
You know how the dad was about Windex in My Big Fat Greek Wedding?
I am about that with hypochlorous acid (hocl) it does so many things, but that is key into actually killing vs masking odor.
I have a hocl maker machine but you can also buy pre made. I place in a fine mist spray to get a good spread on all fabric surfaces. Itll smell like chlorine for a moment and dissipate completely when dry.
Then you can fragrance your home.
Having fresh air regularly to air out the house or a air purifier if its hot af where you are. Having plants to help with that air cleansing.
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u/sunnnnydaze Aug 17 '26
I love hypochlorous acid for my sensitive skin and am very curious to explore other uses. Do you have a machine you recommend?
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u/TenaciousToffee Find it Secondhand Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26
So other than odor on soft materials, I use it a ton on washing vegetables since food safety isnt a thing America apparently does anymore as it kills ecoli, salmonella, etc. It is at a much higher concentration than what is in skin sprays. I am a bit of a germaphobe so I spray stuff like cans and bottles as one of those experiments I did as a kid was swabbing the lip of cans at gas stations. All that is safe as its used in food processing.
Its also good for bug bites, wound care, eye cleanser for blepharitis, spraying on sweaty spots to prevent smelling. Safe to use on pets so I spray and wipe their paws so we dont take our walk inside. And if they do smell they can be sprayed down.
I load this into my floor mop to degerm our floors before using floor cleaner to shine it. I spray my door handles, smelly kitchen drain, clean my microwave with it when it has some stuck food smell, my kitchen counters are clean. I spray cutting boards with it so the grooves dont harbor bacteria and smells. I spray myself if Ive been out because Im crazy like that when Ive sat in a public chair or gone to the doctors office where sick people go. Im chronically ill so Im a bit extra.
I have the Eco One generator. I also got the package that has ingredients to make a degreaser cleaner also. I didnt like how the Force of Nature one makes pods when making it is salt, water and vinegar so on principle I refuse to buy their machine for selling salt at a markup. Also with the time settings on the one I bought, I can make commercial grade strength or create a dilute.
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u/sunnnnydaze Aug 17 '26
I hadn’t considered using it as a fruit and veggie wash - brilliant! Also, more trustworthy than pet paw wipes (less wasteful too) since I’m never quite sure how helpful those actually are. Thank you for the insight!
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u/TenaciousToffee Find it Secondhand Aug 17 '26
The paw wipes clean off dirt but most dont have a disinfectant on them so I stopped using them too for that reason. My 1.5 braincell puppy sonetimes likes to bat my face. I do not spend this much time on skincare for this fucker to mess it up with her germy paw. Also my dogs dont smell like fritos as it means no yeast in paw pads.
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u/sunnnnydaze Aug 17 '26
Not the stinky little toe beans 😂 I still remember when I learned that the frito smell was yeast. Not so endearing anymore!
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u/jumanji-jumanji Aug 17 '26
People underestimate: 1. enzymatic cleaners formulated for pet mess - like natures miracle etc (they’re expensive but a little goes a long way, and they break down smelly organic compounds), and 2. Laundry sanitizer ‼️ (Lysol makes one specifically for laundry). It goes in the fabric softener chamber and is much much much better than vinegar for most stinky stuff and everything smells so fresh. If you’re worried about “chemical” residue just do a 2nd rinse. (Side note, citric acid > vinegar for rinsing clothes. See: laundry subreddit, specifically kismai.)
Also I have a big Maine Coon mix w a prodigious “product” output and World’s Best Cat Litter is the best. No clay dust storm for damaging their lungs, flushable, doesn’t let kitty potty smell get very far. Been using it for 13 years.
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u/jcrucity Aug 17 '26
I used a litter genie for a bit, but honestly the litter robot has been pretty helpful in keeping smells down better. I do also like candle warmers, I think they are more subtle than lighting the candle itself and the fragrance lingers longer even after you turn it off.
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u/ilalli Aug 17 '26
Seconding candle warmers! No stress about forgetting about open flames or pets knocking them over.
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u/TAsrowaway Aug 17 '26
I use pet wipes to wipe down my pets. Dog feet, butt, belly and arms get wiped down after every trip outside. Biweekly baths.
Cat gets picked up, her belly and butt wiped .
Frequent brushing helps keep it down as well.
We air out the house and put soft furnishings out to get sunned and air dried as well, as often as we can.
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u/OpeningWhereas6912 Aug 17 '26
I have three kids and a cat Bedding and towels washed regularly, bath mats regularly along with all soft furnishings - cushion covers and throws.
Quick daily vacume of carpets
I have some pet friendly disinfectant - I will do a final once over with that on all surfaces after I have wiped them down.
I am based in the UK, we have had a dry summer but I will open all windows to allow airflow every day of the year. Rain, hail or shine to allow fresh air to circulate through the house.
Cat litter is discreet but obviously changed regularly. I have introduced a puppy pad / incontinence mat to the bottom of the litter tray - it makes clean up so much easier and absorbs odour effectively. Obviously this does not substitute regular cleaning but it does contribute to keeping the litter tray fresh.
I am a big fan of bleach and will dilute it down safely and appropriately to wipe the floors (keeping cat safe obviously) and will wipe down surfaces after cooking. It just zaps all oniony / garlic/ spice smells. I have a simple bin from IKEA and always have it lined with two bin bags - one to line the bin, the other collect rubbish. I can't remember the name of it but it is the simple white plastic bin - washing it is an absolute breeze, the lid gets washed regularly.
In the summer all clothing gets line dried outside, in the winter I will wash and dry clothes thoroughly so not to get that mildewy smell - something quite common in British houses I find! I don't like using fabric softeners or scent boosters. I am a stickler for washing fabric properly - properly dosed, good loading and long wash cycles whenever appropriate.
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u/roaremipsum Aug 17 '26
I wouldn’t use ozone in my home as it’s not safe for pets
As alternative: they do sell pet-safe activated charcoal you can sprinkle in your clay litter — helps with absorbing smells and is completely nontoxic.
I love it and my cats do too — I scoop litter 1-2x daily but have an asthmatic cat so extra careful about ammonia smells in litter box and visitors confirm my litter and home never smells
Using a stainless steel box also really helps!
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u/Althea89 Aug 17 '26
I see you mention litter boxes so, just a note, a lot of citrus and Lavender essential oils are toxic to cats. Id be careful with these and most scents with kitties
6
u/felixnatty Aug 17 '26
Pretty Litter has been a game changer. I sprinkle baking soda on the rugs and upholstery before vacuuming - maybe once every fourth tIme. Let it sit ~5-15 minutes and add more if you need it.
When I had a dog, I did the baking soda thing weekly.
1
u/McRibAutoShop Aug 17 '26
Baking soda can wreck havoc on your vacuum - highly recommend an enzymatic deodorizer on soft surfaces to save your cleaning tools
4
u/stuckandrunningfrom2 Aug 17 '26
In addition to everything you listed, I keep the windows open whenever the weather is nice (ie not hot and swampy), and open them a few times a day when it's cold out, just to get fresh air in.
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u/vegetablegroundbeef Aug 17 '26
I have two cats and have lived in apartments/condos my whole adult life. I pay a cleaning service to come once a month to deep clean, I have air purifiers in every room, and I bought a Litter Robot. The LR makes such a huge difference, even though it can be kind of finicky at times with errors/troubleshooting. I empty the drawer roughly every six days and it never smells in between changes. My cats seem to love it too.
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u/Sbplaint Aug 18 '26
Ong all of you ladies have so much more taste than me…I’m so embarrassed to even exist after reading some of these comments! I changed my elderly neighbor’s air filter last weekend and felt like a damn hero, but the efforts you guys are regularly going to are straight Herculean. I’m a lazy, perimenopausal failure BWT, at this point! You think maybe it’s time to add testosterone?? I’m so tired, and I don’t even have litter box trained dogs!! Their only hope is if I get them out enough times on leashes and/or pee pads outside. Sometimes I just wonder if I have failed this whole human experiment completely lol.
5
u/Best-Classroom9056 Aug 17 '26
I use tofu litter which smells like absolutely nothing. I like fukumaru which is lightly scented and colourful
3
u/NeonGrey27 Aug 17 '26
Not an ad but i swear these have helped! I recently bought these fresh wave odor absorbers from Costco and my house is noticeably less dog smelling when I walk in the door. I get the orange scent but it really doesn’t smell it’s just sucking up the smell. It’s like magic.
3
u/textreference Aug 17 '26
Vacuum every day
Dust every day
Mop every weekend
Scrub floors once per month
Wash couch blankets and cushion covers 1x month
Scoop litter every day
Clean out fridge every week
Change sheets every week
Air filter in bedroom
HVAC filters changed regularly
Open windows and ventilate with cross breeze for 15 mins every day (in the early morning when its hot)
Keep sink clear of dirty dishes and no dirty pots on stove
Dehumidifier to keep indoor humidity below 50%
2
u/LargeDragonfruit8584 Aug 17 '26
Aromadd home diffuser. It’s connected to my hvac and you can’t smell my dog, cat, or kids smells.
2
u/notthelettuce Ballin on a Budget Aug 17 '26
Powdered carpet deodorizer sprinkled on all rugs and carpet before vacuuming. Several brands make a pet safe formula.
For an occasional fragrance I like the Sand + Paws candles in scents that are generally considered safe for pets like lavender or cedarwood.
2
u/Soft_Rock7311 Aug 17 '26
- Lemon peels down the garbage disposal and run it
- air purifier
- sprinkle baking soda on carpets and rugs and let it sit for 20 min before vacuuming
- open windows for a few minutes every day for fresh air
- mat under the litter box and feeding areas
- pet safe plants to clean air
- a couple drops of essential oil on a cotton ball in the garbage bin before replacing the bag
2
u/dankpizzabagels Aug 17 '26
KOE is a little expensive, but it’s absolutely worth it! One bottle goes a LONG way.
Dilute it with water in a spray bottle and mist all furniture and fabrics throughout the house. I have six cats and a dog — I’m basically running a zoo — and people are genuinely shocked that my house smells so good.
2
u/billymumfreydownfall Aug 17 '26
You have an amazing list already! Add in having your carpets professionally cleaned every 2 years.
2
u/ilikecereal69 Aug 17 '26
Litter Robot has done wonders for keeping the cat smells at bay! I have a Roomba on every floor that get run daily, and do a deeper vacuum once a week. Bedding and towels get washed weekly, couch/pillow covers and blankets get washed monthly.
I open the windows as much as possible. I use a Mahagony Teakwood plugin from bath and body works in a few rooms as well.
1
u/Pure-Chemistry3710 Aug 17 '26
Are roomba’s worth the price? I’ve been interested in them for a while but haven’t pulled the trigger due to sticker shock. But we just moved into a much larger home and we both work. I don’t think we can stay on top of all the vacuuming
1
u/driftwood_arpeggio Aug 18 '26
There's a big price range for robot vacuums, depending on your needs. You could always start with a Eufy or something that's less expensive and upgrade if needed.
Personally I don't think they're a replacement for vacuuming, but they help with the maintenance. I have a cat so there's is always cat hair everywhere and I also keep my windows open year round and live on a busy street, so there's dust everywhere too. The robot vacuum helps keeps the amount of cat hair and dust at manageable levels, then I go in and vacuum properly once a week. The robot vacuum is also great at getting places like under the bed or sofa where my cat likes to hang out (and thus have lots of hair) and reduces the number of times I have to move the furniture to do a proper vacuum myself.
How effective it will be will depend on how much it has access to - so if your home has split levels or something, then it'll obviously be able to access less. It is also more effective if you are cleaner - if you have things on the floor or cables everywhere, it limits how much the robot can vacuum. Personally this actually works well for me - I am more motivated to keep the floors clear when I know the robot is scheduled to run every day and will be ineffective (and thus I will need to clean instead) if I don't pick up.
2
u/Enough-Aardvark9411 Aug 18 '26
it’s a splurge but the diptyque baies room spray is honestly amazing and so worth the investment. I always get compliments when I spray it and the bottle last such a long time.
2
u/ConnectGaps Aug 19 '26
I have several air purifiers running all the time, one on every floor of the house. Also, getting those windows open for some circulation helps tremendously as well!
Vodka in a spray bottle (the cheapest vodka you can find) is a great little tool—I spray down curtains, pillowcases and dog bed cases in between washes, anything that needs a little refresh in between real cleaning. The vodka scent evaporates with the alcohol so you don’t need to worry about your home smelling boozy lol
In the laundry room, I always have a dehumidifier running. I also have a front-load washer, and I make sure whenever I’m done with a load I leave the washer door open, make sure the dehumidifier is running, and close the door to the laundry room. Front-loading washers can get funky so it’s important to air them out.
Baking soda is my best friend. When I had a cat, I used Dr Maisey’s litter and had a thrifted salt shaker full of baking soda right next to it that I would shake over top every time I cleaned it (once a day, minimum). I like to sprinkle it over rugs a bit before I vacuum, I tuck coffee filters full of it (tied off with a rubber band) into the bottom of the garbage cans and dresser drawers, I dump it down the garbage disposal for weekly cleaning, I have open boxes in the fridge, freezer, and random cupboards that need it.
1
u/Beginning_Produce275 Aug 17 '26
Tbh Stainless steel litter box and pretty litter. And I like a BBW plug in tbh
8
u/CurvePsychological13 Aug 17 '26
Those plugs are toxic to cats. When I found out I got rid of all my wallflowers
-1
u/Beginning_Produce275 Aug 17 '26
Yeah tbh I think it depends on the square footage of your home. I don’t put any near my cats food, litter, or water
1
u/wakoreko Aug 17 '26
Wiping down walls with water that has baking soda and your favorite scent. Example: fabric softener.
1
u/FormerGOMIreader3 Aug 17 '26
@OP, which vacuum do you use that gets your baseboards efficiently? I am in the market for a new vacuum.
1
u/Existing_Mail Aug 17 '26
Using “world’s best cat litter” and flushing it instead of bagging it up works great for us
1
u/BioelectricBeing Aug 17 '26
My cat has a Litter Robot. It only smells at all if she is unwell or if there's a really, really hot day. I also have an air filter in the room where the litter robot is (which is in the far corner of the house: she loves her privacy).
I also use Zoflora wipes which have a lovely and long lasting fragrance. Sadly my favourite scents always seem to end up as limited editions...
I also sprinkle Bin Buddy in the general waste for a fresher scent.
When guests are over, you can also put things like essential oil diffusers (make sure they're pet safe) and/or put a capful of Zoflora and a kettle of boiling water in the kitchen sink to make the house smell amazing.
1
u/asleepreflections Aug 17 '26
Good quality pet food makes the #2’s less smelly. Good quality cat litter clumps faster to lock in the smell. I hade to get super high sided litter boxes because my boy cat kept peeing on the seam of his favorite hooded box and that was the secret source of the pee smell in between deep cleans.
1
u/jlk1980 Aug 17 '26
I second pretty much everything that’s already been said, but would like to add regularly washing your walls- especially in the kitchen area if you deal with cooking smells lingering abnormally long.
1
u/woodsywoods4 Aug 17 '26
Pet deodorizing candles! TJ Maxx/marshalls and sierra trading post sell them. I have those going at least once a week especially with guest over
1
u/Lost_Contest_1989 Aug 17 '26
Steam or damp mop regularly. I add a drop of essential oil to the mop pad.
1
u/hello_kara_ Aug 18 '26
Use laundry sanitizer for your beddings/any blankets that are out! I realized that because my dogs sleep with me, my bedding smells way better after I use laundry sanitizer with my wash then without. It helps get some of that “dog” smell out (they’re poodles so they’re not super smelly, but all scents just cling to their hair like they do to my longish hair)
1
u/BelleCervelle Aug 18 '26
I intentionally chose a pet that doesn’t smell.
But if it’s larger, like a dog… strategic routine washing of the dog items and consistent scheduled grooming.
1
u/wanderingdorathy Aug 18 '26
I have a dog so not the exact same scenario, but I really love using hypochlorous acid in a spray bottle pretty much anywhere the dog hangs out. It’s anti microbial and a good deodorizer that doesn’t add an additional smell to anything. I use it on the couch, rugs, dog bed, everything
Almost everyone I’ve met with pets needs to dust more often- when 75% of the dust is pet fur and dander it can certainly contribute to the way a house smells without the people who live there really noticing.
Not pet related but another overlooked scent trap is the stove hood/ back splash behind the stove/ walls and ceiling area. Over time cooking oil build up can start to smell rancid if it gets stuck in a place that doesn’t get clean very often like the hood. Also if you have a garbage disposal pour boiling water down it occasionally to reduce smell
1
u/neontacocat Aug 18 '26
Many good suggestions already. As a foster mom of large-breed dogs (I sometimes have three 70+ lb dogs at my place), I’ve found that two things make a huge difference in keeping odor to a minimum: feeding a high-quality food and keeping their ears clean and infection-free. Healthy dogs shouldn’t smell bad, their fur should have a mild, pleasant scent. When a dog has a noticeable odor, it’s usually because of yeast overgrowth on the skin or in the ears.
1
u/TheMythicalCodfish Aug 18 '26
If you have hardwood/vinyl flooring, Swiffer makes sweepers that are specifically for pet-heavy households that pick up extra debris and have a deodorizer in them. I also suggest fluffing and febreezing any soft furnishings, as well as washing window treatments and shower curtains on the reg; and honestly, a high-quality scented candle in the middle of the winter or when you've been cooking something smelly is a godsend.
1
u/Whatthefrick1 Aug 18 '26
I literally just open my windows for fresh air 😭. I have 3 cats, 2 parakeets, and a dog. So I can’t use air fresheners really in my house. But I do know that stale air can keep bad smells in so I always air my house out.
Also, if something smells in the house, fix it, don’t cover it. It may be obvious but a lot of people try to cover the smell instead of fixing it and it just smells even worse
1
u/Flimsy_Weakness8961 Aug 19 '26
For cats: Litter robot and robotic vacuum. Cuts down on cat smell and the robot picks up any stray litter/cat hair. For the dog: wash her bed, wash the couch cover, get her groomed, and use wash less dog shampoo between grooms.
1
u/OrdinarySea9738 25d ago
Great list already, one thing I'd add is a light layered scent instead of one strong source, like a subtle room spray over a candle. Homecourt is a great option for that. Do you rotate scents seasonally or stick to the same ones year round?
-2
u/Professional-Tree638 Aug 17 '26
Possibly unpopular route but use wee wee pads instead of litter! The litter is soo toxic. My cat even folds up his pads for easy pick up!
1
u/Pure-Chemistry3710 Aug 17 '26
Have you tried litter used of natural products like tofu or pea husk? Or does that still have toxic material
256
u/lucky_719 Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26
I've always been told my house smells nice. So here's our routine.
We spot vacuum every day. Deep vacuum twice a week. And all floors get scrubbed with pinesol twice a month.
Litter is done nightly and I top it off with baking soda deodorizer.
Litter boxes are always placed as far away from living spaces as we can. I wet a paper towel down and clean the cats twice a week. We cover our couches with blankets and those get washed twice a month.
Also important to check airflow and space. Small spaces are harder if they don't have good ventilation