DS's friends say our house smells

[fruitstick]

I know it does but I'm mortified. DS's friends are also quite a bit wealthier than us with bigger houses etc but I don't want DS to feel he can't bring people round.

We keep the house clean but have a dog and two cats. The cats have litter trays upstairs which don't help.

I blame our hallway as no fucker puts their shoes away (DS & DH) and there are loads of coats (mainly DH's).

I have the next week off work so was planning on a big clean up anyway.

What do I need to be doing.

I know the dog on the sofa means we need to wash the cushions more regularly than we do. I'm not as religious about cleaning as I could be.

But tell me what I need to be doing.

Coats definitely smell - they pick up house smells of left to hang in the open, rather than put away.

I can always smell what my colleague had for dinner the night before when he comes into the office with his coat!

Dogs have a smell which is very distinctive if you haven't been brought up with them. Making them sleep in a cage instead of on the furniture helps

You need to give the litter tray itself a proper clean - not just emptying it. You can buy Formula H online or from some pet stores and if you use it properly it'll take any historic smells out of the litter tray. If you genuinely don't want your house to smell (and it's very unfair to your child if it does), then you need to scoop the litter trays every time they're used for a poo, and completely remove, clean and re-fill often - I'd start with twice a week until you feel confident that you're on top of it.

Cat litter tray liners are the way to go - I get some really robust ones from Amazon. Keeps the tray clean so you can chuck out the whole lot twice a week or however often is needed.

Febreze is fine for a quick spruce but it's obvs not an alternative to things actually being clean. The whole 'washing it with Febreze' thing from the Febreze ads is nonsense. You need to wash things with the correct washing stuff!

This makes me gag a little bit. It's particularly horrible on a crowded tube or bus when people's clothes stink of cooking. This seems to be more of an issue for me now I'm menopausal - I'm much more sensitive to smell and it's turned me into a clean freak!

I use litter liners but the cats often puncture them. So @horseyhorsey17 I've also scrubbed the tray with tray cleaner and deodoriser.

I've emptied the hall of everything and given it a good clean. I've thrown loads of shoes away and removed all the coats. Now to wash the coats before they go back.

DH has 4x as many coats as me so I've told him he's allowed to keep 3 in the hall and the rest have to go upstairs in the wardrobe.

Dog blankets and sofa covers all washed in vinegar too.

Worked out the last time I washed the sofa covers was June so it hasn't been that long but definitely need to be diligent with covering them with blankets.

Does vinegar work? I've a fear we may be a whiffy dog house but no one dare say. The dog doesn't sleep upstairs but tends to sneak onto the settee I'll have to maybe wash cushion covers in vinegar.

@Janiie I think so. I didn't use detergent because I've used detergent the last few times and thought their might be build up. So put half a cup of vinegar in instead. I googled it.

I think they smell nice and not vinegary

Who has the time??

Bicarb is your friend.

Sprinkled and then hoovered

Used to use it in washing machine for smelly gym kit. Worked wonders

I was thinking that. Between a very demanding job, work travel, DD’s various extra curricular activities there are nights I’m eating cold beans or tuna out of the tin for dinner.

You still haven’t said that you will open your windows OP! This is key!

I do this daily anyway. DH is always complaining but the house is well aired.

The front door mat has made a massive difference as now smells of carpet cleaner when you walk in. And the dog bed did really need a wash.

Op, I am so sorry about the loss of your son. I get very frustrated that some posters don't read all your comments.

We have 3 dogs and 2 cats in a relatively small house. Both the dogs and cats can smell. It is a lot of work to try to keep it as clean as possible and in all honesty I probably fail sometimes.

All my upstairs windows are open most of the time, I mop every 2/3 days, hoover every day and dust/surfaces etc every week. I've got throws for the sofa.

I do think though the comfort and joy the animals give out way the work and the odd smell. Also other peoples house pretty much always smell a bit too.

We have had to change carpets a few times as I think it's very hard to get them clean but everything else is surmountable.

Don't give it too much thought bar making some changes. You are not lazy but have had a devastating time.

Well done! Sounds like you’re tackling it bit by bit.

The front door mat has made a massive difference as now smells of carpet cleaner when you walk in. And the dog bed did really need a wash.
Great job!👍👏👏👏

Oo I'm going to try it.

It's funny I was always a 'not on the settee!' Kind of person pre dog, now her little face snuggled up is just too irresistible 🥰. I do worry about dog hairs so if anyone can recommend a clothes brush that actually gets rid and doesn't redistribute I'd be v grateful.

I have one of those near the door as I like the nice smell as you enter the house!

Sounds like you've made really good progress op!

Febreeze, plugins & well positioned smelling reed pots should help. Gives the illusion of clean home without too much cleaning being involved 🤪

Sounds like you have done a great job OP.

I am so sorry for the loss of your son.

@Nanny0gg agree with the bicarbonate recommendation.

It is magic stuff added to vinegar to kill strong smells.

I use it when my sons forget to remove smelly gym gear and towels from a plastic bag.....the worst smell ever.

Also cheap squeezey lemon juice is great too added to the mix.

The smell is fresh afterwards.

A very productive weekend!

Some people will always be sensitive to pet smells, but you can get it 90% there and plug in a febreeze to do the rest!