A famous rapper once said, "If you're having pet odours, I feel bad for you, son. I got ninety-nine problems, but stink ain't one!" Or something like that? 😉 In all seriousness, if your laundry smells like it needs an intervention, this blog with three no-fail laundry hacks for pet parents is for you!
Laundry hacks
Are you irked by lingering animal smells in everything from your sofa slipcover to your cotton pyjamas? Are your puppy's poopy explosions making you anxious about a permanent stench in your much-loved Grubby Paw Throw Blanket? Today's your lucky day because we're sharing expert advice to successfully rid your laundry of canine, feline, and other smells.
#1: Pre-treat your laundry
Whether it's a fresh stain (and tolerable odours) or old stains (and nose-scrunching meets gag-inducing odours), E.N. Zyme Stain & Odour Remover is your secret weapon against smelly laundry!
Use it to pre-treat soiled items (soak for at least 30 minutes) before popping garments and other washable textiles into the washing machine for a complete laundry cycle. This step helps break odour-causing particles down at the source.
#2: Use an enzymatic laundry detergent
Heavily-scented laundry detergents, harsh chemicals, and homemade concoctions have nothing on enzyme-based cleaners. The former temporarily masks odours (or, worst, exacerbates them 😲); enzymes destroy smell-generating proteins found in pet messes like pee, poop, and puke.
The result? PetLab's deep-cleaning Eco Laundry Liquid is like a "factory reset" button on pet-induced malodours on a wide range of washable fabrics. It even works on pervasive "wet dog" smells and the notoriously challenging (and overpowering) cat spray!
#3: Sun dry your laundry
From helpful bacteria to daylight, nature always has the answer. Case in point: Sunlight’s ultraviolet (UV) rays have powerful deodorising properties!
UV radiation alters the DNA of odour-causing bacteria in your laundry so that germs can't replicate—they eventually die out. In fact, the sun's rays are so effective that they can even neutralise synthetic fragrances in chemical-based detergents and fabric softeners.
FYI, rays peeping through your window don’t have the same effect. Hang damp articles out to dry in direct sunlight for the best results.
⚠️ Sunshine can also bleach fabrics and cause them to fade, so handle dark garments/textiles appropriately.
Laundry tips: Fact or fiction?
With endless resources online, it can be hard to distinguish good advice from well-intended but inaccurate information. We're here to set the record straight!
#1: Hot water ALWAYS works best.
On dust mites, viruses, and bacteria: Yes. For odour-causing stains: It's not that simple. That's because animal-related odours are mostly protein-based. They're tricky to handle.
Here's the truth: Starting with hot water may cook or set proteins—and their corresponding scents—into fabrics rather than release them.
✨ Blood, urine, poo, and vomit need cool water first to loosen and lift stains. Then run a hot cycle after.
Reminder: Check your item's care guide to prevent colour bleeding or a honey-I-shrunk-the-laundry scenario! 😱
#2: Steam solves everything.
That's a big NO. It depends on the problem and the material, but one thing is sure: Steam does not "erase" pet messes.
Heat causes the proteins in animal biological waste to cling for dear life to textile fibres. Instead of getting it out, you're pushing malodour-emitting substances further in.
✨ Use your steamer for wrinkles and enzyme laundry solutions for pet-related odours.
#3: Baking soda and distilled vinegar are low-cost, effective, pet-safe odour neutralisers.
Let's start with this: Did you know that large amounts of baking soda can harm your pet? And it doesn't take "much" to do so either. If you have cats or an extra small dog breed (like a Yorkie or Chihuahua), less than a tablespoon is enough to land your pet in the ER. Do you still want to apply a baking soda solution to your carpet? 🤔 We didn't think so!
As for vinegar? The vinegar-plus-water hack you've heard about does not work. It's okay if you don't have pets. But if you do, vinegar's strong scent is an open invitation for dogs and cats to revisit for more potty business.
✨There's a time and place for DIY solutions—but it's not for pet-induced messes. Choose the deep-penetrating power of enzymatic solutions instead.
No one wants to be the guy people avoid because he smells rank. 😳 Fortunately, with PetLab's Laundry Cleaning Bundle, you won’t have to worry about causing a literal stink. No regrets: Start your 45-day risk-free trial now!
