While our furry best friends have many wonderful, adorable qualities, the smells that come out of them are not one of them. And nothing is more unpleasant than the anal gland smell they sometimes leave on furniture, which can be remarkably hard to eliminate.
Fortunately, we’ve rounded up the very best cleaning tips to get that awful anal gland smell out of furniture, so you can stop having to avoid taking a nap on your own couch.
Why Do Dog Glands Smell Up the Furniture?
All dogs have a pair of anal glands (or anal sacs) on either side of their anuses. These glands have a unique smell, and this is what dogs are sniffing for when they smell each other’s butts. It’s a form of identification, much more so than looks are. That’s why dogs use the fluid the glands secrete to mark their territory on anything they think should belong to them. They transfer this fluid simply by rubbing up against something, so the furniture they sit and lie on frequently has lots of this smelly fluid worked right into it.
Baking Soda
First, let’s look at the most straightforward fix: baking soda. Sprinkle your baking soda generously on your furniture and let it sit there overnight. When you vacuum it up the next day, the odor should either be gone or significantly reduced. Baking soda is a very absorbent substance that can pull the fluid out of the fabric. However, it doesn’t work equally well on all materials, and it might not be enough if the dog smell is worked in there.
Please note: you need to use baking soda, not baking powder. Baking powder is baking soda cut with other substances, so it will not work as effectively.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Try scrubbing the furniture with hydrogen peroxide. This mildly reactive chemical can help break up other chemicals, making cleaning the dog gland secretions out of the upholstery easier.
Detergent Powder and Vinegar
This one’s also pretty easy. Mix a tablespoon of laundry detergent powder with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar to make a cheap odor-fighting cleanser. While this can work effectively, it isn’t beneficial if the dog smell is very old and ground in.
Enzymatic Cleaners & Commercial Pet Odor Eliminating Products
A wide variety of commercial products are meant to eliminate pet odors. If you’ve tried the cheaper solutions to no avail, you may just have to go and buy an odor remover, as it can be much more effective at odor elimination. Of course, depending on the material and the strength and severity of the dog smell, these products do not always work. Plus, they sometimes have strong smells themselves that some people find unpleasant.
Biological Washing Powder
For a more powerful cleaning product, try a biological washing powder. This detergent powder contains enzymes that make it an especially powerful cleaner. Enzymes are unique proteins that break down certain chemicals, particularly biological ones. That means that a biological washing powder might succeed in getting rid of that anal gland smell where all other cleaning products have failed.
Steam Cleaning
If none of the more traditional cleaning methods have worked, you may need to rent (or buy) a steam cleaner. The steam will heat the scent molecules in your furniture’s fabric, loosening the material’s grip on them and making them easy to clear away. It may be a bit of an expense, but it should do the job. And you can use the steam cleaner for other things, too.
Use Removable Furniture Covers
While this doesn’t help you remove dog gland stink that has already settled into your furniture, you can do something to make the problem easier to deal with in the future by using removable cushion covers and slips. That way, when you start noticing the smell again, you can just take them off, throw them into the washing machine, and clean them easily.
If All Else Fails
Call a carpet cleaning service if you’ve tried everything but just can’t get that awful smell out of your furniture. Many carpet cleaning services will also do upholstery cleaning; they have the tools, cleansers, and experience to take care of any cleaning problem. If they can’t solve the problem, you may just need to get new furniture.
Potential Pitfalls When Cleaning Your Furniture
Beware of the Pineapple Juice Fix
Some say you should clean your furniture with pineapple juice to eliminate the anal gland smell. And it can be an effective remedy. However, pineapple juice stains many fabrics, so you may just be trading one problem for another.
Be Careful with Expensive or Antique Fabrics
Expensive and antique fabrics can be delicate and stain very easily. Before using any cleaning product on them, it’s essential to check that you can safely clean your expensive or antique furniture with it. You should be able to find plenty of cleaning advice for such fabrics online or included in the product’s instructions.
Could My Dog’s Gland Smell Be the Result of a Health Problem?
Dog gland scent marking is a natural process for any breed. However, you should be concerned if it’s never been a problem before and suddenly becomes a big problem. This could indicate that your dog has an anal gland impaction or infection. If you notice a sudden issue with smelly furniture that you’ve never had before, be on the lookout for the following problems with your dog:
- Scooting: If your dog is scooting around on the floor in the sitting position, this could indicate an itch or pain caused by a gland issue.
- Redness and/or swelling
- Blood in the stool: This is a significant warning sign if you see blood in your dog’s stool.
If you notice your dog having these problems, contact your vet. If they diagnose an anal gland impaction or infection, they can help your dog and potentially eliminate future gland smells on your furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get rid of dog gland smell on furniture?
- Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, detergent powder and vinegar, enzymatic cleaners, biological washing powder, steam cleaning, and removable furniture covers are all effective methods for eliminating dog gland smell on furniture.
Can I clean my furniture with pineapple juice?
- While pineapple juice can be effective in eliminating the anal gland smell, it can also stain many fabrics, so caution is advised.
How do I clean expensive or antique fabrics?
- Before using any cleaning product on expensive or antique fabrics, it is essential to check if it is safe to use. Seek cleaning advice specific to the fabric type online or consult the product’s instructions.
Conclusion
Don’t let the unpleasant dog gland smell on your furniture ruin your day. With the proper cleaning methods and products, you can effectively eliminate the odor and enjoy a fresh-smelling home. From baking soda to enzymatic cleaners, there are various options to choose from depending on the severity of the smell and the type of fabric. Remember to prioritize your pet’s health and consult a vet if you suspect any underlying issues causing the excessive gland smell. Keep your furniture clean and odor-free, allowing you and your furry friend to enjoy a comfortable living space together. For more information and pet care tips, visit Pawsoha.