I am hoping to move house in the near future. At the moment my house is on the market and I have had several viewings now. Unfortunately more than one has mentioned the smell of dog when the estate agent has asked for feed back.

before any viewings I remove the dogs and put them in my car. I remove all the dog beds and blankets. I mop the floors and spray air freshener around and open the windows. I have hard floors down stairs and carpet upstairs but the  dogs don't go upstairs much. Obviously I don't notice the dog smell myself and a friend who I asked said she thought it didn't smell much. Has anyone any suggestions on how to remove the smell before viewings? Is there something I am missing? Thanks very much.

It can be really difficult over doggy smells. I always ask my daughters, the dog owning one always says no and the other girls say, er not really!  Like you I have mainly hard floors plus some rugs. If someone really fussy comes round I spray all soft furnishings including curtains with Febreze spray and it does seem to help.

You seem to be doing all the right things, but if you are having non doggy people coming to the house I suspect they will notice the merest trace.
I wonder if brewing some fresh coffee might cover any dog smell, or if you have a bread maker and your timing is right?

I do have a coffee machine and have thought about setting it up just before they arrive so thats a good idea. I always feel a bit strange though doing things like that as it seems so obviously designed to sell. Or to hide something. I feel the same about doing things like setting the dining table up for a meal etc. It just seems so fake and pretentious. Or am I worrying too much?

I do think that spraying anything to hide a smell can be really obvious.  Before I moved to my present house, I viewed a house and there was a litter of kittens on their bed!  :-)

There were cats everywhere, and I couldn't see any litter trays, so I guess they were removed before the viewing.  However, the smell that was masking any cat smells was so powerful that I thought that I would choke.  I never even considered placing an offer on the house.

However, although I can't smell dogs in my house I know that all my rough and ready working clothes at home really smell of dogs.  But then, I love the smell of wet dog, so I guess I will never be able to sell this house. 

It's worth doing a viewing with a 'not too close' friend or acquaintance.  Brief them first, explain the problem as you see it, and ask them to pin point what they smell and where.  It may be that you can remedy the problem quite easily as it's a small thing you may have overlooked...

I have dogs but I'm really critical of lingering dog smells.  Like Jean mentioned I too like the smell of wet dog (with earthy paws) but I can tell the difference between fresh wet dog and fusty perpetual wet-dog-in-the-carpet type smell.  Some smells can be eradicated by airing the rooms a bit more throughly, using a different cleaner or perhaps washing a rug, but others need more effort.  I know that odours can get into the fabric of a house so perhaps you might need to do something a bit more radical like repainting a room or removing a section of flooring.

If you need to sell then you need to be open to the feedback.  I suspect that a few quid spent on partial redecorating (if necessary) will save you money in the long run :)

It's worth noting that good cleaning products will remove rather than mask a smell - and natural cleaning products such as beeswax, lemon or white vinegar provide a good 'clean' smell which is strong enough to help the overall whiff in the house.  I wouldn't use synthetic candles or air fresheners but you can light a fire, cut the grass, brew coffee or warm bread for more natural scents which more buyers will recognise as homely. 

During this time of year get the windows open as getting the air circulating will help.

Also do you allow the dogs on sofas as that may also be an issue. If so might be worth getting them professionally clean then keeping the dogs off until you get an offer

I can remember being totally mortified when an female Estate Agent (the two men whom valued it before said nothing), told me that my house smelt of dogs! Like you, I had put the dogs out, removed all bedding, toys etc. and cleaned my house to within an inch of its life! Thankfully, her honesty allowed me plenty of time to do something about it before anyone came to view!!

Fresh air is the answer but closely followed by an 'Oil Burner' with something nice in it. The people whom bought my last house said that the "lovely smell of oranges" had been the icing on the cake for them :) The added advantage of an oil burners is that after a while, the smell permeates its surroundings, so gives a long held smell even when not in use.

> Also do you allow the dogs on sofas as that may also be an issue. If so might be worth getting them professionally clean then keeping the dogs off until you get an offer

yes but they are leather and I cover the seats with vetbed which is removed for viewings.

Windows all open and Im freezing but have a viewing this afternoon :)

Have you checked under the cushions as I bet you will find hair etc under there !

Oil burner being purchased today along with shake and vac, febreeze and anything else I can thin,k of. I also usually put bleach down the loos and polish all the furniture with pledge just before a visit hoping that will help disguise doggy pongs. BOnes and chews now only allowed in the garden.

I have looked round a few houses in my hunt and I have been in some very smelly ones. Cigarette smoke seems particularly bad but I can see (smell?)  past it to see if the house is what I am looking for.

I don't like doggy smells either and didn't think my house was too bad. Obviously I was wrong :(

Another tip - not used specifically for dog smell, but I was given the tip for selling our first home, it was to put a chicken in the oven with an onion, fills the place with a nice homely smell, roast chicken cooking could well over power any doggy smells too, and it is not a 'fake' smell, guess what sold the flat the first day it was up....... and we enjoyed our roast dinner to celebrate.  :-D

but I was given the tip for selling our first home, it was to put a chicken in the oven with an onion

Except if the people viewing are vegetarians like me, this would be enough to make me leave instantly and not even enter the house as I would feel sick.

I tend to switch the tumble dryer on with some newly washed clothes with some nice scented conditioner or tumble dryer sheets.

>shake and vac

Take care if your pets come into contact with this product. It can cause allergic reactions (skin complaints) in some animals.

> but I was given the tip for selling our first home, it was to put a chicken in the oven with an onion
>
> Except if the people viewing are vegetarians like me, this would be enough to make me leave instantly and not even enter the house as I would feel sick.
>
> I tend to switch the tumble dryer on with some newly washed clothes with some nice scented conditioner or tumble dryer sheets.

Im a veggie too but dont mind the smell of meat cooking. I could feed to the dogs afterwards. I am sure they wouldn't mind helping out :)

I could bake a cake as that hopefully wouldnt upset anyone? unless the viewer is on a diet.

Tumble dryer in the garage and the dogs dont go in there much so probably doesnt matter what that smells like.

Just bought an oil burner and just realised I dont have any matches and have an electric stove! Will need to go out again and get something to light it with. Lets hope the dogs dont knock it over and burn the house down!!!

>Lets hope the dogs dont knock it over and burn the house down!!!

I know this was said tongue in cheek, but just a word of caution if you have cats: most will avoid anything that omits such a strong smell, but please keep in mind that hot oil will badly burn any skin (be it cat/dog or human) if it comes into contact with it. The added concern with animals is that hot oil will stick to fur and any resulting injury will be 10 times worse. It is vital that a burner is put in a place where contact just isn't going to happen.

If i liked a house that much i would put in an offer regardless, a bit of hardwork and time will get rid of smells. Perhaps the few you have had just wasn't that interested and made up an excuse?

> If i liked a house that much i would put in an offer regardless, a bit of hardwork and time will get rid of smells. Perhaps the few you have had just wasn't that interested and made up an excuse?

Yes I am sure you are right but never the less it has now left me paranoid about how much my house smells. It is difficult to have your home open to countless strangers and to listen to criticism about it.

The house I am trying to buy is a real mess, Not just smelly but dirty and full of rubbish but I cant wait to get in there to start work.  It seems that some of these people want to move straight in to  a show home. Mine is really not that bad. recently decorated, clean, and decluttered.  Obviously just dog fragranced! And being a groomer my dogs do get washed regularly.

>> Lets hope the dogs dont knock it over and burn the house down!!!
> I know this was said tongue in cheek, but just a word of caution if you have cats: most will avoid anything that omits such a strong smell, but please keep in mind that hot oil will badly burn any skin (be it cat/dog or human)

yes it was said tongue in cheek but it is good to have a warning like that. Thanks. Still not got it going. have not been out yet.

Must get off the PC and carry on with the de-dogging as I have a viewing later today.

Put some lavendar oil in a spray bottle with some water to spray anything fabric. Works really well.

If you've got net curtains mix fabric conditioner with water in spray bottle. Spray over nets and open windows. Fresh air coming in will carry smell of conditioner. There's one with added frebreeze in I think.
I wash all dog toys and bedding using Dettol antibacterial laundry cleanser it kills all bacteria that can cause the smell when wet but at low washing machine temp. They come out smelling nice as well.
Hope the viewing goes well

I must admit I use a steam cleaner on virtually everything in my house. It seems to remove the smell, rather than mask it.

I also put half a fresh lemon in a bowl with boiling water to freshen my rooms. I find it leaves a lovely, natural smell, rather than a harsh chemical smell..

Rub fabric softener along your radiators, when they come on your whole house smells of fresh laundry, everyone who enters your home will instantly think you are a domestic Goddess lol

Really P**ed off now as the viewers today haven't showed up. I spent all day cleaning and tidying.  The dogs have been shut in the car for over an hour and no sign of the viewers. I dont mind if they don't want to buy it or even if they changed their mind about viewing but would it be too hard to let the estate agent know? thats 2 lots now that haven't turned up with out saying. People are so rude!

Some surfaces in your home will absorb odour that mere washing with the best and strongest of detergents cannot get out.  Sealing those surfaces might help.  There are special paints.  Concrete floors are terribly porous and hold odour but can be sealed.  Even dry cleaning cannot remove the smell of stale cigarette/cigar/pipe smoke.  I know this because of all the hand me down clothes we threw out after they'd been donated by my Mum's coworker.  Darn, her girls had some nice dresses.  Good luck with house selling.

Very annoying. Been there, done it -although most commonly with kitten buyers! It is SO rude to not let you know they are not coming as you do end up wasting a day. (In the case of kitten buyers I also remove the dogs from the house as people looking for a kitten may not like dogs, so similar scenario in a way.)

I would be making the estate agent do the viewings, that way you can just make sure you are out with the dogs.  It's their job to sell the property and if they do sell it they make enough out of it.  Let them do what you are paying for.  That way you can make sure the place is clean and ready for a viewing then when they are due you can just go out for a walk or whatever.  If they are late or let down it is their problem

The right people will come along. I think people are just looking for an excuse. The place we live now had been owned by the same family for 53 years. Towards the end it was just the old gentleman on his own. Of course it was very dated, yellow stained and stinking walls, grease all over the kitchen. The bathroom  - well I can't talk about that !. Anyway the whole place was really smelly but we knew it wouldn't be like that forever. If viewers walk away because a place smells of something then they have very little imagination. If a place smells of damp etc then that's a different matter but a doggy smell will go.

Good luck.

I can't believe how rude and stupid some people are. I would say to the estate agents to warn these viewers and tackle it with them head on when they enter. "As you can maybe smell / tell I am a dog groomer. Unfortunately the dogs aren't included in the sale" Could be they are trying to get you to reduce your price.

Your home sounds lovely. I have to go into houses regularly and believe me there are some horror shows out there (wipe your feet on the way out) It is just an uncomfortable situation as they are judging your home as potential buyers.

We had a similar situation when we sold my Mums place a couple of years ago after her death it's a necessary evil. They kept trying to get us to knock the price down as it was very tired but it was a huge house and in the end we got the price we wanted.

Good luck !