I’ve just stumbled over a blog by Andy Brunning, a British chemistry teacher. Andy has provided a great explanation as to why pet owners experience lingering wet dog smells in their homes.
His infographic on his blog Compound Interest looks at the complex relationship between your dog and the micro-organisms living in their dog hair.
What Causes Wet Dog Smells?
According to Andy’s information, our wonderful four-legged friends seem to be carrying around a whole chemistry lab of micro-organisms!
When you take your dog for a walk, you’re not alone. You’re taking a lot of microorganisms out into the park too.
You’ll find bacteria and yeast naturally in all dog hair. However, when combined with water from wet grass, a lake to swim in or just a rainy day, these chemicals start to react with each other.
As the water evaporates from your dog’s coat, these microorganisms release their odour into the air. Whilst this is enough for you to notice the smell, the increased water content raises the humidity in the air surrounding your dog. The higher the humidity, the higher the odour effect and the more you notice that distinct wet dog smell.
Are There Any Scientific Studies?
Scientists carried out a pilot study that compared the differences between compounds emitted from the hair of dry dogs and wet dogs. They found that a number of compound concentrations increased when dog hair was wet. Odours were described as anything from ‘sulphurous’ to ‘medicinal’ to ‘fruity’ and ‘earthy’!
All this adds-up to the question ‘how do I get rid of wet dog smells in my home?’
Time To Get Rid Of Wet Dog Smells
A dry dog is likely to smell better than a wet one! Get out those super drying towels and even a gentle blow dry if your dog has a long coat. If your dog is extra dirty from a long walk, it’s time for a bath (him not you!) or a trip to the dog groomers!
My professional carpet cleaning service has a thorough 12 stage cleaning process. This will eradicate the chemical compounds that make up those nasty niffs!
Your carpets will be completely sanitised. The combination of the heat processes and the environmentally friendly chemical solutions that I use kill all Bacteria and other germs.
Sofas, armchairs and favourite sleeping places are quick to absorb doggy odours. Don’t worry, I have advanced professional upholstery cleaning equipment that will ensure a completely thorough clean of your furniture. You’ll love how clean everything looks and smells after I’ve cleaned everything. I can even professionally clean dog beds too!
As with carpets, I only use the best cleaning solutions for your home, ensuring that you, your family and your pets are completely safe.
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