Why this basket
- Built from PDSA, Royal Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Battersea advice, with Which?'s guide to deep cleaning a carpet.
- Start with what the dog lies on. PDSA suggests washing the dog's bedding once a week and putting a washable blanket on the sofa, so this week's two buys make that easier.
- Old accident spots need an enzyme cleaner, Dogs Trust says, because dogs go back to places that still smell of pee. Battersea warns against ammonia-based cleaners for the same reason.
- Baths are for when the dog itself smells. The Royal Kennel Club says bathing too often can cause skin problems.
Today
Bicarbonate of soda for smelly carpets
Dri-Pak bicarbonate of soda, 500g
4.4 on Amazon · 5,743 ratings · 10K+ bought last month · #16 in Storage & Organisation · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Always "on offer"26 of 26 days
Which? calls baking soda a natural deodoriser that helps absorb odours trapped in carpet fibres. Sprinkle it over the carpet, leave it for at least 15 minutes, or longer for stronger smells, then vacuum it up. This is a 500g box of Dri-Pak bicarbonate of soda, the listing says.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- A versatile staple for all sorts of cleaning jobs(4 of 13 reviews)
- Added to the wash, whites come out brighter(3 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 26 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 26 of them, including today.
Also recommended on: a deep clean before Christmas, a smelly washing machine, fruit flies in the kitchen.
An enzyme cleaner for old accident spots
Simple Solution Urine Destroyer, 1 litre
4.3 on Amazon · 6,939 ratings · 5K+ bought last month · #3 in Dog Stain Removers · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Dogs Trust says to clean accidents with an enzymatic cleaner, often labelled pet odour remover, so the scent is fully gone. The listing says this one is Wool Safe certified for colourfast carpets. Its directions: test a hidden area, soak twice the size of the mess down to the underlay, wait 10 minutes, blot, and allow 24 to 48 hours to dry.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Gets urine smells out of carpets and sofas instead of covering them(8 of 13 reviews)
- Its own scent is mild, not a strong chemical smell(3 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Old or heavy smells need two or three soakings(4 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 4 of them, including today.
A dog shampoo, for when the dog is the smell
BUGALUGS Baby Fresh dog shampoo, 625ml
4.7 on Amazon · 12,939 ratings · 4K+ bought last month · #3 in Shampoos for Dogs · recorded 27 Sept 2026
The Royal Kennel Club says to bath a dog only when needed, such as after rolling in something smelly, and always with a shampoo made for dogs, since it suits the pH of their skin. PDSA says a dog that is just muddy can be rinsed in warm water. The listing says this one is pH balanced, suits puppies over 8 weeks and dilutes 20 to 1.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Leaves the coat soft, shiny and clean(8 of 13 reviews)
- Lathers well and rinses out without residue(7 of 13 reviews)
- The baby powder scent stays on the coat for days(3 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Pack
- pack of 625
- Made for
- dogs
- In the box
- Dog Shampoo
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed no discount of 10% or more on any of them.
This week
A bed with a cover that unzips for the wash
Bedsure dog sofa bed, 89 x 63 cm
4.4 on Amazon · 19,959 ratings · 600+ bought last month · #6 in Dog Beds · recorded 27 Sept 2026
PDSA suggests washing the dog's bedding once a week, and the RSPCA says a dog bed should be easily washable and big enough to lie in every natural position. The listing says this cover unzips and goes in the washing machine, and a waterproof liner keeps spills off the foam. Other sizes are sold, so measure your dog stretched out first.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- The cover comes off and goes in the washing machine(7 of 13 reviews)
- A waterproof layer keeps spills and accidents off the foam(2 of 13 reviews)
- Dogs, and sometimes the cats, move in straight away(5 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Arrives vacuum-packed and needs up to three days to plump up(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Material
- Polyester
- Made for
- large dogs
- In the box
- dog bed
- Care
- Machine Wash
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 4 of them, including today.
A waterproof blanket for the sofa or your bed
LE SURE waterproof dog blanket, 80 x 100 cm
4.6 on Amazon · 3,945 ratings · 400+ bought last month · #1 in Dog Bed Blankets · recorded 27 Sept 2026
PDSA suggests a blanket or throw on the sofa, since it is much easier to put one in the wash than to clean the sofa. This one has a waterproof inner layer against damp and small spills, and it machine washes cold, the listing says. The maker warns that high heat and bleach damage the waterproof layer.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Genuinely waterproof, so accidents do not soak through to the sofa or bed(9 of 13 reviews)
- Soft, thick and warm, with no crinkly feel(10 of 13 reviews)
- Goes through the washing machine and comes out fine(5 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Holds water after washing, so it is slow to dry(3 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Material
- Polyester
- Care
- Machine Wash, No Iron
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed no discount of 10% or more on any of them.
Also recommended on: a rescue dog's first night, a dog lover, a dog.
Can wait
- A carpet cleaner machine. Which? says you can rent one for bigger jobs from some DIY stores, tool hire shops, dry cleaners and supermarkets. Try bicarbonate of soda and the enzyme cleaner first.
- A new vacuum. PDSA's advice is to hoover a lot, with a vacuum designed to pick up pet hair. If yours is not up to that, the dog hair page covers choosing one.
Skip it
- SkipAmmonia-based cleanersBattersea says to avoid them because they can attract dogs back to the same spot.
- SkipYour own shampooThe Royal Kennel Club says dog shampoos are made for the pH of a dog's skin, and PDSA says human shampoos can cause skin irritation.
Quick questions
How do I get rid of dog smell in my house?
Wash what the dog lies on first: PDSA suggests washing the dog's bedding once a week and keeping a washable blanket on the sofa. Then do the carpets, with bicarbonate of soda before you vacuum, as Which? suggests, and an enzyme cleaner on old accident spots, as Dogs Trust advises. Bath the dog only if the dog itself smells, the Royal Kennel Club says.
How do I get dog smell out of carpet?
Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda, leave it for at least 15 minutes, or longer for stronger smells, and vacuum it up, Which? says. Where the dog has had an accident, use an enzyme cleaner instead, because Dogs Trust says dogs go back to spots that still smell of pee. For a whole room, Which? says carpet cleaners can be rented.
How often should I wash my dog's bed?
Once a week, PDSA suggests, which also stops fur building up around the house. That is far easier with a bed whose cover unzips and fits in the washing machine. Follow the temperature on the care label.
How often should I bath my dog?
Only when needed, the Royal Kennel Club says: after rolling in something smelly, after a very muddy walk, or when the dog smells bad. Bathing too much can cause skin problems. PDSA says a dog that is just muddy can be rinsed in warm water, and to use a dog shampoo when a proper wash is needed.
Why does my dog still smell after a bath?
The smell may have a medical cause, so ask your vet. PDSA says a sour or pungent smell is often the most obvious sign of an ear infection. The Royal Kennel Club says a fishy smell is most often the anal sacs, though dental problems and infections can cause it too.
Sources: PDSA: removing pet hair from around the home (checked 27 September 2026); PDSA: how often should you groom your pet? (checked 27 September 2026); The Royal Kennel Club: how to groom my dog (checked 27 September 2026); Dogs Trust: dog peeing or pooing in the house (checked 27 September 2026); Battersea: how to toilet train a puppy or dog (checked 27 September 2026); Which?: how to deep clean a carpet by hand (checked 27 September 2026); RSPCA: choosing the right bed for your dog (checked 27 September 2026); PDSA: ear infections in dogs (checked 27 September 2026); The Royal Kennel Club: why does my dog smell of fish? (checked 27 September 2026).
