How do I clean a shaggy rug and get the "wet dog" odor out?

Question

I got a rug for free, but it smells like a dog... Its a very soft shag type rug... not like a flokati.

How can I clean it and get the odors out?

Is there a way to do this withoug renting any equipment?

I took it outside and tried to clean it with a hose and some soap... wich made me feel better, but I can still smell a yucky wet dog odor.

What should I do..?

Its a really nice rug aside from the odor... with no strange foreign objects caught in the nap or anything like that!

Answer 1

there is one method i use on all my "persian" carpets. the car wash. if you or someone you know has a truck, put the carpet in the back (upside down) and spend the $5 to give it a good cleaning.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

If you will leave the rug outside for a few days to air outdoors the smell will be gone.
I have a blanket that I keep in the pen with my dog and sometimes it smells soooo bad that I dont even want to put it in my washer so, I put it outside for a few days and after I go to get it it smells so fresh, but I do go ahead and wash it before putting it back in his pen.....IT WORKS!!!!
If it has a rubber backing on it then you may need to leave it out longer and make sure the rubber part is turned towards the sun...

Answer 4

For the smell, you can apply Febreze and that will for sure take the odor out, and for the cleaning it might be a little hard because you will probably have to scrub it kinda hard to get the dirt and everything out, but for this you can use a rug cleaning liquid and a brush, and you're set. :)

Answer 5

Well if it's not to big I would put it in the washer machine Use tide and some good fabric softener on the rinse and just stick it in the dryer and use a fabric softener in it. If that don't work I would throw it away because they aren't no hope for the rug pee from a dog or cat is hard to get ride of.

Answer 6

Febreeze makes a pet odor formula. I was very skeptical at first, but this stuff actually works wonders on doggie smells, even urine smell if you use enough of it. And it's way easier than trying to wash or steam clean the rug.

Answer 7

Hi
I would recommended using a disinfectant like Milgo SR (may need to go to a janitorial supply store for this and ask for a disinfectant for carpet) and put it in the rinse water. Deodorizers just cover up the smell for a while and disinfectant kill bacteria in the carpet. I would also wash the walls with this product.

Please DO NOT put anything on the carpet that was not made for carpet
From a carpet cleaner for 14 years.

Answer 8

I would buy 3 boxes of baking soda and take the rug outside early on a sunny day, Use all the baking soda spreading evenly on rug. let it set all day. then put the rug over a line or fence and beat it with a clean broom to knock out all the soda. the combo of sunlight and soda should do the trick.

Answer 9

Hi IHeart, There is a cleaner that works.I have 3 dogs and i use this cleaner all the time. You will have to go to a professionals cleaning store,like SHADD at least that's the store here. Ask for Extraction carpet cleaner with odor neutralizer.You will have to rent a deep cleaning machine.The carpet will smell like new,after you clean it..

Clowmy

Answer 10

Take the rug back outside and wash it with water and a little vinegar, 1 cup to a gallon of water. Rinse it out real good, then take water that is as hot as you can stand it and dissolve about 1/4 cup of borax into it and add 2 tablespoons of laundry detergent. The vinegar will break down the musk oil that you keep smelling, the borax will lift it out and the laundry detergent will wash out the rest of the odor.

Answer 11

Fabreeze only works temporarily, you'll need to get the odor out from the root, if you go to Petco, or any other pet store, they have top of the line products to remove odors, (not cheap) but the odor will be gone, ask a clerk, which is the best product.