There’s one odor that tends to make everyone wrinkle their nose in disgust and reach to the air fresheners: wet dog smell. But, what actually is causing it? And more importantly, what can you do about it? All of that is waiting for you below!
If your house smells like wet dog but you don’t think it is your dog, you’re most likely dealing with a brewing mold, fungal, or bacterial growth somewhere in your home.
One of the most common places, especially if you can’t isolate the smell to one area, is your home’s air conditioner/airflow unit. Another popular cause of the smell is blocked or old air filters that should be changed. Less popular causes of this wet dog smell are a dead animal in your ductwork and a water leak resulting in rotting wood.
Does mold smell like a wet dog?
As already explained above, mold does smell like a wet dog. Don’t panic and think that your dog is moody, though! A wet dog smell in your home is also commonly referred to as dirty sock syndrome, which is popular in gyms and other locations.
When sweat and moisture build-up, they are breeding grounds for bacteria and mold. This produces an odor known as a wet dog smell, even though your dog itself is totally innocent! If you notice an unmistakable smell of wet dog, but it’s not your actual dog, the most likely culprit is mold.
What does a wet dog smell mean?
This unpleasant smell means that moisture is hiding somewhere and causing the growth of bacteria and mold. Even if it turns out to be something like a dead rodent in your ductwork, it’s still the same severity of the problem. From mold to a rotting pest, you’ll need to act quickly as soon as you notice this lingering smell!
Why does my house smell like a wet dog?
When you’re trying to troubleshoot where this gross smell comes from, you’ll need to consider a few factors. Firstly, are you sure it’s not your dog? Even if your dog hasn’t been out in the rain lately, they can still pick up and trap moisture on their paws or in small patches on their fur that can have a big smell!
It’s not just your dog, either! You’ll also want to check their bedding, your carpet, and where they tend to lie down. Moisture can be transferred to anything porous and absorbent, so it could jump from one area to the next, and you wouldn’t even know it until you put your nose to the test.
Don’t forget to look in the bathroom at your own linens and shower curtain. This is a moisture-rich room, so it’s easy for that smell to start there, too! Musty smells can quickly grow into a mold and other growth.
If you can’t seem to isolate the smell, your house will most likely smell like a wet dog because you have a dirty air filter or a build-up of condensation in your unit! This is normal when there is a lot of unit use or a change in the weather, such as a season change and temperature fluctuations.
If your air conditioner or HVAC isn’t the cause, you may have a dead animal in your ductwork or walls. If you’ve exhausted other options, consider bringing a professional pest control expert into your home to check it out.
Lastly, sometimes the wood in your home could be rotting. Often, this is due to a water leak, such as around an improperly sealed window or a small leak in your roof. Rotting wood is molding and decaying, leading to that same telltale smell.
Why does my house smell like a wet dog when I mop?
If you’ve noticed that the wet dog smell only dogs when you mop, your most likely thought is that it’s the water! It actually isn’t. It’s the mop! Mops take in a lot of moisture, of course, and they rarely dry out entirely. Most of us wring them out thoroughly and then leave them to dry in the dark, low-air flow cleaning closet!
If you’ve got that smell, you’ve got a budding bacteria problem, too! What’s worse is that simply using the mop can literally spread the problem around to other areas in your home!
For your own peace of mind, throw the stinky mop away, buy a new one, and then dry out your new one thoroughly before putting it away in the future.
Why do my curtains smell like a wet dog?
Curtains can smell like a wet dog because they are porous, like linens and carpets. They take on and hold odors easily. Curtains often trap air and moisture between themselves and the windows they cover, and mildew can quickly grow and make them smelly. Even if you open the curtains regularly, they will still take on moisture occasionally. Proper washing and drying of them (or dry cleaning) can help with this.
Why does my carpet smell like a wet dog?
In the case of your carpet or area rug smelling like a wet dog, it most likely was a common area for your dog to lie on when they were either wet or simply rolling around and rubbing in their dog smell that mixed in with the moisture in the air.
The carpet will lock in the scent and moisture content and create the breeding ground for bacteria. You’ll want to wash the carpet or air it out regularly.
What to do if your house smells like a wet dog
If you feel your entire house smells like a wet dog and you’re about to lose your mind, take a breath — help is here! Here’s what you’ll want to focus on:
- Prepare yourself to clean everything (i.e., laundry, walls, floors, etc.)
- Add natural deodorizers like baking soda to soft furnishings
- Clean your air conditioner unit/HVAC and change its filters are recommended
- Open the windows to get a cross-breeze
- Bathe your dog and dry their fur thoroughly
The goal here is to kick the wet dog scent to the curb by simply evicting it from wherever it could be hiding. After that, you can focus on prevention so that you don’t have to deal with this issue again!
How to prevent the wet dog smell in my house
So, now make sure that you are doing everything possible to keep from smelling this in the future! The focus will be mostly on keeping on top of things rather than just letting them fester.
Don’t let any kind of moisture linger in your home. From beading in on the window sill to a patch of moisture on your dog’s bed or a damp towel. Dry everything thoroughly, including that mop we mentioned earlier!
Regularly change filters in your HVAC, air conditioner, air exchange system, and air purifier. This is a common area for moisture to build up and mold to grow without you even being aware. Also, remember the importance of servicing those appliances so they are in good working order!
Try not to pen off any room or cubby in your home since dark and still spaces are common moisture areas. Allow closets to remain open regularly, don’t close off spare bedrooms permanently, and get a cross-breeze with open windows whenever possible.
Why is there a wet dog smell in the house after the rain?
If you’re suddenly worried that it somehow rained inside your home, don’t be! The smell is the microorganisms that are bred in the moist areas that form when it rains. The breeze will carry that mildew scent around your home with open windows. While you will want to take care to dry off anything that gets damp in the rain, of course, the smell itself won’t hurt you — as long as it’s outside your home rather than inside.
Do air purifiers help with wet dog smell in the house?
Absolutely. Air purifiers will suck it right out of the air, but you’ll still want to find the underlying cause so that you can enjoy a home clean and clear of mildew and mold rather than just a home that smells nice but isn’t addressing the problem!
How do you keep your house smelling fresh?
If you want your home to not smell like a locker room or an old, moldy building, focus on natural deodorizers (rather than odor-covering agents) and letting in fresh air into your home through a clean HVAC or open windows.
The other thing you can do is keep everything clean! From laundry to mopping and vacuuming to your dog’s bathing and grooming schedule! It all adds up to a fresh-smelling house!
Whether you actually have a dog or not, a wet dog smell isn’t always the furry family member’s fault! These tips will help you understand the cause and how to deal with it sooner rather than later. Know someone who is struggling with this universal scent and feels as though it’ll never go away? Share this with them!
In conclusion
A wet dog smell is most often a brewing mold infestation in your home. It could be in your HVAC or air conditioning unit. It could also be in your curtains, bathroom linens, carpet, etc.
Sometimes the sent is due to a dead and decaying animal in your home’s ductwork or even from rotting wood due to a water leak. No matter the cause, you’ll want to address the problem — and quickly — for everyone’s health and safety.
