How Dog Parents Really Keep Their Homes Smelling Fresh (What the #OhCrapFamily Told Us)
We love our dogs. But… we don't always love the smell that comes with them.
You know the moment: you've been home all day, the house feels fine, then you pop out for an hour. When you walk back through the front door, there it is — that unmistakable dog-home smell you somehow missed while you were inside it.
Here's the thing, though — you're not alone. And you're definitely not imagining it.
A few weeks ago, we asked hundreds of you in our #OhCrapFamily community to spill the beans (or should we say, spill the kibble?) on how you actually keep your home smelling fresh when you've got pets. Not the Instagram-perfect version, the real, everyday, "the dog just rolled in something mysterious" version.
And wow, did you show up! Hundreds of you jumped in to share your routines, tricks, confessions, and even a few hilarious stories. From bicarb hacks to essential-oil experiments, wet-dog tales to litter tray truths — you gave us the goods.
So, this post? It's all about what you told us. No marketing spin, no made-up stats — just honest insights from Aussie dog parents who are living it every single day. Let's dive in!
First Things First: A Massive Thank You to Our #OhCrapFamily 🙏
Before we get into the data, we need to pause and say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out the survey. You didn't just tick boxes — many of you shared thoughtful tips, funny stories, and genuine wisdom that made us laugh, nod along, and feel incredibly grateful to have such an engaged community.
This blog exists because you made it happen. Every insight, every data point, every piece of advice came from real dog parents navigating the same challenge: keeping a home that smells fresh without compromising on what matters most (spoiler: safety, effectiveness, and eco-friendliness topped the list).
So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to you, the #OhCrapFamily. You're the best. 💚
How Big Is the "Dog Smell" Problem, Really?
Let's start with the most basic question: how often do you actually notice pet odours in your home?
Here's what you told us:
- Rarely - 114 people
- A few times a month - 82 people
- A few times a week - 82 people
- Most days - 32 people
- Never - 18 people
- "I'm used to it and don't notice" - 21 people
On the surface, this looks pretty reassuring. Most people aren't battling constant pet smells; it's more of an occasional visitor than a permanent house guest.
But here's where it gets interesting.
The Science Behind Smell Blindness
Did you know your brain is actually designed to ignore familiar smells? It's called olfactory adaptation, and it's a clever bit of sensory filtering that stops your nose from being overwhelmed by background information.
Within 15 - 20 minutes of exposure to a smell, your olfactory receptors literally stop firing signals to your brain. The smell doesn't disappear; your perception of it does.
This is why visitors might notice your home smells like dog the moment they walk in, but you genuinely don't pick it up anymore. It's not that you're neglecting things — your brain has just filed it under "normal background data: ignore."
So, the 6% who said "I'm used to it and don't notice"? They're probably telling a deeper truth than they realise. We're all a bit nose-blind to our own homes. The smell is there, it's just invisible to us.
What this means: Even the people who said they "rarely" notice odours are likely experiencing them more often than they think. The problem is bigger (and sneakier) than the data suggests.
What Pet Parents Are Actually Doing Right Now
Alright, this was the juicy part. We wanted to know what you actually reach for when you catch a whiff of ‘dog’. This was a multi-select question, allowing you to select up to 3 options. Here's how many mentions each method got:
| Method | Number of Mentions |
| Open windows / air it out | 242 |
| Laundry/wash fabrics | 161 |
| Scented candles | 71 |
| Essential-oil diffusers | 67 |
| Pet-specific product | 60 |
| Vinegar / bicarb DIY | 50 |
| Aerosol spray | 29 |
| Incense | 21 |
| Do nothing & tolerate it | 19 |
| Plug-in air freshener | 12 |
| Supermarket spray or cleaner | 12 |
The Ventilation Reflex
Two-thirds of you said you open windows as your first response. And honestly? Same. It's free, it's instant, and when it's a gorgeous Aussie day, it works beautifully.
But here's the catch: fresh air doesn't neutralise odour molecules - it just moves them around.
From a behavioural psychology perspective, opening windows creates what's called a "pattern interrupt"; the stale smell gets replaced with fresh outdoor air, and your olfactory system resets. Your brain loves it because you get an immediate sensory reward.
The problem? When winter hits, humidity rises, or you live near a busy road, the open-window approach breaks down. The smell comes back faster than the breeze can carry it away.
The Washing Treadmill
Nearly half of everyone who completed the survey (161 mentions) regularly washes their fabrics. It makes total sense, dog beds, couch covers, and throws are odour magnets. Soft surfaces trap oils, moisture, hair, and bacteria. They're not just holding the smell; they're creating it through microbial activity.
However, here's the thing: this only treats the symptom, not the cause.
Washing removes the oils and bacteria that create smells, but unless you're neutralising the odour molecules in the air, they'll just resettle on freshly cleaned fabrics. It's effective, but exhausting.
The Scent-Cover Crew
Approximately one in five of our #OhCrapFamily reach for candles, diffusers, or incense. You're not trying to remove smells, you're trying to anchor a new sensory experience over the old one.
This is straight out of the NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) playbook: creating a more pleasant association to override an unpleasant one. And it works… to a point.
The challenge? Layering scents doesn't eliminate them. It's like putting perfume on after a workout, better, but not solved. Your brain knows the difference between "fresh clean" and "floral hiding something."
The Innovators: DIY-ers & Pet-Product Pioneers
Only 60 pet parents said they're using pet-specific products, and 50 are mixing their own vinegar or bicarb solutions. These are the early adopters — the people who've moved past quick fixes and are actively experimenting with targeted solutions.
They're also the most values-aligned with eco-conscious, low-tox living. They want something that works without compromise, but they haven't found it yet — so they're making their own.
In short: Most people are ventilating, washing, and scenting — but very few have a solution that actually neutralises odours at the molecular level. That's the gap we kept hearing about.
Where Smells Actually Live (And Why the Dog Bed Wins by a Mile)
When we asked where pet odours are most noticeable, the answers revealed something important about how smells behave in homes. This was also a multi-select question (up to 3 choices). Here's what you told us:
| Location | Number of Mentions |
| Dog beds | 215 |
| Sofas & fabric furniture | 92 |
| Carpets & rugs | 76 |
| General living areas | 74 |
| When I walk in the door of the house | 61 |
| Car | 54 |
| Litter tray area (for cat households) | 47 |
Dog beds absolutely dominated. And it makes perfect sense — they're fabric traps for moisture, oils, hair, saliva, and bacteria. They're not just holding the smell; they're actively brewing it.
But notice something else interesting: 61 people said they notice it most when they walk in the door.
This is olfactory adaptation working in real-time. You leave, your nose resets, and when you return, the smell that's been there all along suddenly becomes obvious again. It's like your brain saying, "Oh right, this is what the house actually smells like."
Why Passive Solutions Make Sense
Here's the insight: the smell isn't confined to just one spot. It's in the air throughout your space.
That's why passive, room-based solutions (such as gels, air purifiers, or strategic placement products) work better than spot treatments. They don't just clean a surface; they clean the atmosphere.
The Wet-Dog Effect (When Odours Go Emotional)
We asked when pet smells are at their worst, and the answer was overwhelming:
- Wet-dog days - 175 mentions
- After being inside a long time - 105 mentions
Beyond the big two, you shared all sorts of other triggers that bring on that ‘dog smell’ - from hot weather and spring humidity, to the moment after litter tray use, to (one that resonated with me) 'when the dog wipes their beard on the couch after eating.' Every home is different, and that's what made reading the answers and your stories so interesting.
Nearly half of you said that humidity and rain exacerbate the problem. And here's why that matters beyond the obvious.
Why Wet-Dog Days Hit Different
Smell and emotion are neurologically linked. Your olfactory bulb sits right next to your limbic system, the part of your brain that processes memory and emotion.
That's why certain smells can instantly transport you back to childhood (hello, Mum's roast dinners!), or why a clean-smelling home makes you feel calm and in control.
The flip side? Persistent unpleasant smells create low-level stress. Not panic, just a subtle background hum of "something's not quite right."
It's the sensory equivalent of clutter; your brain has to work a little harder to feel settled. When your home smells like wet dog, your nervous system registers it as "unfinished business." Even if you consciously ignore it, part of your brain is quietly saying, this needs fixing.
The good news? The opposite is also true. A genuinely fresh-smelling home (not perfumed, just clean) creates a sense of completion and calm. It's one of those invisible upgrades to daily life that compounds over time.
What You're Really Looking For (Spoiler: Safety First, Always)
This was the question that made us sit up and pay attention. When we asked what matters most when choosing a pet odour solution, the priorities were crystal clear. This was a multi-select question (up to 2 choices), here's what rose to the top:
| Priority | Number of Mentions |
| Safe for pets & family | 206 |
| Actually neutralises odour (not just covers it) | 193 |
| Eco-friendly / low-tox | 145 |
| Subtle / light scent | 41 |
| Price / value | 32 |
Safety and effectiveness lead by a mile. Price comes last.
This is a textbook example of values-driven purchasing. You're not looking for a cheaper option; you're looking for the right option. Something that aligns with how you want to live: healthy, low-tox, eco-conscious, and genuinely effective.
And here's what really stood out: you're tired of products that just mask smells. You want something that actually works, that removes odour molecules rather than layering perfume over them.
One of you said it perfectly in the open-ended responses: "Has to actually work, not mask the smells." - Lisa M.
We hear you. Loud and clear. 💚
The Fresh Home Paradox: Why People Want to Smell… Nothing
We also asked about scent preferences, and the results beautifully contradict what the air freshener industry has been selling for decades.
| Preference | Number of Mentions |
| Very light scent | 138 |
| Fragrance-free | 90 |
| Noticeable fresh scent | 72 |
| No preference | 49 |
Nearly two-thirds of you want either a very light scent or no scent at all.
This tells us something profound about how people conceptualise "freshness." You don't want your home to smell like synthetic lavender, ocean breeze, or tropical paradise. You want it to smell like… nothing.
The ideal end state isn't "my home smells like something pleasant." It's "my home smells clean and neutral." It's the olfactory equivalent of minimalism. The best smell is the absence of smell.
How Satisfied Are You With Your Current Solutions?
We asked you to rate your satisfaction with your current approach on a scale of 1 to 5:
| Rating | Number of People |
| 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 111 |
| 4 | 134 |
| 5 | 97 |
Most of you sit somewhere between 'it's fine' and 'pretty happy', with very few people are unhappy, but also not a huge amount of us are absolutely thrilled, and honestly? You deserve better than 'fine.' Not because there's anything wrong with what you're doing, but because finding something that genuinely ticks all the boxes shouldn't feel like settling.
Crowd-Sourced Wisdom from the #OhCrapFamily
We left space at the end of the survey for you to share your own tips, tricks, and advice, and honestly, this was our favourite part. You didn't just answer questions; you shared genuine wisdom, practical hacks, and a few laughs.
Here are some of the best ideas from fellow dog parents (shared with permission):
"Windows open as much as possible, regular grooming and washing bedding after wet dog days." - Tegan M.
"Just regularly change and wash bedding and lounge covers. Also, my dogs swim daily, so they tend not to have strong odours." - Timothy P.
"Wash dog beds weekly, wash dogs monthly." - Gail T.
"Take the dog beds outside on sunny days" - Leanne L.
"Do a small cleaning job each day, and it helps keep everything under control." - Theresa B.
"Don't let your dog on the sofa, we always fail at that!" - Fiona M.
"Lemon cut in half, place cloves into lemon flesh" - Mary-Anne N.
"Keeping my dog washed and brushed. Attending to manky ears as soon as any waxy smell occurs and checking teeth regularly." - Susan S.
"Walk the dog and swims keep them healthy and fresh." - Yair K.
"Regular washing of dog bedding, using 'Dirt' detergent and 'PetLab' eco laundry liquid." - Meron D.
What's beautiful about these shares is how many of you have found lots of easy, small actions, and habits that make a difference.
You also reminded us that every dog (and every home) is different. Some of you said your poodles or cavoodles barely smell at all. Others shared that feeding a fresh, natural diet makes a huge difference. A few of you keep your pets outside most of the time. And plenty said the secret is simply staying on top of regular cleaning.
There's no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are common threads: fresh air, regular washing, and finding products that are safe, effective, and eco-friendly.
Huge high-fives to everyone who shared their tips! 🙌 Your generosity and honesty made this survey (and this blog) so much richer.
So… What Are We Doing With All This?
You told us what matters most:
✅ Safe for pets and family
✅ Actually neutralises odours (doesn't just cover them)
✅ Eco-friendly and low-tox
✅ Light, natural scent (or none at all)
So for the past few months, our team has been working to create something that ticks every single box.
It's called Pet Fresh – Natural Pet Odour Eliminator Gel.
Here's how it works:
🌿 100% natural ingredients - proprietary essential oils, purified water, natural binding agents
🧪 Laboratory-tested - proven to eliminate 99% of odour-causing bacteria and mould
🐾 Pet-safe - no harsh chemicals, safe around dogs, cats, birds, and family
⏱️ Lasts up to 3 months - passive, set-and-forget freshness
🇦🇺 Made in Australia - supporting local manufacturing
One 75g tub treats up to 100m² (roughly a 2-3 bedroom home or apartment). You just open it, adjust the vent to your preferred intensity, and place it near dog beds, litter trays, or living spaces. It works passively, no plugs, no sprays, no effort.
Because you helped shape what we built, we want you to be the first to know when it launches.
Want to be first in line when Pet Fresh drops?
Join the VIP list and we'll let you know the minute pre-orders open - plus a little thank-you gift for being part of the #OhCrapFamily. 😉
Coming Soon: Your Complete Pet-Odour Gameplan
We're not stopping here! Next week, we're publishing a deep-dive guide into keeping pet smells at bay, covering washing routines, airflow strategies, diet tips, and how to use Pet Fresh as part of a holistic fresh-home system.
Because the best solutions aren't single products. They're smart habits + the right tools, working together.
Stay tuned, your nose (and your visitors) will thank you. 🐶💚
FAQs About Pet Odours
Why don't I notice the smell in my home, but visitors do?
It's called olfactory adaptation - your brain filters out familiar smells within 15–20 minutes. Your nose literally stops sending "smell signals" to your brain, so you genuinely don't notice it anymore. Visitors' noses are fresh, so they catch the scent immediately.
What's the most common place for pet odours?
Dog beds, by far! Over 200 people mentioned them. Soft surfaces trap moisture, oils, and bacteria, creating the perfect storm for lingering smells.
When are pet odours worst?
Wet-dog days topped the list (175 mentions), followed by after being inside a long time (105 mentions). Humidity and poor airflow make odours more noticeable.
What do pet parents care about most when choosing an odour solution?
Safety for pets and family came first (206 mentions), followed closely by products that actually neutralise odours rather than just masking them (193 mentions). Eco-friendly and low-toxic were also important (145 mentions).
Do most people prefer scented or fragrance-free solutions?
The majority prefer either very light scents (138 people) or fragrance-free (90 people). Most pet parents want their homes to smell clean and neutral, not perfumed.
One More Thank You to the #OhCrapFamily
Before we wrap up, we just want to say it one more time: thank you.
Thank you for showing up, for being honest, for sharing your wisdom, and for trusting us to listen. This survey wasn't just about gathering data — it was about understanding what you really need and creating something that actually helps.
You're not just customers to us. You're collaborators, advisors, and friends. And this blog and Pet Fresh itself exist because you took the time to share your world with us.
So, from all of us at Oh Crap: cheers to you. 💚🐾
Have you got tips, tricks, or stories about keeping your home fresh with pets? We'd love to hear them! Share your experiences with us on social media using #OhCrapFamily, we're all ears (and paws)!
