How to Get the Pet Smell Out of a Dog Crate
A pet crate builds up a strong smell from urine, dander, saliva, and dirt embedded in the plastic pan, the tray, and the bedding. Wash it all down, deodorize with an enzyme cleaner, and clean it regularly, and it freshens.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why crates smell
Pets spend time in the crate and leave oils, saliva, dander, and sometimes accidents, and it soaks into the plastic pan and any bedding. The enclosed space concentrates the smell.
Metal crates catch grime in the corners and along the door. Cleaning all of it, not just the bedding, is what clears the smell.
How to clean it, step by step
- Wash the bedding. Machine wash crate mats and pads hot with detergent and vinegar or baking soda, checking the label.
- Wash the pan and tray. Take out the plastic pan and scrub it with hot soapy water, using an enzyme cleaner on any accidents, then rinse.
- Wipe the frame. Clean the bars and walls, and especially the corners and door where grime builds, with a vinegar solution or pet-safe cleaner.
- Deodorize. Use an enzyme deodorizer on the pan and bedding to break down pet odor at its source, then let it dry.
- Dry it fully. A damp crate or bedding grows mildew and smells worse.
Enzyme cleaner is the difference maker. It breaks down the proteins in urine and pet odor rather than masking them, which is what clears the smell for good.
Keep it from coming back
Wash the bedding weekly and wipe the pan after any accident.
Deep clean the whole crate regularly, use enzyme cleaner on accidents, and dry everything fully.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the crate smell handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your living room, Do Not Disturb fits well. It is soft and warm, with pear, bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the pet smell out of a dog crate?
Wash the bedding hot, scrub the plastic pan, wipe the frame, and deodorize with an enzyme cleaner. Dry everything fully.
What is the best cleaner for a crate?
Hot soapy water for general cleaning, plus an enzyme cleaner for accidents and odor, which breaks the smell down at its source.
How often should I clean the crate?
Wash the bedding weekly and give the crate a full clean regularly, more often after accidents or if your pet is often muddy.
Why does the crate still smell after cleaning?
Urine odor set into the pan or bedding usually needs an enzyme cleaner, since soap alone does not break it down.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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