Why pet odours linger (and how the right laundry detergent helps)
Pet smells are usually a mix of oils, proteins and bacteria trapped in fibres. If your laundry detergent can’t fully lift and rinse these soils, they rebind to fabric—especially in cool washes and crowded drums. The fix: a measured dose of a quality detergent, an odour-targeting routine, and hygienic finishing that doesn’t just mask scent.
Products we’ll use in this routine
- Power Of 4 Laundry Powder – your main laundry detergent for deep cleaning and soil removal.
- Power Of 4 Sanitiser Softener – a hygiene step that also softens fibres, helping prevent “trapped smell” without heavy perfumes.
Use the powder for cleaning; use the sanitiser softener for hygienic finishing and fibre feel. Together they target odour at the source.
The pet-odour removal routine (copy/paste to your laundry room)
- Pre-sort & pre-treat the hot spots
- Turn garments inside out (armpits, collars, pet-bed seams).
- For heavy odours, make a thin paste of Power Of 4 Laundry Powder with warm water; dab onto trouble zones for 10–15 minutes.
- Dose the laundry detergent correctly
- Start with the label’s medium-soil dose for your drum size.
- Hard water? Increase the powder by ~20% (or run a warm cycle) so it dissolves and rinses clean.
- Choose the right cycle & temperature
- Colours & synthetics (activewear, pet blankets): cold–warm cycle.
- Whites & towels: warm cycle improves odour breakup.
- Don’t overload; leave space for agitation so the laundry detergent can rinse away loosened soils.
- Add the hygienic finish
- Use Power Of 4 Sanitiser Softener in the softener drawer per label directions.
- This step helps knock down residual bacteria and keeps fibres from holding onto smells.
- Extra rinse for heavy odours
- Add one extra rinse, especially for towels, pet bedding and gym gear.
- Dry completely
- Line-dry in sun when possible (UV helps). Machine-dry until fully dry to prevent musty re-odour.
Quick fixes by fabric type
| Item | What usually traps odour | Your move with detergent |
|---|---|---|
| Pet bedding & throws | Oils + dander deep in fibres | Pre-treat seams; warm wash with Power Of 4 Laundry Powder; Sanitiser Softener; extra rinse |
| Towels | Dense loops hold bacteria | Warm wash; correct dose; Sanitiser Softener; full dry |
| Activewear / synthetics | Tight weaves & elastane trap oils | Inside-out; pre-treat underarms; use correct dose; extra rinse |
| Couch covers | Mixed fibres + body oils | Check care label; warm if allowed; sanitise in rinse; air-dry flat |
Seven pro tips to keep pet smells away (long-term)
- Measure your laundry detergent—more isn’t better; overdosing leaves odour-holding film.
- Avoid heavy perfumes that mask rather than remove smells.
- Clean the machine monthly (hot maintenance cycle) to stop biofilm redepositing odours.
- Use warm water when the care label allows for pet bedding and towels.
- Extra rinse for bulky loads and synthetics.
- Refresh more often—frequent, properly dosed washes beat occasional over-dosed ones.
- Dry fast & fully—odours rebound in damp fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best laundry detergent for pet odours?
A high-quality laundry detergent that lifts oils and proteins effectively is key. Use Power Of/product/laundry-powder/ 4 Laundry Powder for deep cleaning, then finish with Power Of 4 Sanitiser Softener to reduce residual odour and keep fibres fresh.
Should I just add more detergent for stronger smells?
No. Overdosing leaves residue that traps odour. Use the correct dose of laundry detergent, add an extra rinse, and use the Sanitiser Softener in the final stage.
Cold or warm water for pet odours?
Warm helps break down oils in towels and bedding (if care labels allow). For colours/synthetics, warm with correct dosing works well.
Can fabric softeners make odours worse?
Heavy, perfumed softeners can mask rather than remove smells. Power Of 4 Sanitiser Softener is used to hygienically finish and soften without heavy perfume build-up.
Quick recap
- Use Power Of 4 Laundry Powder as your main laundry detergent to lift pet-related oils and proteins.
- Finish with Power Of 4 Sanitiser Softener for a hygienic, odour-reducing rinse.
- Measure doses, pick the right temperature, add an extra rinse for heavy odour items, and dry fully.
Leave a Reply