How to get smells out of your dog's clothes
Knowing how to get the smell out of your dog's clothes is one of those things you don't appreciate until their favourite hoodie smells of wet dog no matter how much you wash it. It's a problem as common as it is annoying: the smell clings to the fabric and, if you don't treat it right, it comes back time and again. The good news is that it has a solution, and you don't have to wreck the garment in the process. In this guide we tell you how to remove smells effectively, how to prevent them and what to do when the bad smell hides something more. Fresh garments and a happy dog.
Why a dog's clothes pick up smell
Before tackling the problem, it helps to understand where it comes from. The characteristic smell doesn't come out of nowhere: it forms from the combination of the dog's natural skin oils, moisture (sweat, rain, baths) and the bacteria that lodge in the fabric's fibres. When the garment gets wet and doesn't dry completely, that cocktail multiplies, and that's where the classic «wet dog» smell appears.
The garments that suffer most are the ones in direct contact with the body for hours and the ones that get wet often, like hoodies and raincoats. Understanding this is key, because the solution is as much about washing well as about drying well: a fabric that stays damp is a smell factory.
How to get the smell out of a dog's clothes: methods that work
If you're looking for how to get the smell out of a dog's clothes, these are the most effective methods, from the gentlest to the most powerful.
The first ally is baking soda. Before washing, soak the garment in warm water with a couple of tablespoons of baking soda for half an hour: it neutralises smells instead of masking them. The second is white vinegar: adding half a glass to the wash water helps remove bacteria and residue, and leaves no vinegar smell once the garment is dry (it evaporates). Both are natural, cheap and fabric-friendly options.
If the smell is persistent, combine the two: a baking-soda pre-soak and a splash of vinegar in the wash. And in every case, one tip that makes the difference: wash the garment inside out, so the water and detergent act directly on the side that's been in contact with the dog, which is where the smell concentrates.
Drying: the step almost everyone skips
Here's the most common mistake. You can wash the garment perfectly, but if you put it away before it's completely dry, the smell will come back within hours. Trapped moisture is the main reason a «freshly washed» garment still smells.
Ideally, dry the clothes outdoors, and if it can be in the sun, even better: sunlight has a natural deodorising and antibacterial effect. Avoid the tumble dryer on high heat, which as well as using energy can damage technical fabrics and warp the garment. Be patient with drying: it's the difference between a genuinely fresh garment and one that fools you for a while.
How to prevent bad smell (better than curing it)
The easiest way to deal with smell is not to let it settle in. With a couple of simple habits, your garments will stay fresh much longer.
The first is to dry the dog before putting their clothes away: if they come back wet from a walk in the rain, take off the raincoat and let it dry instead of folding it up damp. The second is to air the garments between uses instead of piling them up: hanging a hoodie for a few hours stops moisture building up. And the third is not to let too many uses go by between washes, especially on garments the dog wears against the body. Prevention is, by far, the most effective method.
💡 FARA 961 tip: keep two garments in rotation (for example, two hoodies) so you can wash and air one while the dog wears the other. That way neither builds up smell and both last longer.
When the smell isn't (only) from the clothes
An honest, welfare-first note: sometimes the problem isn't in the garment, but in the dog. If your dog smells especially strong persistently —beyond the typical smell after a walk—, it can be a sign of a skin, ear, dental or anal-gland problem. In those cases, no amount of baking soda on the clothes will fix it.
If you notice a constant bad smell, along with itching, redness, excess grease in the coat or behaviour changes, the sensible thing is to consult the vet. Clothes get washed; the dog's health gets checked.
Conclusion: fresh garments with good habits
Getting the smell out of your dog's clothes is no mystery: baking soda and vinegar to wash, complete air-drying and a few simple prevention habits that stop the smell coming back. With that, your dog's hoodies and raincoats stay fresh and in good condition for much longer. And remember: if the smell is persistent and comes from the dog itself, the vet has the final word.
Looking for garments that are easy to care for and designed for everyday life? Take a look at our shop: comfortable, hard-wearing and stylish clothing for your dog. Comfort first, attitude second.
📸 Show us your dog in their gleaming clothes on Instagram: @fara961dogwear.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the dog smell out of their clothes?
Soak the garment with baking soda before washing, add half a glass of white vinegar to the wash and wash it inside out. Then dry it completely in the air, ideally in the sun. These are natural methods that neutralise the smell without damaging the fabric.
Does vinegar damage a dog's clothes?
No, used in the right amount (half a glass in the wash) it's safe for most fabrics and leaves no smell once the garment is dry, because it evaporates. It also helps remove bacteria.
Why do the clothes still smell after washing them?
It's almost always due to incomplete drying. Moisture trapped in the fibres makes the smell come back within a few hours. Make sure the garment is completely dry before putting it away.
What if my dog smells bad even though the clothes are clean?
It can be a sign of a skin, ear, dental or anal-gland problem. If the bad smell is persistent and comes with itching or redness, consult the vet: it's not a clothing problem.