Getting rid of pet odour sounds simple in theory — spray, wipe, done. But if you've tried everything and the smell keeps coming back, there's a good chance one (or several) of these common mistakes is the reason. Here's what to avoid, and what to do instead.

Mistake 1: Using Ammonia-Based Cleaners on Urine Stains

This is one of the biggest and most counterintuitive mistakes. Urine already contains ammonia compounds, so cleaning it with an ammonia-based product can actually reinforce the smell you're trying to remove, rather than eliminate it.

Do this instead: Choose a chlorine and ammonia-free formula, like smellBgone PLUS+, which relies on plant-based enzymes instead of masking chemicals.

Mistake 2: Scrubbing Instead of Soaking

It's tempting to scrub hard at a stain, but vigorous scrubbing can actually push urine deeper into carpet fibres or padding, making it harder to fully treat.

Do this instead: Let an enzyme cleaner sit and soak into the area so it has time to break down the uric acid crystals, rather than trying to physically remove them.

Mistake 3: Only Treating the Surface

Many stains that look small on the surface have actually spread further underneath — through carpet backing, into underlay, or deep into turf infill. Treating only the visible mark leaves the rest of the contamination behind.

Do this instead: Apply enough product to fully saturate the area, not just the visible stain, and for turf, use a pressure sprayer or foaming gun so the product reaches the infill layer.

Mistake 4: Assuming a Strong Chemical Smell Means It's Clean

A powerful floral or bleach scent right after cleaning can feel like reassurance that the job is done. In reality, this is often just one smell temporarily overpowering another — once the fragrance fades, the underlying odour can resurface.

Do this instead: Judge success by what the area smells like a few days later, especially after it's been exposed to moisture or heat again — not by how it smells the moment you finish cleaning.

Mistake 5: Not Treating Artificial Turf Differently to Carpet

Artificial turf and infill behave very differently to carpet. Surface sprays or hosing alone rarely penetrate deep enough to reach where odour is actually trapped.

Do this instead: Use a product formulated specifically for turf, like smellBgone SYNTURF, which is designed to penetrate turf and infill material rather than just rinse the surface.

Mistake 6: Ignoring Prevention

Reactive cleaning — treating a smell only once it appears — means you're always a step behind. For turf especially, this leads to an ongoing cycle of clean, wait, smell returns, clean again.

Do this instead: Pair active treatments with a preventative infill like smellBgone PETFILL, which absorbs ammonia before it becomes an odour problem in the first place.

Mistake 7: Giving Up After One Application

Especially with older, more established stains, a single treatment might not fully break down everything that's accumulated over time. Giving up after one try can lead to the false conclusion that "nothing works."

Do this instead: For stubborn or long-standing odours, a repeat application is often needed. Enzymes work progressively, and older stains may simply need a second or third round of treatment.

The Bigger Picture

Most pet odour frustration comes down to treating the symptom instead of the cause. Once you switch to a product designed to break down the actual source of the smell — rather than mask it — the whole process becomes far less of a guessing game.

Ready to do it properly the first time? Shop the smellBgone range.