How to Eliminate Dog Waste Odors Outside

Keeping your dog's waste properly disposed of will help you keep down outdoor odors associated with dog feces. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests several different methods for disposing of your dog's feces. The more effective you are at the cleanup, the better your yard will smell.

You can pick up your dog's poop, store it in a plastic bag and throw it in your trash can. This is the method commonly used by people who walk their dogs in public places. The good news is that it is effective at getting the mess up and eventually off your property.

The downside of this method is that a trash can full of dog poop, even dog poop that is stored inside plastic bags, has the potential to develop a less than pleasant odor. If your trash pickup is fairly prompt or you live in a cool climate, the smell probably won't be too bad. However, if you go weeks or longer in between trash runs or you live in a hot climate, you may want to consider a different option.

The EPA also suggests flushing your dog's poop down the toilet. This will get rid of the odor and the poop instantly. The downside of this method is that you have to carry the poop to the toilet every time your pet uses the bathroom.

You can bury your dog's poop to dispose of it. To accomplish this effectively, you will need to bury the poop 1 foot underneath the surface and cover it with at least 8 inches of dirt. That should take care of the smell.

Remember the key to eliminating feces odor is to make sure you pick up all of it. If you leave bits and pieces of poop behind, you will leave the odor behind as well.

You may be able to neutralize lingering pet odors in your yard by sprinkling lime on urine spots to counteract the nitrogen in dog urine, though rinsing the area with water is just as effective. You can try using commercial cleaning products intended to get rid of outdoor dog odors.

If the odor is coming from hard surfaces, such as the cement on your patio, wash the area with bleach to remove the smell. The University of Florida recommends using a 1 to 32 mixture of bleach to water for basic sanitizing . This breaks down to 1/2 cup of bleach for every gallon of water. They recommend a 1 to 10 ratio of bleach to water for deep cleaning. The 1 to 10 ratio calls for 1 1/2 cups of bleach for every gallon of water.

Do not allow your pets to come into contact with the bleach. Rinse and dry the area thoroughly before you allow them access to it after cleaning. If you use the bleach solution, make sure to wear protective gear, including gloves. Bleach can harm plants and grass, so avoid applying it directly to your greenery.