How To Keep Dog Poop From Smelling Up Garage?

Nobody likes having to deal with it, but unfortunately, dog poop is a fact of life for pet owners. If you’re wondering how to keep dog poop from smelling up garage spaces, you probably aren’t alone. In this post, we’ll tell you how to get rid of the stench for good – and keep it from coming back.

Why Does My Garage Smell Like Dog Poop?

The most common reason why your garage smells like dog poop (barring the slight possibility that you let your dog poop in the garage, which…if you’re doing that…please stop!) is that you’re disposing of the bagged poop in the trash can.

That’s a hard reality to get around. Most towns and cities have regulations in place that require you to scoop up your dog’s poop on walks and get rid of it on your own. Even if they don’t, it’s just good neighborly behavior.

You might even be scooping the poop up from your own lawn and disposing of it in the trash cans in your garage. 

Though a necessity, that does mean that it can be tough to prevent your garage from smelling like dog poop. 

That said, it’s important to make sure that it’s dog poop you’re smelling in your garage and not manure of other kinds. If your garage smells like sewage and you don’t have a dog, then you might have a plumbing issue on your hands. Be sure to rule out the exact cause! 

How Do You Get Rid of the Smell of Dog Manure in the Garage?

Here are a few ways you can stop your garage from reeking to high heaven at all times!

1. Find Alternatives to Bagging and Tossing

Although it doesn’t get much more convenient than bagging up the poop and tossing it in your trash can, it’s obvious that this isn’t always the best solution.

Fortunately, you do have a few alternatives. One is to pick up the poop as you normally would and flush it down the toilet. Some cities don’t allow this, so be sure to check before you do so.

You can also compost the dog waste, as long as compost bins are allowed in your area. One caveat here – don’t use the compost on plants you will eat. Dog manure can harbor pathogens that spread to humans.

Believe it or not, there are some people who even choose to install miniature septic systems for dog poop. 

These keep the poop out of your garage entirely. Galvanized steel units, these systems are installed beneath the surface in your backyard, helping to naturally decompose dog poop into a liquid with bacteria, enzymes, and water. The liquid can then be absorbed into the ground. 

You might even be able to bury it. Again, check with local regulations (and your homeowner’s association). Make sure you choose an option that isn’t often disturbed by children or other animals. 

2. Use a Trash Can With a Tight Lid

Of course, for many people, throwing dog poop in the trash is the best option. If you do this, use a can with a secure lid. Regardless of whether your trash can is made out of metal or plastic, make sure you get a tight lid so odors don’t seep out.

Make sure this lid is tightly closed at all times. Also, consider using a separate trash can just for dog poop. That way, you won’t find yourself constantly lifting the lid of the trash can to dispose of other types of trash. 

3. Use Scented Trash Bags

Scented or deodorizing trash bags may not get rid of the odors, but they can definitely help cut back on them. 

Another tip? Use a trash bin made out of plastic instead of galvanized metal. Plastic sucks in more of the odors so you won’t notice them as much when the trash can lid is tightly shut.

4. Use Kitty Litter Deodorizers

Cat litter is also quite stinky, but it’s something we don’t often notice because we either use kitty litter deodorizers or purchase kitty litter with these odor-masking materials already built-in. 

When sprayed in the trash can or even in the garage, these deodorizers can be hugely helpful.

5. Try Baking Soda

One of the reasons why dog poop is so stinky, especially compared to the poop of other types of animals, is that it tends to be acidic because of a dog’s high protein diet.

To neutralize some of that acidity, consider using baking soda. All you need to do is sprinkle some in the bottom of the trash can. 

6. Buy a Special Dog Poop Bucket

There Are all sorts of trash cans you can buy that are specifically meant for disposing of dog poop. 

Often, these have deodorizing features (like charcoal filters) built right in. You can even just use a standard five-gallon bucket with a lid.

Of course, you can always make a DIY dog poop bucket, too. Consider buying a coal and ash bucket with a lid – this is the type that you would use to clean the ash out of old-fashioned fireplaces. This will allow you to dispose of the dog poop while neutralizing odors. 

Another option? You can use a diaper genie! If you have had children, you probably already know how miraculous these bins are at dispelling and preventing odors from all kinds of poop.

7. Use Bags

Invest in some special dog waste bags. When these are properly tied, they can go a long way in preventing garage smells. Many even come with convenient dispensers that you can clip to your dog’s leash so you never find yourself with poop baggies! 

8. Clean Trash Cans Often

Clean the trash cans in your garage as often as you can. Use a spray bottle filled with a half-and-half mixture of vinegar and water or bleach and water. This will give your cans a great clean. 

9. Improve Ventilation

If your garage has really started to stink despite your best efforts, poor ventilation would be to blame. Get some fans going and open a window or two – this should work wonders. 

10. Grow Fragrant Plants

These might not help much inside your garage unless you grow them in containers, but know that growing some aromatic plants just outside the garage can help dispel any odors that people might otherwise notice as soon as they get out of their cars. Here are some great ones to consider growing. 

How Do I Get Dog Poop Smell Out of the Garage? 

Finally, be mindful of where you are disposing of dog poop. 

A mistake that many dog owners make is to bag up all of their dog poop and throw it into the trash can…and then leave it there. As you might expect, this can lead to some serious odors over time. 

Here are some alternatives in this video:

When you throw dog poop in the trash cans in your garage, make sure they’re tightly bagged. Dispose of the trash before it starts to stink – and you hopefully won’t have any odors in your garage in the future!