My husband thought it was a great idea to get the kids a dog. With the kids on his side, I was outnumbered. We have had Booker for a year now and he has broken my resolve. I love our overgrown puppy. What I don't love is his smell.

Even when clean, dogs have that scent they give off. You know the one. It isn't always bad, like when he's wet or has morning breath. It is overwhelming though. When we have guests over I worry what they think.

I tried brushing him more often, and that helps. Frequent brushing means that the fur he sheds goes into the garbage instead of being strewn about the house.

Brushing is not an absolute though. He will still shed, and that cannot be prevented. Dog hair has a scent that I don't want to inhale more than I have to.

The answer I found was so simple that I did it as soon as I got off the computer. I didn't have to run to the store, because I already owned the ultimate deodorizer.

Baking soda is the answer.

All I had to do was sprinkle it onto the carpet, and vacuum. For an added benefit, I poured lavender oil onto a tissue, vacuumed the tissue, and vacuumed the carpets. They smell like lavender! Not like lavender perfume splashed over an icky scent that you still kind of get the hint of when you sniffle... No. It smells like pure lavender. It's beautiful.

For the curtains, blankets, and couch cushions, I did have to go to the store. I bought apple cider vinegar. I added it to the washing machine when I did the laundry and my fabrics came out smelling like new. Also like apples, which was nice.

I get to keep my house, and my dog, with a fix so simple I cannot believe I waited a year to discover it.