Cleaning the house when you have a pet can be a pretty big chore, and one that seemingly never ends. Fur, saliva, tracked-in dirt, accidents, and dander can all wreak havoc on your home and your family’s health, so it’s important to find an easy way to keep things tidy. When you work long hours and have a lot going on, it can be difficult to find the energy or the desire to clean every day. But if you can incorporate simple methods into your routine, you’ll be able to keep your home clean and boost the air quality and cleanliness at the same time.
Simple things, such as using natural cleaners to remove pet stains or utilising preventative methods to keep pet hair off furniture, can go a long way. Think about what your specific needs are when it comes to cleaning, and remember that you’ll want to change things up a bit for each season. For instance, many states get a lot of rain in spring, which means your pet will be more likely to track in mud and dirt. In summer, the heat tends to make long-haired dogs moult and shed, so keeping him well-groomed is part of avoiding piles of fur.
Here are a few things to think about when it comes to cleaning with a pet.
Learn the best stain treatments
Pet stains can do much more than damage your flooring; they can also leave behind odours that can become trapped in carpet fibres for a long time, leaving a lingering scent that’s really difficult to get rid of. Learning how to remove odors and stains left behind by your dog will help you keep your floors clean and the air in your home fresh, especially if you use a natural cleaner made with hot water and vinegar, which will neutralise the strong odour of urine without ruining your carpet.
Clean his toys
Many people don’t realise just how yucky their pet’s toys can get, but over time, those saliva-soaked chewies can pick up hair, dirt, and bacteria that then gets spread around your home. Washing cloth items often and disinfecting rubber and plastic toys with hot water and bleach can go a long way toward helping to keep your floors and furniture clean, and it can even help your dog stay healthy.
Groom him well
Long hair and toenails are not only destructive to your floors, they can bring in bugs, dirt, and snow when your pet returns from his time outside. Keeping him well-groomed will reduce this risk. Make an appointment with the vet or with a local groomer to have his hair trimmed and his nails cut about once every two or three weeks depending on how fast they grow. This will also allow you to keep a handle on fleas and ticks.
Take preventative measures
Preventing your pet’s hair from sticking to furniture and getting on your clothes can be tricky, but there are some things you can do to keep your belongings fur-free. Laying an old towel or sheet across your dog’s favorite sleeping spot when you’re not home will make for an easy way to keep it clean, while using a fabric guard can also help keep hair at bay. Putting up a baby gate to prevent him from going into areas of the house you want to keep tidy can also help tremendously.
Cleaning around your pet can be a big job, but there are some simple things you can do to make it a lot easier. Talk to your family members to make sure everyone is on board and remember to change up the way you clean with each season in order to maximise your efforts.
