How to keep the house clean with dogs?
Animal lovers everywhere know the joys of having a dog, or multiple, around the house. Whether you are a cat person, a dog person, or venture into more exotic creatures, your pet has likely become a treasured part of your family. The one significant downside to owning pets, however, is that they are not able to clean up after themselves. It can feel like a constant battle keeping up with the shedding, the spills and the smells that come with pet ownership, but with the right knowledge and a regular schedule, you can keep a clean house with pets. Here are some of our favorite tips.
Get Organized
Every home is different and needs a unique cleaning schedule depending on your pets. Make a series of lists with everything that needs to be done on a daily, weekly or monthly basis for pet-related cleaning. If your animals go outside, make sure to include lists for outdoor chores. Having an established list and set times will help you stay on top of the cleaning and eliminate the risk of missing something.
Wipe the Paws
If any of your dog or cat go outside, this is a great habit to start. Even if it is a clear, sunny day and they only were outside for two minutes, take a few seconds to wipe all their paws off. This will help stop small messes and also save you if you discover they have stepped in something on their outdoor adventure!
Brush, Brush, Brush
For the furry friends in the house, a regular brushing schedule is critical. You’ll never be able to eliminate all of the shedding, but you can save a lot of hairy mess with a brush, especially if you are able to brush them outside or in the garage.
Animal-friendly Products
Along with regular cleaning, accidents and surprise messes happen. Do the safe thing for your pet and be sure to have the right kind of cleaning products on hand. Some regular household cleaners have chemicals that can be toxic to pets. Consider animal-friendly products that are designed to be safe while eliminating messes and odors effectively.
Preventative Measures
You can make cleanup a lot easier by anticipating where messes are most likely to happen. Try keeping mats under food and water dishes, a towel under aquariums, and a blanket under pet beds. These are all easy ways to catch a lot of messes before they get too far, and cleaning will be much quicker.
Steam It
Getting a good steam vacuum cleaner for your home if you have a dog or more pets around the house can be a game changer. A steam vacuum cleaner is particularly beneficial for pet owners because it effectively removes pet hair, dander, and odors from carpets and upholstery. The high-temperature steam kills bacteria and allergens, providing a cleaner and healthier environment for both pets and their owners. Thus, investing in a reliable steam vacuum cleaner can help pet owners maintain a healthy and hygienic home.
Clean the Accessories
Everything your pets use throughout the day can become a source of unwanted messes and odors. Things like leashes, collars, toys, crates and more can easily be forgotten but they should be regularly cleaned. Ease of cleaning should also be considered any time you are shopping for something new for your pet.
Clear the Air
Lingering pet odors can make even the cleanest house still feel dirty, so improving the air quality can help. Whenever the weather allows, open windows to allow fresh air to circulate. Along with normal candles and air fresheners, you can find products specifically designed to tackle pet odors in the air. Baking soda also works great as a natural odor absorber. It’s important not to get overwhelmed with keeping your house clean. Sticking to a routine and staying on top of messes as they happen will help you live in harmony with your pets in a clean, comfortable home.