Are you a pet lover? They make great companions, to be sure, but they sure can make a mess as well. Cleaning with pets at home can be a challenge; you’re always finding fur, kibble, and toys everywhere! Those furry kids can sometimes be messier than your human kids! Here are 5 things you could be (and should be) doing to keep your pet-friendly home as clean as can be.
1. Remove the Fur Bunnies
Having little mounds of pet fur everywhere is the worst, especially if you have long-haired, fluffy pets. Unless you plan to take up spinning and transform all of that shedding fur into a cozy afghan, you need to get rid of it. And let’s just be clear: Vacuuming once a month won’t cut it.
Cleaning with pets means cleaning up pet fur—often. Obviously, you need to vacuum. Save yourself the headache and invest in a good vacuum cleaner, one that won’t clog up or lose suction. Depending on how many pets you have and how much they shed (or the season), you should probably plan to vacuum 1–2 times a week.
If you have hardwood floor or tiles, you may choose to use a microfiber mop instead of vacuuming. You could also alternate between the two, if that works better for you.
Regular grooming is a good way to curb the shedding as well. It also keeps your pets’ coats healthy.
Bonus: By getting rid of the fur often, you’ll help any family members who have allergy issues since you’ll clean up the dander along with the fur.
2. Minimize Pet Smells
There’s no pretty way to say it: Pets can be smelly. The dog smells like, well, a dog. And we won’t even get started on the litter box! If your pets have a tendency to urinate or vomit in your home, there’s a whole other level of smells with which you have to contend.
Giving the dog a bath weekly is a big help in keeping his smell to a minimum. For the cat (or caged animals), clean her litter box/cage every other day (yes, that often).
A simple vinegar and water solution is key to removing smells and stains from carpets and upholstery. And of course, plan to have your carpets deep-cleaned quarterly for smart cleaning with pets.
3. Invest in Slipcovers and Throws
If your pets are allowed on the furniture, you know how quickly hair can get embedded on sofas and chairs. Instead of spending valuable time with your handheld vac attempting to get out every last piece of hair, switch to slipcovers. These fashionable covers are available in many looks, so you can match your current decor or change it up. Since they can be removed and tossed in the wash, clean-up is super easy.
Throws are a great idea if your pets get on the bed or furniture you can’t (or don’t want to) cover. That pretty, inexpensive throw is a lot easier to clean than your bulky comforter.
4. Utilize Door Mats
Door mats aren’t just for the kids. Although we rarely have muddy shoes (or paws!) in sunny Arizona, we do track in a lot of dirt, dust, and leaves. Dogs and indoor/outdoor cats can definitely bring a lot of the outside in, leaving you with more reason to vacuum more frequently!
Keep mats at the backdoor, front door, and doggy door so pets can wipe their paws when they come in. If you’re nearby, such as after a walk, keep an old towel close at hand to wipe off paws, especially on our infrequent rainy days.
5. Hire Carnation for Proactive Cleaning with Pets
One of the key things you can do to ensure that you are staying ahead of the game when it comes to cleaning with pets is to bring in a great cleaning company. At Carnation Home Cleaning, we love your pets! Plus, we only use the best cleaners that are nontoxic and won’t hurt your pets, kids, or you.
Contact us for your free estimate and to get on our schedule for a thorough home cleaning.
