Pets are great companions, but they can also be notorious for getting dirty. Piles of pet hair, muddy paw prints, urine stains, or droppings just come with the territory of having pets. 

It’s a challenge to keep your home clean when you have to deal with them every day and if you don’t have the time (or motivation) to clean. 

Fortunately, there are lots of easy ways you can still have a nice-smelling home even with pets. It IS possible to keep your house clean, even if you have a dog or cat (or several!) running and playing around! 

Keep your pets clean    

Pets track in mud and dirt from outside. Place a pet doormat at your front entrance. It helps clean the debris or dirt from your pet paws. It also helps absorb liquids off of wet paws. You can also use a damp cloth, odour reducing wet wipes, and a spray bottle to clean muddy paws before you step inside. 

Train your pets to accept this cleanup. Some dogs and cats really do wipe their feet when they come in! Set up a pet grooming routine. Pet grooming helps maintain a healthy coat and skin. It also prevents health issues, gives better hygiene and smell, and makes them look better! You can DIY groom your pets or have a professional pet groomer for a thorough job. 

                                             

Prevent messes before they happen

Use dish sets. Dish sets have specialised designs to keep your food and water bowls in place, including trays to catch crumbs and spills. Some feeders have non-skid pads to keep them from sliding. 

• Use mats around the litter boxes to trap litter. Look for a litter mat that is easy to clean or easily vacuumed, picked up and shaken outside. Also, the rug should be large and extend well around the litter box (or your cat will just jump over it). Some cats may like extra soft mats, but some prefer more sturdy mats that can double as a scratching board. Try things out. Some cats will avoid their litter box when they don’t like any new additions in or around it, so choose wisely. 

Train your dogs to pee/poop where they should. While many pet owners toilet their dogs outside, indoor potty training is a must. You can’t always go out. When your pet looks as though he’s about to pee or poop, say “potty” or any cue word and take him quickly to the pad.  

Keep the dog in that spot until it goes, then give a reward (or treats). Only reward your dog when he goes in that particular spot and give praises too. 

Clean your pet belongings

Water and Food bowls. According to a study by NSF International’s Public Health and Safety Organization, pet’s bowls are the fourth germiest place in the entire house. Water and food bowls should be cleaned at least once daily. Pet bowls have saliva, fur and other things that you don’t even think about, which contains bacteria and can make your pet sick.

Bedding and Blankets. Disease-causing bacteria can live on your pet’s bed for up to a year, and lousy pet odours in the home can be both unpleasant and potentially dangerous, as they can also lead to illness. 

Clean your pet’s beds and blankets weekly. Remove pet hairs thoroughly and put them in the washing machine on the hot cycle, above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 degrees Celsius. Or look at the tag on your pet’s bed to see what the cleaning instructions are. Most pet beds have a removable outer layer that can be taken off and thrown into the washing machine. 

Use a mild and fragrance-free detergent not to irritate your pet’s skin. You can also add ¼ cup of vinegar to the load of the blankets or bed. Vinegar kills odours and removes fur.

Toys. Toys should be cleaned weekly. For soft toys, wash them in a washing machine with hot water and mild detergent. Dry them on a low setting or air dry if the weather permits. 

Hard toys can be hand washed the same as your pet’s food and water bowls. Use hot water with a mild detergent. You can also fill your sink or a bucket with hot soapy water and submerge the toys. Then, clean them one by one using a toothbrush to release any built-up dirt. Lay the toys out on a clean towel to air dry.

Clean up accidents quickly 

If you see accidents, act fast and use safe pet cleaners to get feces, urine, vomit, and other fluids out of the carpet and off the hardwood floor as effectively as possible. Different surfaces require different cleaning approaches. Hardwoods, tile, linoleum and vinyl floors are easier to clean than carpets (the horror).

Grab a thick layer of paper towels and blot the wet area. To avoid spreading the smell, dispose of used towels in a plastic bag, seal them tightly, put it in the trash,h and thoroughly wash your hands.    

Soft surfaces like carpeting and upholstery should be blotted with paper towels; use a stain-and-odour-eliminating product on the area and let it soak in for at least 10 minutes, then air dry. 

To remove urine odours from carpet or upholstery, immediately blot and use odour-neutralising products or a solution of 1:1 vinegar and water. Then sprinkle baking soda on top. Leave it for up to 24 hours. Avoid using steam cleaners. The heat will permanently set the stain and the odour by bonding the protein into these human-made fibres.

Air out your house regularly

The air inside your home is filled with contaminants. Fresh, outdoor air is much cleaner. Simply open your windows for a few minutes each day to let some fresh air in. By opening windows, you can improve your indoor air quality. 

      

Use a vacuum cleaner    

A  robot vacuum is an ultimate helper against kitty litter, dirt or allergens dragged in from your pet’s outdoor adventures. Maintain clean floors and furniture using robotic vacuum cleaners. It takes care of the task as efficiently as possible. Start cleaning by scheduling the day and time you prefer using your phone. Set the timer, mode, and speed so that it will go in every room and pick up your pet’s hair before it gets out of hand.

 “Having a clean home keeps you and your pets happy and healthy.”

 

This gives you more time for fun activities and exercising with your pet. You’re free to take your dog on a long walk or teach him new tricks. You can take a catnap or try these activities to do with your cat. Also, choose a robot vacuum that has a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. It cleans your indoor air, eliminates unwanted smells, and helps reduce allergens your pet might have brought in. 

Cleaning techniques and helpful gadgets like a robot vacuum make it possible to have a clean home while enjoying your furry friends because the joy of having them in your house is priceless!

                    

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