We know you love your pet – you probably wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t – and we get it. Owning a dog or cat is usually pretty rewarding. Dogs are always thrilled to see you and will join for practically any activity, from long walks in the park to lounging all day long on the couch while you binge your favorite new show. Meanwhile, cats are a low maintenance pet and sometimes they’re just as cuddly as dogs (other times they’re, well, really mean, but that’s okay!).
Owning pets also comes with a price – and we’re not just talking about how expensive their food can be. We’re more focused on how challenging it is to own a furry friend and also maintain a clean home. Even if your pet spends the majority of their time indoors or doesn’t shed, they still have four paws that can track dirt and debris into your home.
Luckily, we’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll explore six of the best ways to keep your home (relatively) clean when you own a pet. If you don’t feel like doing all this work so often, just give us a call! We can do it for you.
Vacuum Solutions
The most necessary aspect of cleaning the home you share with your pets is finding the best, most efficient way to get rid of hair. Even if your dog or cat barely sheds, they still probably shed enough for it to be annoying. Once you’ve lived in it for a while, it can be easy to get used to it and tell yourself it’s not that bad.
Here’s the thing: it is that bad in most cases. We don’t want to be rude, but this is an intervention. If you have a pet that sheds even a little bit, your home is likely covered in hair; guests can tell immediately.
But there’s hope. The simple solution to your hairy problem is just a vacuum cleaner. With technological advancements in the last ten years, vacuuming is more effective than ever. There are super, high-powered vacuum cleaners like the ones made by Dyson, but if you really want to take it to the next level, a robotic vacuum cleaner that can run on a schedule is the best way to clean up all that hair.
Lint Roller Army
Anyone with furry pets – not just cats and dogs but also guinea pigs, hamsters, or chinchilla – has at least one lint roller on hand at all times. Many people have what we’re calling an army of lint rollers; one in several rooms of the house.
You really just never know when you might sit down on an invisible pile of hair, or when your cat or dog will jump on you or lay down in your lap, leaving your shirt covered in pet hair. Lint rollers to the rescue! They can also help with hair on your furniture, which is something you should take care of before large groups come over. Simply run a heavy-duty roller up and down your couch or chairs. Good as new!
Stay Current
When we say “current” we don’t mean you need to have all the latest tech (though some, like the robot vacuums, is pretty cool). Current means you should keep up-to-date on your veterinarian visits, which is common sense of course, but what can get overlooked isn’t just visiting the vet but making sure your pet is taking their flea and insect medication.
A flea infestation is one of the most annoying and difficult things to deal with once it’s in your home, and the best way for fleas to get into your carpets and clothes and home is by hitching a ride on your pet. Make sure your pet is taking their meds and you don’t have to worry about it!
Bathing and Brushing
To keep your home more clear of hair and dander, as well as the dust that many pets track into your home, bathing and brushing your dog on a regular basis is a really good idea. While cats may not need these things nearly as much – and many cats absolutely hate them – dogs should be bathed between 1-3 times a month depending on their breed (if they shed a lot, like a husky, this number may be even lower).
But when it comes to brushing, you can brush your dog virtually every day, sometimes even twice a day during spring and fall when their warm and cold weather coats are coming in. This not only helps them to shed in the yard where it’s more appropriate, it also keeps them more comfortable and less itchy. You can also clip your dog’s nails if you have leather furniture to prevent scratches. Everyone needs a little grooming sometimes!
Create Space
Many of the dirtiest areas are often the ones most heavily used by your pets. To alleviate this, create a space where those areas can exist. For example, dogs are often messy when drinking water and eating dinner, so put their food and water bowls in a mudroom or laundry room.
Additionally, you can place their kennels in a lesser-used room or space so that their hair doesn’t gather in an unseemly part of your home like the living room or kitchen.
Invest in Covers and Durability
Does your dog or cat spend all day every day while you’re gone lying on top of the couch cushions, staring out the window, and waiting for you to come home? If so, that’s very cute, but also, it’s an easy way for your pet to wear out those cushions.
You can buy relatively cheap covers for your furniture that your pets can nap on all day long, guilt-free, that keeps your sofa and chairs protected. Another way to keep your home clean is by creating boundaries. For example, let the dogs use the living room to their heart’s content, but don’t let them into the bedroom, or train them at a young age to stay off the furniture.
Whatever your pet needs, we’re here to help. If you need a deep cleaning to start using these tips on a clean slate, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to get started on a quote for your home. And make sure to download our free guide below!
