Mamabee

4 tips for keeping your pet-friendly home clean and odor-free

Pets make a fabulous addition to any household, but many of them can create a mess and a bit of stench in your home. Dogs and cats are probably the biggest culprits, but with a bit of forethought and a regular routine, it shouldn’t cause too much of a problem.

Cleaning tips for keeping your pet-friendly home

If you have a pet or are thinking of getting one and are looking for ways to ensure that your home remains clean and odor-free, read on. We’ve put together a list of 4 hints and tips that should help.

Open windows regularly

One of the best ways to get rid of lingering smells is to open your windows and give your home a good airing. You don’t have to do it every day, but if the weather is warm enough, opening your windows every morning and night for as little as 15 minutes will make a big difference and leave your home feeling fresh and odor-free.

Professional cleaning

Over time, pet hair and odor can work their way into carpets, rugs, and upholstery fibers. If this sounds familiar, why not consider having them cleaned professionally once in a while? As well as removing grime, odor, and germs, a thorough clean will help bring them back to life and keep your home looking clean and fresh.

Cleaning tips for your pet-friendly home
Cleaning tips for your pet friendly home

If you have laminate or wood flooring (which will also reduce the problem) and its only rugs that you need to contend with, many companies offer a drop off rug cleaning service that can work out a little cheaper than having someone visit your home.

Put throws over your sofas

This is a particularly good tip if you have dogs with long coats or breeds that shed a lot of hair. Not only can their hair get everywhere, but it clings too and can be a bit of a nightmare to get off. You can try brushing your upholstery with a soft bristle brush, but using a throw on your sofa will make life far easier. They are easy to replace, can be washed as necessary, and your furniture should remain odor and fuzz-free for a long time.

If throws don’t appeal, there are many different hand-held vacuum cleaners on the market designed specifically for pet hair, so those might be worth looking into too.

Wash and groom your pet regularly

If your pets are a breed that tends to shed regularly, brushing them every day should eradicate much of the excess and minimize the amount of stray hair that ends up all over the place. If you have a dog that loves rolling around in mud (as many of them do), try to clean the majority off before letting them back in the house.

If you are looking for less traditional methods, you can, believe it or not, buy booties for dogs these days. They are reasonably easy to put on and remove and, as well as making a cute fashion statement, will help reduce the amount of dirt and muck within your home.