Cleaning Tips for Pet Parents
Oh! The joy of being pet parents! As a dog or cat lover, you know how amazing your fur babies are, but you also know the challenge that comes with keeping your home clean with your four-legged friends inside. There’s fur, pet hair, and dander along with dirt, pollen, sticks and maybe a few other little surprises which end up in the house. Here, Signature Maids have compiled a list of the best cleaning tips for pet parents to help you keep your home clean for you and your beloved pets.
Keep Dirt Outside
While you won’t likely be able to keep all the dirt outside, you can keep most of it out by placing door mats outside as well as inside the doors your pet uses. Adding a towel to wipe dirty paws and even a food washing container at your pet’s favorite entrance can help. Dogs are easily trained to wait at the door to have their feet wiped, which means less dirt and grime makes its way inside via messy paws.
Brush, Brush, Brush
Let’s face it, those furry friends shed. And unless you have one of those rare breeds which shed very little or not at all, then your pets shed a lot. Brushing your pet a few times a week, or better yet, daily (outside) will decrease the amount of pet fur you have to clean up inside your home. Keep in mind that different breeds need unique grooming tools and you’ll need to choose the right one for your pet. Brushing your cat is also an important part of cat health reducing the frequency of hairballs, and other health issues. Plus, most dogs and some cats enjoy being brushed.
For the Fur You Missed While Brushing
As a pet parent, you’ll want a quality lint roller, handheld vacuum, and possibly even a vacuum designed for pet parents, if you don’t already have them. Lint rollers remove fur quickly from upholstered furnishings, window treatments, and bedding. A handheld vacuum is a great option for spot cleaning and spur of the moment cleaning just before guests arrive. Though you won’t always want to pull out the full-sized vacuum, you’ll need to vacuum your home more often when you have pets, at least once or twice a week. While you’re at it, commercial carpet cleaners designed for pet parents or a DIY solution of white vinegar in a spray bottle are great ways to remove spots and stains from your carpet. Apply your chosen solution evenly to stains (no soaking) and when dry, the stain will be gone, and the carpet deodorized.
Cleaning Pet Beds, Collars, and Toys Effectively
A good rule of thumb is to always buy pet beds with removable, washable covers. When washing is needed, simply remove the cover and toss it in the washing machine with your favorite laundry detergent and a cup of baking soda which will not only neutralize odors but is also anti-bacterial. Pet collars and most pet toys (always check labels for manufacturer’s instructions to ensure they can be washed) can be washed with ease in your dishwasher. Alternatively, you can get an eve deeper clean by adding your pet’s shampoo to hot water and soaking collars and toys for a half hour or so. After the soak, rinse well and allow to air dry.
Signature Maids is Ready to Help
If you’d rather be spending time with your loveable furry fur babies than cleaning up after them, the team at Signature Maids are experts in getting your home sparkling clean while you enjoy your time being pet parents.
