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Would you believe that one of the biggest issues that you have with your pets is keeping your home clean? On reflection, some might say that the biggest issue would be the commitment, such as walking a dog every day and taking care of animals even if you are going away on holiday or suddenly need to be away for work. Essentially it can be very similar to having children. But this isn’t usually the most frustrating pet peeve amongst pet owners, it is much to do with the cleanliness of their home.
Having animals in your home means that you might be fighting a battle against pet hair, dirt, and grime that ultimately makes its way into your home. It could be that you need to think about different routines, or even clean more often to keep on top of it. Then there is that worry that you have gone nose blind. Where you walk into somebody’s house and you might be able to smell they have pets but can’t seem to do it in your own home.
It can send you into a spin of paranoia that your house doesn’t smell as clean and hygienic as you might like. We’ve all been there. But while your pet habits will never change, you can do things routinely and incorporate some cleaning hacks to help you stay on top of the cleanliness of your home now that your pets have become a huge part of your life. Here are some of the things to consider.
Start with your pets
One of the first things you need to think about is your pets and keeping them as clean and groomed as possible. It could be as simple as giving your pet a brush. Sometimes a build-up of old hair can make them smell worse than they are. You could also bathe them often, especially after walks, as this can help you to get rid of excess hair instead of it being spread across your home. The more you keep your pets clean, the more you can keep on top of your home and you will find that it is less likely to cause an issue.
Invest in your cleaning tools
Another thing you should consider doing would be to invest in your cleaning tools. For example, a good vacuum cleaner can make all of the difference. Some models can help to suck up embedded hair and dirt that you may not be able to see just by looking at your floors. A good vacuum cleaner can do the worst job for you.
You should also consider decent pet brushes and cleaning products to keep your lets clean and smelling heavenly. The more you invest in your cleaning tools, the easier your job will be to keep your home clean and hygienic, even with your pets wandering around.
Could you have a dog cleaning station in your home?
If you have a dog, you will know that one of the hardest issues to overcome is when you get home from a wet and muddy walk. They then step all of that dirt into your home and it isn’t pleasant. However, if you created a dog cleaning station in your home you could make things a little easier.
If you have a utility or mudroom in your home, then this is the perfect spot to wipe them down, clean their paws and give them a quick clean before they enter your home. If you don’t have the luxury of a room you can do this in, having a cleaning caddy at the door can make a big difference. Add a brush, a towel, and some of the cleaning products you can use regularly. It gives you the chance to stop any dirt coming into your home each day.
Routinely clean your pet’s things
You should also do what you can to keep your pet’s things clean and routinely wash them. This means pet beds, their toys, and other things like feeding and drinking bowls. The more often you do this, the better chance you have of staying on top of day-to-day grime.
React quickly if there are any accidents
Pets have accidents. So it goes without saying that if they do have an issue in the day or when you wake up in the morning and you are greeted with something unpleasant that you handle it as soon as possible.
Plug-in air fresheners can help
If you are bothered about the smell or are worried that others can smell something you can’t then a plug-in air freshener could help. They will help you to feel more at ease with the overall scent in your home.
Household items that could help with common problems
There are some household items that you will have in your cupboard that could help you to tackle your pet problems when it comes to your home. For example, spraying vodka on your upholstery can act as a deodoriser for odours that can embed into your sofas and cushions. You could also use bicarbonate soda on carpets and then vacuum it away. It works in the same way as you would use it on your mattresses.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to stay on top of your home when you have pets.