7 Ways to Keep Your Home Clean When You Have Pets
We all love our furry four-legged family members! However, we don’t always love the dirt, smell and mess they make in our homes. Whether you are planning to sell your home or you simply don’t want it to be immediately obvious to all your guests that a pet lives there, there are a few things you can do to keep your home beautiful and smelling fresh:
- Choose the right fabrics
Unpleasant pet odours can easily set into your couch and fabrics over time. To avoid this, choose fabrics like leather or microfiber for furniture, and large-weave rugs that are stain-resistant and easy to clean.
- Match your décor to your pet
One of the easiest ways to mask fur that sheds is to choose a color palette similar to your pet’s coat. Then, if you don’t have time to vacuum, hair deposits are at least not as noticeable.
- Get rid of fur
Unfortunately, vacuuming regularly is the biggest key to keeping your home looking animal-free. If your pet is long-haired or sheds a lot, consider getting a pet-specific portable vacuum cleaner or a robotic vacuum cleaner you can program.
- Wipe your pets down after they’ve been outside
Pets bring in dirt, bacteria and microbes from outside that contribute to the pet smell in your home. Keep pet-friendly cleaning wipes near the door and wipe down your pet’s feet after they’ve been outside (or, treat your pet to a set of special removeable shoes they can wear while outside).
- Bathe your pet frequently
Experts recommend bathing your pet at least once a week or every other week. This will keep your pet’s coat (and your home) smelling clean and fresh!
- Keep litter and pet items clean
If you have cats, you’ll want to change the litter frequently or use a litter cover. Make sure to place the litter box a good distance away from common areas. For dogs and other pets, regularly wash items they come in contact with, such as blankets, pet beds, pillows and collars.
- Use the right cleaning products
You will need a good arsenal of pet-friendly cleaning solutions on hand for accidents and to freshen your home before you have company. Use an enzymatic pet cleaner for spot-cleaning and air fresheners specially formulated for pets.
We love our pets and we love our homes, but the two do not always mesh well together! We hope that these tips prove useful in keeping a tidy and fresh home, while also continuing to enjoy the company of your four-legged friends. For some advice on moving home with your pets, take a look at our website.
