7 Essential Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners
There’s no doubt that our little furry friends enrich our lives in so many ways. However, keeping up with their messes is no small chore.
In order not to let things get out of hand, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 7 essential tips for cleaning after your favourite pets.
By dedicating just a few minutes every day or week to implementing some of these tips, you can control pet odour, dirt, and dander for a cleaner home.
1. Use a Lint Roller to Remove Pet Hair
Pet hair has a sneaky way of spreading itself around your entire home, latching onto furniture, clothing, and other fabric surfaces.
Make it part of your daily routine to roll it over surfaces before sitting down. This keeps pet hair from embedding deep within the fibres.
Lint rollers are also perfect for spot-cleaning clothes that were lying around and collected some extra fur. Roll over pant legs, collars, and sleeves before wearing them to prevent shedding when you go out.
You will notice the difference once you incorporate using a lint roller on upholstered furniture right after vacuuming. It always catches pet hairs missed by the vacuum cleaner.
By keeping a stash of lint rollers around the house, there will be no more annoying fur balls taking over!
2. Apply Baking Soda for Pet Odours
Certain unpleasant odours can linger no matter how careful you are about cleaning up pet accidents.
To address such odours effectively in carpets, furniture, or beddings, simply sprinkle one layer of baking soda on the affected areas. Leave it to work its magic overnight and vacuum the remaining powder early in the morning.
Areas you can easily miss that are well known to produce a bad smell with long-term use are pet crates and carriers.
Similarly, stuff them with baking soda for a few hours, and they will be as good as new. Vacuum the remaining powder for a fresh start, odour-free.
In addition, you can use baking soda on hard surfaces, but you will have to create a paste first. You just mix it with just enough water to reach the ideal spreadable texture.
Apply it to places like tiles, hardwood floors, and baseboards that carry smells. Furthermore, don’t forget the inside of litter boxes, which are odour magnets!
3. Sanitise Toys and Accessories Weekly
It’s important to regularly disinfect your pet’s playthings to keep them feeling their best. Just like kids’ toys, they become loaded with microbes if not sanitised often.
Your ideal approach is to thoroughly cleanse all toys, accessories, and chews at least once per week.
Soft stuffed toys and fabric add-ons can easily be tossed in the washing machine for a deep clean. For smaller plastic or rubber toys, simmer them in boiling water for 5-10 minutes to kill any stubborn bacteria.
Pay attention to any crevices or nooks that may require scrubbing.
Larger chew toys made of nylon or rubber should be wiped down thoroughly with an anti-bacterial cleaner. You can also use a diluted bleach solution for tough stains and odours.
Do this for accessories as well, like collars, leashes, and brushes.
4. Use Mats for Litter and Dishes
If you have cats, then you are quite familiar with the sheer volume of litter they manage to fling outside the box. Those little paws are a constant mess-making machine indeed!
Litter mats are your answer to control the mess. They are specifically designed with a raised mesh surface that grabs and traps every last little granule clinging to their feet.
All you have to do is place one mat at the entrance of each litter box, and you will avoid running around after them to sweep the litter trail.
To remove fallen debris, simply pick up the mat and slide the litter back into the box every time you’re cleaning it.
Similarly, you should also use mats for pet dishes before adding food or water. We all know our dogs or cats can create a huge mess come feeding time.
Prevent crumbs and spilt water by using the mats under the bowls. Look for absorbent, machine-washable mats that are longer than the diameter of the dishes.
This will fully surround the eating area and trap any edibles that fall to the floor. When it’s time to clean up, simply pick up the mat and toss it in the washing machine.
5. Wash Pet Beddings Regularly
Just like our own sheets and blankets, spots where your pets sleep can accumulate dirt, fur, and debris over time. To keep them fresh and hygienic at all times, make a habit out of cleaning their entire bedding every week.
Start by gathering all the linen they use, including cushions and pillows. Use a gentle pet-friendly detergent and select a high water temperature to make sure they get thoroughly cleaned.
The heat helps completely remove dirt, oils, and odours embedded deeply within the fabrics.
6. Groom Your Pet
One of the most effective methods for managing pet fur and flakes is maintaining consistent grooming habits. Regular brushing does more than just promote a shiny coat and healthy skin. It also controls the amount of loose hair drifting around your living space.
For short-haired pets, aim for 5-10 minutes a day brushing their fur. This helps distribute natural oils down the length of the hair and sloughs off loose hairs before they are shed indoors.
Moreover, bathing is also essential to the cleanliness of the household. Schedules depend on their breeds and lifestyle.
Most dogs do well with monthly baths, while cats rarely need one unless an accident happens.
7. Take Care of the Mess Quickly
Last, but definitely not least, the most important tip when it comes to your pet’s messing habits is to actually clean as soon as something happens.
Dealing with pet accidents promptly is crucial to keeping on top of odours and cleaning needs. When you act fast to address them, it’s much less likely for them to set into the surfaces in your home.
Ensure you always have a stocked supply of paper towels, pet-safe cleaning wipes, and disposable gloves around the house.
For solid waste accidents indoors, firstly, remove your pet from the area. Then, with gloves on, use paper towels to safely pick up the waste into a tied plastic bag. Finally, use wipes to disinfect the area.
On the other hand, liquid leaks and stains can quickly be dealt with using baking soda after drying it with a paper towel.
Add some water to it to create a paste and apply it to the stain. Let it set for a few minutes and then wipe it clean.
If you have cats, scoop their litter boxes daily to stay ahead of the smells caused by their waste.
Furthermore, pick up solids in the outdoor area at least twice every day to try to avoid it getting stuck to lawns and patio areas over time. Also, try to keep the yard clutter-free, so you can spot the mess easily.
If you think you don’t have the time to clean up because of obligations and busy schedules, a regular cleaning service is the answer.
Professional cleaners have extensive expertise and can assist you in all types of cleaning, including anything related to your adorable pets.
Conclusion
Our pets are a huge part of our family and an undeniable source of happiness in our lives. However, they come with their fair share of messy habits.
With this quick guide, you can deal with everything related to cleaning after them in a timely and effective manner. Make sure you dedicate the time for cleaning with these tips and you’ll enjoy a healthy home for you and your pets.