A pet offers unconditional love and companionship. While you love your pet, you may not love the constant work of cleaning up after them. Whether you’re dealing with fur under the couch, an overturned water bowl, or cat litter in the hallway, there are short-cuts you can take to make things easier. Here are some cleaning tips for pet owners to keep your house neat and tidy.
Duct Tape to Remove Pet Hair
When you live with an animal, pet hair is a constant battle. A quality vacuum cleaner is an effective way to remove pet hair from carpets and rugs, and regular vacuuming also helps to improve indoor air quality. This said, using a vacuum attachment on pillows, furniture, and window coverings takes time.
To easily remove pet hair from these surfaces between vacuumings, wrap duct tape around a paint roller with the sticky side out and roll it over furniture and curtains. Add more tape to the roller as you collect hair and the tape becomes less sticky.
Covering Furniture is a Great Cleaning Tip for Pet Owners
An easy way to protect furniture is to place a sheet, towel, or blanket in your pet’s favorite spots to keep hair off of the furniture. Regularly rotate the bedding materials to keep the furniture protected and pet hair under control. Take the bedding outside and shake it out before you put it into the washing machine.
Enzyme Cleaners for Stains
Enzyme cleaners contain harmless “good” bacteria that digest the organic matter that’s responsible for causing the odor or stain. Enzyme cleaners can take a few hours to a few days to effectively eliminate pet stains and odors. For best results, follow the instructions on the product. Some formulas recommend covering the area with a damp cloth or plastic wrap while they work.
Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners: Using Placemats
Putting a placemat under your pet’s food and water bowls makes cleanup easier. Plastic placemats are inexpensive and easy to clean if your pet is a messy eater.
Remove Pet Odors from Upholstery
Use baking soda on your upholstery to get rid of pet odors. If you notice the couch or upholstered chairs are beginning to smell like your pet, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the furniture. Let the baking soda sit for 20 – 30 minutes before using your vacuum attachment to remove the baking soda. Your furniture will smell fresh and clean again.
Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners: Use a Squeegee
Vacuuming rugs regularly will remove much of the fur your pet leaves behind, but you can also get pet hair out of your rugs with a squeegee.
Pull a squeegee across your rug to collect pet hair left even after vacuuming. Use the squeegee like a rake; short and quick strokes will remove fur from deep within the rug. Do this once a month or as needed to keep your carpets and rugs looking nice.
As a pet owner, you know there are unique challenges to keeping your home clean. Try these cleaning tips for pet owners to easily keep your living space tidy and odor-free.
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