Pets are cherished by many, and while we may be happy to share our hearts and homes with them, we may not be quite so thrilled about the mess they can make, and the smells they can leave behind!
With this in mind, here are 9 tips for living in happiness alongside our pets, and having a clean, fresh smelling home at the same time:
- Bathe and groom your pets
Any dirt and dander that you can remove from your pet’s fur after each walk, is dirt and dander that isn’t messing up your home. Groom pets frequently to help get rid of hair that may otherwise be transferred to every surface in your home, and bathe them as per your veterinarian’s advice, or when they’re particularly dirty and stinky!
A quick trip to the dog groomers (some may make in-house visits) may be in order from time to time, and will help your pet look and feel more comfortable, and your home smell less like an unwashed kennel!
- Invest in a good vacuum cleaner
Vacuum cleaner’s are a long-haired pet owners best friend (after the pet, of course!), and provided you invest in a quality machine with the right kind of suction and filters, you can eliminate all pet hair and dander from the surfaces of your home within minutes. Be sure to clean the filters regularly and empty the barrel or bag often to prevent it from starting to smell exactly like your pet!
- Make a dog cleaning station
Having a space right inside your entrance where you can wipe off your dog’s paws and any other part of them that might be grubby or wet (or both) following walkies, helps prevent a trail of muddy pawprints being set throughout the home, and keeps your carpets, rugs and upholstery that bit cleaner.
- Clean your pets toys and other items
Toys go inside your dog’s mouth and hence don’t just start to smell after a while, but get pretty unhygienic, too. This makes washing them along with any blankets, leashes, collars and bedding from time to time, a great idea for reducing their doggy odor and keeping them fresh and clean. If items can be thrown in the washing machine, that makes it that bit easier, otherwise, wash them by hand and ideally, leave them in the sun to dry, as this will also help kill any bacteria that might still be lurking.
- Treat odors with pantry essentials
Baking soda is great for treating common pet odors, and can be safely sprinkled over rugs and carpets, or pet bedding to absorb any foul smells before you vacuum it off. You can also leave an open tub of it in certain corners of your home to help neutralize any offending odors. Vinegar can also be safely used to clean pet items with, and can be added to the washing machine when you throw their smelly bedding in.
- Clean up spillages, pronto!
There’s nothing worse than the smell of stale pet urine, and the longer you leave it, the harder it is to clean and eliminate the smell. If you notice a puddle (or pile!) anywhere in your home, clean it up quickly (no matter how it might gross you out), and ideally, using a cleaner with an enzyme base to help neutralize odors.
- Choose your pets bed wisely
Some pet beds are easier to clean than others, so when buying one for your beloved best friend, check the manufacturers guidelines for washing, and if possible, buy one that’s waterproof to make your life easier, and your home smell fresher!
- Air out your home
Just by opening the windows for a few minutes or so a day (weather pending), you can help drive nasty smells out, and let fresh air in.
If pet smells and dirt are making your life a misery, why not hire a regular cleaning service and keep the place smelling of roses, instead of wet dog!
