8 Ways to have a pet and a clean home
49% of UK adults own a pet (source: pdsa.org.uk). While we love our furry companions, every pet owner knows that cleaning up after them can be a challenge. From muddy paws, to shedding fur, keeping your home clean and tidy can seem like an endless chore.
So, how do you have a pet and keep your home clean?
We have gathered 8 great tips from our professional cleaners based in Queensway and our cleaning specialists from Putney, to help keep you pet-loving home looking clean and smelling fresh!
1. Bath time
Keeping your pet clean is the first step to keeping your home clean. Your dog needs to be bathed from time to time, especially if it spends a lot of time outdoors. Whilst cats do not need to be bathed, except in rare occasions, as they dislike being wet and can find the process quite distressing.
Pet wipes can be a great way to keep both your pet and your home clean on a day-to day basis. Get into the habit of wiping your pet’s paws as soon as you get in from a walk, or as soon at your cat comes through the cat flap. Paws will carry dirt, mud and bacteria all throughout the house, giving you much more cleaning to do!
2. Brush, brush, brush
Daily brushing may not stop your pet’s fur from shedding, but it will help to remove the loose fur before it works its way into your carpets and sofas! Brushing your pets also helps to stimulate and release the natural oils in their fur, giving them a healthy, shiny coat. Regular brushing will help keep your pet healthy and ensure the build-up of fur in your home is kept under control.
3. Vacuum often
While our pets may hate the sound, be sure to vacuum at least twice a week, as it is the best way to keep your home free from pet hair and dirt. If you are pressed for time, simply focus on your pet’s favourite spots, as cleaning these areas will prevent the fur and other mess from spreading throughout your home.
Ideally, avoiding carpet altogether is the best solution, as hard floors are much easier to clean. However, as this is not always practical, be sure to contact a few local cleaning services or book a cleaner to deep clean your carpet every six months or so. This will help to remove deep rooted fur and dirt, and leave your carpets looking and smelling refreshed.
4. Stock up on rubber gloves
After coming in from work, cooking dinner and entertaining the kids, you don’t always have the time or energy to vacuum the house. Instead, lint rollers are often our go – to quick fix for the fur matted sofa.
But, if you’re tired of buying endless lint rollers, rubber gloves may be your new solution. It may sound strange, but rubber gloves are one of the easiest, quickest and cheapest ways to keep your sofas and other furniture free from pet hair. Wet or dry, simply brush the rubber glove over the surface and watch the fur instantly lift away!
5. Do the laundry
Don’t forget to do the laundry for your furry companion. Regularly wash their beds, blankets and toys, as these quickly build up a strong odour and become matted with fur and dirt. Make the housekeeping easier for yourself by investing in machine washable pet items. Just be sure to check the machine drum after the wash and wipe it out if necessary. You don’t want your favourite pair of jeans to come out of the wash covered in fur!
6. Deodorise daily
Freshening your home regularly is a must when living with pets. You don’t want your guests to walk in and smell the notorious ‘dog smell’! Keep fabric freshening sprays to hand and try to open up the windows often to allow fresh air into your home, even if its just for 5 minutes. Baking soda is also a great natural deodoriser. Try sprinkling some baking soda on any soft furnishings in desperate need to freshening up. Leave for a few hours before vacuuming and you will be left with a fresh, clean scent!
7. Don’t forget the dishes
How often do you clean your pet’s bowls?
While we make it a priority to clean our own dishes, we can often forget about our pets! According to a study carried out by NSF, pet bowls are the fourth germiest household item! They are full of harmful bacteria and parasites. So, it is important to try to clean your pet’s bowls once a day, for the cleanliness and safety of your home. Simply wash the bowls with warm, soapy water. Be sure to rinse the bowls thoroughly as our pet’s noses are more sensitive to the smell of detergent. Finally, invest in a place mat, as this will reduce the amount of cleaning up needed, by helping to contain the mess.
8. Keep your pets free from fleas
Fleas are notorious pests for our cats and dogs. They can infest our homes and pose a danger to our health and our pets. Prevention is key! Be sure to regularly treat your cat or dog with flea treatment. There are many different ones out there, from Frontline, to Advocate, and most can be done easily from the comfort of your home. Just be sure to set reminders for when the next treatment is due!