We love our pets, but not the messes they create. Fortunately, there are a few tricks that make pet ownership easier. Keep your home tidy and sanitary with these cleaning tips for pet owners.
Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners: Keep Pets Groomed
It is essential to keep your pet well-groomed for a clean home. Brush pets outdoors regularly to reduce shedding in the house. If your pet is a shedder, a shedding rake will remove loose fur.
Dogs should be bathed once a month, or more often if needed. Make it easier by setting up a dog-washing station in the bathtub. Use a rubber mat, a mild shampoo for pets, and a handheld showerhead attachment.
Enzyme Cleaner for Pet Stains
Sooner or later, most pets will have an accident in the house. Keep an enzyme cleaner on hand in case this occurs. These cleaners have harmless bacteria that neutralize the source of the odor. Cover the stain with a wet cloth to keep the bacteria active and working to remove stains and smells.
Pet Hair on Furniture
Many pets enjoy napping on sofas and cozy, upholstered chairs. If you allow your pets on the furniture, you’re probably struggling to deal with the fur left behind. Cover a paint roller with duct tape, sticky side up, and use it to roll away pet hair. To help battle fur, drape your furniture with washable throw blankets.
If you would like to discourage pets from sleeping on the furniture, cut a section of a plastic carpet protector and place it, prickly side up, on the furniture. They will associate discomfort with that particular chair or sofa and stay off even after you remove the plastic.
Litter Box Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners
Cat litter often spills over the sides of the box. One of the best cleaning tips is to turn a plastic storage bin into a covered litter box. Cut a hole in the side for your cat to crawl through and place the litter box inside. Replace the lid. The cat can easily access the litter box, but the larger storage bin will catch any scattered litter.
Protect Doors From Scratches
If your pet claws at the door as a signal that they want to go outside, protect your door. Cover the bottom of doors with a section of clear Plexiglas. Use screws to mount the Plexiglas to the wood. You’ll be able to protect the door’s finish from scratches.
Kill Odors With Baking Soda
Get rid of lingering pet odors with baking soda. It works by absorbing and neutralizing odors. Sprinkle it liberally on furniture and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up. Use baking soda when washing pet bedding to freshen the fabrics.
Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners: Washing Collars
Your pets’ collars get dirty and smelly. Soak them in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of pet shampoo. Let them sit for at least 15 minutes before rinsing in cool water and hanging them to dry. Wash collars monthly to help keep odors under control.
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