Q&A

A Clean Home, Tips for Pet Owners

Many people hesitate to get a pet because they are daunted by the prospect of additional housekeeping work. Of course, there will be more chores, but not as many as you might imagine. To minimize the expenditure of your energy, it’s essential, first of all, to focus on “training” your animal. If you have enough love, patience, and knowledge to teach your pet the rules you’ve set for it, then the hassle will be much less.

When we talk about pets, we most often think of cats or dogs.

Every happy pet owner knows how much time and effort cleaning the house takes. We’re ready to share our experience with you.

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Dirty Paws

A dog spends part of its time outdoors (even when the weather conditions are not conducive to a walk). Here arises the first inconvenience – dirty paws. To avoid having to clean your entire house from mud, follow two simple rules:

  • Place a rubber mat in front of the door;
  • Keep a clean cloth at the entrance.

The cloth at the entrance will be needed in case the dog’s feet or fur are dirty. By wiping your pet’s paws, you will prevent the appearance of dirty marks on your carpets and furniture.

An alternative is a paw washer. The working principle is simple: the paw is inserted into a special container, where all the dirt is gently cleaned by brushes. The hygienic procedure is splash-free and takes just a few minutes. Shampoos can be used in paw washers, but pets should be accustomed to such procedures.

Containers of different sizes are available, corresponding to the size of the dog. After the procedure, it’s essential to dry the paws thoroughly. Some dog owners note that for dogs, especially those with long fur, paw washers do not completely wash away the dirt between the pads. In any case, this affordable hygiene accessory is worth trying. If your dog gets used to the paw washer, then washing paws will become easy and quick.

Fur All Over the House

Shedding is a natural process that affects dogs and cats. Everyone with fur sheds. There’s nothing you can do about it. So, how do you combat the unwanted hair that follows you all around the house?

Fur Removal Brush

Start by purchasing a good brush. Ask a specialist to select one that is suitable for your pet. Now it’s up to you: remember to regularly brush your beloved pet, and there will be significantly less fur shedding.

Furniture Covers

For many people living under the same roof as “furry” pets, a serious problem is the vast amount of hair on carpets and upholstery. It’s wise to protect furniture with covers that can be removed and washed.

If your cat or dog likes to spend time with you in bed, then keep the blanket in a duvet cover, which is much easier to wash than the blanket itself. You can also use special waterproof pet blankets.

Vacuum and Other Devices for Collecting Fur

Covers and brushing alone are not enough. Do not neglect dry and wet cleaning.

A vacuum cleaner will be a good helper for you in this matter. Carpets and sofas should be vacuumed at least a couple of times a week. If someone in the family suffers from asthma or allergies, then the vacuum should be equipped with high-grade filters. This will help keep microscopic allergens inside the machine. If you’re not a fan of cleaning, it’s better to remove carpets: wooden and stone floors are significantly easier to maintain.

For areas not heavily soiled with fur (such as a chair or clothes), you can use sticky tape or a special lint roller with a sticky surface to collect the fur.

Many prefer to collect fur using a slightly damp sponge or a microfiber cloth.

Stains

Regardless of how well-trained your pet is, you are not immune to unpleasant surprises. Feces, urine, and even vomit can end up on your carpet if the animal feels unwell. Cleaning up such “surprises” needs to be done immediately.

Remove surface contamination (what’s on the surface, for example, feces) and wipe with a soapy solution.

Urine is more challenging. It should be blotted out with dry paper towels (also place a cloth or paper towels under the stain for better absorption). Only after this should you start treating the stained area with a solution made from equal parts water and vinegar.

Experts consider this solution to be a very effective homemade carpet cleaning remedy. If you’re not afraid of damaging the carpet and harming your beloved pet’s health, you can experiment with other stain removers.

You can also clean and refresh the carpet in this way: sprinkle salt on the carpet, then sweep it with a broom moistened in warm soapy water. You will be pleased with the result.

If you need to wash the floor, use this solution: mix one liter of water with 300 ml of apple cider vinegar and 15 ml of detergent, add 5 ml of pine and lavender essential oils and 15 ml of lemon oil. This excellent remedy will act not only as a deodorant but also disinfect the floor.


Warning. Do not use ammonia as a cleaning agent (pets can associate its smell with the smell of urine).


Odors

If the carpet has absorbed unpleasant odors, baking soda can help eliminate them.

This wonderful eco-friendly remedy:

  • is inexpensive and available everywhere
  • removes, rather than masks, odors
  • is not an aggressive chemical
  • does not contain fragrances that cause allergies

Generously sprinkle the carpet surface with dry baking soda (wet soda does not work) and leave it for several hours (the longer the soda stays on the carpet, the better the result). Then vacuum everything up. If the smell persists, repeat the procedure.

Tip: Before using, add a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender, to the soda. This will give your carpet a fresh scent.

To prevent making your pet unfairly blamed and to protect yourself from unpleasant surprises, you should remember the following points:

  • dogs should be walked several times a day;
  • a cat will not use a dirty litter box;
  • if you need to be away for the whole day, confine your pet to a room without carpeting.

Dogs and cats have been our faithful and loving companions for centuries. They brighten our loneliness, reduce anxiety and stress, assist in difficult situations, and cheer us up when life is not joyful. Now consider whether it is worth forgoing the company of these wonderful creatures just because you do not know how to deal with minor issues like fur on the carpet or a tiny puddle in the hallway.