How to Keep Your House Clean with Pets (+ 10 must have items!)
How to keep your house clean with cats and dogs! These are the best house cleaning tips for pet owners, so you can stay ahead of all that fur AND those pesky pet odors.
Pets can provide an enormous amount of love, companionship, and comfort.
But they do come with their own special messes.
And that can make your love turn to annoyance on occasion.
Luckily, there are some easy tricks you can use to keep your home clean, pets and all.
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How to Keep A Clean House with Dogs & Cats
1. Wash dog paws right away
After your dogs traipse around outside, they can bring in all kinds of mud, leaves, and debris on their paws.
Put an absorbent, washable mat down just inside the doorway, to soak up some of the mud and moisture.
And have a quick way to wash particularly dirty paws, such as this genius paw dipper and plunger tool. Dogs actually love it, since it’s like a little paw massage!
Keep a towel at the ready too, to dry off wet paws.
2. Wipe up stains immediately
By the time you notice a pet stain on your carpet or rug, it’s already starting to set in.
These ‘stomp and go’ stain lifter pads make QUICK work of soaking up wet stains.
If you notice the stain after it’s dry, spray it with this stain and odor eliminator as soon as possible.
3. Get the right vacuum
To conquer the war on endless fur, you really need the right vacuum.
(And no, it doesn’t have to cost $500.)
You want your vacuum to have a great brushroll, strong suction, and attachments so you can vacuum furniture and reach into all the nooks and crannies where fur gets stuck.
This vacuum has ALL of that, plus it swivels, and has a washable filter.
If your pet sheds a lot, vacuum a few times a week. Or get a robotic vacuum to do it for you!
4. Wash bedding regularly
To keep your house from smelling like dogs, wash their bed and blankets weekly.
You can become ‘nose blind’ to pet odors over time, but visitors will surely notice them.
Your best bet is to stay ahead of the odor buildup by laundering pet bedding often.
Related: 23 Tricks to Keep Your Home Smelling Good All the Time
5. Cover furniture
If you don’t want to feel like you have to vacuum your furniture every day, cover it with blankets.
Pets love laying on blankets, and they’re much easier to wash than your upholstery.
Washable slipcovers are also a smart option, and give you the option of switching up the look of your room.
Quick-tip: Lint roll your furniture between vacuuming sessions to pick up loose fur. That way you won’t be wearing it on your clothes!
6. Brush pets often
Using a designated pet brush or brushing gloves to remove excess fur before it falls out and sticks to everything.
Try to brush them daily, if possible. Most pets really love it, since it feels like a massage.
If you can brush your dogs outside, you’ll massively cut down on the fur inside your home.
The brushing also keeps your pets smelling better, since odors can live on that old, loose fur sticking inside their coat.
You can also lint roll your dog or cat, and even vacuum your pet with certain attachments.
7. Choose furniture wisely
Next time you’re in the market for new couches and chairs, choose ones with leather or tightly woven fabric furniture.
Leather and vinyl can be easily wiped down, and it’s shiny surface prevents fur from sticking.
A tightly woven fabric is another great option, because it’s easy to vacuum or lint roll.
8. Keep toys contained
If you have an excess number of pet toys lying around, be sure to toss any that are past their prime, or your pet no longer uses.
Keep a basket or container specifically for pet toys, so they have a designated home.
Wash or replace toys regularly, so they stay sanitary and don’t hold odors.
Now let’s check out some pet cleaning must haves to keep everything tidy!
Best Cleaning Supplies for Pet Owners
Pet Hair Removal Broom
This rubber broom is like a magnet for pet fur. It works brilliantly on tile, carpet, and hardwood floors.
PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner
Although this carpet cleaner is lightweight, it tackles those pet stains hard. Even if your carpet looks clean, you're going to be AMAZED at all the dirt this cleaner removes.
Bissell Stomp 'N Go Pet Lifting Pads
Tackle spills and pet stains fast with these lifting pads. No need to scrub, or touch the stain at all. Just step on the pad, and watch the pad soak up the stain and the odor.
Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Take a lot of the effort out of cleaning up after your pet! This vacuum is a set-it-and-forget-it way to keep pet hair off your floor.
Nature's Miracle Advanced Stain and Odor Eliminator
This enzyme formula stain remover is completely safe, and eliminates any resulting odors from your pet's accidents.
Dog Paw Cleaner
Keep this paw cleaner near the door, so you can quickly wash your dog's paws after being outside No more dirty paw prints throughout the house, and dogs love the paw massage it provides!
Silicone Pet Bowl Mat
Keep spills contained under your pet's food and water bowls with this easy-to-clean, rimmed silicone mat.
Flat Floor Mop
One of the best mops for pet owners! Use it dry to collect loose fur, and as a wet mop with the solution of your choice to remove stains and sanitize the floor.
Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh Carpet Odor Eliminator
Sprinkle this magic stuff on your carpet, rugs, and furniture prior to vacuuming, and watch those odors disappear. (Leave it on for 15 minutes before vacuuming for optimal results.)
BISSELL Cleanview Swivel Pet Bagless Vacuum
This vacuum is specifically designed for pet owners. The head swivels easily, pet fur doesn't get stuck in the brushroll, and almost every component is washable.
House cleaning with Pets
I hope you found these pet owner cleaning tips super helpful!
It is definitely possible to keep a clean house with pets around.
By implementing some simple (but regular) cleaning routines, and taking precautions to keep dirt and fur at bay, you can concentrate on spending more quality time with your pet.
For more cleaning inspiration, check out:
- 15 Frugal Homemade Cleaners that Really Work
- The Very Best Cleaning Supplies to Keep in Your Cleaning Arsenal
- How to Clean Your House Really Fast (step by step!)
