01/27/2018
I just received this guest post from a friend. I thought it was a joke....because how can you keep your house clean with animals around. He is offering some great suggestions. Read on and share what you do with your fur-family.
How to Keep Your House Clean with Dogs Around
If you own a dog, you can attest to the fact that keeping the house clean and free of dog smell is not easy. However, it is not entirely impossible.
Well, it is great to have a super cute and loving pet, but dealing with the mess they leave around the house can be overwhelming. If you are currently struggling to keep the house clean with the dog around, there are certain things you are not doing right or not doing at all.
If you are a pet owner, here are some tips that will keep your house clean and smell fresh.
Groom the Dog Regularly
As a dog owner, one of the problems you will have to deal with every now and then is pet hair. In this regard, you should try to minimize shedding on your dog. Grooming the dog regularly is one of the best ways of reducing shedding in dogs.
In this regard, you should remember to brush your pet a few times every week. Whenever the weather is conducive, it is advisable to groom your pet outside the house. In addition to keeping the house clean, grooming your dog regularly enhances bonding between you and the pet.
Keep the Dog’s Paws Clean
It is really great to take your dog out for a walk. However, the dog’s paws will be dirty by the end of it. If you do not wipe the paws after such walks, you can easily end up with dirty floors, carpets, and walls, especially if the trail was a bit muddy.
To prevent this mess, you should ensure that your dog’s paws are properly wiped every it comes back to the house. A good doormat can do a great job, in this regard. As such, you should consider leaving a doormat outside the door and place a washable throw rug inside the house, just after the door. These will trap dirt and debris from the dog’s paws and prevent the dog, hence keep your house cleaner.
Always Have the Necessary Cleaning Supplies
While prevention is important, you can’t entirely prevent the dog from messing things up every once in a while. As such, it is advisable to always have the right cleaning supplies.
For instance, you should have Swiffer Sweepers and vacuums for hardwood floors. Rather than blowing the pet hair around the house while you are cleaning, the swiffers attract and trap the hair. As such, they offer better results on hard floors, as compared to vacuum cleaners.
In addition to messes on the floor, dogs are also known to bring in dust into the house. In this regard, you should also dust the house as frequently as you clean the hair. All in all, you need to be ready when the mess occurs.
With the right supplies, you can clean every mess as soon as it surfaces; hence keep your house clean and tidy. You may also need a lint roller for dusting the furniture, throw pillows and lampshades. To tackle dog stains and odors, you should consider having the right cleaner and stain remover at all times.
Keep the Pet’s Dishes Clean at all Times
Pet’s dishes can get pretty gross, if not given the attention they disserve. It is advisable to clean your pet’s dishes every day. If not, you should consider rinsing and wiping them down regularly.
Additionally, you should also wipe the wall, trim and floors around the dog’s eating area. While most dog owners do not exercise this, you will be surprised how effective it is at keeping your home clean with a dog around.
Bathe the Dog Frequently
The frequency with which you should bathe your dog will depend on various factors, such as the dog’s activities, whether someone in the house is allergic to pet hair and how smelly the dog gets. If the dog rolls in mud or dirt, it is advisable to bathe it right away.
However, bathing the pet too often is not recommended as it may deprive it of essential skin oils. Basically, a dog should be washed at least once every month. While bathing the dog, you should use the right supplies. A good shampoo, for instance, will clean the dog thoroughly and prevent fleas.
If you love dogs and have one in the house, you must have realized how hard it can be to keep the house clean and tidy. While it is possible to keep the house clean with the dog around, it is not going to be easy. With the above-mentioned tips, you can keep your loving pet in the house and still keep the house clean and smelling great.