There’s nothing quite like the happiness that comes with having a pet, but the same can be said about the stress and frustration of finding pet messes scattered around your home. As much as we love our pets, they can certainly wreak havoc on the cleanliness and hygiene of our homes, but these simple and easy tips should help you manage these more effectively.
Stay on top of grooming
One of the biggest hygiene issues that comes with having a pet is having to deal with pet hair and dander. Not only can these ruin the appearance of your home, but they’re also allergens that can cause health issues. Aside from that, they can also absorb into any fabric—think your upholstery and carpets. This means that they can attract more dirt and odor, worsen any spills or stains, as well as speed up deterioration of both the material’s appearance and quality.
The best way to deal with all the shedding is to make sure that you’re staying on top of your pet’s regular grooming routine and needs. This will keep your pet looking their best, but also minimize the amount of hairfall that they experience. This could be done in many different ways such as bringing them to a professional pet groomer for a much needed haircut, bathing them, or running a brush through their coat every now and then.
Deal with unpleasant smells
Just because you have a few animals in your home doesn’t mean you want the place to smell like it. When left unchecked, pets can cause a wide range of nasty stenches to spread across your home and make it an uncomfortable place to relax in, but there are a few things you can do to deal with these odors:
- Baking Soda: Baking soda is a very popular household cleaning ingredient that offers a wide range of uses, one of which is odor control. Instead of simply masking the smell, baking soda absorbs it before neutralizing it completely, making it an effective odor solution. Just locate the source of the smell before sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda on top and leaving it to sit for a few hours.
- White Vinegar: Another widely used household cleaning alternative, white vinegar can go a long way in removing foul smells. Pour equal amounts of white vinegar and water into a spray bottle and use this wherever you need.
- Regularly Washing Pet Items: We often forget that the items our pets interact with can create quite a smell due to all the bacteria that they build up. Remember to wash and launder these often as instructed in order to keep them smelling fresh and clean for your pets.
Protect carpets and upholstery
Unfortunately, shedding and odors aren’t the only messes that pets can cause. From surprise urine stains to vomit episodes, there are many ways that your pet can create a serious accident and ruin your carpets and upholstery, but there are a few things you can do to ensure that these don’t leave a permanent stain:
- Deal with Stains Immediately: As unpleasant as it may sound, it’s best to deal with any liquid stains as soon as they arise in order to prevent permanent staining and stubborn odor formation. Always start by removing any solid debris before removing as much liquid as possible, either by blotting with a clean cloth or by sprinkling baking soda over the stain and leaving it to sit.
- For Urine Stains: After removing as much urine as you can, dampen the area with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water before leaving it to sit for five minutes. Then, use a clean cloth to blot it up. Repeat this as many times as needed.
- For Vomit Stains: Mix together two cups of water, a tablespoon of salt, a tablespoon of mild dish soap, and half a cup of white vinegar in a bowl. Then, use a soft cloth or a sponge to apply the mixture onto the stained area and repeat this until the stain is gone. Finally, get a dampened cloth and use this to remove any residue before blotting at the area with a clean towel and leaving it to dry.
Use preventative measures
Aside from training your pet, another great way to manage pet messes is by putting a few preventative measures in place. While they won’t do anything to stop these accidents from happening, they can lessen the impact and significantly reduce the cleaning time. Here are some that you can consider:
- Fabric Covers: Whether it’s your comfortable mattress or that expensive sofa in your living room, you really want to protect your investments, and one way you can do so is by using protective covers. These covers add an extra layer of protection that will not only keep dust, dirt, allergens, and debris away but also prevent any pet stains from absorbing too much.
- Puppy Pads: For those of you with younger pets, that are still in the process of being potty trained, laying out puppy pads can reduce the chances of any urine stains landing on your floors. These pads will be able to catch any unwanted accidents that your little fur baby may cause during their earlier years.
- Waterproof Mats: Pets tend to get very excited around meal times, but this can lead to splatters of food and water landing everywhere. One way around this is to place some waterproof mats underneath their feeding bowls, which will catch any fallout that may occur and make the cleaning process much easier later on.
Regularly cleaning your home
You might be underestimating how effective your existing household cleaning routine is in managing pet messes. Regularly vacuuming and sweeping around your living space can help remove pet hair, as well as any dirt and debris that they may have tracked in from outdoors. And with little additions such as litter box maintenance and washing of pet items, it’ll definitely become much easier for you to manage pet messes around the household.
However, it’s crucial that you perform this routine regularly, which isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do, especially with how unpredictable daily life can be. Fortunately, there are professional companies like Luce that can take over your long list of chores for you. With Luce cleaning services, you’ll be able to keep your home sparkling clean for both you and your furry friend without having to lift a single finger.
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