While we all love the satisfaction of an organized and clean home, as pet parents, that means a little extra work for us. It may require extra deep cleaning on your rugs or trying to figure out how to remove that extra dog hair on your couch pillow. Don’t worry — we’ve put together an easy list of nine cleaning hacks that will put any busy pet parent at ease.
1. Use Baking Soda to Deodorize Your Home
Baking soda in small amounts can help deodorize your home. Sprinkle it on areas like your furniture and carpet. Don’t let it sit for too long, and vacuum it up within minutes once it’s had enough time to penetrate the surface. You may have seen some DIY cleaning products online recommending coffee grounds or essential oils for deodorizing your home. Be wary of both coffee grounds and essential oils because they can be toxic to pets.
2. Wash Your Pet’s Stuff
According to the Animal Humane Society, heavy-duty and thick, non-porous toys like KONGS can be thrown into your dishwasher for an extra deep clean. Their softer items, like blankets and bedding, can be washed in the washing machine. As for dog crates or litter boxes, use a solution of vinegar and water to clean the inside of these. Rinse thoroughly with water and allow them to dry outside.
3. Groom Your Pets
You know to deep clean your carpets every year, but do you remember to deep clean your pets? By deep cleaning your furry friends, we mean brushing dogs with a pet hair removal tool before you give them a bath to get extra dirt out. You’ll want to brush them again after the bath to remove loose hair and detangle their fur. While our feline companions are known for being skilled self-groomers, it’s still recommended that you bathe your cat once or twice a year. Keep in mind that most cats don’t like baths, so you may need to get help from a professional groomer or your veterinarian.
4. Clean Your Backyard
If you have a backyard where you like to let out your dog from time to time, chances are that you have dog poop in your backyard. Dog poop, even the kind that has lasted through the cold months of winter and froze in your backyard, can still spread germs. Also, do a quick sweep of your yard and see if there are any bones or dead animals which can become a health hazard to your pets.
5. Organize Your Pet’s Medicine and Files
Sort through your pet’s files to ensure all their vaccinations are up-to-date. When was the last time you brought your pet to the vet? You should bring your pet in for the annual exam and schedule them for any vaccinations if necessary. As you go through your pet’s medications, ensure that any of their medications are up-to-date and toss any that are expired.
6. Install Key Hooks for Leashes
We’re all about making our existing spaces more functional. If you have more than one pet, you may have a couple of doggy leashes and collars hanging about. To reduce confusion, install key hooks and organize them on a wall-mounted key hook by the door. That way, you can get into the habit of simply grabbing their designated leashes and collars on your way out.
7. Get Dryer Sheets to Remove Pet Hai
Yes, they’re finally here: dryer sheets for pet hair that actually remove pet hair from laundry. Like most pet parents, the last thing you want is more dog hair all over your clothes. Even after you wash and dry your clothes, the unwanted pet hair still sticks to all of your clothing. Just throw in some pet hair-reducing dryer sheets that repel pet hair and reduce static and your laundry will be good as new in no time.
8. Buy a Dog Door Mat
As much as we love to see our dogs running around and getting fresh air outside, we don’t love when they track their muddy paws inside our home. In a matter of seconds, your dog’s muddy paw prints will be all over your floor, furniture, and walls. Instead, get a doggy door mat so your pup can wipe their paws clean before they go back inside.
9. Put Food in a Container
It feels great to buy pet food in bulk and save a little extra cash. However, a giant bag of pet food can be an eyesore and look somewhat disorganized. Plus, you don’t want your furry friend sneaking into the bag when you’re not looking. Put any excess food in a container with a lid that can be put inside a cabinet. That way, Fluffy won’t get her paws into all those kibbles.
At the end of the day, all your pet wants is to spend as much time with you as possible. That can be anything from playing catch with you in the backyard to having a grooming session with your cat and the best pet hair remover. With any of these smart tips, you’ll be spending more time cuddling with your furry friends than cleaning up after them.
