Forty percent of American families have one or more dogs. That means 40 percent of houses in the U.S. aren’t as clean as their owners wish they could be.
While training and grooming can combat many of the cleaning challenges that come with pet parenting, you can never eliminate the mess completely. But there are some things you can do to reduce the work that comes with opening your home to a furry or fluffy friend.
Removing dog hair
If your dog has gone for a trim, but is still leaving hair and fur all over your couch and chairs, use your vacuum’s furniture attachment to suck up what you can. Then, run a dryer sheet or slightly dampened rubber glove or balloon over the furniture so that the static electricity can grab any stubborn hairs that stuck around.
On hardwood floors, use a dry microfiber cloth instead of a wet mop so the hair has something to cling to. Spray a little fabric softener or sprinkle baking soda on your carpet to loosen the hair before running over it with a vacuum cleaner (it also helps get rid of that dog smell!). Be sure to alternate directions as you vacuum to catch every last strand. Another option? Consider a carpet rake, which digs deep into your carpet’s fibers.
Getting rid of the dirt
We can leave our muddy boots at the door when it’s rainy outside. Unfortunately, dogs don’t have that option. Before your dog comes in from outside, clean off his feet with an old towel or alcohol-free pet wipes. Also, place mats at the inside and outside of your back door to catch the extra dirt and debris before he races back inside.
Defending your carpet against accidents
Urine stains can stick around long after you clean them up. If you don’t remove the smell, your pup will think it’s OK to use that area as an indoor bathroom again and again.
If you catch your dog in the act, soak up as much of the liquid as possible with a thick dry towel. Add pressure to the towel and repeat until the spot is no longer damp. Clean with water and a few drops of liquid dish detergent, rinse again with warm water, and then apply pressure to soak up the excess liquid.
If it’s an old stain, spray with a solution of one-part water and one-part vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, blot the solution away, and allow the area to dry. Once the spot is dry, sprinkle it with baking soda, allow it to sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it away.
As a home cleaning company that understands the havoc your dog can wreak on your home, Annointed Hands has the solution to your biggest pet problems. With our regular cleaning service, we can help rid your home of hair, dander, and dirt, and most important, leave it smelling like you don’t have a pet at all! To learn more and to get a free estimate, contact the professionals at Annointed Hands.