Our cats make a mark on the hearts of our family members. They also make a mess throughout our house. Whether they’re leaving hair on our furniture or skipping the litter box for our carpet, they leave behind a little bit of themselves everywhere they go.
However, there are some easy ways to tame the hair, smell, and messes so you can enjoy a cleaner, fresher house and spend more time with your favorite feline.
Freshening up the litter box
Many pet owners place the litter box in a small, confined area like a closet or laundry room where the smell can concentrate. It’s better to leave it in an open, well-ventilated area where the odor can dissipate and your cat has plenty of room to move around.
There are scented litter options to help with the smell, but sometimes strong scents can irritate your cat. Instead, use baking soda in the litter or find an odor-eliminating option that doesn’t leave a strong floral scent behind. To ease the odor that does exist, replace the litter twice a week and clean the box and scooper with a mild detergent or spray. If you begin to notice deep scratches in the litter box, it’s time to replace it since dirt and odors can settle into the grooves.
Saving your home from smells and stains
Last month, we shared how to remove pet urine smells and stains from your carpet. For cats, the process is similar, but one important note is to be sure to avoid any ammonia-based cleaning products as the smell will actually attract your cat to the spot.
If Fluffy uses your couch, chair, or bed as her personal restroom, try a natural enzyme-based cleaner from a pet shop that breaks down the acids in urine and eliminates the bacteria that causes odors. Spray the spot with clean water and use a towel to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Then spray with the enzyme cleaner, let it sit for 20 minutes, and soak up the cleaner with clean towels. If it’s a cushion and can be moved, place it in a spot with fresh air away from your cat so it can dry. If it’s a mattress or an attached cushion, leave clean towels on it until it dries.
Taking care of a hairy situation
Just like our canine companions, cats leave hair on our floors, furniture, and even the walls, so keeping your carpet and flooring clean is crucial. But to reduce allergens, dander, and hair in your home, be sure to run a microfiber cloth over your tables, trim, and other wood surfaces on a regular basis. Or, use a soft towel along with an anti-static dusting spray or furniture polish. Finally, get your air ducts cleaned as often as you can to keep hair and dust from depositing throughout your home and change out your HVAC filters regularly.
The staff at Annointed Hands can help you tackle your biggest cat messes. In addition to using HEPA filters in all of our vacuums, we can hit those places where hair unexpectedly hides, like your baseboards, Plus, we leave your house smelling clean and fresh with natural scents that not only hide, but help eliminate pet odors. To learn more, contact Annointed Hands today for your free estimate!