It can be challenging to keep your home clean when you have pets and are dealing with fur, stains, spilled food, and muddy paws. Here are cleaning tips for pet owners to maintain a neat and odor-free home.
Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners: Duct Tape
Duct tape is inexpensive and effectively removes pet fur from almost any surface. The duct tape’s adhesive will pick up fur quickly and it’s faster than vacuuming the throw pillows or draperies. To make a DIY fur remover, wrap a sponge with duct tape, sticky side out, or use an old paint roller. This tool is useful for picking up pet fur throughout the house.
Baking Soda as an Odor Neutralizer
The uses of baking soda around the house include removing odors. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on carpets, furniture, and bedding where pets sleep. Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes and then vacuum it up to neutralize pet odors.
Groom Your Pet
Many pets shed and their fur ends up on furniture, bedding, curtains, carpets, and your clothing. To reduce the amount of fur in your home, brush your pets regularly. Use a brush on your pet several times each week to remove loose fur. Grooming is great for bonding and it helps to relax you and your pet. Less fur around your home means less to clean and improved air quality.
Invest in Slipcovers
If your pets enjoy spending time on the couch, they will leave fur and dander behind. To keep your furniture clean, purchase a slipcover that you can remove and wash. Having a few slipcovers on hand will save time when friends or family members are coming to visit. Install another slipcover while the dirty one is in the wash.
Tips for Pet Owners: Cleaning with Enzymes
Enzyme cleaning products effectively remove pet stains and contain harmless bacteria that eliminate odors. Clean the soiled area as usual and then spray it with an enzyme cleaner. Leave the enzymes to work for a few hours. Follow the instructions on the product and your house will smell fresh and clean.
Clean Collars and Toys
Remember to clean your pets’ collars and toys. Over time, they’ll develop odors and will need to be washed. The most effective way to clean a pet’s collar is by soaking it in a bowl of dog shampoo and hot water for 30 minutes. Take it out, rinse with cold water, and hang to dry.
Stuffed pet toys can be washed inside a pillowcase in the washing machine. Other toys should be cleaned regularly with pet shampoo and hot water to remove stains and odors.
Checkpoint Home Inspections offers inspections to customers around the North Coast of Oregon. Contact us to request our services.