Pets bring so much joy to our lives, but they also make it challenging to maintain a clean house. From tumbleweeds of hair to “accidents” and chewed-up newspaper, the cleaning just never seems to stop. And if you have multiple pets (combined with multiple kids), you might consider a clean house an unreachable dream. But don’t give up just yet! At Immaculate Clean, a Maryland cleaning company, we have mastered cleaning homes and offices and can give you a few tips on how to keep your pet-friendly house clean.
Trap Dirt At the Door
Wouldn’t it be great if you could train your dog to wipe his feet? Feel free to attempt, but in the meantime you can strategically place door mats on each side of the entrance. This will help catch the dirt before it enters your home. If you want to take it a step further, keep a rag next to the door and use it to wipe your dog’s paws when it’s particularly wet or muddy outside.
Remodel with Pets in Mind
If you are considering remodeling any of the areas, keep your pets in mind. For example, carpet is not the best flooring material to use in a pet-friendly household. It stains easily, traps dirt and allergens and can lose its nice, plush appearance very fast with frequent vacuuming and scrubbing. Tile and laminate might be better choices if you are looking for a surface that is easy to maintain. Similarly, choosing a paint finish that is easy to wipe, such as satin or semi-gloss, will make cleaning walls a bit less of a chore.
Keep on Brushing
Some dogs and cats don’t shed much. But if you own a long-haired breed or a pet with a thick undercoat, you might think of them as a hair factory. Dog breeds like husky and shiba inu shed their coats several times a year, which often seems like year round. Regular brushing is the key to stopping the hair avalanche. Whether you do it yourself or take your pet to a groomer, don’t skip on the brushing, especially when the shedding begins. If you are brushing your pet yourself, be gentle and careful with the tools you use, as some brushes may damage the coat.
For the hair that does end up on the floor, it pays to invest in a good vacuum. You’ll be amazed by how much cleaner your floor is and how much faster you can clean when your vacuum has good suction.
Protect Your Furniture
If your pet is allowed on the couch (or uses it despite your protests), you know it can get dirty, hairy and stinky really fast. If you have a couch with fabric upholstery, consider using a slip cover, which is much easier to clean than the couch surface. And if you happen to be looking for a new couch, leather might be the best option for a pet-friendly household. It doesn’t trap dirt, scents or allergens and is a breeze to clean. Some other synthetic, stain-resistant upholstery materials like microfiber are also available these days.
Similar to the couch, using covers on your bed or ottoman means you can clean by washing the cover instead of scrubbing the entire piece of furniture. If it’s possible, you can restrict pets’ access to specific areas like bedrooms or bathrooms while you are at work, so that they stay cleaner longer.
Disinfect Cooking Surfaces
When your cat gets quiet, you better go check what’s going on. Even if you are consistently keeping it from jumping on your cooking and dining surfaces, you can’t know for sure what it’s doing when no one’s home. To protect yourself and your family, assume that your cat has access to everything. It walks on your kitchen counters, dips her paws in your unfinished coffee and nibbles on the leftovers. Make a habit of not leaving any food on the table, storing your dishes and cutlery in cupboards and disinfecting surfaces before preparing or serving food.
All of this is necessary because cats, despite being clean animals, may carry a variety of parasites and bacteria that can be transmitted through dirty paws and cat litter. Make sure you take your pet to the vet for regular checkups and shots to keep them healthy and parasite-free.
Clean Air
There are enough things to clean already—do you need to worry about air too? Clean air is important because it increases efficiency of your HVAC unit, saving you money on heating and cooling costs. When you have a household with multiple pets, your HVAC air filter may get dirty faster, collecting pet dander and hair. Make sure to replace your air filter on a regular basis per your HVAC technician’s or unit manufacturer’s recommendations. Not only will you prolong the life your HVAC system, but also improve the indoor air quality.
Owning a pet is a blessing, a responsibility and, sometimes, a bit of a cleaning chore. If you need help maintaining a clean home, we can help you with recurring cleaning services in Maryland. If cleaning is the last thing on your mind when you get home from work, let us take care of it, so you can relax and enjoy your well-deserved freedom.
Call us at 410-549-0727 or contact online to get a free quote.
