Our pets are a source of great joy in our lives. They're not only friends, but family, and we look forward to seeing them and playing with them and snuggling with them as we watch a scary movie (even though they're not supposed to be on the couch). One thing we don't look forward to, however, is cleaning up after them.

Pet owners are all too aware that having pets makes for extra cleaning tasks. There are parts of your home that will get dirty if you have animals around that would otherwise stay clean. There will be fur on the couch and the floor. There will be mud tracked in from outside on occasion. And you know what? That's completely okay. Our pets are worth it.

This being said, there are a few things that you can do to encourage the cleanliness of your home, even if you have pets around. The following will break down the care you can give your pet and your home to keep it looking and feeling clean.

A Clean Home With Pets Starts With Good Petcare

That's right, you start keeping your house clean by taking care of your furry friend. If you have an animal that sheds fur, grooming is especially important. Regular brushing not only will gather up all the fur that would have landed on the floor to your hands, but it will also keep your pet's coat looking sleek and shiny.

In addition to grooming, what you feed your pet has a massive impact on the health of their fur and the amount of shedding they do. It turns out that many pets are allergic to some common pet foods. It seems like the raw food trend is on the right track when it comes to the health of your pet's coat. In addition to this, fish oil can also help keep their fur from shedding constantly.

Light Cleaning is Part of Keeping a Pet-Friendly Home Clean

Light cleaning is your everyday cleaning. The vacuuming or sweeping. The wiping up of paw prints near the back door. The cleaning with a non-toxic chemical (like vinegar) around your pet's food dishes. Non-toxic is important in this area as your pet will lick the floor around there from time to time and you don't want them licking up bleach.

This part is pretty straightforward, as likely, you've already been doing it for quite some time. Experts at https://www.pethairpatrol.com/ recommend a cleaning schedule to help keep on top of this and prevent the overwhelm that comes when your pet is blowing their coat for the season and you've not vacuumed in three days. Whatever rhythm you fall into, regular light cleaning is a must.

Deep Cleaning When You Have a Pet in Your Home

Here's where things get interesting. There are a lot of deep-clean tasks that need to be done every once in a while if you've got a pet in your home. One of the things that have a huge impact on how clean your house feels is the trim. Maybe you've never thought of washing your trim before, but if you have a pet, especially if you have a pet that likes to lay down in one spot specifically, you can bet that the oil on your pet's fur has rubbed off on the trim of your house. This is one of those things that get dirty so slowly that we might not notice it, but if you wash it, you're going to be amazed at how dingy it's grown.

Likewise, the first foot or so of your door will need the occasional wash. Often pets who are excited to go outside, or for you to come inside, will jump and roll around near the door. Just like the trim, the lower quarter of your door has likely been stained slowly over time from the oil on your pet's fur.

In addition to that, you need to be giving your pet's toys and bedding a wash as well. When it comes to toys you're going to want to use a non-toxic cleaning product. If you wouldn't wash a baby toy with it, don't wash your pet's toys with it, because we all know that the toys are going into your pet's mouth. As a bonus, keeping these items clean will help keep your home clean because less filth will be flung all over the floor by your furry friend playing.

Finally, if you have carpeting or rugs that your pet likes to lay on, it wouldn't hurt to take a carpet cleaner to them every once in a while. Slowly carpets can end up smelling like your pet. (Or very quickly if your wet dog insists on drying herself on the carpet). Carpet cleaning offers a much deeper clean than just vacuuming alone. Once a month, or once every two months should be enough.

With some consistent pet care, some regular light cleaning, and occasional deep cleaning, you will be able to keep your pet-friendly home shiny and clean. Whenever using new cleaning products, keep a close eye on your pet for a day or so afterward. If you notice some excessive scratching, this may be a sign that your pet is allergic to the product and you need to switch it out.


WRITTEN BY

Daria Brown