Dogs may be man’s best friend, and while they are oh-so loveable – they can be messy! If you have a dog, then you know they can make it challenging to keep your house clean.
Dogs shed and leave their fur all over the floor. They track in mud from outside and pee on carpets or furniture when they get excited. It can be exhausting keeping your house clean with an adorable fur friend running around. But with a little bit of effort, you can minimize how much work is needed to keep your home clean with a dog – and these tips should help.
Use a robot vacuum.
If you don’t have time to sweep or vacuum every day, then consider investing in a robot vacuum. You can set it and leave the house while it does all of your cleaning for you! Look for ones specifically designed to deal with pet hair – so that it won’t get clogged. (But be sure to empty the filter often especially if you have a heavy shedder.)
Clean surfaces with a lint roller.
One of the best ways to keep your home clean with a dog is by using a lint roller. Just like humans, dogs shed hair and dander on furniture, which can cause allergic reactions in some people as well as attract dust and dirt easily. The good news is that it’s easy to get rid of this pet hair quite quickly: just have a lint roller nearby (or two or three)!
Keep stain remover at the ready.
If your pup gets excited and pees on the floor, you’ll have to get rid of that odor as well. The best way to do this is by using an enzymatic cleaner. Make sure that it’s pet-friendly so that it won’t harm your pet. With most of these cleaners, you just spray them onto the stain immediately after it happens, then let it sit for the recommended time before wiping away with a dry towel.
Wipe your dog’s paws.
A dog’s paws are a huge problem when it comes to keeping the house clean because they love to track in mud and other messes from outside. You need to be sure that you wipe their paws off so that you can minimize what gets tracked in. You can use paper towels, old rags (like worn t-shirts), dishcloths, or even baby wipes for this task.
Deshed your dog regularly.
You know that dog fur is a problem, but you can help lessen it by having your dog deshedded regularly. Ask your groomer if they have a deshedding tool they’d recommend, and then spend some time outside with your dog (when their coat isn’t wet) brushing them down. They’ll love the extra attention, and you’ll love having less fur around your house.
Give your pet a bath.
Bathing your dog can help keep him clean and minimize unpleasant odors especially after trips to the park or long walks through wet grass. Talk to your veterinarian about how often your dog can be bathed and if there is a recommended shampoo so that his skin will not be irritated.
Keep your dog contained to certain rooms.
Dogs are happiest when they’re allowed to explore their surroundings, but not every area of the house is a good choice for them. For example, you don’t want your pup running around in your living room with muddy paws as this will create all sorts of problems on your floors and rugs. To avoid these issues altogether, it might be best if you keep your dog confined to specific rooms (this is especially helpful when potty training). A few baby gates can keep your dog from heading to your bedroom to jump on your bed.
Dogs give us so much joy! With kisses and nudges and even a few cute barks, they’re always there for us! But that doesn’t mean we love their fur all over the furniture or muddy pawprints on our floors. Use these tips to hopefully keep the messes to a minimum so you can spend all of your time giving belly rubs and playing fetch.
If you need help keeping your home clean, reach out to Mini Maid. For over 25 years, we’ve been providing residential and commercial cleaning services in the Gainesville area and we’d be happy to help you!
