Despite how cute they are, pet owners know that their four-legged friends can be hard to clean up after. From pet hair and bathroom accidents to dirty paws and sharp nails, these furry animals know how to make a mess. But being able to manage and even prevent these messes can make routine cleanup a lot easier. Whether you want to tackle shedding, keep litter from getting everywhere, remove lingering odors, or solve other pet owner woes, these tips will keep your home as clean as it was before you had pets.
Think “Washable”
Washable rugs, blankets, and furniture covers are key to easy swap-and-replace cleaning. Thin or small rugs placed at entryways, near kennels, or in pet sleeping areas are easy to grab and throw into the wash. While they are washing, sweep or mop up any hair and dirt.
Blankets and furniture covers can protect the fabric on couches, chairs, and beds to prevent dirty paws and shedding. Waterproof covers are ideal for pets prone to potty mishaps.
These protect your items and are easy to toss into the laundry, so replace them with a fresh, clean one before guests arrive. Or simply cover furniture when pets are on it, remove it when you are ready to sit or sleep, then replace it again.
Tip to get your kids to help: Assign them a specific responsibility and age-appropriate chore list. For example, have your child be responsible for picking up the rugs by all the entry doors every Sunday, shaking them out, and then putting them in the wash.
Squash Marking
Do you have a pet that likes to mark her territory indoors? Try this. First, you'll want to blot the soiled area and treat it with an enzyme-based cleaner to get to the root of the smell. Then, lightly mist with an all-natural spritz to deter repeat performances. We love this homemade eucalyptus mix. Simply combine one cup of warm water with 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and shake before using.
Be Proactive
When a pet gets sick, it is stressful enough to run around looking for supplies and hoping your pet doesn’t make the mess worse. Having a ready-to-go pet clean-up kit, such as a box, bucket, or bag, can help make quick work of messes. Be sure to include paper towels and rags, cleaning supplies, rubber gloves, and trash bags.
A quick tidy can be done with a simple lint roller that can be used on clothes or furniture. Having one handy near the front door to roll yourself free of pet hair is a great strategy.
Tip to get your kids to help: Give each kid a lint roller and see who can come back with the most hair on the pad in the shortest time. Making a contest or game out of chores makes them fun, fast, and gets them done!
DIY All-Natural Room Deodorizer
Create your own natural deodorizing spritz for use on rugs and soft furnishings. Use it where pets love to laze around (hello, sofa!) or have accidents frequently. To make a 16-ounce bottle, mix 1/2 cup of warm water, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar into a bowl (it will get fizzy). Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, then add 12 drops of peppermint essential oil. Once the vinegar dissipates, you will only smell the fresh peppermint. Lightly spray the offending areas, then let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming.
Use a Schedule
Set a reminder or recurring schedule daily, weekly, monthly, or less often, depending on the need for cleaning. For example, if the dogs eat every day at 5 PM, make a schedule to clean their bowls and refill their water just after. Or, set a reminder to clean the litter box every Thursday, or fishbowl every 15th of the month.
Schedules create routines, which build good habits and helps get things done.
Tip to get your kids to help: Games have rewards and consequences (think Chutes & Ladders). Use the concept of gamification by rewarding completion of the requested tasks or penalizing non-achievement. For example, if your child puts away his dishes, brushes his teeth, and lets the dog out before 6 PM, he gets an extra 15 minutes of screentime.
