After welcoming a new pet into your home, you might find that you need to adjust your cleaning routine. Animals are a great addition to the household but they’re also messy. Nose prints on your windows, muddy paw prints throughout the house, piddle puddles, and fur all over your couch are just some of what you have to look forward to!
Luckily, with a few minor adjustments to your routine, you’ll keep your house looking as clean as always even after getting a pet.
Here are five must-know tips on how to keep your home spotless when you have pets.
Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum
If vacuuming isn’t already part of your weekly cleaning routine, it certainly will be after getting a pet! Vacuuming once or twice a week helps keep pet hair and pet dander from taking over your home. Consider purchasing a stick vacuum or handheld vacuum in addition to your main vacuum. You’ll want a canister or upright vacuum for your regular weekly cleanings, but a stick vacuum or a handheld vacuum are great for those times where you only need to clean up a small mess. Additional tips for vacuuming pet hair include getting the right attachments for your vacuum, moving furniture around to get underneath of it, and making sure to regularly clean your vacuum filters to prevent bad odors.
Groom your pets
Regularly grooming your pets can help prevent hair, dander, and mud from ruining your home. Brushing your pet helps to remove loose fur and dander from your animal. If your pet has long fur, you might also want to consider taking them to a groomer to get their fur trimmed. Professional groomers and your vet will also trim your pet’s nails, which can help prevent your floors from getting scratched up. Also, if you have a pet that spends time outside, get in the habit of wiping their paws off before they come into the house. This helps keep muddy paw prints off of your floor. Your pet might not like it at first, but they’ll get used to it.
Respond quickly to accidents
Accidents happen, especially when you’re trying to potty train a puppy or kitten. If your animal has an accident on your floor or furniture, you’re going to want to respond quickly to prevent stains. When cleaning up urine, blot up the liquid with a towel, sprinkle baking soda over the area, then sweep or vacuum the baking soda after it has had a chance to sit. When cleaning up feces or vomit, pick up as much of the mess as possible, blot the area with soap and water, sprinkle the area with baking soda, then sweep or vacuum the baking soda. If the accident leaves a stain, use a mixture of vinegar and water to lift the stain, or consider getting your carpet professionally cleaned.
Train your pets
Training your pets is absolutely necessary if you want a clean house. To prevent accidents within the house, teach your puppy to go outside and your kitten to use the litter box. To prevent fur on your furniture, teach your animals to stay on the floor. To prevent your furniture from getting chewed up, teach your animals what they can and can’t play with. Training a new pet can take time. Consider keeping your pet in a room with laminate flooring (such as a bathroom or kitchen) until they’re housetrained. If you’re struggling to train your new pet, consider taking them to pet training classes. Pet stores in your area will be able to provide recommendations after getting a pet.
Choose your furniture carefully
The best way to keep your furniture clean is to train your pet to stay off it. However, some pets may be persistent in their pursuits to lay on your couch. Consider getting upholstery that is easy to clean. Many pet owners prefer leather couches because hair and messes can be easily wiped off. If you’d prefer cloth furniture, consider investing in a durable material such as microfiber, canvas, or denim. The color of your furniture also matters. Dark colors won’t get as dingy as light colors. If buying new furniture is not within your budget, consider covering up your furniture with sheets or blankets. This way, the sheet or blanket can be thrown in the wash in the event of an accident.
Final thoughts
Adjusting to the new routine after getting a pet might take some time. However, once you and your animal are settled, your house can be just as clean as it was before. So buy a good vacuum, stock up on stain remover, and start enjoying your new pet!
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