If you love your pets like we do, then you know how challenging it can be to incorporate your furry friends into your everyday life AND have a home that's clean, odor-free and stylish.
Here are our top 5 tips for keeping things under control:
1. Invest in a quality vacuum.
Look for a pet appropriate vacuum cleaner to remove hair and odors. You'll want one with extra strong suction, a high quality HEPA filter and good brush action to grab hair rather than glide over the surface. Consider the type of flooring you have in your home and make sure you can easily adjust your vacuum so it can handle different flooring surfaces throughout your home.
If your pet goes on your furniture (believe me, if they're home alone for a large part of the day, you'll know if they've been there!), look for one with an upholstery attachment.
Whether your pet is a shedder or not, you need to vacuum daily to keep hair, dander and whatever they might be tracking in under control. Don't forget to clean out the filter regularly too -- a dirty filter will spread that pet smell everywhere you vacuum.
The Shark Navigator Zero-M Self-Cleaning Brushroll Pet Pro (ZU62) gets top reviews for its pet friendly vacuum cleaners -- check it out here: https://amzn.to/2vEhufm
For non-shedding breeds, consider an automatic vacuum to keep things clean without the hassle of hauling out a full-size vacuum cleaner.
The iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum (https://amzn.to/2wl2q6z) is a great option for both hard flooring surfaces and carpets. It's self-charging, features Wi-Fi connectivity and it even works with Alexa.
2. Open your windows!
Duh. But super effective. Even on cold days, just a 10 minute blast of fresh air can do wonders for persistent pet smells. Best of all, it's completely FREE!
3. React quickly to accidents.
Accidents happen, even with the best trained pets. When they do, you need to act quickly. Blot up liquids (don't rub), remove solids and dispose of promptly. Then use an enzyme-based cleaner to remove stains and odor. The Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator is an Amazon Best Seller with over 15,000 positive reviews and works particularly well to remove the smell of cat urine.
Be sure to spot test first and follow all label instructions for best results. You can order yours on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2xSsbvu
4. Prevent stains with a high quality waterproof throw.
Yes, there are cheap ones on the market, but you get what you pay for. Look for a high quality waterproof throw that's big enough the cover the TOP of any bed your pets sleep on. Bonus points if it's easy on/off so you can also use it on your couch, bed, rug, wherever they like to snuggle. It's much easier to toss a throw in the washer than to shampoo your rug or sofa. And does anyone even know how to deep clean a mattress? Believe me, an ounce of prevention is well worth the expense.
We LOVE Blue Zoca's Waterproof Blanket Cover. It provides 100% pee proof 3 layer protection for your couch, mattress and bedding. Available in your choice of colors, at 65 x 80" it's large enough to keep the top of even your queen or king size mattress clean and dry. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/2QxsT7Y
5. Stop dirt at the door.
You don't have to clean dirt that never makes it inside, amIright? Set up a pet cleaning station by your door and make sure everyone in the house knows how to use it every.single.time. your pet comes inside. Place a heavy duty doormat outside and an easy to wash non-slip throw rug inside the back door. These two items alone will catch most of the debris your pets track inside. Gorilla Grip makes a durable heavy duty outdoor rubber door mat that's stylish, waterproof, easy to clean, and low-profile, making it perfect for entries and high traffic areas. You can see why it gets such rave reviews and why it's a consistent Amazon Best Seller by checking it out here: https://amzn.to/2Wq1lF4
Keep a tub of paw wipes handy (baby wipes work fine too) or a water spray bottle to clean muddy paws, then hang a towel nearby to dry wet feet and fur.
And there you have it -- our top 5 tips for keeping a clean home while living with pets. The key to all of them is consistency -- the more often you do them, the easier and faster it will be to keep your home clean and fresh.
What's your favorite go-to pet cleaning tip? Comment below and let us know!