Cleaning up after furry friends can sometimes feel like a full-time job, but it doesn’t have to! Today we’re sharing some genius cleaning tips to help every pet owner.
Let’s get started!
Fur Free!
Is hair around your home driving you crazy?
A lint roller can pick up hair from almost any surface, BUT … another amazingly easy way to remove fur from your furniture, curtains, cushions and other fabrics is with rubber gloves.
Pop a pair on, dampen them slightly, and then sweep your hands over the fabric. Use your fingers to get into those hard-to-reach areas, and unwanted hair quickly sticks to the rubber.
Stifle the Smell
Wash bed covers with baking soda to soak up smells!
TOP TIP: When picking a pet bed, opt for one with a removable cover – it’ll make washing so much easier.
Use a mild detergent and add a cup of baking soda to the load. This will help neutralise any stubborn odours. Wash on a hot cycle to kill allergens and other bacteria that could be lurking.
We also have the answer for the dreaded pet accident on the carpet and the odours it can leave behind!
Pet-friendly kitchen cupboard ingredients make an effective stain remover with added odour-neutralising properties. Mix 1/2 a bottle of white vinegar with water and add 4 heaped tsp of baking soda. Keep it in a spray bottle and bring it out when your pet has an accident.
First, blot the stain, then spray your stain remover liberally on top. Leave for 10 minutes, then blot again.
Lastly, when it comes to keeping smells at bay, that ‘wet pet’ smell is hard to avoid unless you know this next trick…
Pop a fabric softener sheet into an envelope and keep it under your pet’s bed or wherever they like to rest to keep the area smelling clean and fresh.
Clean up your act!
When did you last give your pet’s collar a good clean?
They can get grubby and smelly quickly, so you should wash them every other week.
The easy and most effective way to deep clean collars is by putting a couple of squirts of dog shampoo in a bowl and filling it with hot water. Pop the collars in to soak for at least 15 minutes, then rub them against themselves to extract any dirt. Rinse under a cool tap and pat with a towel before hanging to dry.
Dapper and Dry
A bandana is the ultimate accessory for furry pets who are droolers, dribblers, and messy eaters!
It’ll keep the drool off their fur (and your home), and when it gets too wet, you can just chuck it in with the rest of your washing load.
Cover Up
If you’ve got anything light-coloured, you’ll know how difficult having your dog near it can be.
Easy-care throws provide a simple solution to muddy paw prints on your soft furnishings. Scatter some throws on your bed, sofa and anywhere else your pet likes to hang out. You can chuck them in the wash whenever they get dirty, and your bedding and sofa won’t get ruined. They’re easy to whip off when the guests come over, too – what dogs?!
Eating Clean
Do your pets tend to end up with more food on the floor than in their mouths?
Try a wipe-clean mat under their food area to keep everything nice and tidy.
And, whilst this is slightly controversial, most pet bowls can be safely washed in the dishwasher.
And now you’re ready for fur-free floors and fresh-smelling sofas!
Donna Etchells - McGrath Estate Agents 