Having a dog is fantastic, but it also comes with challenges. One of these can be the seemingly never-ending task of keeping a clean house. It is often common for a pet owner to have managed to get everything looking nice and smelling fresh when inviting those guests around no longer seems an idea. With dirty paw marks, odours from an eventful walk, and hair seemingly everywhere, the owner wonders who to cross off the invitation list. For the sake of this scenario, we give some dog cleaning tips to reduce this happening. We start with the number one cause of house-owner angst.
1. Brush your dog regularly
Dog hair/fur is the #1 cause of owner/cleaner stress. While some dogs don’t have as much as others, nor shed so much, one of medium hair is likely to shed a fair bit, which means…
Brushing your mutt a few times a week will get rid of excess hair and reduce the amount you will have to gather up. You don’t need to do it every day, but a few times a week will help collect fur that might have gone over the furniture.
2. Automatic hoover and other devices
To work on carpets and other items, an automatic / robot hoover will be an alternative to having to do it yourself constantly. This can hoover in various directions, and you don’t need to be in the room at the same time as it hoovers.
Other devices for removing hair/fur:
- Using a grooming rake (other than the one you use on your dog) can help pick up carpet hairs that the robot hasn’t managed.
- Tape roller – gets the hair out of clothes and other upholstery. Make sure you one near at all times.
3. Remove smells and stains
As soon as you spot a stain, try to act on the stain as soon as you can. Place paper towels on a wet area to soak up what you can. Repeat the process until this area isn’t so wet. Then rinse area: Stain and odour remover of various types are available.
After this, use a sponge cloth or more paper towels to dry the area.
For large stains that have already set, it is probably best to hire a carpet cleaner for the day.
4. For anything that washes in the machine…
Add baking soda to your regular washing machine detergent. This will help reduce acid content and also eliminate lingering smells.
5. Clean paws
Keep a dog paw cleaner and a towel by the door. As soon as your friend comes into the house from a walk, dip her paws in, then dry them with the towel.
Remember – only bathe your pup every 6 weeks (not more than).
