7 Easy House Cleaning Tips for Dog Owners
Having dogs in the household brings immense joy, yet they demand considerable effort as well. They require not just feeding and walking, but also necessitate clean-up duties.
In addition, dogs can shed a lot of hair, which means that dog owners need to clean their homes more often than people who don’t have dogs. Here are seven easy tips for cleaning your house when you own a dog.
1. Invest in a Good Vacuum Cleaner
A vacuum cleaner with powerful suction will help you to pick up all the dog hair that your pet sheds. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag often so that it doesn’t get overloaded with hair.
When choosing a vacuum cleaner for pet hair, it’s important to consider the type of surface you’ll be using it on. If you have mostly hard surfaces, such as tile or wood floors, you’ll need a vacuum with strong suction. If you have carpets, you’ll need a vacuum that has a brush attachment to help remove the hair.
You should also consider the size of the vacuum cleaner. You’ll want to choose a compact model if you have a small home. If you have a large home, you may want to select a model with a large dustbin so that you can avoid having to empty it often.
Finally, consider the price and features of the vacuum cleaners before making your purchase. There are many different models available, so there is sure to be one that fits your needs and budget.
2. Sweep and Mop Your Floors Regularly
Pet dander can cause asthma and other respiratory problems, so it’s important to get rid of it as often as possible.
The best way to get rid of pet dander is to sweep and mop your floors regularly. This gets rid of dander that your vacuum didn’t pick up.
Tip: Try to keep your pet out of the bedrooms and other areas of the house where you spend most of your time. This will help to minimize the amount of pet dander in the air.
3. Dust Your Furniture Regularly
It’s important to get rid of dust from everywhere in your home – not just floors.
For wooden furniture, make sure you use a duster regularly to get rid of hair and pet dander. And for soft furnishings, such as sofas, use your vacuum’s pet hair attachment.
Dusting also helps to keep your home clean. By dusting regularly, you can reduce the amount of cleaning that you have to do in the future.
4. Vacuum Your Carpets and Upholstered Furniture Each Week
Vacuum your carpets and upholstered furniture on a regular basis to remove any hair and pet dander that has accumulated there.
Areas where you dog spends a lot of time will need to be vacuumed more regularly. Don’t forget about your dog’s bed too, as this is a magnet for pet hair and dander.
It’s also worth considering whether you really need carpets. They may be cozy and comfortable, but they’re also a magnet for pet hair, dirt, and stains.
Hard floors, on the other hand, offer a number of advantages for both owners and pets. They’re easier to keep clean, and they don’t hold onto odors the way carpets do. And let’s not forget the added bonus of being able to see the dirt before your dog tracks it throughout the house!
All things considered, it’s no wonder that more and more dog owners are making the switch to hard floors.
5. Launder Your Pet’s Bedding Regularly
Be sure to wash your pet’s bedding frequently in order to remove any hair or dirt that has accumulated there.
When it comes to washing pet bedding, it’s important to use a high temperature setting to kill any bacteria or allergens that may be present. Pet bedding can be washed in the same machine as your clothes, and it’s best to use a hot water cycle to ensure that all the germs are killed.
If you have a front-loading washing machine, you can use the sanitize cycle to clean your pet’s bedding. This cycle uses high temperatures and detergent to kill all the germs.
If you have a top-loading washing machine, you can use the highest water temperature setting to clean your pet’s bedding. Be sure to check the care instructions for your specific pet bedding, as some materials may not be able to withstand high temperatures.
6. Keep Your Dog Groomed
Regularly grooming your dog will help to reduce the amount of hair they shed around your home. Consider taking them to a professional groomer for a trimming or clipping every few months.
There are a few basic things that you can do to groom your dog at home. Here are a few tips from The Dog Clinic:
- Brush their coat regularly to remove any dirt or hair. Make sure you use the right type of brush for your dog’s fur.
- Clip their nails on a regular basis. This will help to keep them from growing too long and becoming uncomfortable. It’ll also reduce the chance of carpet snags or scratched hardwood floors.
- Check their ears for wax build-up and infection.
- Cut the hair around their paws to prevent them from becoming tangled or matted (but only if the hair is too long). Shorter paw hair also brings in less dirt from outside.
- Consider giving them a bath once a month, or more often if they get dirty regularly. Be sure to use shampoo made for dogs, as human shampoo can be harmful if ingested.
7. Vacuum Your Home’s Air Ducts
Vacuuming your home’s air ducts on a regular basis will help to remove any pet hair that has become trapped there. Dander in air ducts is also likely to be spread around the home, so it’s important to keep them clear (especially if you have any allergies!)
Summary
Don’t despair if your dog is making your home a mess. By following these seven easy tips, you can help to keep your home clean and free of dog hair.
