Pets bring love, laughter and a whole lot of fur into your home. Whether you’re an owner of dogs, cats or small animals, you’ll know that sharing your home with animals comes with its fair share of cleaning challenges. From tufts of fur on the sofa to muddy paw prints across the floor, keeping a tidy home can feel like a full-time job.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep your home nice and tidy, from reducing shedding to protecting your furniture from scratches, stains and marks. Let’s take a look at the best tips to keep your home clean, so you don’t have to choose between a clean space and a cuddly companion.
Choosing Pet-Friendly Furniture & Fabrics
Having the right furniture and fabrics can make a big difference in how easy it is to keep your home clean. Some fabrics stain and mark more easily, while others are relatively easy to wipe clean.
Some of the best fabrics for pet owners include leather and canvas. Leather is durable, easy to wipe clean, and resistant to fur and odours, although it can get scratched by sharp claws. Canvas is also a tough and washable natural fabric that stands up well to wear and tear.
If you’re worried about fur getting everywhere, velvet is probably best avoided. Fur tends to stick to this fabric with ease and it’s notoriously difficult to clean. Loose-weave fabrics also tend to trap fur and can snag on your pet’s claws.
In terms of other pieces of furniture such as tables, sideboards and dining chairs, it’s a good idea to choose darker colours and patterns as they are better at disguising fur and any marks. You might also want to look for scratch-resistant furniture where possible, especially if your pet is prone to clawing or biting your furniture.
Smart Cleaning Hacks for Pet Owners
When it comes to cleaning any mess left by your pet, the right tools can make a massive difference in staying on top of fur, marks and odours.
- Rubber gloves are always handy for quick fur removal. If you put on a damp rubber glove and run your hand over furniture, cushions, or car seats, the static clings to the fur and pulls it off surfaces in seconds.
- It’s also helpful to have a pet-specific vacuum that is specifically designed to lift embedded pet hair from carpets and upholstery. The extra suction and attachments these have will make easy work of stubborn pet hair.
- If you want to prevent mud from getting traipsed through your home from muddy paws, getting some washable mats or rugs and putting them in entrances is advisable, along with keeping a towel nearby to wipe paws after your pet has been outside.
- Your pet’s bed, blankets and toys can quickly collect fur and odours, so it’s best not to forget about them when cleaning. Wash them on a weekly basis if you can with fragrance-free detergent. Keeping a lint roller nearby is also a quick way to clear stray pet hairs off your soft furnishings.
Why Do Pets Shed Fur?
Shedding is natural for most breeds of cats and dogs. Some breeds are known for being heavy shedders, such as golden retrievers, huskies and Persian cats. Other breeds, such as poodles or certain short-haired cats, shed very little or not at all.
Pets shed fur to get rid of old or damaged hair and to regulate their body temperature throughout the year. Many pets seasonally shed in the spring and autumn as a way to adjust to the changing temperatures. Spring shedding clears out the thick winter coat, while autumn shedding prepares them for new, warmer fur in colder months.
It’s important to keep an eye out for excessive shedding or grooming. If you notice your pet is shedding large amounts of fur around your home, it could be a sign that there is something wrong, whether it’s poor diet and lack of nutrients, stress and anxiety or a skin condition. Your pet may also have an allergy or another underlying health issue you’d want to get checked.
If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to have a suitable pet insurance policy in place to cover any unexpected health issues. Insurance can help cover expensive vet fees for accidents and illnesses, so your pet gets the right treatment quickly, without worrying about your finances. Some insurers, such as Petgevity, offer policies for pre-existing health conditions, so you can still get coverage even if your pet has already been diagnosed with a medical issue.
Training Your Pet to Help Keep Things Clean
While they can’t vacuum or do the laundry, your pet can still learn to keep your home clean. You can even try to train your dog to wipe their paws on a mat or rug before they enter the house to minimise the dirt and debris they bring in. Start off by wiping your dog’s paws and give them a treat to reward them afterwards. Over time, they may start wiping their own paws or at least stand still while you do it for them.
If your beloved pet follows you everywhere (and many do), it can help you in the long run if you encourage them to sleep in designated spaces. Whether it’s a pet bed or a specific spot on the sofa, minimising where your furry friend sleeps will also reduce the spread of fur. If your pet sleeps on your bed, you need to wash your bedding more frequently due to the fur they may leave on your duvet or blankets, or any muddy marks from being outside.
Although it probably won’t work for cats (who are a law unto themselves), you can train dogs not to jump on furniture. Use consistent commands and positive reinforcement to encourage your dog not to jump on the sofa or the bed, which will help keep them clean. It’s also easier to train your dog not to jump onto the furniture as soon as you get them, rather than allowing them onto the furniture when they’re young and changing your mind as they get older and bigger.
Stay on Top of a Cleaning Routine
Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining a clean home with pets. Dedicating just 15 to 20 minutes each day can help you stay on top of the fur and dirt before it builds up into something much more time-consuming. Cleaning stains as soon as they appear also improves your chances of removing them completely, as marks that have dried may not lift entirely.
As mentioned above, having furniture with easy-to-clean surfaces in your home will make life much easier. If you’re planning on getting new furniture in the near future, look for those that are pet-friendly and effortless to clean. If you can spend time getting your pet into good habits and training them, this will also help.
A little effort each day will help you stay on top of the mess and give you more time to enjoy cuddles and playtime with your beloved pet, rather than constantly clearing up after them!
