Tips for Keeping a Clean Home When You Have Pets

Tips for Keeping a Clean Home When You Have Pets

June 1, 2023

For many people, pets are often considered cherished members of the family. Whether you're a dog person, a cat person or even a llama person, there's no denying that animals make life better and provide love and companionship. Regrettably, pets have a tendency to have accidents and create messes, which can pose challenges in maintaining a clean home.

When pets create messes in your home, it can lead to expensive expenses for repairing or replacing items such as carpets and furniture. Pet owners may also find that hygiene issues related to pet messes can cause illness in the home and invite pests. The need to remove pet odour in your home can also be an issue if your pets make repeated messes that don't get cleaned quickly.

Thankfully, cleaning pet stains from flooring, furniture and other parts of your home doesn't necessarily mean you have to make a lot of adjustments to your lifestyle or invest in high-priced cleaning equipment.

Here are multiple approaches you can employ to maintain a clean home while ensuring the happiness and safety of your furry friends:

Use Pet-Friendly Cleaning Products

There are a number of household cleaning products you can use for pet stain removal, but it's vital to look for pet-friendly options. Not all household cleaners are safe for pets, and some can even cause animals to get sick or worse.

According to the Humane Society, below are several ingredients to avoid when cleaning a house that is home to pets:

• Cleaners that contain "phenol" variants
• Alcohol
• Bleach
• Hydrogen peroxide

It can be challenging to find pet stain removal products without these agents since many disinfectants contain them. Instead, look for household cleaners that contain:

• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Water
• Oxygen boosters

Keep in mind that just because compounds like vinegar and baking soda are less toxic to pets than other cleaning agents, this doesn't mean that they are harmless. Always practice safety when cleaning up after pets. Do not leave concentrated areas of cleaning agents where pets can get these compounds on their fur, skin, feathers or in their mouths, noses, or eyes.

The Best Ways to Clean Pet Stains

Pet stains can come from a number of sources. Urine, feces, saliva, dirt, mud and other substances can leave a dirty mess around your home. The best method for cleaning pet stains will depend on the type of stain you're dealing with.

Cleaning pet urine, feces and vomit may not be the most pleasant thing in the world, but it needs to be done. The key to ensuring pet stains don't set in and stick around is to attend to them quickly. If you can, try to deal with pet stains within minutes of their occurrence. The longer a stain remains untreated, the higher the chance it becomes permanently stained.

Use a paper towel or washcloth to pick up or soak up any excess liquid or solids. Blot the mess dry, then use a pet-safe cleaner on the affected area. Do not scrub pet stains on fabrics and carpets. This can cause the stain to get ground into the fibers.

After you apply a cleaning solution, gently blot at the stain until it is released. Keep in mind that treating surface stains doesn't always mean that the surface is clean. When possible, use pet-friendly disinfectants to get rid of lingering germs as well.

Cleaning Pet Fur and Shedding

Cleaning pet hair can be done using a vacuum, but be mindful of how much hair you're dealing with. Too much pet hair can clog your vacuum and cause it to operate with less efficiency. Instead, consider a brush or a sticky roller that uses tape to pick up and trap pet hair on surfaces.

You can also reduce the need for cleaning pet hair by preventing shedding in the first place. Ensuring your pet's shedding frequency is well-managed relies on their diet. Therefore, it is crucial to provide your pet with nourishing foods as advised by your veterinarian.

Additionally, brushing your pet or taking care of its skin can help to keep shedding under control. Shedding can sometimes happen when a pet is stressed out, so try to provide a relaxed, calming atmosphere for your pet to prevent shedding.

Addressing Pet Odours

Regardless of how frequently you bathe your dog or how diligently your cat grooms itself, the reality remains that pets carry odours. With an increasing number of pets in your household, the likelihood of your home developing a pet odour also increases. This isn't necessarily a big deal, but when pet messes linger for too long, they can add to the issue.

To remove pet odour from your home, you will once again want to ensure you attend to messes quickly. While it's tempting to spray aerosol fragrances all around to try to remove pet odour, all you're really doing is masking the smell. Instead, try to open some windows to let in fresh air if you notice pet smells around your home. This can also help to speed up the natural drying process after cleaning up a pet mess.

Enlist the Help of Professional Cleaning Services

If you've tried your hand at cleaning and you don't feel like you're able to get pet stains or odours out, your best bet is to rely on professional cleaning services that handle pet stains. A cleaning company that works with pet stains and odours can deep clean your home and neutralize odours more easily. Professionals use pet-friendly products that are often more effective than store-bought brands, and the equipment used by professional cleaning services can do a better job of releasing tough pet stains.

f you're on the fence about hiring professional cleaning services to handle pet stains and odours, remember that it's what you can't see that may be a problem. Pet stains can get deep inside carpets, walls and other surfaces around your home. Even if it looks like you've cleaned up the mess, germs may still be present and go on to cause illness in your home. On top of that, you will likely face phantom pet odours that can linger for months or even years.

It's About Safety and Wellbeing

You love your pets and your family, and there's nothing you wouldn't do to provide a safe, loving environment for those around you. While it can be a challenge to keep your house clean with pets in the place, you're likely to experience a happier home by staying on top of pet messes. Make sure to avoid toxic cleaning chemicals, and never hesitate to contact professional cleaning services specializing in pets if you need extra help.

Your family and your pets will thank you, and you can rest easy knowing that you won't have to hide unsightly stains or explain away odours when you have company over to visit.

Luxoclean is a Pet-Friendly Cleaning Company

Maintaining a clean home when you have pets requires attention, care, and the right cleaning methods. It might be time to consider hiring a professional cleaning company. At Luxoclean, we specialize in handling stains and odours for homes across the Waterloo Region. By booking a cleaning service with Luxoclean to deal with pet messes, you can ensure a truly clean and healthy home for both you and your pets. Don't underestimate the benefits of hiring a cleaning service like Luxoclean.