Living with a furry companion brings joy, unconditional love and enchantment. They are the real stress-busters, especially if you live in a busy metropolitan city like Sydney. Beyond their companionship and warm presence, dogs and cats also promote an active lifestyle and social connection, boosting your physical and mental well-being. However, most pet owners know the challenge of maintaining a clean and fresh-smelling indoor environment. It is a never-ending process as pets create a lot of mess around due to fur/hair dander, muddy paws, and pet accidents.
So, creating a proper cleaning schedule for a healthy, hygienic and fresh living space becomes imperative. Ensure you regularly vacuum your carpets, upholstery, pet beds and floors to prevent pet fur accumulation. Also, act on pet stains proactively for spotless results. If you are struggling to maintain a meticulous abode, consider the following tips and tricks and make a world of difference.
Stay Consistent With Pet Grooming
There is no denying that a well-groomed furry friend tends to create less fur mess. Whether you have a dog or cat, ensure you regularly brush them. This will reduce shedding, which helps in maintaining your delicate floor coverings, furnishings and floors. For a beloved canine, bathing every three weeks with a pet-safe shampoo can help prevent odours. Cats, on the other hand, may not need regular baths, but brushing reduces dander in the home. Tip: Hire a professional grooming service in Sydney for long-haired breeds. This will keep their coat tidy, tick-free and luscious.
Clean with a Pet-Friendly Vacuum Cleaner
Regular dusting is crucial when living with pets. It can help prevent indoor air allergens and other health-triggering symptoms. Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum machine with a proper brush attachment to remove pet hair, dander, allergens and grime from carpets, couches, mattresses, door tracks, pet beds and floors. Vacuum your home twice a week, depending on the amount of dander your home collects. Lint rollers and rubber gloves can also do wonders in fetching embedded pet hair from your delicate furnishings.
Act on Pet Accidents Proactively
Pet accidents (pee or poop) are inevitable. That’s one of the reasons landlords are strict with pet laws in a rental agreement in NSW. However, as a responsible pet owner, it is good to act on pet stains immediately to prevent further damage or bad odours. You can use an enzymatic cleaner to dislodge pet urine from carpets, floors, and other surfaces and banish bad odours. It is good to avoid using ammonia or bleach-based cleaning products as these are not safe for pets and the environment. Instead, use eco-friendly products, such as white vinegar, to break down stubborn stains. Tip: Blot the surface with a paper towel or microfiber cloth to prevent stubborn stains and lingering odours.
Clean and Disinfect Pet Bowls and Bedding
Do not forget to wash pet bowls, toys and bedding in hot water to kill lurking germs and neturilise bad smell. Use pet-safe cleaning detergents or white vinegar while washing your pet bedding. You can also use 70% rubbing alcohol spray as it can effectively banish disease-causing bacteria and pests. Make sure you dry them completely to prevent mould infestation.
Steam Clean Your Carpets and Rugs
Believe it or not! Steam cleaning is one of the most effective ways to achieve professional-level house cleaning in no time. The steam effectively penetrates and breaks down embedded pet stains, dander and lethal germs, leaving the surface clean and fresh smelling. Use it to clean and disinfect your carpets, rugs, floors and upholstered furniture. The best part is that you don’t need harmful cleaning chemicals to dislodge gunk. It is good to steam clean your home once a week if you live with a pet.
Use Baking Soda as a Natural Deodoriser
Whether it’s about refreshing your carpets or disinfecting your litter box, baking soda is one staple natural cleaning product that can do wonders. It is a natural disinfectant and deodoriser that can help you achieve spotless results without causing indoor air pollution. You can simply sprinkle on the affected area or prepare a thick paste to neutralise bad odours in no time.
Regularly Clean Litter Box
Cat owners often face challenges in maintaining a clean and fresh-smelling litter box. Ensure you clean it daily and replace litter every week. It is good to wash the box using vinegar and hot, soapy water to prevent germs buildup. Also, place a mat underneath to reduce unwanted mess on a daily basis.
Use Diffusers and Essential Oils
Banishing unpleasant pet odours is possible with natural cleaning products. Once you’ve tackled stains and pet fur, focus on removing lingering smells using diffusers and essential oil. You can opt for oils with antifungal and antibacterial properties, such as tea tree oil, to kill lingering germs. Lavender, lemon, orange and cardamom essential oils can also help create a germ-free and fresh-smelling house with a pet.
Wrapping Up
Maintaining a clean, germ-free, fresh home with pets is not rocket science. Regularly groom your dogs and cats and follow the right methods to clean the entire house. With a consistent approach and proper supplies, you can create a harmonious and pet-safe home like a pro.
