Clean Homes & Pet Life

Pets make life so much better! Cats are independent, stubborn and like things on their own terms. But in those moments that they choose, they are cuddly, and their purr is so relaxing! Dogs, on the other hand, are generally your best friend. They are faithful, playful and snuggly. No matter whether you are a dog person, cat person or both, there is one thing we can all relate to as pet owners – pet hair is brutal! The furniture is often covered with it, the floors have hair balls rolling around, and “accidents” can ruin a perfectly good rug!

The Benefits Outweigh the Negatives

But don’t let these things keep you from enjoying one of the best things in life. Where pets are concerned, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Besides, the team here at Guarantee Maid Services have a few tips to help you when it comes to messier parts of pet ownership.

1. A lint roller is your best friend (next to your dog of course!) – A quick swipe or two with a lint roller can make fast work of a lot of the pet hair that gathers on your couch.

2. A good vacuum cleaner – for a deeper clean on your couch, use your vacuum cleaner. Some even come with a pet hair attachment, which works great for getting the dirt and hair that your furry friend leaves behind. Your vacuum is also your best bet for removing the rolling tumbleweeds of hair and the hair that gathers along the edges of your baseboards. To save time, try using a Roomba automatic vacuum for a quick, daily clean up.

3. Wipe those paws – If you want to cut down on the mud and dirt your pet brings into the house, catch them at the door and give their feet a wipe down. A paper towel or washcloth soaked in warm water is a perfect way to clean your pet’s feet. For jobs that require a bit more cleaning, try warm water and a few drops of dog/cat shampoo.

4. Accident clean up – this is the worst, but inevitable part of pet ownership. If puppy training doesn’t do it, cats and hairballs will. We have found the best way to remove these unavoidable messes on carpets and furniture is to use a spray bottle and mix one cup of distilled white vinegar with one cup of water and 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Shake it up to mix the ingredients, and then spray on the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then blot with towels until clean. To remove the smell of urine from hardwood floors try mixing one cup of vinegar into a warm water-filled bucket and the add a few drops of grapefruit oil to the solution to get rid of the odor. You should notice a difference even as you clean!

5. Regular pet grooming – whether you do it at home or go to a professional groomer, having your pet bathed, brushed and trimmed will go a long way in cutting down on pet hair and odors. Make sure to have nails trimmed at the same time. It will go a long way to saving your floors and furniture!

6. Clean pet bedding regularly – No matter how clean your pet is, bedding tends to build up with an aroma all its own – wet dog is by far one of the worst! To alleviate this problem, be sure to look carefully for pet beds that are fully washable and wash it on a regular basis. Between washings, it is a good idea to freshen it up using a light spritz of a mixture of teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of warm water, and then adding a few drops of lavender to give a fresh, clean smell.

7. Flea treatment – Once they are in the house, they are a real pain to get rid of! Your best defense is ensuring that your dog or cat is regularly treated with a flea preventative treatment. But in situations where it is too late for preventative treatment, check out the American Kennel Club for ideas on getting rid of them.

8. Stay on top of it – taking care of a bit each day is far easier than suddenly realizing that your house is a disaster because of your furry friends.

9. Change your air filters – Cleaning your air filters will help to keep your home clean, remove pet hair and the air in your home fresh. For more info on the benefits of cleaning air filters, check out our blog, Breathe Easy with Clean Air Filters.