They woof, gurgle, hiss, chirp and meow their way into our hearts. And their warm welcome home to us isn’t dependent on our mood; they’re happy to see us whether we’re happy to see them or not. Maybe that blind acceptance and complete adoration is what makes us love our pets so much. Studies have shown that people who have pets live longer and that just petting a cat or dog or watching fish can lower blood pressure and relieve stress. However, keeping your home comfortable and clean for both pets and people can sometimes be a challenge. Even so, you don’t have to give up your pets to live in a clean, undamaged home. With a little extra effort, you and your pets can live comfortably together in your house.
Indoor vs. outdoor
If your pets are indoors all the time, it’s important to take steps to keep your home livable. When it comes to our comfort and theirs, cleanliness is key. Because most of us live with either a dog or a cat, we need to be concerned with hair, which most dogs and cats shed profusely. That means we need extra help picking up that extra hair. With its electrostatic properties, a microfiber mop is the best and easiest way to pick up hair off the floor quickly and conveniently.
Worried about scuff marks on your wood floors? Get Fido some house shoes. Yes, even doggies can wear little booties indoors if you want to keep your floors scratch-free. If you have a cat-hair chair, you can remove the hair easily with coated sheets that pick up hair from large surfaces like chairs and car upholstery. Even Dyson vacuums recognized the cleaning challenges of pet ownership and developed a vacuum just for pets called, appropriately, the “Animal.” They have a small motorized attachment for upholstery that goes with the Animal and is perfect for cars and furniture.
Oops!
Even the best trained pet can have an accident from time to time. Cleaning accidents quickly and well is critical and will keep an accident from causing an odor problem in the home. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends blotting and then cleaning and rinsing the affected area. The problem with accidents, especially with cats, is odor. Getting odor out is important and fortunately there are now enzyme-based products on the market that can help reduce the odor, but it’s important that you have them on hand for just such an occurrence. If a cat urine stain is allowed to set and dry, you can pretty much count on the odor remaining as well. So make sure that you have a bottle of enzymatic cleaner for just such an occasion.
Cozy pets
Keeping your dog or cat in one spot is one of the best ways to contain hair and damage. So it’s a good idea to invest in a quality bed that will become “their space.” This encourages your pet to curl up in their designated area and that will help keep them from curling up on your couch, the bed, or another space. For dogs, I like Coolaroo dog beds – whether my dog is indoors or out. It’s made of a cool, breathable (and cleanable) mesh that my dog just loves. For cats, a simple round cat bed is a good bet or a basket with a pillow. Whatever you choose, do try to have a designated spot for your pet because that can go a long way toward a cleaner house that’s less work for you and more enjoyable for you and your beloved pet.
Kathryn Weber is a decorating and lifestyle columnist and the publisher of RealHOME E-zine, the e-zine with ideas and tips for today’s real families. To subscribe, log on to http://www.realhomeezine.com and get this free special report, The 10 Habits that Help You Keep a Cleaner House.
Tags: pet hair, pet messes, pets in the home
Recent Comments