Your home can still be clean and cozy with your-legged friends around! The hair, the dirt, the scratches on your furniture can get overwhelming if you’re not prepared with a cleaning strategy or routine. Simply Maid OK, your local pet-friendly cleaning service, has got your back! Here are four tips on how to clean and maintain your house when you have pets. Keep reading so that your home will always look its best – even with furry friends around!
1) Remove Your Pets From the Room
First, let your pet out into the backyard or put them in their crate. Pets often get frightened or stressed when you’re cleaning around them, so it’s better if they are in another room or spot. This will allow them to feel safe, and also allow you to clean effectively and efficiently.
This way, not only will your pet be less likely to stand in your way but they’ll also appreciate that you don’t disturb them, especially if they don’t like vacuums or get skittish and nervous easily.
2) Wash Your Pets Food & Water Bowl
You wouldn’t eat out of a dirty bowl, so why should your pet? You should keep your pet’s bowls clean to ensure that their food and water stays clean and fresh.
Check daily! When you’re living with animals, it is absolutely essential to check their food and water bowl for dirt, debris, or pet hair. Plastic, ceramic, stainless steel and other types of pet food bowls should be washed at least weekly with soap and hot water. The hot water and pet-safe soap helps kill germs that can live in pet food and lead to sickness. You can also run your pet’s food and water bowl through the dishwasher to get it extra clean – just make sure that the material of your pets food and water bowl is dishwasher safe.
Also, it is recommended that you put a mat under your pet’s bowls to catch any fallen food or spilled water. You can find bowl mats at the local pet store or wholesale store to prevent inevitable spills from damaging your hard flooring or carpet.
3) Clean Your Pet’s Bed & Toys
Pet beds and other pet toys are used daily and can easily get dirty or stained. To clean dirt and build up from your pets bed, use a small amount of mild detergent and warm water. Let your pet’s bed soak in a solution mixture of water with detergent for about 20 minutes, then rinse and let air dry. If you are dealing with particularly stubborn stains, add baking soda to your detergent and spot treat stains with this mixture.
You can sometimes throw your pet’s bed or the outer cover in the washing machine and dryer for convenience and to easily get it clean and free from pet hair and dirt. Always read the tag to ensure the bed or cover can be put in the washing machine and dryer.
On that note, always read the label to ensure that any cleaning product or detergent you are using to clean your pet’s bed is pet-safe and non-toxic to animals.
Similarly, pet toys can also be washed in the washing machine or by hand. This is a great best practice to remove slobber and prevent bacteria from building up. This will also lengthen the life span of your pet’s favorite toys.
4) Vacuum Up Pet Hair Regularly
Most pets shed hair year round, and it is a natural way for your pet to do what it needs to. Unfortunately, over time, hair and dander can become embedded in your carpets and rugs, leaving you with pet-hair tumbleweeds. You can use a handheld vacuum cleaner made specifically for pet hair to suck up loose hairs and dirt from area rugs or furniture. This is especially important if your pet loves sitting with you and your family on the couch.
Alternatively, you can go over your flooring with a traditional vacuum or Swiffer; both are powerful tools that have been shown to pick up and wipe down small particles, which means they’ll remove dander and other allergens too.
For an even more thorough cleaning, use a carpet cleaner that uses a cleaning solution and water to lift up any dirt, dander, and pet hair that is still hiding in your rugs or carpet. Just make sure to read the manufacturer’s label to ensure the cleaning product you use is safe for your pets!
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These helpful tips will keep your house sparkling, even when company comes in furry and four-legged varieties. By staying proactive in cleaning your home of you and your pet’s messes, you can enjoy a clean home year round!
If you are moved by our vision, our mission, and our positive testimonials, contact us today for a home cleaning. Our services include residential cleaning services, move-in and move-out cleanings, and more. Our cleaning professionals will be able to answer any questions you may have about how we can help with your specific needs or concerns. We will leave you and your space feeling clean and refreshed. Call us at 1-918-770-6346 or email at info@SimplyMaidOK.com to schedule an appointment today!