As Ideal Home’s Cleaning Editor and proud dog mum, I know firsthand just how difficult it can be to keep a clean house with pets. From muddy pawprints to hair that seems to get everywhere, cleaning is almost a full-time job. But there are ways to cut down that cleaning time.
Of course, having a daily cleaning schedule is a smart idea whether you have pets or not. But when you share your home with four-legged friends who add an extra layer of dirt, dust, and even smells into the mix, there are some changes you need to make.
To help you make those changes – and spend less time cleaning – I’ve put together a list of the top tips you need to know if you want to keep a clean house with pets. Because it’s really not as hard as it sounds.
1. Tackle messes instantly
Whether it’s due to age or unexpected accidents, pet messes can happen. Tackling them as soon as you spot them is key, as leaving them too long can lead to staining and lingering odours – especially on carpets.
If you want to clean dog pee from carpets – or cat pee – Joanne Ward, Senior Brand Manager at Dr. Beckmann says that working quickly can also stop it from happening again. She says, ‘Blot the area immediately and treat the stain as soon as possible. Pets are naturally drawn back to spots where they can detect their own scent, so eliminating the odour is just as important as removing the visible mark.’
Using stain removal products like the Dr. Beckmann Pet Stain & Odour Remover (£3.99 at Amazon) can work hard to remove both the stain and smell, and aims to stop repeat offences. But if you have older stains that you’ve never quite been able to shift, using one of the best carpet cleaners and spot cleaners can also work wonders.
For example, the Bissell SpotClean HydroSteam uses a combination of cleaning solution and steam to remove stains and odours, and comes with a variety of attachments to get right into corners and deep into carpet or rug fibres for a thorough clean.
2. Clean floors and furniture regularly
Pets can bring all kinds of nasties into the house, which is why it’s also important to focus your cleaning efforts on getting rid of pet dander and removing pet hair. If you don’t, you’ll find your air quality worsens, and you can’t leave the house without being covered in fur.
The best vacuums for pet hair are the ones that can tackle all of these things in one fell swoop, and Catherine Green, a sustainable cleaning expert at smol, says the vacuum you choose can have a big impact when you want to keep a house clean with pets. She says, ‘Vacuum every day (ideally using a vacuum with a HEPA filter) to capture microscopic particles.’
Catherine also suggests mopping floors with a pet-safe floor cleaner, like this smol floor cleaner (£2 at smol), regularly can help to mop up mucky paw prints and keep bacteria at bay. And if you find stubborn pet hair stuck to carpets and cushions, lint rollers and carpet scrapers can help immensely.
While you’re at it, you can also focus on removing hair, dust and dander from furniture and upholstery too. This includes sofas and cushions, and curtains – as tiny particles are notorious for getting caught in pleats and corners. For this, one of the best handheld vacuum cleaners could aid your cleaning efforts.
3. Wash cushions and bedding often
I’m not ashamed to say that it’s my dog’s house and I just live in it, so while he does have a dog bed, he much prefers to sleep on the sofa or my bed. But even if your pets do sleep where they’re supposed to, it’s important to wash cushions and bedding often.
Joanna explains, ‘Bedding can quickly accumulate dirt, hair and everyday odours. Incorporating regular washes into your cleaning routine can make a real difference to how fresh your home feels, especially in households with multiple pets.’
If their sleeping areas are particularly smelly, it’s also worth using bicarbonate of soda for cleaning, as it’s a natural deodoriser. And when you pop any cushions or bedding in the wash, it’s incredibly important to let them dry fully before using them again.
This is echoed by Catherine, who says, ‘It’s super important to dry pet beds thoroughly to prevent mould. If possible, I recommend drying outside to avoid shrinkage (with added energy-saving benefits), plus UV is a natural disinfectant too! If you can’t air dry – make sure you check the label to see if it can be popped in the tumble dryer.’
Cleaning essentials for homes with pets
Miele Duoflex HX1 Cat & Dog
Crowned the ‘best overall’ vacuum for pet hair in our guide, this model offers cordless stick convenience with the power to tackle the mess pets can leave behind.
ACE2ACE Pet Hair Remover Roller
This hair remover roller has over 100,000 reviews on Amazon, with customers praising how much hidden hair it picks up from their homes.
Blueair Blue Max 3250i Air Purifier
Air purifiers are ideal for pet owners, as they can help to capture any lingering dust and dander that animals bring into the house. This is the model we rate the highest.
Simple Solution Extreme Dog Stain and Odour Remover
As this stain removing solution is made with a pro-bacteria and enzyme formula, it should also discourage your pets from marking the same area again.
Shark Handheld Cordless Pet Vacuum Cleaner CH950UKT
Handheld vacs are ideal for homes with pets, and this one is specifically designed for pet owners thanks to its sizeable dust capacity and tools.
Duzzit Amazing Baking Soda Multi Purpose Household Cleaner
Every pet owner should have at least one bottle of bicarb in their cleaning cupboards, as it’s a natural deodoriser and cleaner that works hard.
FAQs
How to keep a house smelling clean with pets?
Regular cleaning is the best way to keep a house smelling clean with pets, as well as keeping on top of pet messes as soon as they happen. This way, you can target the source of the smell instead of simply masking it with a candle or room spray.
Cleaning with natural deodorisers such as white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can be a huge help, and vacuuming regularly to remove dust, dander and mud can also keep a house smelling clean. Using one of the best air purifiers can also help to keep the air fresh and remove any airborne pollutants.
What can I use to clean my pet bowl?
It’s extremely important to regularly clean your pet’s bowl, for the sake of your pet and your home as a whole. The best way to do this is to clean it with warm, soapy water – and you must make sure that you do this separately to your everyday washing up.
If there are particularly hard water stains or you haven’t cleaned your pet bowl in a while, you can also soak the bowl in a 1:2 solution of white vinegar and water for about five minutes. Then, wash with warm soapy water to ensure there’s no white vinegar left behind.
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