Studies show that people who own a dog are happier and healthier than those who don’t. Dogs are great companions. They help keep your family safe at night and they’re always waiting at the end of a really tough day with a smile, a wagging tail, and plenty of licks. If you’re a dog owner, you’re probably aware that pet ownership comes at a price—the price of keeping your home looking great with a shedding, drooling, urinating, bundle of energy who treats your house like his personal chew toy. All’s well as long as you’re prepared. The alternative is clumps of hair, worn-out furniture, and a lingering smell that no visitor could possibly miss.
Clean the canine
As a dog owner, prevention and preparation are your best friends. The best way to deal with the situation is to keep your pooch clean and well-groomed. But there are certain ways to go about it to ensure your efforts are as effective as possible. Give your pup a good wipe-down when he comes in from a romp in the yard, and don’t forget to wash those muddy paws. Contrary to popular belief, keeping a dog clean doesn’t mean shampooing every week; in fact, too much shampooing can be harmful to some dogs. Instead, you can get the job done with plain old water and a towel, but be sure to dry him off thoroughly afterward. And definitely give him a good brush down every week to keep that loose dog hair from accumulating and depositing on the couch and on your best work clothes.
The right equipment
Of course, you know it’s hard to keep a house clean if you lack the proper equipment. For dog owners, that means a good quality vacuum cleaner with plenty of attachments specifically designed to pick up pet hair. Look for one with powerful suction, plenty of brush action, and a quality filter, such as the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E or the APEX DuoClean Powered Lift-Away AX951—both of which are excellent choices for dog owners who have a ton of cleaning to do. Your vacuum should be able to handle dog hair on the upholstery and come with attachments that can reach behind furniture and appliances and into air ducts and vents.
Clean stuff, clean dog
You can keep your dog clean as a whistle, but if you don’t pay attention to his favorite toys and items, you’ll likely still have a stale dog stench to contend with. The bed he sleeps on and the toys he plays with retain the dog odor you work so hard to keep under control, so if they’re machine washable, run them through a cycle on a regular basis or buy replacements that can be washed. And don’t be afraid to get rid of stuff that’s too chewed up to be worth keeping.
Clean accidents right away
It’s a scenario every dog owner has experienced: You get home after a tough day at the office and all you want to do is kick off your shoes, open a cold beer, and let your mind relax for a while. Instead, you open the front door and are immediately greeted with a smelly pile of dog waste right on your favorite throw rug. You figure it’s not going anywhere, you’ll get to it in a little bit, after you’ve had a chance to settle in. And while that’s tempting, fight the urge to put it off. You’ll only increase your chances of ending up with an unnecessary stain, not to mention the smell. Have a cleaning “kit” ready to go for such occasions, and use an enzyme-based cleaner to mask the odor.
New furniture
Sometimes, all that cleaning and grooming just isn’t enough to keep dog hair off your living room couch. If you don’t want to keep shooing Rex off the couch, consider getting a new leather couch or one made of lightly woven material.
Steady, consistent effort is what it takes to keep your house clean and smelling nice when you own a dog. Make sure you have a top-quality vacuum cleaner with a good filter, and keep the house aired out. And above all, don’t wait to clean up those accidents.
Article by Tyler Evans [email protected]
Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com