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Source: Tyler Evans | www.dogzasters.com
Dogs love spreading joy, but they also love making a mess of our homes. From drool, dander, and fur to stubborn odors and carpet stains, our lovable little friends leave us all kinds of cleaning tasks to tackle. Keeping a dog-friendly home clean is a bit of a learning process. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg—or your weekend! If you’re having trouble keeping up with the cleaning demands of your new rescue pup, these budget-friendly tips might help you out.
Get the Right Supplies
The right pet supplies can make clean-up a lot easier and help prevent mess in the first place. A dog bed with a removable, washable cover is a must to keep dander and doggy odors under control. A good brush, dog-friendly shampoo, absorbent towels, and nail clippers will help you keep your dog fresh and clean. Besides contributing to household cleanliness, regular grooming is important for keeping your dog healthy and comfortable. If your pup isn’t yet house-trained, you may also want to pick up some puppy pads to save your floors. To keep your pet supply purchases budget-friendly, shop on websites like Rakuten to save money with coupon codes and cashback offers.
Banish Pet Hair for Good
Believe it or not, you don’t need to invest in an expensive vacuum cleaner to remove stubborn dog hair from your home. Squeegees work great for scraping fur off carpets and upholstery. You can also rub damp rubber gloves or a sponge over your furniture to lift fur away easily. Just rinse these off in a bucket of water and repeat until you’re satisfied. When it comes to cleaning hard surfaces and baseboards, dog hair will cling to a damp microfiber cloth much better than a dry duster. To get the pet hair out of your clothes, Taste of Home recommends throwing them in the dryer on a 10-minute heat-free cycle before putting them in the wash.
Manage Pet Dander with Washable Covers
Unfortunately, many people are allergic to dog dander. Vacuuming and dusting regularly are important for controlling the amount of dander around your home, but there is still more you can do. Prevent dander from accumulating on your furniture and carpets by laying down washable covers over spots where your dog likes to hang out. This will also keep that doggy drool contained! If you have old sheets or towels laying around, use these instead of spending money on something new.
Your HVAC system plays an important role in preventing dander from accumulating on various surfaces of your home. Arcadia Power recommends that pet owners change their home’s air filter every one to two months. This is important for removing dander from your home, but will also reduce strain on your HVAC system and save you money on costly repairs.
Control Odors with Common Household Products
It can be tempting to light scented candles or plug in air fresheners to cover up pet odors in your home, but you’ll have better luck tackling those unpleasant smells at the source. If your rescue pup has an accident on your carpet, treat it with an enzymatic cleaner to break down the urine and prevent odors from developing. You can use cheap pantry items like baking soda and vinegar to control any other pet-related smells. Sprinkle your carpets with baking soda and vacuum it up the next day to freshen up every inch of your home. This might even save you from spending good money on a professional carpet cleaning! When it comes to hard floors, mop with a diluted vinegar solution to dissolve grime and neutralize odors. Just be careful not to use this acidic mixture on unfinished hardwood.
Don’t let pet mess prevent you from living a happy, healthy life with your new rescue pup. There are plenty of ways to keep everything fresh and clean without breaking the bank. While keeping a pet-friendly home clean is an ongoing commitment, the work is well worth it for our furry friends.
