Dog hair, toys, bones and dog beds. It's an ongoing chore to cleaning your house with a dog.
We all love our dog's more than anything, but sometimes we hate the way our house looks and even smells after our super sweet adorable puppy has been indoors. Don't worry, it happens to the best of us!
It's natural, most dogs shed. Your dog's brings in dirt or even mud, and tracks it everywhere? Especially if you live in a rainy climate like we have here in Seattle.
Typically, keeping a house clean isn't easy, especially for those of us with dogs.
Plus, a dog's fur is the most common form of allergies and can be a nightmare to keep off your furniture.
The joys of dog ownership mean you're dealing with dog hair daily, especially if you have a high shedding breed such as a Labrador Retreiver or a long-haired breed.
So, if you're like me, there is nothing better than a clean house that smells good. So let's get started:
How to Clean a House with Dogs
Have a checklist to Stay Organized
You can download my Free Pet Loving Household Cleaning Checklist.
- Make a list of your rooms on paper.
- Next write what needs to be done in each room such as vacuuming, dusting, wipe down baseboards, bathroom, windows, put clothes away?
Gather your Dog Safe Cleaning Supplies
We all know we that having a dog and keeping a clean house isn't easy. Having a dog means we can't use cleaning supplies that contain bleach, formaldehyde, phenols or isopropyl (rubbing ) alcohol. These items are hazardous to your dogs.
Fortunately, you can purchase pet-safe cleaning products to use from cleaning carpets, washing windows or cleaning surfaces that aren't toxic for dogs.
Here are the top 10 Dog-Safe Products for your dogs:
Puracy Multi-Surface Cleaner
Puracy Multi-Surface Cleaner is made from biodegradable ingredients that are safe for dogs and kids.
Hypoallergenic and contains no harsh chemicals or fumes is a win for dog owners. You can use this product in bathrooms, glass and counters.
Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner
Want a great smelling everyday cleaning product? Mrs. Meyer's Multi-surface cleaner is full of garden-inspired essential oils and plant-derived cleaning ingredients for your home.
This is a pet-safe, easy-to-use spray that's safe for everyday use all over the house.
Better Life Natural Streak Free Glass Cleaner
Better Life Natural Glass Cleaner is a non-toxic, non-abrasive cleaner that's not only safe for the environment and dogs.
With no bleach, ammonia or harmful chemicals, this product is excellent for glass, plexiglass, stainless steel, chrome, mirrors and much more.
Angry Orange Pet Stain and Odor Remover
Now and then our dogs get sick with diarrhea, throwing up or some other ailment. The Angry Orange Pet Stain and Odor Remover is spray-on stain remover not only removes the odor from accidents, it's a natural enzymatic remover.
Clean and Green Fabric Refresher
When you need something to fight tough stains and odors naturally, the Clean and Green Fabric Refresher is the answer.
Perfect for strong odors on carpets, couches, drapes and cushions.
Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent
Not only is Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent a combination of plant-based ingredients, but it's triple enzymes are tough enough to get stains out, while being gentle for your dogs, cats or kids.
Plain Baking Soda and Cleaning Vinegar
Want to try a completely natural and kitchen friendly cleaner? Then simple mix 1 ⅔ cup baking soda with ½ cup liquid dish soap like Dawn. Dilute the entire mixture with ½ cup of water and shake to mix.
Hint: If there are any lumps, use a fork to cut through any lumps. Pour into a spray bottle and use on your surfaces.
PetSafe Cleaning Steam Mop
My favorite tool for cleaning my floors with dogs is a Steam Mop Cleaner. The PurSteam cleaner not only does Hardwood, laminate floors, it also cleans windows. Super easy to use! Just fill with some Cleaning Vinegar and Water and you're ready to clean.
Use an Automatic Carpet Cleaner
If you ever have a choice, choose hardwood, laminate or tile floors. Cleaning up after dogs is a breeze with an automatic Carpet Cleaner.
Carpets are not the best with dogs. Especially multiple dogs. It seems like the hair comes off the dogs and sticks to the carpet.
When cleaning, focus on one room at a time.
For dogs, you can use the Roomba Automatic Vacuum for Pet hair and let it run daily. It makes life so much easier.
Use a Squeegee for Cleaning
This great item isn’t just for cleaning mirrors and windows. It’s perfect for removing dog hair from carpets and sofas.
The rubber on the squeegee easily pulls up the stuck dog hair on the carpet. Plus, it’s fun to use.
Cleaning Hardwood, Laminate or Tile Floors
If you hate mopping, then you'll love an automatic floor cleaner. They are small enough to get close to the walls and edges while being simple to use.
You fill the tank with warm water, attach the cleaning pad and let it loose in the kitchen, bathrooms or wherever you have hardwood, laminate or tile floors. AMAZING!!!
Set it at night, go to bed and in the morning your floors will be clean. They won’t be sparkling clean, but they will be clean.
Wash Your Couch Cushions and Blankets
The easiest way to get rid of dog smells in your couch cushions is to remove your cushions and wash them.
Wash them in a mixture of ½ cup of laundry detergent and a ½ cup of apple cider vinegar. Your couch cushions and blankets will come out smelling fresh and odor-free.
Your Homes Air Filters
It’s recommended to change air filters once every 90 days, unless you have pets in the home. With a pet in the home, the recommendation is to change the air filter every 45-60 days.
Changing your air filters often will help keep the air clean inside your house.
Feed Your Dog Omega-3 to Reduce Shedding
Omega-3's have a proven benefit for shedding dogs' hair and skin. Omegas improve the quality of the hair, making it softer, and helps to prevent excessive shedding.
Studies have even shown that Omega-3 supplements for dogs benefits our pets with longer lives and increased cardiovascular health.
Omega-3 Supplements contain essential fatty acids for dogs and cats which support skin and coat and immune and joints in our pets.
Stop Dog Hair on Clothes
Use an anti-static spray on your clothes, furniture or car’s carpeting. It not only stops static electricity, it stops dog hair from sticking to your clothes, furniture and car.
Talk about ingenious! Simply spray it over anything that attracts dog hair and your set.
Wipe Your Dogs Feet
Let’s face it, dogs have to go out to do their business. That means they are dragging in dog hair, dirt, or leaves.
Using a doggy door mat can help get rid of the larger pieces of stuff they can bring into your home. I keep a doormat on the outside of my door and a throw rug inside the door. These together catch a lot of dirt and debris just by walking on them.
Once your dog comes inside simply use a Woosh Pet Wipe and wipe down your dog's paws.
Keep your Dog's Nails Trimmed
Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed will help in preventing scratches to furniture, beds, and blankets.
Trimming your dog’s nails will keep any hardwood floors from getting scratched or their nails caught in the carpeting.
Clean your Dogs Bedding
Dog beds can stink! Let’s face it. They retain odors like nobody’s business.
One of the easiest way to keep your dog's bed clean is to buy a dog bed with a removable cover. By removing the covers and washing your dog's bed once a week, your house will avoid smelling like dog.
For dog beds whose cover can’t be removed, try leaving baking soda on the bed overnight to soak up those odors.
Be sure to remove the baking soda before your dog lays back on it, otherwise you’ll have dog paws in white all over your house.
Bathing and Groom Your Dog Regularly
Bathing and brushing your dog regularly can help get rid of pet smells. It also helps to get rid of bacteria and dead skin cells which shed on your furniture and carpets.
Most breeds require a monthly bath. In between you can use a deodorizer and a good brushing will help to keep those doggie odors down.
Use an Air Purifier
An air purifier is the easiest and fastest way to make your home smell fresh. For dog lovers, using an air purifier with a carbon filter helps to reduce odors.
Most air purifiers don’t require a lot of maintenance, with pets you’ll want to wash the filters on a regular basis. This keeps them free of dog hair and working for a long time to come.
Control Your Dogs Toys and Clutter
If you’re like my dog, you’ve got a thousand dog toys. I like to keep them in cut baskets spread all around the house.
Not only does this keep it neat, your dog will love the adventure of finding a new toy.
- Once a month check your dogs toys for holes or wear and tear.
- Throw away any damaged toys.
- If your dog isn’t playing with some toys, donate them to the local animal shelter.
- Wash your dog's toys once a month.
Most shelters have drop off donation bins at the shelter. They are always looking for toys, towels, and bedding.
Clean Your Dogs, Water Bowls and Eating Area
Cleaning your dog's water and food bowls daily will go a long way to keeping your house clean. They can get pretty gross.
If your dog's bowls are sitting on the floor, place a plastic shoe tray under the dog bowls, this will help to reduce dirt or spilled food.
Once a week wipe down the walls and floors around their eating area. You’d be amazed at just how dirty this area can get.
Final House Cleaning Thoughts
Keeping up with our pets sounds like a lot of work, but if you have a plan and keep at it, you’ll have the freshest smelling house on the block.
What are your favorite tips for keeping your house clean?
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