Carpet Cleaning
To remove stains from pet “accidents,” the key is to blot (and then blot, and then blot again…). “Use an enzyme-based cleaner,” says cleaning coach Leslie Reichert, author of The Joy of Green Cleaning. “The trick with enzymes is that the longer they stay damp, the better they work. Keep a damp towel over top of the spot for as long as you can, and the enzymes will break down urine.” If it's just a lingering smell you want to nix, look for a product that eliminates the odor instead of masking it.
Litter Boxes
If the smell coming from the litter box is foul, you may need some extra assistance. “You can sprinkle baking soda in the box along with the litter,” says Reichert. In addition, she suggests trying an odor-eliminating product to get rid of this type of smell.
Fur Around Furniture
Some cats and dogs shed everywhere, no matter how much you work on their grooming. Here’s the quick fix: “Use a rubber glove and just wipe it off,” Reichert says. (Want to see more? Reichert can show you the simple process here.)
Odors
Pets have odors—this is a given. But you want to rid the smells entirely, not just cover them up. For the easiest solution, Reichert recommends sprinkling baking soda. “I also make up my own spray with alcohol, clove oil and lavender oil that you can spray on furniture and carpeting,” she says. Mix it up in a spray bottle, and spritz over the area that needs to freshen up.
Grime on Floors
To tackle grime on laminate, hardwood or tile floors, you'll need a few cleaning weapons in your arsenal. “If you are trying to remove hair, use a good canister vacuum with a nice horsehair brush,” says Reichert. “Vacuum up the entire area first, then use a microfiber mop to get up any spots or dirt.” Reichert suggests a gentle cleaner that's safe around pets and kids.
Windows
You know how pups always seem to press their noses against windows, or jump up on the glass, leaving smudges in their wake? Luckily, the solution is simple. “A blue microfiber cloth is great for removing prints,” Reichert says. All you need is the cloth and a little water to wipe away marks.
Lint Roller
If you need to clean up hair on the fly—perhaps, your mother-in-law decides to make a surprise visit—Reichert suggests having a lint roller on hand to brush over fabrics that need touching up.
Vacuum Well (and Often)
Reichert says it’s essential to have a good vacuum on hand at all times. Cleanings should be fast, but frequent. “With pets that have a lot of hair, you really need to do a quick cleaning every day or two,” says Reichert. “Run the vacuum in the area where they spend the most time and use a blue cloth to wipe glass and furniture without having to actually dust.”
Brush Your Pet
If you want to clean less, it’s important to groom more. “Brushing a pet with hair is very important,” says Reichert. “The more you brush outside, the less hair you have inside.” Also, think of your pet’s hair upkeep as a twofold process: what you can do regularly versus what a groomer can do every once in a while. “Grooming can be expensive, yet a trip to the groomer’s can keep your house cleaner in between visits,” says Reichert. “But my suggestion is brushing as much as possible.”
Towel by the Door
Finally, make sure to cut down on germs as much as possible. Reichert suggests a simple step that can be a big help. “I keep a towel next to the door where my dogs go out—you never know what they've stepped in,” she says. “We get into a routine where I wipe them down with a microfiber towel before they come back inside. It keeps some of the dirt and germs out of my house.”
