Nifty Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners

Are you worried your home has developed a doggie smell? Are you ready for fur-free floors and fresh-smelling sofas? Then follow my top tips:
Brush your dog daily. It removes those loose hairs before they settle on your sofa and become embedded into your carpet.
Invest in plenty of throws for your furniture and wash them regularly.
Recycle old bath towels and use them exclusively for your furry friend.
Be prepared for after walks. Set up a dog-cleaning station by the door. Keep an old towel and a warm bowl of water nearby, so that when you enter you can dip your dog’s paws into it before they have the run of the house.
Invest in a barrier mat for all your entrances. These mats are great for absorbing dirt and will help keep your floors clean.

Cats are - generally - relatively clean, but it's never a bad idea to go the extra mile to keep your home looking spotless.
Keep litter boxes fresh. Line the bottom of the litter box with a plastic bag. When it comes to cleaning the dirty litter box, nothing makes the job easier, and it prevents the plastic from absorbing bad odours.
Add a thin layer of baking fizzy drink to the litter box before you add the cat litter, and it should help keep odours under control between changes.

Every pet owner should have a lint roller in their cleaning basket. It's the perfect tool for picking up pet hair that can not always be easily vacuumed up by a vacuum cleaner. Just run the roller over your sofa cushions every day and over all the places your pet likes to hang out. You'll be amazed at what you can pick up.
Rubber gloves are another great tool for removing pet hair from your furniture, curtains, pillows and all other fabrics. Put on a pair, lightly wet them, and then run your hands over the hairy areas. Use your fingers to get to the hard-to-reach places - the hair will quickly stick to the rubber.

Pet beds can take on strong odours and need to be cleaned regularly. Be sure to choose a pet bed with removable covers.
Wash the bedding with a hot wash cycle. Use a mild detergent without dyes or fragrances and avoid fabric softeners. Adding a cup of baking fizzy drink to the laundry can neutralise stubborn odours. If you can, save this task for a sunny day so the laundry can dry outside - this is ideal for eliminating bad odours.
Place a dryer sheet in an envelope under your pet's bed to keep them smelling fresh.

Pet collars and harnesses can get dirty and smelly quickly. Do not just keep one set, keep several. The easiest and most effective way to clean them thoroughly is to put a few squirts of pet shampoo in a bowl and fill it with hot water. Let the collars soak for at least 15 minutes, then rub them on themselves to get the dirt out. Rinse it under a cool tap and pat it dry with a towel before hanging it up to dry.

Dishwashers are not just for cleaning plates, pots and pans. I wash many other items in my dishwasher, including plastic pet toys, to keep them germ-free. Cloth toys can be put in the washing machine.

I always have my windows open. I love fresh air blowing through my house and I feel like it wakes up my house every morning. If you have a pet, fresh air is important and makes a big difference in how your home feels.