7 Housekeeping Tips for Dog Owners
Dogs fill our lives with love, entertainment and much more — but also with ongoing mess. Whether you have a new dog or a longtime canine companion, introduce these small touches to help you cohabit harmoniously and keep your home clean.
Invest in a Dedicated Hair Remover
However much we love our pups, it can be annoying to find their fur all over the furniture. So whether you opt for a dedicated pair of rubber gloves to sweep up stray hairs, a silicone brush designed for the purpose, or a specialist vacuum cleaner, you’ll probably need a technique for removing it from your soft furnishings.
The alternative is to train your dog never to sit on your sofas, cushions or armchairs. This may not be possible or desirable, however. And dogs learn quickly how to adapt their behavior for when you’re in the room and when you’re not.
Stock Up on Washable Throws
Draping favorite doggie sleeping spots with throws is another way to reduce dog hair accumulation on your furniture. Even if you have a pooch who doesn’t shed, throws can help to keep furnishings clean and protect them from drool, smells and scratches.
Choose durable, washable throws in soft textiles that your dog will be drawn to. (If the bare sofa is softer, you’re fighting a losing battle.) Also consider choosing a pattern or a plain color that coordinates with your dog’s color. You’ll want to wash these throws frequently.
You may also want to look into getting furnishings upholstered in high-performance fabrics, which are stain resistant, durable and easy to clean.
Rethink Your Rugs
There are times in any dog’s life when they have a mishap that can make a mess on one of your rugs. Are your floor coverings up to the challenge?
if you have a dog-free zone in your home you can go crazy in there with a woven silk or a valuable antique kilim. If not, consider how you might clean up stains from your floor surface and choose accordingly.
A washable cotton rug is ideal, and wool is extremely hardwearing and stain-resistant. Heavily textured or knotted floor coverings, such as coir or sisal, however, may prove impractical with a hound in the house.
A good foaming upholstery cleaner should deal with most stains, depending on your rug. There are effective green alternatives too, such as store-bought eco products, enzymatic cleaners, baking soda (to blot) and white vinegar, often diluted with water, which will help to clean and to neutralize bad smells. Specific advice will vary depending on the rug and type and age of stain. You’ll find plenty of advice online to help you tailor your approach.
Consider investing in a specialist cleaning gadget — you can find hand-held versions with brush attachments that deliver hot water direct to stains. (Always check the rug’s care instructions first.)
Designate a Doggie Spot in the Garden
In an ideal world, your dog will be out having walks every time there’s a call of nature. In reality, there are times they’ll probably go in your yard, if you have one. Accept this and create a small, discreet potty zone for them, ideally somewhere slightly tucked away from the main yard.
There are loads of videos online showing how best to set one up and how to train even older dogs to use one. Your flowers and lawn will thank you.
Clean Your Washing Machine
Dog beds and rugs absorb lots of doggie smell, especially when it’s the first place your pooch goes for a roll-around after a rainy walk. For a clean and fresh-smelling home, it’s a good idea to give these items as hot a wash as possible to kill any bacteria.
Your washing machine will subsequently require some attention — particularly if your four-legged friend sheds hair. If you don’t, this hair will appear on the next batch of washing you pull out.
Always wash dog accessories in their own cycle and leave the door open afterward to let the drum dry. Get a damp cloth or paper towel and wipe inside the door seal. Then with your vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment suck out the stray hairs that remain — and don’t forget to delve into the door seal area.
You can also buy special wash bags to zip your doggie accessories into before tossing them into the machine. These should keep the hair contained and will need just a good shake inside out, once dry.
It’s also important to keep on top of your machine’s cleaning regime and do an empty hot wash with your choice of cleaner at least every couple of months.
Have Separate Towels
You may be happy to share (clean) towels with your faithful friend, but it can be helpful to have a collection of dog-only towels. The practical benefit is that these can easily be identified and washed separately to avoid clogging up your machine.
Create a Dog Wash Station
If you’re remodeling or adding a laundry room or mudroom, ask your designer or contractor to factor in your pet. A dedicated faucet with a hose or a sink for small canines doesn’t need to take up lots of space and is a practical consideration for dog owners. Consider outdoor faucet and drain arrangements too, especially if you’re upgrading your yard.
If that sort of arrangement is out of the question, consider creating a small cleaning station to help you deal with the aftermath of messy walks. Factor in the necessary equipment (think towels, water or dog-appropriate freshening spray, cleanable floor mats and hooks for wet or mud-caked leads in the winter) and make the space to store it all nearby.
Source: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/7-housekeeping-tips-for-dog-owners-stsetivw-vs~172864342