Cleaning up after your pets

Like most of us you probably have a pet or two running around. Special care is needed to keep your house smelling and looking clean if you have pets, especially cats and dogs living inside. Never fear, it’s easy to clean up after your extended family.

The main problems with pets are loose hair that your pets shed daily and urine stains, but luckily there are many products on the market to aid you.

Some must have tools / items are:

• Lint brush
• Pet rake
• Tape
• Sponges
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Paper towel

Most pet supply stores will have the items you need for sale, and they are quite inexpensive and will last for years.

Removing urine stain and smell

When it comes to removing urine from carpets and upholstery, baking soda is your best friend.

First off, damp some paper towels or rag with water and use it to wipe the urine up. You want to do this as soon as possible so that the urine does not penetrate the material. Next saturate the area with a solution of water and white vinegar. [Use one teaspoon vinegar to one quart water]. It’s best to use white paper towels and rags so as not to transfer dye to your carpet or upholstery. DO NOT RUB the carpet, blot the area.

Once you are satisfied that the stain and odor are gone, keep placing clean paper towels on the spot until it is dry. If the stain is on the carpet I find that standing on the paper towels gets the job done quicker. If time is a constraint, place a heavy object to weigh the papers down.

If after all this there is still an odor, sprinkle some baking soda on the spot and leave overnight, and then vacuum.

For really old stains, commercial cleaners may be your best bet, but do follow manufacturers instructions.

Removing pet hair

To remove pet hair from your carpet, use a pet rake. When using a vacuum, get one with a beater brush. This will pick up much more hair than one without. A lint brush is also quite handy in removing pet hair not only from clothing but also from sofas and carpets.

If the area you are cleaning is small, you can use a piece of tape on your hand (sticky part facing out) and press on the material.

To maintain your clean house you must ensure that your pets are also clean. Minimize the amount of pet hair lying around by bathing and brushing your pets often. Also, a quick vacuuming job, especially on sofas and bed everyday is a good idea, but once again a quick swipe with a lint brush or roller is good if you don’t have time for daily vacuuming.

To prevent frequent accidents, try to set a scheduled time to take your dogs out to do their business. If cats are your thing, help them learn to use their litter boxes. It’s much easier to clean a litter box.

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