Living with a cat or dog brings plenty of fun, but it can also make keeping a home clean more challenging. Pet hair can settle in corners. Food can collect around bowls. Litter can travel beyond its usual area. Outdoor dirt can quickly reach floors and carpets.
The good news is that a few simple habits can make pet cleaning much easier. A regular routine also means less time dealing with heavy buildup later.
Here are practical ways to keep a pet-friendly home cleaner and more comfortable.
1. Deep Clean Pet Toys & Bedding
Pet toys, blankets, and bedding can collect dirt, hair, and odours over time. Add washable items to a regular cleaning routine and follow the care instructions for each item.
Make sure toys and bedding are completely dry before putting them back in use. This is especially important for soft items that can stay damp after washing.
2. Remove Odour by Sprinkling Baking Soda
Baking soda can help with some carpet odours when used correctly. Sprinkle a light layer over the carpet, leave it for a suitable amount of time, and vacuum it thoroughly.
For strong or recurring smells, however, covering the odour may not solve the problem. The source may need to be cleaned instead, especially when a stain has reached carpet or upholstery.
3. Keep Pet Clutter Tidy with a Bin
A dedicated basket for pet toys makes everyday tidying much easier. Keeping toys in one place also makes it easier to vacuum and clean the surrounding area.
Choose a washable basket or container if possible. Pet items can collect hair and dirt too, so the storage area should not be forgotten during regular cleaning.
4. Protect Furniture with a Blanket
A washable blanket or cover can help protect a favourite sofa or chair from everyday pet use. It also makes routine cleaning easier because the cover can be removed and washed.
For homes with heavy shedding, pay attention to the spaces between cushions and underneath removable covers. Hair and dander can collect in these areas even when the main surface looks clean.
5. Clean the Floor with the Right Product
Pet homes often need regular floor care because floors collect hair, outdoor dirt, food crumbs, and other debris.
Choose a floor cleaner that is suitable for the specific flooring material and follow the product directions. Keep pets away from freshly cleaned surfaces when required by the product label, and allow the area to dry properly.
6. Let the Muddy Paw Prints Dry
Has a dog just left muddy paw prints across the floor? Avoid spreading wet dirt around by immediately scrubbing every mark.
Once loose mud has dried, it is often easier to remove from suitable hard surfaces and carpets. A mat near the entrance can also help reduce the amount of outdoor dirt that reaches the rest of the home.
Toronto’s changing seasons can make this especially useful. Wet spring days, autumn leaves, winter slush, and road salt can all create extra mess around entrances.
7. Utilize Durable Materials
Pet-friendly homes benefit from materials that can handle regular cleaning. Leather, microfiber, and washable fabrics can be practical choices for furniture, depending on the household and the manufacturer’s care instructions.
Easy-to-clean materials do not eliminate maintenance, but they can make everyday pet messes easier to manage.
8. Clean Pet Feeding Areas Regularly
Food and water areas deserve their own cleaning routine. Crumbs can collect around bowls, while spilled water can leave damp spots on floors.
Wipe the area regularly and clean food and water bowls according to their care instructions. A washable mat underneath the bowls can also make small spills easier to manage.
Keeping this area clean can help prevent food residue and moisture from building up around the bowls.
9. Keep Cat Litter From Spreading Around the Home
Cat litter can travel well beyond the litter box, especially when it sticks to paws.
Place a suitable mat outside the litter area to catch loose pieces before they reach nearby floors. Sweep or vacuum around the area regularly rather than allowing litter to build up.
The surrounding wall, baseboards, and floor edges can also collect dust and litter over time. These areas are easy to overlook during a normal cleaning routine.
10. Do Not Forget Baseboards and Hidden Edges
Pet hair does not always stay where it can be seen easily. It can collect along baseboards, behind furniture, under tables, and around floor edges.
These areas may only become noticeable when a large amount of hair has accumulated.
Add them to the cleaning routine when vacuuming and dusting. Moving lightweight furniture occasionally can also reveal areas that are missed during everyday cleaning.
11. Deal With Pet Accidents Quickly
Accidents are easier to manage when they are dealt with promptly. Blot liquid rather than rubbing it deeper into carpet or upholstery, then use a suitable product according to its instructions.
If the same area continues to develop an odour, surface cleaning may not be enough. The material underneath may need deeper cleaning.
Avoid using several different cleaning products together. Follow the label directions and allow treated areas to dry properly before pets return.
12. Create a Simple Pet Cleaning Routine
A cleaning routine does not need to mean cleaning the entire house every day.
Small tasks can be handled regularly, while deeper cleaning can be done less often.
Daily
- Check food and water areas
- Remove visible pet hair from high-use areas
- Clean up fresh accidents
- Check entrances for outdoor dirt
- Tidy toys and other pet items
Weekly
- Vacuum floors and furniture
- Clean around litter areas
- Wash washable pet items
- Clean less visible floor edges
- Check areas underneath and behind furniture
When Needed
- Deep clean carpets
- Clean upholstery
- Treat persistent stains
- Clean areas with heavy odour buildup
- Arrange professional cleaning when regular maintenance is not enough
A simple routine helps prevent small messes from becoming larger cleaning jobs.
Read More – https://nowitsclean.ca/blog/5-efficient-house-cleaning-tips/
13. Keep a Cleaning Station Near the Entrance
A small cleaning station near the main entrance can make pet mess easier to control.
Keep useful items such as washable towels, a suitable mat, and other supplies needed for cleaning paws or outdoor dirt.
This is particularly helpful in Toronto homes during wet or snowy weather, when pets can bring moisture, mud, leaves, and road salt indoors.
14. Choose Cleaning Products Carefully
Pet owners should read cleaning-product labels rather than assuming that every household cleaner is suitable for every surface or situation.
Use products according to their instructions and keep cleaning supplies out of pets’ reach. Avoid leaving freshly treated areas accessible when the product label requires the surface to remain undisturbed or dry.
For carpets and upholstery, choose products designed for those materials and test products in an inconspicuous area when appropriate.
How We Can Help
Keeping a home clean with pets is much easier when small messes are handled regularly. However, hair buildup, stubborn stains, odours, and hard-to-reach areas can eventually require more time and effort.
If regular cleaning is no longer enough, Now It’s Clean can help with professional house cleaning services in Toronto and surrounding areas.
Our team can help refresh the areas of the home that are difficult to keep up with, giving pet owners more time to enjoy their homes and their pets.
Call Now It’s Clean at (647) 558-0707 to discuss cleaning services for your home.