Pets in America seem to be just as an important part of the family as anyone or anything else. We include them in gift giving and of course, they are included on our family Christmas card. You want your home to looks it’s best. Here are some quick hacks to make cleaning up after your furry family a little less hectic:
Hair
I realize not everyone has a squeegee, but they really are a handy tool. Not only are they perfect for cleaning windows and shower doors, but they make excellent pet hair removers. The rubber pulls the fibers apart, allowing the hair to come to the surface. This makes it much easier to vacuum up or even pick up by hand. But a simple tried and true method is just using a rubber glove. Whether they are disposable or used every day for dishes, a rubber glove will easily pick up pet hair. The glove is effective for a few reasons. Rubber can build up static electricity which will attract the hair and just like squeegee can force the fibers of your carpet or couch apart.
Accidents
Between muddy paws and accidents, your dog could end up making your house look more lived-in than you'd like. To clean urine or other pet stains from the carpet, start with a Shop-Vac to suction the urine. Pour 3 percent hydrogen peroxide on the stain and cover with a white towel, then hold a hot steam iron on the towel for 15 to 20 seconds to transfer the stain to the towel. Keep repeating this method and eventually, the stain will be gone. Removing pet accident odor from linens is simple. Wash the soiled clothes or linens with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar along with your regular detergent in the washing machine. The vinegar will neutralize the urine smell, and your pet won't be tempted to put in a repeat performance and mark it next time the urge arises.
Smells
The biggest downfall to having a pet is perhaps the awful smell. Cats and dogs prevent different dilemmas when it comes to getting rid of smells. To prevent a stinky litter box smells, add a layer of baking soda to the bottom of the litter box before you put new litter on top. This will help absorb odors but won't bother your cat. Place a fabric softener sheet into an envelope and keep it under your dog’s bed, under the sofa, or chair cushions where your dog likes to rest. This is a cool little trick for keeping the animal smell at bay.
A forgotten area is your animals toys. Just like every other animal in the world your pet's mouth is a source of smelly bacteria. Wash plastic pet toys in the dishwasher to keep them germ-free and in good condition. You can wash any soft fabric toys in the washing machine, just pop them into a small garment bag before and don’t use a detergent unless it’s animal safe.
