How to Keep a House with Pets Clean

We love our pets but it's a struggle to keep homes clean. If you have a multiple pet and/or species household, your job of house cleaning becomes even harder. Here are tips and ideas for keeping your space neat and not smelling like a barn.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• pets

1. Get rid of your carpet. At least in areas where pets are permitted. Carpet absorbs pet odors and is impossible to really clean after an accident. Try hardwood, laminate or even vinyl flooring for easy cleaning.
2. Area rugs. Use an area rug instead of carpeting. Try an inexpensive rug from a discount store that you don't mind replacing every 6 months or so as needed. Also there are many washable rugs available that don't have a "bathmat" look. Just be sure they will fit in your washer or a commercial washer. You can buy 2-4 and place them together for a larger look. There are also rugs available for outdoor use that can be washed off with a garden hose. Or try carpet tiles. These are squares of carpet that piece together to form any size rug. Each piece can be replaced individually as needed.
3. Slip covers. Whether or not you allow your pet on the sofa, pet hair and dander will end up on your furniture. A washable slip cover will allow for frequent washings and protect the sofa underneath. Also, the slip cover usually discourages your cat from using the sofa for a scratching post.
4. Use good kitty litter. If you have cats and your litter box is anywhere near your living areas, invest in the good litter. The better the quality the better the odor control! You don't save any money with cheap stuff because you have to change it more often to keep the stink down. Also, scoop out the box at least once daily.