Pet-friendly tips for a cleaner home

We love them. Our four-legged furry bundles of joy mean the world to us.

All pet owners agree that caring for their pets is both a joy and challenge, especially if your pet does a lot of shedding or is still in training.

With a little work, you can hold together a well-kept home no matter how many legs are running around with these easy-to-follow and pet-friendly cleaning hacks.

Wipe paws

Just like you use a door mat to wipe your shoes or put away shoes in an entryway shoe rack, have something for your pets to use too. It’s as easy as wiping off their paws after outdoor play or going on a walk.

Pet owners can keep a pet-friendly wipe handy or use a baking sheet filled with water near the door. Your pet simply needs to step into the container to wash away any unwanted debris.

Fresher cat litter

The first step to eliminating or reducing odors from a kitty litter container is baking soda. After each change of litter, make sure to place a layer of baking soda at the bottom of the container.

For extra freshness, go ahead and sprinkle in some baking soda after each scoop. The absorbing powers of baking soda work wonders in removing odor and keeping any room with a kitty litter box smelling fresh all day long.

Cleaner eating area

Your pets should enjoy a dedicated area for eating that’s designed to keep things neat.

A silicone mat underneath your pet’s water and food bowls is all you really need. The mat will catch spills and ensure water stays off the floor for extended periods of time, which could cause damage.

The mat is also convenient because it’s easy to wipe clean quickly and in time for your pet’s next meal.

Cleaning solution

There are lots of products out there that promise odor- and stain-removing miracles. Save the money.

When your pet has an indoor accident, you can use your own cleaning solution at home to clean up the mess. The solution is simple: just mix in eight ounces of hydrogen peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of dish soap. Put the solution in a spray bottle and use it for spot cleaning on flooring and carpeting.

Declutter pet area

A dedicated pet box where you can store toys, accessories and other pet essentials can keep your pet area clean.

Foods, cleaners and other pet goods should also be stored out of sight if you want to keep the pet areas as tidy as possible.

A spare cabinet, pantry shelf or a basket with your pet’s name are all perfect storage solutions. And when you get organized in this way, you’ll never forget where you put your pet’s wire brush or flea medicine again.

Get vacuum robot

Sometimes, it’s hard getting a volunteer to sweep or vacuum. All that endless supply of pet hair can make it seem like an impossible task to finish.

That’s where a vacuum robot can step in to save the day, every day. Today’s techie robot vacuum cleaners are programmable and will do a great job lifting up all that unwanted pet hair so you don’t have to. In addition to saving time, as it maneuvers around the room with special sensors, it will bring you peace of mind that the floor is being carefully cleaned.