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CLEANING TIPS IN THE HOME PETS

“Conquer Summer Cleaning Challenges: Tips for a Pristine Home”

As the summer sun graces the picturesque landscapes of Washington, the region’s natural beauty comes alive, but it also brings forth a set of cleaning hurdles that require attention and expertise. Summertime is a season of vibrant outdoor activities, increased foot traffic, and encounters with diverse flora and fauna. From the occasional scurry of ants across your kitchen counter to the battle against relentless pollen and dust, maintaining a pristine home amidst the stunning landscapes can feel like an ongoing endeavor.

But fear not! We’re excited to share our insights and expertise with you. Let’s dive into the vibrant world of summer cleaning challenges and discover the best ways to keep your home sparkling amidst the beauty of this extraordinary season.

Dust and Pollen:

When summer arrives, so does an influx of dust and pollen, posing a challenge for homeowners striving to maintain a clean and allergen-free environment. The lush greenery and abundant flora contribute to elevated pollen levels. To combat this, regular dusting becomes crucial. Use microfiber cloths or electrostatic dusters to effectively capture and remove dust, minimizing its presence on furniture and surfaces. Vacuuming with a HEPA filter can help eliminate airborne allergens, providing relief for allergy sufferers.

To further reduce the impact of pollen, consider preventive measures. Keep windows closed during peak pollen times and invest in high-quality air purifiers with HEPA filters. Regularly launder bedding and curtains to minimize pollen accumulation.

 

Outdoor Activities/Increased Foot Traffic

As the summer season kicks into high gear, outdoor activities become a way of life. Whether you’re exploring nature, gardening, or simply enjoying the fresh air, increased foot traffic and outdoor debris are inevitable challenges for homeowners. Leaves, twigs, and dirt find their way indoors, demanding regular attention to maintain a clean living space.

To combat outdoor debris, establish a routine of sweeping or vacuuming entryways, porches, and patios. These areas act as gateways for outdoor elements to make their way into your home. A good quality doormat can work wonders in reducing the amount of debris tracked indoors. Encourage family members and guests to wipe their feet upon entry to minimize the mess.

Increased foot traffic not only brings in outdoor debris but also accelerates the rate at which floors become dirty. Implementing a no-shoes policy or providing shoe covers for guests can prevent dirt and mud from being tracked onto your floors. Placing rugs or mats in high-traffic areas can help capture dirt and moisture before it spreads throughout your home. Regular vacuuming or mopping of floors will ensure that your living spaces remain clean and inviting, no matter how much foot traffic you encounter.

 

Pet Shedding:

Ah, our furry friends. While they bring us joy and companionship, their shedding can pose a challenge, especially during the summer months. To minimize the impact of pet hair in your home, establish a regular grooming routine. Brush your pets using a deshedding tool to remove loose hair and reduce shedding. This simple step can go a long way in keeping your floors and furniture cleaner.

If you’re looking for more detailed information and additional tips on managing pet shedding, we encourage you to check out our previous blog post titled “House Cleaning Tips to Remove Excess Pet Hair.” There, we delve into effective grooming practices, recommend the right tools, and provide insights on cleaning methods to maintain a fur-free living space.

Remember, managing pet shedding requires consistency and a proactive approach. Regularly brush your pets, consider using furniture covers or washable blankets, and implement the tips from our previous post. Together, we can create a clean and comfortable environment for both you and your furry companions.

Conclusion:


We’re here to be your partner in keeping your house clean and comfortable throughout the summer season. From combating dust and pollen to tackling outdoor debris and managing pet shedding, we’ve provided you with practical tips and guidance.

So let’s embark on this cleaning journey together. Embrace the beauty of the season, knowing that with the right strategies and a little extra effort, your home will shine amidst the wonders of summer. We’re here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that your house remains a haven of cleanliness and comfort for you, your loved ones, and any guests who visit. Cheers to a successful and refreshing summer cleaning season!

 

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CLEANING TIPS PETS

A Clean Home with a Dog: 6 Foolproof Tips

So your cute pandemic puppy is now a messy dog

The 2020 puppy boom

At the beginning of the pandemic, when metropolitan areas began to enter shutdowns and many non-essential employees were asked to work from home, people started adopting dogs. Many shelters, rescues, and breeders reported more demand than they had dogs and puppies to fill. Back in August of 2020, many breeders had waiting lists extending into 2021. 

Creating a connection with a pet can be very fulfilling and studies have shown that having a pet comes with a variety of health benefits. Many of these benefits aligned with needs created by the unique conditions of the pandemic. Just a few of the ways a pet can make us healthier:

  • Companionship. Many single adults turned to adopting a pet during the pandemic because they couldn’t spend time around other humans. Having a pet helped to stave off the loneliness of isolation. 
  • Routine. No one keeps you to your routine better than a pet who needs to be walked and fed and played with at precise times each day. If you’re distracted or running late, your pet will be sure to get your attention. Since the pandemic upended many of our daily routines, from work to school to weekend activities and working out, having a pet helped people maintain a semblance of routine and create structure in an otherwise unstructured day. 
  • Purpose. Having a pet is a serious responsibility. For many people, this sense of purpose can be extremely valuable on its own and has been shown to help ease anxiety and depression. Caring for a pet also helps to teach young children responsibility.
  • More exercise. Daily walks are a great source of exercise, and your dog will thank you for it. Energetic dog breeds like border collies often benefit from regular runs and can be a powerful motivation if you need one to meet your running goals. Cats love to play daily and many cats can be leash-trained and enjoy walking and exploring outdoors. Beyond the benefits of exercise, it’s also beneficial to spend time outdoors, in the sunshine and fresh air.
  • Lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that pet owners tend to reduce your risk for heart disease. That’s not just because of the extra exercise opportunities—sitting and petting your dog or cat lowers your blood pressure and pulse rate. 

You probably already know all of this. You love your pet and you’re so glad they’re a part of your life. But that cute, chubby little puppy is now a full-grown dog. And kind of a mess. 

Puppies are messy in their own way, but usually that mess can be contained within a fairly small area. Most dogs are much less containable. They track dirt, mud and leaves in from outside, all over the wood floors and the carpet. When they eat, they send food flying. Getting a drink of water inevitably ends with half the water on the floor. They leave drool spots all over the floors and hair all over the furniture. And more hair on the floors. Really, the floors are just a dog-created disaster all around. 

No matter how clean you are, having a dog forces you to change your cleaning routine. You must clean more frequently, and with more attention to certain areas than you might have before. It’s more work to keep a tidy household with a full-grown dog in it. We do it because all the benefits outweigh all the mess. Still, it can be hard work keeping your home clean with a dog.

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6 tips for a clean home with a messy dog

If there’s anything Clean & Simple understands, it’s the importance of a clean and healthy home. We also love our furry friends. We’ve put together this pet-approved list of tips for keeping the dirt and fur from overwhelming your home. 

  • Regular grooming. One of the perennial pet owner complaints is all the fur—the tumbleweeds of hair that roll along the baseboards or the upholstered couch that used to be white but now is whatever color the dog is. Regular grooming can cut down on shedding significantly. You don’t need to go to a professional groomer, just brush your dog a few times each week. This can also be great fun for your dog and help you bond. Brush outside if you can, to reduce skin particles in the home that can contribute to allergies. Regular bathing is also essential in minimizing the “dog smell.” A clean dog is a crucial component in a clean home with a dog!
  • Wipe down muddy paws before they come into the house. Try to keep a towel and possibly even a shallow tub of water near the door to wipe down paws as your dog comes in from the backyard or a recent walk. My parents’ black lab is an expert at slinging mud all over herself on a walk, so they always have multiple towels set out to wipe her down after each walk. 
  • Exercise your dog regularly. Don’t skimp on the walks—a bored dog is a destructive dog. Take your dog on regular walks (or runs, depending on the breed). Give them enrichment toys while they’re hanging out around the house or outside to keep them focused on constructive fun, i.e., not tearing the stuffing out of the pillows or bulbs out of the garden.
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  • Use a placemat under your pet’s dish. Preferably a placemat that can be easily wiped down with soap and water, or a small mat or rug you can throw into the washing machine with a load of towels once a week. This will help to reduce the food and water splatter. While we’re on the subject, use stainless steel or nonporous silicone food and water dishes for your dog’s food. Porous materials like many plastics can harbor bacteria that might harm your pet.
  • Vacuum as much as possible. There’s no way around it. Even if you are brushing your dog and wiping their feet, there is still going to be pet hair and dirt in the house. It’s inevitable. The more you vacuum, the better things are. We recommend households with pets to vacuum the whole house at least once a week, with higher traffic areas vacuumed more frequently. If you have multiple pets, or pets and kids, you might need to do a full-house vacuum twice a week. It’s a lot of work, but it will make a huge difference.

It is possible to get control of your home back from your messy dog. Just follow our simple steps. And if you want to free up the time you spend vacuuming every week to play with your dog instead, we’re standing by to help.

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With Clean & Simple handling the cleaning, we have more time to party!
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CLEANING TIPS IN THE HOME PETS

House cleaning for Dogs owners

House cleaning for Dogs owners is not impossible. However, it does require some changes in your cleaning routine.

When I recently broke down and said yes to getting a dog, I felt like I was relatively prepared.  Personally, I had had several conversations about the responsibilities that go along with having a pet.  I had made sure there was room in my budget for the extra expenses such as food, vet bills, and the like.

I had researched the best products for dogs, talked to friends about their dogs, and decided on a training class that my boys and I could take our new four-legged member of the family to.  Then we got her, and I realized I was not really prepared at all.

Our sweet Misty Girl does not always make it outside to go to the bathroom. I knew that was going to be the case, but she did well the first few days. So, I got my hopes up!), she will not come down the stairs by herself, but oh how she loves going up them, and my house just didn’t smell as fresh as before, and my floors were in need of constant cleaning.

She does like to play with the boys, comes running to the door to greet me,  gives puppy hugs and kisses and overall is a sweet, smart and well-behaved puppy who we are all in love.  So, here are a few pointers I have found when  House cleaning for Dogs owners.

House cleaning for Dog Owners

  • Baking soda is an easy and inexpensive way to keep your carpets smelling fresh.

    • Sprinkle a small amount on the carpet and let it sit for a few hours and then simply vacuum it up.
  • Freshen up the house with baking soda is to make your air freshener.

    • Combine 1/4 cup baking soda with water in a spray bottle and shake well.  (You can add vanilla extract, cinnamon or essential oils as well)  The baking soda absorbs the pet (or other unpleasant) odor.  Vinegar sprayed in the air also takes away dog smells.
  • Place a fabric softener sheet next to your pet’s favorite spots.

    • We decided not to let Misty up on furniture. However, she already found her favorite spots to lay around the house. One of her spots is right next to the couch.  I placed a fabric softener sheet under the cushion next to where she lays to also fight against the doggie odor.  She also has a blanket that she lays on which I make sure to wash weekly.
  • Put mats both inside and outside the door to cut down the dirt from even entering the house

    • There is a lot more in and out of the house now, so we have made a habit for her (HA! really it is a habit for the humans of the house!) to wipe her paws at the door. It is also recommended to put mats in the  inside and outside the door to cut down the dirt from even entering the house.
  • Clean up accidents immediately, so your dog does not think that that spot is her/his toilet.

    • Don’t use cleaners with ammonia as they smell like urine to dogs.  A homemade cleaner you can use for pet accidents is fairly simple to make. It consists of mixing 1 quart of hot water, one teaspoon of dish soap and one teaspoon white vinegar.  Blot the area with towels, wet with the homemade cleaner and let it sit for 15 minutes before you blot again.
  • Always keep a mat under their food bowl to help with easy cleanup and to keep most of the food/water debris off of your floor.

  • Vacuum fairly often.

    • I have increased my vacuuming since Misty joined our household to every two days.  It is not a deep cleaning type of vacuuming but does cut down on fur. Which is not too big of a problem yet, but know as she grows, so will the hair issue.

Keeping a house clean when you have pets is not necessarily harder. Furthermore, not impossible but, it does require different routines.  A little training for your dog and yourself (and kids!) will help ensure you succeed at maintaining a clean house.