6 Simple Ways To Keep The House Clean When You Have Pets

Kasbah Dog Beds from Weaver Green

How do you keep the house clean when you have pets? This post may seem irrelevant to me given that I am allergic to animal fur and am therefore unable to have furry pets in our home. (We have opted instead for rabbits in the garden and pet fish in our designer aquarium). However, at Christmas, my parents invited a cute little puppy into their home and ever since they have been on a steep learning curve as they work out how to keep the house clean when you have pets.

I already find keeping the house clean a struggle with kids let alone throwing pets into the mix. But there are definitely changes you can make in your home that will make it easier to keep the house clean when you have pets. With some forward-planning and clever swaps, you do not need to forfeit cleanliness just because you have furry family members.

Keep Your House Clean: 5 Pet-Focused Swaps

1. Invest In A Pet Vacuum Cleaner

VL45 Pro Pet Anti Tangle Cordless 3-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner from Tower Housewares

A vacuum is great for cleaning your home’s floors quickly and easily. When you have pets, it’s a cleaning tool you’ll probably find yourself needing to use all that more often. So my advice is not to get any vacuum you come across. Instead really think about how you’ll be using it, how often and the ease of use. It’s always worth investing in a high-quality option that does its job properly.

Therefore consider getting a vacuum cleaner that is specifically designed with pets in mind. Firstly, think about how portable it is. Consider whether you want a smaller, lighter handheld vacuum. Do you want it to be cordless? And what kinds of attachments do you need?

With a high-quality option, you’ll suck up pet hairs and other dirt quickly and easily, so there’ll be nothing to worry about. It’ll make cleaning your home a lot easier than it was.

2. Buy A Sensible Pet Bed

Woofins Dog Bed Range from Loaf

It’s natural to have a bed for your pet, especially for cats and dogs. You might be tempted by some of the really fun options that are on the market now that look like miniature sofas or an actual bed. However, it’s also important to keep the practicalities in mind when you’re getting a pet bed, as well as recognizing that most popular dog breeds actually just prefer something comfortable.  Remember that you’re buying for your pet, not for yourself.

Make sure you think about how easy it’ll be to clean so you don’t have to put a lot of time and effort into it. Dog beds with removal washable covers are ideal. Pets can be dirty and smelly so ideally you’ll want to get a pet bed that can withstand regular washing so you can eliminate any bad odours or dirty stains. Nobody wants a manky-looking dog bed in the corner of the room.

3. Prevent Fleas, Ticks and Mites

Fleas, ticks, and mites pose frequent challenges for pet owners, persisting throughout the year. These parasites not only contribute to discomforting skin conditions in pets but also harbour potential health risks for humans.

Check your pet regularly and use suitable flea, mite and tick control products as soon as you find any. It’ll help keep your pets free from any parasites that could cause issues.

4. Create A Pet Cleaning Station

A dog bath area in the utility room. Image c/o LochAnna Kitchens

Your pets will get dirty quite often, with this being especially true for dogs. Make sure you have a suitable area at home to clean your pets when necessary. Try to keep contain the mess that come with cleaning your pets to one area of the home.

Having a pet cleaning station is a great way of doing this if you have the space. Keeping this near your home’s entrance is ideal as it means you don’t need to drag your dirty dog through the house to get to the cleaning station. A porch, boot room or utility room make great pet cleaning stations and if there is water plumbed in there you can even create a small shower area to make the task all that much easier.

5. Choose Your Sofa Wisely

Bella sofa with removable covers from Rose and Grey

When you have pets, it’s not uncommon to find countless hairs on your sofa. You could end up feeling like you’ve to clean these off constantly. (This is where the small handheld pet vacuum comes in handy.) If you’re in that position, it could be worth upgrading your sofa to a more pet-friendly option. This helps for several reasons.

Some fabrics retain pet hairs more than others, and can even be harder to clean. Go with an option that doesn’t act as a magnet for pet hair and you can reduce the amount of cleaning you have to do. Also consider opting for a sofa with removable covers, preferably ones that can be machine-washed. Then you can simply strip them off every few weeks and give them a clean.

6. Buy Washable Rugs

Medina Tangier Machine-Washable Rug from Weaver Green

If you have rugs at home it may be worth switching them out for ones that are easier to clean. Consider rugs that can easily be popped in the washing machine or opt for indoor/outdoor rugs that can easily be cleaned outside using a hose and some mild soap. Regular washing of your rugs will prevent any unwanted pet odours making your home smell unclean.

Trying to keep the house clean when you have pets often seems like a never-ending task. It can seem like there’s always a mess to take care of, no matter how much time you spend cleaning. Thankfully, that’s not a position you need to stay in.

It’s just a matter of focusing on the right areas, taking preventative steps, and making smarter choices. Then you’ll be able to keep your house clean much easier than you’d think. What are your top tips to keep the house clean when you have pets? Please share in the comments so any new pet owners can learn from your experience.