Say goodbye to the winter germs and hello to all the new spring smells! The beginning of spring is the perfect time to clean your house and get rid of all the pet dander that accumulated during the winter. For pet owners, this can mean more in-depth cleaning in areas that other people without pets don't have to worry about. In this post, we'll provide some helpful tips and tricks so that cleaning up after your pet seems a little less daunting.

Removing Pet Hair From Furniture

As we transition into warmer months your pet may start to shed more, and as pet parents, we know that cleaning pet hair out of the carpet and off of furniture can be difficult. Having the right pet grooming tools makes caring for your furry friend more manageable. Pet hair magnets help remove pet hair where the vacuum can't be used. To help stay ahead of excess shedding, regularly brush your dog or cat. Brushing your pet consistently helps remove excess fur and contains it to the brush. When sweeping or vacuuming don't forget to get under the bed and behind furniture. These spots are known to collect a lot of hair and dust.

Getting Pet Smells Out of the Carpet

Carpets are notorious for soaking up everything that steps or lays on them. Stains and smells can emit unwanted odors that aren't pleasant during warmer months. When handling wet urine, soak up as much as possible with a rag or paper towel before using any cleaner. After soaking up the urine, spray a layer of your preferred stain and odor remover and let soak for 5 minutes before wiping clean. For older carpet stains, a deep cleaning with a vacuum may be needed. Try to find one with a detachable tool to help get into certain nooks and crannies in your home.

Cleaning Bowls, Beds, and Toys

Your pet's belongings need to be cleaned, too! Make sure to do a thorough cleaning of your pet's toys, bed, food and water bowls. Pet saliva and hair are welcome mats for bacteria so getting into a routine of cleaning these areas is a great habit to get into.

Hard toys made of rubber and plastic can usually be placed in the top rack of your dishwasher – be sure to use all-natural dishwasher detergent. After running a full cycle, they can be set out to air dry. If you prefer to wash things by hand, you can scrub them right in the sink and then let air dry. Let your pet's toys sit in a pet-safe cleaning solution made of equal parts of warm water and vinegar for 30 minutes to loosen up dirt. You can scrub these with a bristled kitchen brush, then make sure they are rinsed well, and then set them out to dry.

Also, don't forget about your pet's bed. After being used all winter, it probably needs a good cleaning as well. If your bed has an outer cover, unzip it and throw only the cover into your washing machine. If your bed does not have a cover, be sure to check for directions to see if it's machine washable. Most beds are, but it's always a good idea to double check. Be sure to wash your pet's bed on a gentle cycle.

Conclusion

Cleaning is never anyone's favorite thing to do. Brushing your pet regularly can help you stay on top of shedding season this year and can also help keep fur off your furniture. If your pet has accidents inside your home, be sure to clean it up immediately. And always take the time to wash your pet's things.