7 Tips for a Cleaner Dog-Friendly Home

If you’re living with allergies in a home without pets, a weekly sweep, mop, and vacuum can keep most allergens at bay. However, the number of allergens can triple for homeowners with dogs or cats. When you own dogs, you have to be proactive with cleanliness to keep fur, dander, saliva, and odors under control. Whether you are adopting a dog for the first time or have spent the majority of your life with a four-legged friend, you’ll want to plan how to keep from getting buried under a mountain of dog hair.

Feel overwhelmed or don’t know where to start? Here are seven budget-friendly tips for staying on top of the mess and clutter of a dog-friendly home:

Purify the Air

Installing an air purifier can help control the pet dander in your home. There are some air purifiers that are better suited for pet parents than others, so be sure to compare different models and review online guides to find one that suits your budget as well as your needs.

Start a Chore Chart

Cleaning up after Fido is an everyday chore, but the whole family can divide and conquer with a chore chart. You can make sure there is balance with responsibilities for the more labor-intensive chores such as bathing and brushing, and the simpler day-to-day actions like feeding, scooping waste, and walking.

Buy an Automatic Vacuum

A robotic vacuum is an efficient and effective way to suck up hair and dander every day. You can set the vacuum to start and stop at certain times and in certain rooms; this can make a significant impact on the comfort of family members with allergies. Although these products have been on the market for a while, they are still rather costly. Check out Amazon Warehouse Deals to find discounts on a used or refurbished one.

Stock Up on Supplies

Let’s face the hard truth: Pets can get messy, regardless of how much we adore them. With that in mind, it’s best to have a cupboard stocked with pet-friendly cleaning supplies that can help you out with any accidents that occur within the home. For instance, having a carpet-cleaning solution on hand, be it vinegar or a store-bought brand, can help you tackle any urine stains or odors your pet might accidentally leave in his or her wake. It’s best to treat urine stains as quickly as possible; the longer you wait, the harder it is to neutralize.

Decorate with Accessories

Your dog’s accessories — his food dish, water bowl, bed — make your home feel cozier, but sometimes that coziness morphs into clutter. Buying accessories that fit in with your style, such as ceramic bowls or a bed that matches the color of your curtains, can help reduce clutter even when these items aren’t put away. Chewy.com is a discounted pet supply website where you can find steals and deals on items that get delivered right to your door.

Get a Good Doormat

When Fido comes galloping inside after a spring rain, your floors are in for it. You can make strides in preventing the mess by using doormats on the outside and inside of your home. There are mats made specifically for homes with dogs — highly absorbent, made from microfiber, and quick to dry. A good doormat keeps your dog from not only tracking in dirt, but from bringing in outside allergens, as well.

Visit the Groomer

One of the most effective ways to manage pet hair and dander is to make sure your dog is properly groomed. While the cost of a groomer can vary, you can find good deals by looking on Groupon.com or using in-store coupons at major pet supply retailers like Petsmart or Petco. Or, you can save even more money by grooming and taming Fido’s fur and other TLC needs.

Owning a dog is a lot of fun, but there are also some major responsibilities. Keeping up with your dog’s shedding means finding a balance between work and play. It may not be easy to keep your home neat as a pin, but it doesn’t have to be that difficult. A happy and healthy home is one that’s clean, cozy, and comfortable for everyone.

Pam Summers pam@dogetiquette.info