Maintaining a spotless house during the holidays can be a challenge for pet owners. Pets, particularly dogs, bring dirt into the home, leaving everything in need of a deep clean. In addition, furry friends are responsible for the fur that lands on furniture, particularly during shedding season. While pets are adorable, what pet owners don’t adore are the paw prints, stains, etc. around the house.
If you want to keep your house sparkling clean, we’ve compiled a few of our property management company’s tried and tested tips that pet lovers should know.
#1 Groom Your Pets Regularly
Significantly cut the amount of dirt and dander that end up inside the house by bathing your dog regularly. If your dog tends to get muddy after a walk, make sure to get rid of the dirt through gentle grooming. Wash the dog’s paws and wipe their stomach, or if they’re that dirty, wash their coat with warm water. Don’t use dog shampoo too often as this can be harsh on their fur. And, depending on the dog’s breed, consider sending them to the groomer’s for de-shedding. You could also clip your furry friend’s nails so they don’t scratch your furniture.
#2 Invest in a Vacuum Cleaner
Every pet owner needs to own a vacuum. Pets are notorious for their hair, so during shedding season, it can help to vacuum every day. Since dogs shed more during the end of winter, you should prepare for the inevitable by investing in a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming should be done daily because fur can accumulate on the floors at an incredibly fast rate. Spend more time vacuuming the areas that your dog spends the most time in. Alternatively, enlist the services of a property management firm that specializes in house cleaning and organizing.
#3 Design a Dog Cleaning Station
Pet owners tend to clean their dogs in the laundry room after a walk, but keep in mind that if your dog is covered in mud, they’ll leave a trail of muddy paw prints all over your home. Instead of risking the walk to the laundry room, design a dog cleaning station in the entryway. Add towels, wipes, and other cleaning materials that you’d need to clean your furry friend’s coat and paws.
#4 Prepare Emergency Pet Cleaning Supplies
To keep your property sparkling clean, make sure to prepare emergency pet cleaning supplies. Wet wipes, cleaners, etc. can reduce the stains and odors caused by accidents such as your dog pooping in places it shouldn’t. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you can create your own odor-eliminating spray with diluted vinegar.
#5 Opt For Pet-Friendly Furniture
Do you allow your furry friends on furniture? That’s fine if your furniture is pet-friendly. Furniture that’s made from certain materials can act as a magnet to pet hair. Plus, if your sofa is a different color from your pet’s fur, consider purchasing one that’s close to your pooch’s coat. That way, their hair won’t show up on the furniture. If you don’t want to purchase new furniture, drape a pet-friendly throw that you can easily throw into the wash.
#6 Put Your Pet’s Toys Away
Property management includes pet management. To keep your house sparkling clean during the holidays, you need to control the clutter, including your pet’s toys. Chew toys should be put away in a container that your pet won’t be able to open or reach. If you’re struggling to stay organized, consider downsizing by donating your dog’s toys. It’s also a good idea to wash plastic toys in the dishwasher to prevent the spread of viruses. Clean cloth toys by throwing them in the washing machine.
#7 Keep Your Pet Busy
You don’t want to deal with bored dogs during the holidays. Dogs that are bored will leave a trail of destruction wherever they go. The solution is to keep your dogs busy to make sure they don’t make a mess. If you can’t play with them, get them a toy that can distract them, such as a treat-dispensing toy or a digging toy.
#8 Be Realistic With Colors
If you own a dog that rolls around in the mud, don’t add white throws, pillows, etc. to your house. It’s a terrible idea because you’ll end up doing a deep clean daily. As a pet owner, you need to be realistic when it comes to your house’s colors. It would be better to buy dark-colored furniture to keep your house looking clean.
The same goes for decorating your house for the holidays. If you’re hiring a property management company that offers professional holiday decorating, tell them to opt for pet-friendly furniture and holiday decor.
#9 Buy an Anti-Slip Mat
Does your dog’s food bowl move around every dinner time? When this happens, your pet will be tempted to “hold” down the bowl, causing it to spill. This will result in a mess on your dining room floors. Keep your pet’s food bowl in place by making sure to put it on an anti-slip mat. It also acts as a placemat for your pets, so in case your pet is a messy eater, you can easily clean it!
#10 Open the Windows
Is there a pungent smell lingering inside your house? Opening the windows is one way to fight the persistent pet odor. If you live in a sunny state, you won’t have a problem opening the windows during the day to allow air into the house. Even if you live in a chilly state, cracking the windows open for ten minutes can work wonders at freshening up your house.
Need Help Cleaning Your Home?
If it all seems too much to do, don’t worry – that’s why we’re here. As your full-service property management company, we make sure to take the burden off of your shoulders by taking care of the cleaning for you. At Luxury Property Care, we partner with pros that can expertly clean your South Florida property. We vet all of our vendors to ensure that our standards are maintained, and we oversee all of the activities on your property at all times.
Call us at (561) 944 -2992 or complete our contact form to learn more. We’d love to tell you more about our property preservation services.
