Dog ownership means a lot of great things, but unfortunately it also means that our homes are likely a little less clean than we’d like to admit. With dogs comes fur, dander, dirt, slobber and who knows what else. Keeping our homes clean is not only important for our health, but our dogs’ health too. If you’re stuck trying to figure out how to manage the chaos, check out our list below.
#1 – Regularly Wash Beds & Bedding
While most people wash their own beds every 10-14 days, it’s actually recommended that it done weekly. But it’s not only your bed you need to clean every week, but your dog’s as well. Their beds collect just as much, if not more, dirt and dander and will greatly benefit from regular washing.
#2 – Brush Frequently
Bathing your dog too often can irritate their skin and dry out their coats, causing more harm than good. But daily to weekly brushing and combing will work wonders for you and your dog. Not only does brushing remove excess dead hair, leaving less lying around your home, it removes any dirt and dander that’s sitting on top of your dog’s coat. This will significantly decrease the amount of hair that’s found in your home as well as the dirt.
#3 – Wash Collars
When washing your dog and their bed, don’t forget to wash their collar! Many owners don’t even think about washing their dogs’ collars and some dogs are wearing very dirty, very stinky ones. It’s a good idea to wash collars regularly to keep any dirt and dead hair from collecting there, as you might be surprised how much dirt will stick into cotton and nylon collars. Your dog will be more comfortable and probably smell better too.
#4 – Lint Rollers & Rubber Gloves
A lot of dog owners go through quite a bit of lint rollers and this can get inconvenient and expensive, especially when trying to remove hair from furniture or car interiors. Using a rubber glove to wipe down these areas will collect just as much hair as a lint roller does and can be cleaned off and re-used continuously. It’s a quick and easy fix when you need to remove hair on the fly and even works on clothing.
#5 – Vacuum & Sweep Regularly
Regardless of how often you groom your dog, dead hair will collect inside your home and the best way to keep it at a minimum is to vacuum and sweep regularly. Whatever is best for your type of flooring, making sure it’s cleaned at least once a week will keep allergens, dirt and even fleas away.
#6 – Wash Toys
Our dogs’ toys can get very dirty, whether it’s their favorite stuffed animal or a rubber ball. Making sure these toys are washed will greatly diminish the dirt collected on them and the germs that grow from your dog’s slobber. Besides, you’ll most likely enjoying playing with a clean toy than one caked with dirt.
#7 – Use An Air Purifier
Using an air purifier will trap any airborne dirt, dust and dander and keep your home clean and healthy. Fresh air is important in decreasing the amount of dust and dirt that builds up both inside your home and inside your lungs. Air filters made especially for pet owners work harder at eliminating allergens and are a great choice for those needing to liven things up around the house.
About the Author
Katie is a professional dog trainer located in Southern California, with a background of experience as a veterinary assistant as well. She has trained and competed with multiple breeds in AKC Obedience and Rally, agility, herding, Schutzhund/IPO and conformation. She has been involved in dogs since she was a child and specializes in protection dogs, working dogs and aggression issues. You can visit her website, Katie’s Dog Training, or her blog, Little Sable Dog, to find out more information about her training and accomplishments. When she’s not helping others and writing, she’s out on the field with her Belgian Malinois and Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
Toledo, United States.
