Have a Dog and Keep a Clean Home Without Breaking the Budget

We've teamed up with our friends, the DIY Guys again and CityDog Magazine to drop some knowledge on how to maintain your clean home with a furry friend.
Your pet is family, but dogs can contribute to a lot of mess in the home. Before you spend hundreds of dollars on regularly scheduled cleaning services or specialty products to keep up with fur, paw prints, scratched furniture, and stains, consider some money-saving tips from Transparent Cleaning Co. for keeping your home neat, clean, and odor-free. 

Begin at Entry Doorways
It's smart to keep an inexpensive mat at the entrance of any door where your dog comes and goes. This can capture some of your pet's muddy, snowy, or wet paw prints before they get tracked into your home. A great alternative to a regular rug or welcome mat is a bathmat, as they're very absorbent. It's also a good spot for making your pup stop while you wipe his paws clean and dry with a towel stashed nearby.

Window Cleaning
Dogs love windows. Even when they are inside, they can use our windows to watch squirrels, protect the house from cats, and alert us when the mailman arrives. But all of those observations can lead to smudges and nose art. If you don’t want your view distorted by streaks and smudges from wet dog noses, call Transparent Cleaning Co. to give your windows a good cleaning.

Keeping Up With Dog Hair, Odors, and Dirt
A quick and easy way to ensure your hard flooring is kept free of dog fur on a daily basis is to use a microfiber mop that you can roll around in a cinch without having to drag out a vacuum. Other options are a cordless vacuum or a robotic vac that automatically roams around the room picking up dirt and hair without you having to do anything. The initial purchase may be a little pricey, but in the long run, you'll save money over hiring cleaners.

Other tips for keeping hair, dander, and fur at bay:

• Grooming.  Keeping your dog groomed can cut down on shedding and smells in the house. If possible, learn how to bathe and groom your pet yourself to save tons of money on pet groomers. You can find reviews of quality dog trimmers and shampoo to find the perfect options for your pup. Also, be sure to brush your furry friend regularly outdoors to keep dander outside the home. 
• Cover furniture. If your dog loves sitting on a favorite chair or sofa, cover that area with a cheap throw or blanket. You can shake these off and wash them as needed without sacrificing your upholstery.
• Tape rollers. Purchase a lint roller that is typically used to clean hair and dust from clothing. These inexpensive rollers are great for removing dog hair from the upholstery in home and car, in addition to your own clothing.
• Cleaner food bowls. Dirt and bacteria from food particles and water can be disgusting and possibly sicken your dog. Keep a hard plastic mat beneath your pet's food and water bowls to catch debris. Hand-wash the bowls with mild dishwashing soap. 

Readying a Home Sale With Pets

If you're preparing to sell your house, you might need to make some repairs and updates, which can include replacing a pet-stained carpet, repairing damaged yard turf, or refinishing scratched-up hardwood flooring. Although you might not smell it, your dog has likely permeated your home with her natural odor, a few accidental stains, chewed furniture, and other damage that can put off a potential home buyer. 

One reason why your pooch may be having accidents or excessively chewing on furnishings is stress, especially if she’s out of the puppy stage. When you prepare your home to show to potential buyers, decluttering is part of setting the stage, and this will help with de-stressing as clutter can be a big cause of anxiety in people and pets. Keep in mind that if you are under stress, perhaps because of issues at work, that can rub off on your dog, too. Taking measures to address your own stress and you should see an improvement in your pup.

Clean Homes and Dogs

It needn't cost a fortune to live in a clean environment with your dog. Follow a few or all of the tips above when dealing with your pet's emergency messes and everyday shedding. But if you would like help cleaning up Daisy’s messes on your floors, furniture, and windows, contact the cleaning experts at Transparent Cleaning Co.

CityDog Magazine provides information for dog lovers like you about finding the best places to sit, stay and play with their pooch—from the best doggone getaways, to the best dog-friendly digs, to the best your city has to offer you and your four-legged friend. Reach out to find out more today! 206.762.0643