Whether you have a small, short-haired chihuahua or thirty-seven cats, you might notice that your furry family member(s) leave a lasting odor that isn’t really all that pleasant.
Although you might be used to the resonating scent in your home, when you have company over for the holidays, or you are looking to sell your home, you might not want to keep the odor lingering.
Getting rid of these pet-related odors and maintaining a clean home can be much easier than you may think. At PetHairPatrol we have gathered a few tips to help you not only get your home pet odor-free and freshly clean but also to keep it that way.
You can also check out our highly useful infographic on How To Have A Spotless Pet Home – Every Day!
Here we go:
1. Stay on top of household pet chores.
Not only does this mean making sure the litter box stays clean—this also includes all kinds of chores you might not have thought about earlier like washing their food bowl on a regular basis or putting their pet toys through the wash (of course, first checking if they are machine-washable). You should also put their bedding in the laundry to keep it clean and fresh (for them and for you).
2. Instead of odor-maskers, try odor neutralizers.
It might be tempting to just buy air plug-ins that emit pleasant smells in the air. However, air purifiers or neutralizers can help find, tackle, and eliminate the molecules in the air that produce the foul odors, getting rid of it at its source.
3. Stay on top of pet grooming.
Although you might think cats groom themselves, they still can’t run a comb through their fur. Brushing through your dog’s fur (preferably outside) and combing your cat can help push off the loose pet hair and dander hanging about that will eventually end up in the air.
4. Clean your pets before they re-enter the home.
You already have a “Please wipe your paws” mat on your doorstep—you might as well follow your own advice. After a good walk, your dog might have picked up mud and other debris on their paws. Having a quick wipe down before they head back into the house can make such a huge difference before jumping around all over the couch and other furniture pieces.
5. Maintain and even hide your cat’s litter box.
One of the most odor-related aspects of owning a cat is his or her litter box. If you don’t have a particularly large home, finding the perfect spot for your cat’s litter box might be more difficult than you expect. However, at least keeping the litter box clean can help eliminate the extra odors in the air.
If you have the extra space, you should “hide” the litter box—not so much so that the cat won’t find it, of course. What we mean is that you should try and place your litter box away from the most lived-in areas of your home, like in a guest room or bathroom. Setting it on hard flooring can also help make cleaning the extra litter that falls out of it (or that your cat shakes off) much easier.
At the end of the day, your furry family members make more of a positive impact in your life and bring you so much more joy than they give you problems. However, maintaining their hygiene and keeping your house clean can be such a chore—which can take a toll in the odor hanging around your home.
Following these quick and easy tips to keep a clean, odor-free home can make so much of a difference in your everyday life.
Author Bio:
“Matt is the founder of PetHairPatrol. He lives in New York with his two golden retrievers: Ben and Jerry. Once he opened a carton of yogurt, and immediately there was a dog hair inside. That’s when he decided to find the best ways to get rid of pet hair and start a website to share his knowledge. He has researched and reviewed hundreds of products that help you keep your home clean – even when you have furry roomies. He loves running and Italian pizza. He hates pigeons. And obviously, pet hair!”