english bulldog on carpet

Your pets are wonderful, cuddly creatures that offer affection and companionship. But they shed. And sometimes they make a mess on your floor (or worse, your carpet). Being a pet owner means having to clean up after your animal friends, and it can be a difficult, time-consuming task. Here are some ways you can make the clean-up process easier, so you can spend more time having fun with your pet.

Manage pet hair

One of the best ways to combat animal hair is to contain it. Place an old towel or sheet on the area where your pet likes to rest. Every now and then, take the covering outside, give it a good shake, and toss it in the washing machine. Don’t overlook pet grooming either, it’s an effective way to cut down on the amount of hair you’ll find around your home.

Vacuums for the carpet

There’s no big secret on how to remove animal hair from carpets – you’ll need to vacuum. Don’t wait until there’s a layer of dog or cat hair on top of your carpet; if you vacuum multiple times a week, you won’t run the risk of your vacuum clogging or losing suction. If your vacuum comes with attachments, make use of them on carpeted staircases, drapes, and other upholstered areas.

The power of static electricity

For wood and other hard flooring, an electrostatic mop will do a better job than a vacuum, which will just end up blowing the hair around. Similarly, a rubber broom makes use of an electrostatic charge to trap fur and dirt. Conventional broom bristles will just push the fur from one spot to another.

You can also put dryer sheets to use outside the laundry room. Rub dryer sheets on furniture and drapery to pick up animal hair. Once more, it’s the electrostatic force that traps the hair for an easy clean up.

Cleaning pet hair from clothing

Unless you have an all-leather wardrobe, you’re going to end up with animal hair on your clothes from time to time. Lint rollers usually do the trick, but you can also try using masking tape. Place pieces of masking tape over the areas of your clothes where pet hair is clinging, and then pull off the strips with a quick motion. Of course, don’t try the masking tape trick on delicate clothing.

Cleaning up pet stains

If your pet has an accident on a carpeted floor, you’ll need to spring into action right away. If left alone, pet urine can permanently alter the dye in your carpet. Here are two cleaning concoctions you can utilize.

The first is a simple formula of vinegar and baking soda. Soak the stain with vinegar and then add a small amount of baking soda on top. You might actually be able to see the yellow stain being sucked into the mound of baking soda. Cover the affected area with a bowl and let it dry naturally for a day or two. Sweep up the baking soda and vacuum the area thoroughly.

The second solution combines ¼ teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with one cup of lukewarm water. Apply the solution to the stained area then blot with a clean, dry towel. If the stain persists, wet the area using a towel dampened with lukewarm water. Dampen another towel with the solution and blot the area again. Keep alternating between the damp towel and the soapy towel until the stain is gone.

 

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