Living with furry friends can be messy, so how can you minimise the impact on your home? Living with pets can be a hugely rewarding experience, but constantly cleaning isn’t quite so fulfilling….
To help minimise cleaning time, a home and furniture expert at The Range has shared 7 tips to help create a home perfect for you and your pets.
1. Choose durable fabrics
To help prevent damage from dog wee, the expert suggests taking a preventative approach. They advise: “Choosing stain-resistant fabrics is also a good way to help lessen the amount of cleaning up after messy pets. For example, fabrics such as vinyl and leather will help to prevent stains and smells from sinking into the material, whereas fabrics such as polyester help to prevent stains from showing up.
“Just make sure your furniture coverings are washable too, as dog saliva can cause unwanted smells on your furniture.
“When it comes to flooring, stick to hard flooring options such as solid wood or vinyl, as these are easier to clean up. Add washable rugs to add a cosy touch to your home.
“When selecting sofas and chairs, or bedroom furniture, opt for tougher, more durable fabrics. This could be a tweed fabric, or perhaps a corduroy.
2. Neutralise the smell of dog wee in carpets with a home remedy
Speaking of cleaning supplies the expert advises: “Make sure you have the right products to deal with pet problems.
“Specific cleaning products can be bought to deal with pet stench, so investing in these could be a good way to ensure your cleaning is up to scratch.
“If you prefer natural solutions to odours and messes, make sure to always have bicarbonate of soda and distilled vinegar on hand as these help to knock the smell of urine out of any fabrics and carpets.
“Baking soda is a great neutraliser for pet odour. Sprinkle on fabrics, carpets or dog beds and let it sit before wiping away or vacuuming up to help eliminate pet smells.”
3. React quickly
The expert says: “Like any stain, it’s important to act quickly to avoid it dissolving into the affected area, as this can make it tougher to remove.
“Wipe and clean the area quickly before assessing the damage. To remove any pet odours left behind, pour bicarbonate of soda on the area and let it settle into the affected area for an hour or so. Wipe it up with a hot, damp cloth.
“If the smell persists, use a solution of white vinegar and water. Use the solution to mop the floors or alternatively spray carpets to get rid of lingering smells.”
4. Match your flooring to your pets fur
The expert says: “When selecting flooring for your home, whether it be hard flooring or carpets, try and match it as closely to the colour of your pet’s fur as possible.
“This will mean that when your pet sheds, there won’t be a huge contrast between fur colour and floor colour, allowing you to hoover a little less often.
“Getting sofas and chairs the same colour to your pets fur will also help to reduce the amount of cleaning you have to do.”
5. Invest in throws and rugs
Buying new furniture can be expensive. If you don’t have durable fabrics, the expert advises: “To protect your living room furniture from pets, use blankets and throws on upholstered sofas and armchairs to help keep your furniture looking its best for longer.
“Pay close attention to spots in your home where your pet likes to sleep and eat. If you don’t have easy-to-clean hard flooring in these areas, add rugs to protect any carpet underneath. These can be washed and replaced, which is a lot cheaper than attempting to replace a full carpet.”
6. Treat scratch marks
Scratch marks can be unavoidable if you live with pets. The expert says: “Scratch marks not only look unsightly on furniture, but if you live in a rental property it’s particularly important to try and rectify these.
“To treat, start by using a leather cleaner and apply it to the area using a cloth. Then go in with some distilled vinegar and dab it into the scratch. This will help to strengthen the area and help to repair any cracks or scratches.
“Once dry, go over the area with some colourless shoe polish to make sure the scratch is blended in fully.”
7. A little scent goes a long way
The expert explains: “Before trying to mask any particularly bad pet smells, make sure to clean them thoroughly first by identifying the source of the smell.
“Make sure to wash dog beds, toys and bowls as often as possible to eliminate bacteria and odours from your home.
“If this fails, ensure you have some home scents on hand. This could be anything from reed diffusers and room sprays or plug-in air fresheners.
“Lighting a scented candle can also be a great way to get rid of bad smells whilst also creating ambience. Just make sure they are kept out of reach from your furry friends.”
The Range stores are now dog-friendly, so you can take your furry friends shopping with you. They just have to be kept on a lead when inside the store.
