Home maintenance for pet owners: How can you keep your home clean and pet-friendly?

Got yourself a four-legged furball?

As adorably sweet as they could be, having a pet at home means extra work goes into maintaining that home.

Ever came home to a perfect living room gone completely messy as if the pets had a wild night out? We’ve all been there, but it goes beyond just surface level maintenance to keep your home clean and pet-friendly.

Let our home maintenance experts at Allsopp & Allsopp Group break down the process for you in just a few simple steps!

Choosing the right flooring

So, if you are moving into a new home, consider flooring because it is something that makes a huge difference when you have pets around the house.

One of the primary challenges for pet owners is keeping floors clean. Pets can track in dirt and mud, and their fur can get everywhere. Cleaning it can be a task and half. We recommend opting for flooring that's both pet-friendly and easy to clean.

Hardwood floors, tile, or laminate are excellent choices as they are more resistant to scratches and stains compared to carpets. If you prefer carpet, look for stain-resistant options, but these will have you vacuuming regularly!

Groom your pets more frequently

Sometimes the biggest challenge in keeping your home clean just simply lies in frequent grooming of your pets. I mean, who wants fur all over the place? Not us!

Regular grooming is not only essential for your pet's health but also helps minimise shedding. Something as simple as brushing your pets more frequently to reduce loose fur around your home can also go a long way! Whereas, some pets may benefit from professional grooming, especially those with thick or long coats.

Create a designated space for your pets

To keep your home clean and organised, we suggest designating a specific area for your pet. This space can include their bed, food and water dishes, and toys, and gives them their personal space too. By doing so, you can contain some of the mess and easily maintain and clean this particular area.

This also helps preserve other areas around your home and keep them well maintained.

Why washable covers are your best friends?

If your pets love to lounge on your furniture, or make a mess on them rather, consider using washable, removable covers on your couches and chairs. These covers can be easily removed and laundered when they get dirty.

Best part - you have nothing to worry about and there is no long term damage, just pop your covers into the wash and everything’s sorted!

Maintain active cleanliness

Maintaining your home goes beyond your pets, sometimes it also comes down to how frequently you are cleaning your home.

Regular cleanliness is essential for a pet-friendly home. We suggest vacuuming your floors, carpets, and furniture regularly to pick up loose pet hair and debris. Don't forget to dust and mop, too.

You could make things easier by even creating a cleaning schedule at home, so you know just the days to keep your home more organised. Keeping up with a cleaning routine will help prevent allergens and odours from accumulating too!

Using pet-friendly cleaning products

When cleaning your home, before using the regular supermarket grade products, its important to check labels and make sure these products are pet-friendly. You want to ensure you're using pet-friendly cleaning products.

Many commercial cleaners contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets. Not just that, it can also threaten their safety and health. To avoid this choose non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning solutions to keep your home and pets safe.

How can you manage odours?

Pets can sometimes leave unpleasant odours in your home, especially if they haven’t been frequently groomed. To combat this, and to maintain active cleanliness around your house you can clean your pet's bedding regularly, wash litter boxes, and consider using air purifiers with specialised filters designed to remove pet odours.

The importance of training your pets

Pet training is crucial in maintaining a clean home.

Teach your pets good behaviour, such as where to do their business and where they're allowed to play. With proper training, you can avoid unwanted accidents and damage to your belongings.

Keep their toys and accessories clean

Your pets' toys, collars, leashes, and food dishes can accumulate dirt and bacteria over time. And it is even worse when they play with those toys and scatter germs or dirt over the house. Ensure you are washing these items regularly to keep them clean and hygienic.

Prevent fleas and ticks at all costs!

So, in case you didn’t know but furry pets are a hub for fleas and ticks, you want to make sure to regularly check your pets for fleas and ticks, especially if they spend time outdoors.

If this does happen, use preventive measures to keep these pests at bay, as they can also infest your home.

A clean and pet-friendly home is possible with some planning and effort. By selecting the right materials, maintaining regular cleaning routines, and properly caring for your pets, you can create a welcoming space for both your two-legged and four-legged family members. With these tips, you'll enjoy a home that's not only clean but also filled with the love and joy your pets bring into your life.

Found this guide helpful?

If you are looking for some extra attention for your home’s maintenance, contact our in-house experts for a free consultation or check out some of our annual maintenance packages to have scheduled maintenance appointments!