Posted by Bruce Borden in Home Maintenance

Chances are your home is a happier place with your furry friends, but that doesn’t mean it’s a tidier place.

Pet Collage

We have come up with 10 essential tips and tricks to keeping your home clean and happy for both you and your four-legged family members.

Invest in a Good Vacuum

No one likes a dirty floor, especially one that is covered in pet hair and dander. Investing in a good vacuum that can handle all the dirt and hair left by your pet is an essential step in keeping your house clean with pets.

Consider some pet-specific models that are designed to keep up with your pet's shedding.

Couple Playing With Dog in Living Room

Check out this list of things homeowners need to take care of their new home!

Use an Effective Mop

Not only is mopping up after your pet important to keep your home and floors smelling and looking fresh, but it’s also important to preserve the condition of your floors for longer.

Make sure to mop on a regular basis with a mop and the type of cleaning solution that your floors can handle. For instance, if you have vinyl plank flooring use this how-to cleaning guide.

Person Petting Cat on Floor

And remember, pet-friendly cleaning is essential to making sure your pet stays healthy.

Backyard Landscaping: Keep the Dirt Outside

Choosing the right landscaping in your backyard can make all the difference in keeping your house clean.

The best landscaping for pets is nothing fancy! Keeping it simple and sticking with just grass is the best way to keep the mud and dirt where it is meant to be—outside.

Home Landscaping

If flowerbeds and gardens are a non-negotiable, consider covering the dirt areas with rocks to avoid mud being tracked into your home.

Create a Designated Pet Area in Your Home

Still not sure what to do with that spare bedroom currently housing random boxes and storage containers you have? Consider making it a designated pet area!

Interior Dog House Feature

This is great if your pet uses a crate or a litter box of any kind; it keeps any potential stench concentrated in one room.

And, if you’re looking for some ways to consolidate moving boxes temporarily, this is a great solution. Get more tips and tricks for moving with pets.

Clean Walls With Paint-Safe Wipes

Picture this: it’s been raining all day and your pet needs to go outside, they come back in and shake off, flinging mud, slobber, and debris all over your walls…now what?

That is where paint-safe wall wipes come in handy! We love these wall wipes, but a gentle sponge or a Magic Eraser works well, too.

Minimize Odor

It’s no secret that pets can be smelly, but thankfully there is a plethora of options to keep your home smelling fresh and clean. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Pet-Safe Candles
  • Pet-Safe Wall Plug-Ins
  • Air Purifiers
  • Air Filter Fresheners (attaches right to any air filter)
  • Baking Soda
  • Essential Oil Sprays (check for pet safety)
  • House Spray

Read more about how air fresheners can affect your pet’s health.

Find Pet-Friendly Area Rugs

Choosing the right rug for your home can save you so much time and energy. Selecting a rug that has little to no shag will make all the difference when cleaning out possible stains.

Woman Doing Yoga on Rug Next to Dog

Make Bath Time Easy on Yourself

If your furry friend is small enough you can simply bathe him or her in your kitchen sink, but if your pet is on the bigger side, it will make your life a whole lot easier to install a shower head with a handheld hose.

Shower With Shower Head Extension Hose

After a bath, be sure to spritz your pet with a fragrance (pet-safe, of course!) to make the freshness last. Pick your favorite scent at Chewy.com.

Get Into a Regular Cleaning Routine

A simple way to keep your pets and your home smelling nice and staying clean is by prioritizing a recurring bath for your pet and regularly cleaning their things like bedding, leashes, collars, and anything else they may use.

Not only is this healthy for your pet, but it also leads to less hair and dander around your home and on your furniture.

Always Have Plenty of Toys On Hand

Keep your pets from chewing on your furniture and personal belongings by entertaining them with toys! Make it even easier by signing up for a toy subscription to keep your fur-child happy. Here are the top 9 monthly toy subscriptions.

Dog Playing With Ball in Backyard

We would love to see your pets living their best life in their new home! Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with your favorite pet pictures at home.



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Bruce Borden

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Bruce has been with M/I Homes for over 20 years, has been the National Customer Experience Manager for over 10 years, and has been in the home building industry for over 30 years. Happily married and a proud father, Bruce enjoys outdoor activities and home improvement projects, and has never met someone he didn't like.

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