Having pets is awesome – they provide companionship, love, and endless hours of entertainment. This is probably why so many households in the US have at least one pet, and many have two or more.
That being said, you should be aware of the fact that pets are also a responsibility – you have to care for them and make sure they are healthy and happy. Another thing that should be clear is that your house will require a bit more cleaning than usually if you have a pet. We asked professional cleaners at Reliable Cleaning Service of Fort Collins what parts of the house should be cleaned more often.
Pet Hairs on the Couch
Your furry friend loves to cuddle on the couch with you, but that also means there will be pet hair everywhere. If you don’t want your furniture covered in fur, you should vacuum it regularly. Ideally, you should do this once a week, but in some instances, like when your pet is shedding excessively, you might need to do this more often. Don’t forget to vacuum under the cushions as well – pet hair tends to accumulate there as well.
If you want to avoid vacuuming so often, you can get a lint roller – they are excellent at picking up pet hair.
The Kitchen Floor
Pets are always running around and if they go inside and outside, they can track in all kinds of dirt and bacteria from outside. That’s perfectly normal, after all, they are just animals. However, if your pets go to the kitchen, that might be a bit of an issue, as this is where food is prepared and eaten.
This means that your kitchen floor will require more attention than usual. The upkeep isn’t too difficult as surface cleaning will suffice. Simply sweep it daily and mop it at least once a week.
Litter Box
If you have a cat, you know that their litter box needs to be cleaned out every day. It’s important to do this to prevent the spread of bacteria and odors. What’s more, some cats get extremely picky and won’t use the litter box unless it is clean.
You should also make it a habit to wash the actual litter box from time to time, as the plastics can also absorb the smells. Use warm water and mild soap – preferably one without a scent so that the cat won’t mind using the box after it’s been washed.
Read also: How to Circumvent Water Damage in Your Home
Pet Beds
Your pet’s bed is probably one of the places where they spend the most time, so it makes sense that it would need to be cleaned often. At least once a week, take the bed outside and give it a good shake. This will get rid of any dirt, dust, or hair that has accumulated.
Just like with your couch, vacuuming can also help with the accumulated hair, although that might not be so important. You should also wash the bedcover in hot water every few weeks.
Toys
Pets love their toys, but they can get pretty dirty. Wash them in hot water every week or two to kill any germs. If they are dishwasher friendly, that can save you time and effort, while not compromising on the cleanliness of your pet’s favorite toys.
Even though it might appear that having a pet is a lot of extra work, when you really think about it, you can see that these are all tasks that you normally do when cleaning your home. It’s just that you will be doing them a bit more often.
