Being a dog owner has many, many benefits but it always comes with one unavoidable nightmare – dog hairs, which can and do spread like wildfire and get almost everywhere! Having two large dogs paired with two long haired cats I know something about this nightmare. So today I want to share with you my main house cleaning tips which hopefully will help you minimise the hairy mess our pets can make.
Generally to keep your house clean as a dog owner you have to remember that cleaning the house itself is only one part of the solution… keeping your dog in perfect health is another…
Good diet
Some of you might think at this point what the hell does their diet have to do with keeping a clean house… well, a proper diet for your dog will help you with unnecessary shedding. Healthy, well-fed dogs, which have a well-balanced diet will shed less, which as a result means less hair to clean up in general, which means less cleaning!
Daily grooming
No this isn’t a joke. A daily 5 minutes dog grooming session will go a long way. It will remove all the dead hairs from your pooch and significantly cut down on the amount of loose hair floating around the house. Grooming during their daily walk is the best way to go. We normally do it near the end of the walk when the dogs are tired and less distracted.
Buy a good vacuum
Invest in the best vacuum you can afford. Read the recommendations and make your choice wisely as this will be your main cleaning tool. I personally use a Bosh Athlet ProAnimal for my mid-week daily cleaning and a Dyson Animal for a proper weekend cleaning session. And yes, you really need a vacuum designed for picking up dog hairs… it makes things so much easier!
Create a dirty dog zone
If possible, designate a dirty dog zone somewhere outside (or inside your house) where you can clean the pooch after muddy walks. In our last home we used the conservatory for this purpose, now we use a half enclosed porch. This space should be used for cleaning your dog before they are allowed into the rest of the house. If you can’t find the space for a doggy zone, you can simply lay a big dog towel (also known as that old towel you don’t want anymore) by the main door and train your dog to sit on it after entering the house. This will give you time to clean your dog’s paws before they get mud all over your floors.
Clean as dirt comes
I know we are all busy and a daily cleaning routine isn’t always on top of anyone’s fun list but if you clean every day the little mess your pooch left behind, you will greatly reduce the spread of the hair all over your house, you will get rid of pet odours and you will be able to enjoy fairly clean pet friendly home (I said fairly because as much as you might want and try you will never have The perfect home with pets around, but you know what… that’s ok… they are worth it).
Those are my basic cleaning tips for keeping our house in order whilst enjoying the company of some very hairy friends.
What would you add into my list?
Have you found some secret top tip for aiding us in keeping our houses clean?
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These tips are incredible! I’ve got two very large dogs and I feel like I’m constantly living in a dog-haired covered world. You’re so right about getting a good vacuum- I recently got a Shark vacuum and it’s made a world of difference.
I never realised that diet was linked to the shedding, great advice.
I think that’s one of the many reasons I put off getting pets, the shading, the smell and constant cleanining.
Some great tips, we had a cat and found similar with the grooming and vacuum
We have been looking into getting a dog!!! I’d love one although I’m not wuite ready for more responsibility at the moment what with having two young children and a cat already!! These are great tips though, a friend of mine is a dog groomer!
Some fab tips here, my old dog used to shed everywhere it was a nightmare I think the hoover as glued to my hand
LOL. I would definitely recommend buying a good vacuum, especially if you have a long haired dog because those hairs will go everywhere!
These are some brilliant tips, my mum recently got a puppy and she gives him a good diet and grooms his fur every other day
Great tips, I’ll have to share them with my friend who just got a puppy! x
We have a small dog but the amount of hair she loses is unreal a good hoover is also a must and her own towel for as soon as she comes back indoors after a walk
I’ve never had a dog so i’ve never had to worry about all of the cleaning, it does sound like hard work x
We dont have any pets my mum has a dog so will share this wuth her.I think a good Hoover is a must with picking up dog hairs.
My Dad loves his nightly grooming session with their dog, Bailey, he spends ages brushing him and he looks so cute and fluffy afterwards x
I have a bichon frise and by nature they don’t shed hair so thankfully we don’t have to deal with too much hair! xxx
Thanks for these tips! We have two dogs. We have had them for a year and I’m still trying to figure out how to clean up after them.
I agree, I keep Sally in very good health and that helps keep her coat in good condition which helps to keep shedding to a minimum. We have a good brushing routine and that also helps keep those hairs from littering the house and of course you need a good vacuum designed for pet hair.
I have a collie and most the time she doesn’t drop much hair but when she gets a new coat it’s a nightmare, daily brushing turns into 3 times a day x
I bet there’s so much cleaning involved when you have a dog. My flat gets messy enough just with me, I don’t think I could cope haha x
I have a cat and know exactly what it’s like when fur is everywhere! Getting a good hoover is definitely essential!
Great tips, my dog actually loves being hoovered unfortunately as he has two coats it does not help with the grooming x
Bunk has two coats too, but he is scared of vacuum. I wish I could hoover him, it would make things so much easier.