Everyone knows that if one dog is fun, two will be more fun until you have to clean up after them. Many multi-dog households have made some advantageous changes to their home décor to accommodate their canine pets. Those who do say that the changes they have made are making a big difference in maintaining a clean and healthy home. It is true that some of the changes may affect your home’s budget, which would otherwise be limited, but by saving time and energy, it is well worth the expense.
So what is the first step?
Many multi-dog homeowners found that removing the carpet and replacing it with a good quality vinyl, tile or laminate flooring saved not only cleaning time but also frustration. The frustration comes from having a puppy and cleaning housebreaking accidents from the carpet more than once a day.
The second step, I think, is to teach simple obedience as soon as possible. Teaching your dog to “sit” and “stay” can save you a ton of work by having him wait at the door after playing in the dirt outside. Having a few old towels stacked in a bin by the door and having your dog sit or stay for the first time gives him time to clean up dirty paws and clean up a muddy body. It sure saves them from having to track dirt around the house.
Minimizing clutter on coffee tables and end tables will also save you time and energy. Tails can cause a lot of damage, dust and dog hair need cleaning, it is much easier to wipe a clean cloth than to take the time to clean each item on the table.
Things that enjoy holding dog hair should be eliminated. Curtains that are made of a material that does not shed dog hair can be replaced with blinds or curtains made of less absorbent materials. Washable furniture covers are a neatness fanatic’s dream. Have several sets so that when one goes out to be washed, the clean continues. Nowadays, the covers are easily found and they are not too expensive and they look much better than the “old sheet” thrown on the sofa or chair.
Vacuuming helps prevent not only dust bunnies from forming, but it will also remove dog hair “tumblers”, especially if you have a dog that sheds 24/7.
Taking care of your dog helps keep your home cleaner. Regular brushing and grooming will remove a ton of dog hair, and what better way to have someone alone with your pet. Kill two birds with a brush, you have time alone with your pet, and your house stays cleaner for five minutes.
Believe it or not, leather furniture is a bonus in a multi-dog household, leather repels fur and you can clean it with saddle soap, rather than vacuuming it.
Place old towels under each water dish to catch slime and spills.
Baby gates are a great way to keep your dogs out of areas you don’t want them roaming around. There are many styles that make it easy for you to get in and out so you don’t have to climb them. My friend has one that is attached on one side with little hinges to the door frame and allows her to use it as a swing door when she wants to enter the room and it looks nice too.
If you are lucky enough to have the space, create a dog room, where the feeders and waterers, sleeping cages, and all other dog supplies are located. He keeps the house neater and his dogs have a place to call his own.
Use gravel, bark or concrete in the area you use for the dogs in the yard, this prevents mud and dirt from entering the house.
If possible, use air filters to keep the house free of dander, pollen, and dust.
Wash bedding, boxes, and bowls every week.
Use puppy pads when training a new puppy or for an older dog that has trouble urinating frequently.
One of the best cleaners you can use to clean urinals and other household dirt is a combination of 1/2 cup of white vinegar and a gallon of water. It’s inexpensive, contains no harmful toxins, smells good and loosen dirt, disinfects, deodorizes, doesn’t stain, kills bacteria, and keeps your floors and fixtures in good condition. What else could you ask a cleaner to help keep our earth green?