Training Your New Puppy or Dog

Pets enrich our lives in so many ways, but they also create quite a mess in our homes. Contrary to what most people might think, it really is possible to enjoy a sparkling clean house when you’re a proud pet owner. And don’t worry, you won’t have to spend a fortune on professional cleaners! Whether you’re using Amazon coupon codes or cleaning with baking soda, here are some budget-friendly tips for tackling pet fur, odors, and other unwelcome messes so you can enjoy a fresh, clean home every day.

Restrict Access to Certain Rooms

One easy way to cut down on your cleaning workload is to keep certain rooms off limits to your dog. Your bedroom, for example, may be one place where you don’t want pet hair, dander, and allergens to accumulate. If you’ve already trained your dog to obey your instructions, you may be able to use simple voice commands to help him learn which areas in the home are off limits.

For owners with the stubbornest of dogs or a lack of time for training, dog training collars may be helpful. Search for online reviews so you can find a training collar that fits into your budget, and employ this device to keep your dog off the bed or any other furniture you don’t want him using. Online retailers, including Amazon, have options for dogs of all ages, and you can even find Amazon coupons and deals online.

Clean Your Pets

Besides limiting access to certain rooms in your home, another way to prevent indoor mess is to keep your pet clean. Dogs, in particular, bring all kinds of dirt, allergens, and bacteria into our homes from outside. Before your dog enters your home after a walk, take a couple of minutes to brush debris from their fur and use pet wipes on areas that may harbor bacteria, like their paws and mouth. To save money, make your own pet wipes from common household items. A simple mix of apple cider vinegar and water is all you need. ACV is also useful to help ease itchy skin and makes an effective ear cleaner.

Clean Your Pets

Besides limiting access to certain rooms in your home, another way to prevent indoor mess is to keep your pet clean. Dogs, in particular, bring all kinds of dirt, allergens, and bacteria into our homes from outside. Before your dog enters your home after a walk, take a couple of minutes to brush debris from their fur and use pet wipes on areas that may harbor bacteria, like their paws and mouth. To save money, make your own pet wipes from common household items. A simple mix of apple cider vinegar and water is all you need. ACV is also useful to help ease itchy skin and makes an effective ear cleaner.

Wash Your Pet’s Things

Without regular cleaning, your pet’s toys and bedding may emit a strong odor and spread bacteria throughout your home. Wash your pet’s food and water bowls in soapy water every day. Throw their bedding in the wash on a hot cycle once per week. Your dog’s hard and soft toys should also get a weekly cleaning.

Fight Odor with Baking Soda

If pet odor has found its way into your carpets, avoid simply covering this up with expensive aerosol sprays. Get to the root of the problem and neutralize odor at the source. To do this, grab an inexpensive box of baking soda and sprinkle it all over your carpets. Let it sit for a couple of hours and then vacuum it all up. For more detailed instructions on refreshing your carpet with baking soda, read this article from The Kitchn.

Remove Fur with Rubber Gloves

Fur can be particularly tricky to remove from soft surfaces. You don’t need any fancy, specialized products for this, just a pair of cheap rubber gloves! Put on the gloves and rub them all over your couch. The pet hair will mound into easily-removable clumps of fur. If the hair is extra stubborn, get the gloves wet before trying this trick.

Dissolve Pet Saliva with Vinegar

When it comes to pet saliva, it’s best to wipe this mess up as quickly as possible. Dried doggy drool can become tough to remove. Fortunately, vinegar is an inexpensive way to remove dried saliva from your windows and furniture. Make a simple mix of half vinegar and half water to spray onto windows and wipe away any mess. For your upholstery, HomeSteady recommends using a cleaning solution of dish soap and warm water to dab away stains. Saliva can be cleaned from wicker and wood with baby wipes.

Keeping your house clean will benefit both you and your pet. Allowing bacteria to grow in your home can trigger allergies and make us sick, and these germs can affect our furry friends too! You and your beloved animal will feel better in a clean home, even if it means a little more work for you.