How To Keep Your House Clean With Pets
Looking for tips to keep your house clean when living with pets? Then read on!
As pet owners, we know that our furry friends bring so much joy, love, and laughter into our lives. They’re a constant source of happiness and entertainment, but let’s face it—they can also bring a lot of mess.
From muddy paws and stains to fur, dander, and those inevitable tumbleweeds of pet hair rolling across the floor, it can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle to keep the house clean. After bringing home a stray dog, it’s near impossible for me.
The good news is, with a few smart strategies, it’s absolutely possible to manage pet dirt and odors. After over 8 years of pet ownership, I’ve picked up plenty of tried-and-true tips for maintaining a clean home while living with pets.
Yes, it can be done! Here are some of my best tips to help you keep your house looking (and smelling) fresh, even with pets around.
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Use Air Purifiers for Dust and Dander
One of the best ways to keep your home smelling fresh and clean when you have pets is by using air purifiers. They not only help with odors but also keep the air free of dust and dander.
We have the Levoit purifier placed in the kitchen, and they make a big difference in managing air pollution from our pets. These helped when I was going through severe allergy season.
Plus, the filters are long-lasting, usually needing replacement only once or twice a year, depending on usage.
Put Throw Blankets on Furniture and Beds
Some households keep pets off the furniture, but ours is not one of them!
Our dog and cat are allowed on the couches and bed, so to keep things cleaner, we always use throw blankets. It’s much easier to toss a blanket in the wash than to scrub stains out of the couch, and it helps prevent pet smells from settling into the upholstery.
Use a Dog Crate for Training
The best way to prevent stains when you have a puppy is by crate training. It’s also an excellent tool for teaching boundaries and ensuring your pet’s safety.
We crate-trained Hank, and it helped immensely—he was house trained in less than a week!
We use the MidWest Homes crate (size large), which is sturdy and stylish.
Dogs naturally avoid going to the bathroom in a confined space, so crates help with potty training while also keeping them from getting into trouble when you can’t supervise.
Keep an Enzyme-Based Cleaning Spray Handy
Accidents are inevitable, even with well-trained pets. Hank was exceptionally difficult to train. For those moments, an enzyme-based cleaning spray is your best friend.
Whether you’re dealing with muddy paw prints or a potty accident, enzyme cleaners break down stains and odors at the source. I swear by the Only Natural Pet Stain + Odor Remover — it’s tough on pet stains and smells.
Use Washable Dog Beds
A lightweight, washable dog bed makes life so much easier. We have an orthopedic dog bed that our pets absolutely love (heck, even I lay down on it when I’m icing an injury).
It’s easy to remove the outer cover and throw everything in the wash, and just as simple to reassemble. For sizing, our 120-pound dog can fit comfortably on the large size with room to spare.
Store Toys in Baskets
Baskets are a simple yet effective way to keep your home tidy. We use a large basket in the living room to store all of Hank’s toys, balls, and chews. It’s an easy cleanup solution that keeps the house looking neat, even when playtime is over.
Get a ChomChom Roller for Pet Hair
If you’ve seen the ChomChom Roller on social media, you know how popular it’s become—and for good reason.
This handy tool is an absolute lifesaver for removing pet hair from furniture, and it’s incredibly affordable. Especially if you have cats or particularly furry dogs, the ChomChom Roller will be your new favorite cleaning gadget. It’s easy to use and clean, making it a staple in any pet-friendly home.
Employ a Robot Vacuum for Daily Maintenance
We bought our first iRobot Roomba a few years ago, and it’s been a great addition to our cleaning routine. While it won’t make your floors spotless, it’s incredibly helpful for managing daily dog hair and dirt without you having to lift a finger.
Robot vacuums work best on single-level spaces and are effective on both tile floors and carpets. They definitely cut down on the number of times we need to pull out the main vacuum each week.
Keep Old Towels by the Door
We always keep a pile of old towels by the garage door for wiping down muddy paws when our dog comes inside. It helps reduce the amount of dirt tracked through the house and prevents stains on furniture and rugs. Keeping them within easy reach means there’s no excuse not to give those paws a quick wipe!
Final Thoughts
Keeping your home clean with pets might feel like a never-ending task, but with the right tools and habits, it’s definitely manageable.
From air purifiers and quality vacuums to simple solutions like throw blankets and baskets, these strategies make it easier to enjoy all the love and joy your pets bring without sacrificing a tidy home.
Happy cleaning!
Katie