Pets are lovable, chaotic, heart-stealing little creatures that somehow turn clean floors into a minefield of fur and crumbs. They’re worth every muddy paw print, of course, but the mess builds up fast if you don’t stay on top of it.
Sharing your space with them doesn’t mean settling for a less-than-spotless home, though. It just takes a few smart habits and the right setup.
These seven tips won’t just keep your home looking good. They’ll make it easier to relax and actually enjoy spending time with your furry buddies, without constantly reaching for your vacuum. Ready to make your home cleaner without working harder? Let’s dive in.
1. Choose Pet-Friendly Fabrics
Choosing the right fabrics is an easy way to cut down on cleaning time. Microfibre and leather are tough and smooth, which makes them great at repelling fur and dirt. With these options, pet hair slides right off instead of clinging like it’s moved in permanently.
Similarly, going for upholstery made from hygienic, stain-resistant blends like Crypton and Sunbrella will save you a lot of scrubbing and frustration. To sweeten the pot, these options aren’t just practical—they last longer, too.
If you don’t mind splashing out a bit, curtains made from similar fabrics are worth it as well.
You now know what to get, but what should you avoid? Well, silks and velvets, while beautiful, are basically magnets for fur and crumbs. So, skip them unless you want to spend every weekend lint-rolling!
2. Invest in Quality Tools
Cheap vacuums don’t cut it when you’re up against a Labrador in shedding season. Luckily, a high-quality vacuum designed for pet hair will make daily clean-ups quicker and way more satisfying.
Lint rollers are also lifesavers when it comes to cleaning your couches and clothes. So, keep one in every room. Want to take it up a notch? You can use microfibre cloths and soft brushes for surfaces and corners that trap hair and dirt.
If you want an all-rounder, steam cleaners dig deep into carpets and furniture, blasting out anything they’ve absorbed over time. You can rent one or hire regular cleaning services that offer this as part of their packages.
The tools might cost a bit more upfront, but they’ll save you from repeated cleaning sessions and constant replacements.
3. Set a Regular Routine
When pets are around, having a good cleaning plan is your best bet. To make things easy for yourself, make time for small tasks every day, like vacuuming high-traffic areas and wiping down surfaces, so things never get overwhelming.
Pick days for more time-consuming tasks, like washing bedding and scrubbing floors. This will keep dirt from building up quietly in the background.
Also, if you live with family, ask others to pitch in. It will make the chore a shared effort or even a chance to spend time together and reconnect.
Trust us, once you stick to the plan, cleaning will become second nature, not a weekend-ruining burden.
4. Groom Your Pets Regularly
Grooming might seem like extra work, but it’ll massively reduce the fur floating through your home. Daily or weekly brushing, depending on the coat, can almost eliminate that constant trail of fluff.
Baths help, too, especially when your fur babies have been rolling in who-knows-what at the park!
Just make sure to get the right tools. For instance, you should use pet-safe shampoo and skip the ones made for humans. Also, invest in a solid brush or grooming mitts.
While this should be enough in most cases, long-haired pets often need the help of a professional every now and then. So, keep this in mind if you have a fluffier breed.
5. Use Washable Accessories
Pets love comfort just as much as people do, but their accessories get dirty fast. To prevent this, choose beds, blankets, and covers that can be tossed into the washing machine without getting damaged.
If your pet’s bed has removable, washable covers, you’re already ahead of the game. Quick-dry fabrics are even better. This way, you won’t be stuck waiting for hours before your dog can flop back down again.
To keep everything smelling as fresh as a daisy (or at least not like a wet dog), grab yourself a good pet-safe deodoriser. A few sprays can make a world of difference and save you from pretending the smell “isn’t that bad” when guests come over.
6. Create a Cleaning Station
A cleaning station sounds fancy, but really, it’s just one tidy spot where you can keep all your pet-cleaning gear. To find things quicker, pick an accessible cupboard or corner and stock it with brushes, lint rollers, pet-safe sprays, and microfibre cloths.
We also recommend adding hooks or containers to keep it neat. It’s a good idea to have a vacuum or broom nearby as well, so you don’t end up scrambling around every time you need to clean something up.
Keeping your supplies in one place means you’ll have no excuses when messes strike. It’ll also help you stay calm when dealing with sudden spills or hairy disasters—what’s not to love?
7. Limit Access to Certain Areas
No matter how much we love our little furry bundles of joy, some rooms are better kept fur-free. So, use baby gates or pet barriers to limit where your furry friend can go.
This doesn’t mean locking them away—just managing their chaos. It’ll make daily cleaning easier and give you zones where everything stays cleaner for longer.
While you’re at it, add a few rugs and mats in allowed areas to trap dirt before it spreads. This way, you can keep your main carpets safe when your furbaby decides to track in mud after their latest outdoor adventure.
Sure, training your pet to stick to these areas might take a bit of effort at first, but the pay-off is huge. You’ll be able to relax knowing the mess is contained and your home still feels comfortable.
Conclusion
Don’t wait for pet messes to pile up. You just have to choose the right fabrics, invest in tools that actually work, and stick to a routine that doesn’t burn you out.
At the end of the day, clean doesn’t have to mean sterile. So, what are you waiting for? Start today and you’ll notice the difference straight away. And, if it gets a bit overwhelming, there’s no shame in calling in the pros!
