A Cleaning Guide for Pet Owners

Pets bring huge joy and, let us be honest, a fair amount of mess. Fur on the sofa, muddy paw prints, the odd accident and that unmistakable pet smell all come with the territory. With a few habits and the right pet-safe products, you can keep a clean home and happy animals. Here is how.

Stay on top of fur and hair

Fur is far easier to manage if you deal with it little and often, rather than in one big battle.

• Brush your pet regularly, ideally outside, to catch loose hair before it lands on your floors.
• Use a rubber glove or a slightly damp sponge to lift fur from sofas and cushions, where it clumps together for easy removal.
• Vacuum high-traffic areas every few days, using a pet-hair attachment on upholstery.
• Drag a rubber squeegee across carpet to gather embedded hair a vacuum misses.

Muddy paws and floors

Keep an old towel by the door to wipe paws before your dog comes in. Let mud dry fully before you clean it, then vacuum up the loose dirt rather than smearing it wet. For hard floors, warm water and a splash of pet-safe floor cleaner keeps things hygienic. Avoid strong pine or citrus cleaners, which some animals dislike and which can be unsafe.

Dealing with accidents and stains

Act fast with any accident. Blot up as much as you can with kitchen roll, pressing rather than rubbing. Then clean the area with an enzyme-based pet cleaner, which breaks down the proteins that cause both stains and lingering smell. Ordinary cleaners often mask the odour for a while, but the enzyme type removes the source, which also stops pets returning to the same spot.

Beating pet odours

• Wash pet bedding weekly on a warm cycle, using a non-biological detergent.
• Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on carpets and fabric sofas, leave for 15 minutes, then vacuum to absorb smells.
• Open windows daily to keep the air fresh.
• Empty litter trays daily and wash them out weekly.

Keep it pet-safe

Some common cleaners are harmful to animals, so check labels and store everything out of reach.

• Avoid products with bleach, ammonia or strong essential oils like tea tree, which can be toxic to cats and dogs.
• Rinse floors well and let them dry before letting pets back on them.
• Choose cleaners labelled pet-safe, or use plain bicarbonate of soda and diluted white vinegar for most jobs.

Bowls, beds and toys

Wash food and water bowls daily, as they harbour bacteria just like your own plates. Hard toys can go in a bowl of hot, soapy water, while soft toys and washable beds go in the machine. A clean feeding area keeps flies away and your pet healthier.

A home with pets needs a bit more upkeep, and it is easy to fall behind. You can book a GlowSpark cleaner from £19 an hour, vetted and used to homes with furry residents, to help you keep on top of it.