Carpet Cleaning
Fur Around Furniture
Some cats and dogs shed everywhere, no matter how much you work on their grooming. Here’s the quick fix: “Use a rubber glove and just wipe it off,” Reichert says. (Want to see more? Reichert can show you the simple process here.)
Odors
Pets have odors—this is a given. But you want to rid the smells entirely, not just cover them up. For the easiest solution, Reichert recommends sprinkling baking soda. “I also make up my own spray with alcohol, clove oil and lavender oil that you can spray on furniture and carpeting,” she says. Mix it up in a spray bottle, and spritz over the area that needs to freshen up.
Grime on Floors
To tackle grime on laminate, hardwood or tile floors, you'll need a few cleaning weapons in your arsenal. “If you are trying to remove hair, use a good canister vacuum with a nice horsehair brush,” says Reichert. “Vacuum up the entire area first, then use a microfiber mop to get up any spots or dirt.” Reichert suggests a gentle cleaner that's safe around pets and kids.
Windows
You know how pups always seem to press their noses against windows, or jump up on the glass, leaving smudges in their wake? Luckily, the solution is simple. “A blue microfiber cloth is great for removing prints,” Reichert says. All you need is the cloth and a little water to wipe away marks.
Lint Roller
If you need to clean up hair on the fly—perhaps, your mother-in-law decides to make a surprise visit—Reichert suggests having a lint roller on hand to brush over fabrics that need touching up.
Vacuum Well (and Often)
Reichert says it’s essential to have a good vacuum on hand at all times. Cleanings should be fast, but frequent. “With pets that have a lot of hair, you really need to do a quick cleaning every day or two,” says Reichert. “Run the vacuum in the area where they spend the most time and use a blue cloth to wipe glass and furniture without having to actually dust.”
