Cats are, in general, relatively clean, but going the extra mile to keep your home looking spotless is never a bad idea. Here are 14 reminders for every cat lover out there!
1. Keep litter trays fresh
Add a thin layer of baking soda to the litter tray before adding kitty litter and it should help keep any smells under control between litter changes.
2. Line litter trays
It doesn't have to smell bad. When it comes to cleaning out your cat's dirty litter tray, there's nothing that makes it easier than when it's lined with a plastic bag.
Placing a plastic bag at the bottom of the tray before adding the litter will mean the tray itself will never get stinky, and removing dirty litter will be a super quick task.
3. Remove fur with a lint roller
Is hair around your home driving you crazy? We have some good news - a lint roller can pick up hair from almost any surface. It's great for those emergency moments when your friends stop by unannounced.
For easy pet bed cleaning, first vacuum the cover to suck up any large clumps of hair, dirt and other debris. Next, go over it with a lint roller to catch any trapped hairs and dust that you may have missed.
4. Wash bed covers with baking soda to soak up smells
Baking soda has so many uses, and today we're showing you how to use it for the pets, too.
When picking a pet bed, make sure you opt for one with a removable cover - it'll make washing so much easier. Use a mild detergent – no dyes, fragrances or fabric softener – and add a cup of baking soda to the load. This will help neutralize any stubborn odors. Wash on a hot cycle to kill allergens and other bacteria that could be lurking.
5. Deep clean collars
When was the last time you gave your pet's collar a good clean? They can get grubby and smelly pretty quickly, so you should really be washing them every other week or so.
The easy and most effective way to deep clean them is by putting a couple of squirts of dog shampoo in a bowl and filling it with hot water. Pop the collars in to soak for at least 15 minutes, then rub the collars against themselves to extract any dirt. Rinse under a cool tap and pat with a towel before hanging to dry.
6. Easy fur removal
Do you let your pets on the bed? Another amazingly easy way to remove fur from your furniture, curtains, cushions and any other fabrics is with rubber gloves.
Pop a pair on, dampen them slightly, then sweep your hands over the hair-ridden areas. Use your fingers to get into those hard to reach areas, and hair will quickly stick to the rubber. Baby wipes also work well to remove hair from fabrics.
7. Deep clean toys in the dishwasher
Dishwashers aren't just for cleaning plates, pots and pans.
Wash plastic toys in the dishwasher to keep them germ-free and in good condition. You can wash any soft fabric toys in the washing machine, just pop them into a small garment bag before and don’t use a detergent unless it’s pet safe.
8. Invest in a robotic vacuum cleaner
Technology can really benefit your cleaning routine too...
...why spend hours vacuuming and cleaning up pet hair when a robotic vacuum will do it for you?
Roombas and other robotic vacuums have come a long way since they first appeared on the market, and they're more affordable than ever.
Make it a habit to clean up for a certain amount of time and it will happily hoover up all that pet hair. It could even provide some extra entertainment for your pets.
9. Tidy eating area
That should keep mess under control. Do your pets tend to end up with more food on the floor than in their mouths? Don't spend time scrubbing the floor - a wipe clean mat will make the job much easier. Place one under their food area to keep everything nice and tidy.
10. Pet-friendly pot plants
Some plants are particularly good at filtering the air in our home.
Pet-friendly plants such as Cape Marigolds, Bamboo Palms, Brazilian Orchids and Duffil Ferns are a fantastic way to get rid of pet-related odors.
Keep a plant (or two) in areas where your pet likes to rest, like the living room, and it should have an odor-neutralizing effect.
11. Pet urine cleaning
It's something all pet owners dread! A petcident on the carpet not only looks bad but the odor can be hard to get rid of too.
Pet-friendly kitchen cupboard ingredients make an effective stain remover with added odor neutralizing properties. Mix 1/2 a bottle of white vinegar with water and add 4 heaped tsp of baking soda. Keep it in a spray bottle and bring it out when your pet has an accident.
First blot the stain, then spray your stain remover liberally on top. Leave for 10 minutes then blot again.
12. Reed diffusers
They look pretty good too! Never underestimate the power of room deodorizers!
Whether you use scented candles, diffusers, linen spray or plug-in air fresheners - room deodorizers are essential when you have a pet. Use them regularly to keep your home smelling fresh and clean. Just be careful when lighting candles and ensure sure your pet isn't allergic to anything.
13. Easy pet bowl cleaning
Providing your pet's diet won't be affected, a light mist of low-fat cooking oil sprayed onto empty feeding bowls will prevent food from sticking and make cleaning them easier than ever before.
14. Put pet bowls in the dishwasher
You don't have to wash them by hand. This is a slightly controversial one, but most pet bowls can be safely washed in the dishwasher. If you live in shared accommodation, just be sure to get everyone's permission to do this before you start chucking them in alongside their plates.