The ultimate guide to cleaning up after your dog

Dogs may be man’s messiest best friends. So although a dog is part of your family, you need to set and follow some ground rules and establish some habits to protect your family’s health and keep your home clean.

Use these steps to clean up after your dog. With a bit of work, it’s easy to make owning a pet less messy than ever before.

1. Get storage

If you are the type of pet owner who gets tons of toys and accessories for your dog, you know how messy it can get with these objects strewn across your home. Having storage dedicated for your dog’s belongings will make your life hassle-free.

You can even keep this storage near your door for easier access. You can use this storage for your pet’s leashes, toys, and bowls.

2. Invest in the right cleaning tools

Investing in the right cleaning tools will make your role as a pet parent much easier as you clean up after your dog.

One of the leading pet peeves of a pet owner is the hair that ends up all over your furniture, floors, and every possible surface around your home. If you do not know what tools you need, you might think a regular broom will be sufficient.

Unfortunately, that is not true. The question of how to get rid of dog hair in house has frustrated many over the years. Simply put, it all depends on the surface.

For example, if you are dealing with a carpeted area, you will need a vacuum or a regular broom. On the other hand, if you have wooden or laminate flooring, you are better off using a rubber broom to gather the hair.

You can use a lint roller to clean clothing for the best results.

3. Carry poop bags

Like any other living thing, dogs need to get rid of food waste. Unlike cats, however, they don’t use a litter box. This means that you will have to take your dog out a couple of times a day so that there are no accidents inside your home. Of course, if you have a private yard, you will have an easier time since your dog can have free reign over it. Nonetheless, you will need to clean up after your dog by picking up your dog’s waste, especially in public areas, since no one wants to step on poop.

You can invest in a gadget like a pooper scooper that collects your waste to ensure an easier cleanup. To use such a gadget, you insert a plastic baggie in the opening, and when you use it as a claw to pick up the debris, your dog has left behind. If you are on a budget, you can do it the old-fashioned way and invert a plastic bag onto your hand and pick the waste up. Then you can throw it away in the nearest trash can.

Keeping your yard clean and free from dog waste will ensure no unpleasant odors and chances of you or your family stepping on poop or your dog dragging it inside your home.

4. Train your dog to stay off the furniture

One of the main reasons people who have dogs struggle to keep their homes clean is that they fail to train their pets properly.

It’s easier to clean up after your dog if you keep it off the furniture. This is going to save you from a ton of hassle. Not being on furniture means that your dog won’t be shedding on your couches, chairs, or beds.

Plus, there is a lower risk of vomit or accidents occurring that can cause stains and terrible long-lasting odors. Train your dog while still a puppy to ensure the best behavior. The older your dog gets, the harder it will be to get it to abide by new rules. If you feel like you cannot provide training, you can contact a specialist to help you out.

5. Invest in a washable dog bed

Since your dog won’t be allowed on furniture, it needs a place to rest and sleep. When looking for a bed for your dog, make sure it is washable. This will help you avoid having unpleasant odors permeating your dog’s bed, and it will ensure that your dog remains healthy; there will be a lower risk of getting fleas or other bugs.

Having a washable bed also means that you do not have to buy a new one when it gets a little dirty. You can throw it in the washer and leave it to dry.

6. Use a placemat

Dogs are not known for their eating etiquette. They can be rather sloppy, which means that if you are not taking precautions, your floor will be covered in food and water splashes.

You can get a non-slip mat and place it under their food and water bowls to avoid this mess. This will prevent the bowls from being jostled around when your dog is feeding, which will prevent messes.

7. Keep a handy hose outside

Keep a hose attached to your home near your door to keep your house extra clean. This is a lifesaver because, more often than not, dogs enjoy getting dirty and playing around in the mud. To ensure that this mud or dirt will not cover the floors of your home, you can easily hose down your dog when you come back from a walk. It will only take a couple of minutes, but it will save you from the headache of having to constantly clean and disinfect your floors every single time your dog goes out for a walk.

Make it easy to clean up after your dog

Staying organized and maintaining cleaning habits will ensure that your home is spotless. Using this ultimate cleaning guide, you will be able to have a pet dog without worrying about pet hair, stinky odors, or messes. These steps are pretty simple but can make all the difference in maintaining your health and your dog’s health and wellbeing.