When it comes to dog ownership, there are a couple schools of thought when it comes to keeping things clean. There is, of course, the puppy vacuum method: a tried-and-true trick that merely requires a vigilant pup and dinner scrap spillage. But for those days you want to be a little more proactive about making your house spiffy—while ensuring the four-legged members of the household don’t get sick from poisonous cleaners—tune into these simple tips from Rover.com.
Baking soda is your best friend.
We love a simple solution of baking soda, water, and sea salt to scrub away at the grime our furry friends make. From scrubbing food bowls and making feeding areas sparkling, this basic paste is something you’ll make over and over.
For carpets that have seen (and smelled) better days, sprinkle baking soda over the offending areas, let sit for 15 minutes, and vacuum up.
Keep cleaning pods in locked containers.
Those laundry and dishwasher soap pods that are so convenient for you? They look like toys, or worse yet, treats, to your pup. Make sure they’re in locked containers where Fido can’t further investigate.
Invest in empty spray bottles…
And fill them with natural cleaners, meaning you won’t worry whether curious canines are unintentionally digesting unfriendly chemicals. We love a solution of one part vinegar, four parts water—great for glass, especially car windows prone to puppy nose smudges. Or, fill the bottle with one part lemon juice and 10 parts water for a natural solution that tackles sticky counters and floors.
For the most offensive of cleaning tasks…
An unglamorous, but sometimes necessary, a tip from us to you. Mix ½ cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons salt, soak a rag in the solution and rub out the stain your pup left. Let dry and vacuum.
At the end of the day…
We almost forgot the essential final step to all these housecleaning-with-dogs tips: make sure to cuddle the four-legged friend that makes your home the happy place it is. Both when it’s clean and when it’s, well, lived-in.
Author: Casey Dickson
