SAY 'NO' TO THE MESS

HOW TO HAVE DOGS AND A CLEAN HOUSE AT THE SAME TIME

While having a dog in the house does wonders for your mental health, without the right tips and tools, the muddy pawprints and hairy furniture might be enough to drive you through the roof.

Luckily, there is a way to have a dog and a clean house. We’ve compiled some tips and tricks to help you stay sane - and relatively clean - in a multispecies home.

1. SPLURGE ON THE MATS

Equip any door from the outside of the house with a small doormat to catch any dirt or leaves your dog might track into the house.

Then, put ‘outdoor’ rugs inside and place them by the couches, tables, and anywhere else your dog likes to hang out. Rugs sold as ‘outdoor’ rugs are easy to clean, and any spillage from a stray tail across the coffee table is easy to fix if it lands on these rugs.

2. REPAINT YOUR SURFACES

Some dark paint is your best friend in a house full of dogs. A nice coat on your surfaces is an excellent way to hide nose prints and muddy tail splatter.

3. LATEX GLOVES ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND

Lint rollers will only get you so far, especially if you have a heavy shedder or a long-haired breed. Instead, don the latex gloves and wipe your clothing, couches and bedding with your hand. The fur sticks to the gloves and makes your life a whole lot easier.

The best part is you can reuse your gloves. Just run them under some warm water, and the fur will come right off.

4. BUY SOME CHEAP THROWS

Even the hardiest furniture will start to look a bit shabby in the wake of excessive canine activity. A well-placedand inexpensive - throw could save your couch and give your home that interior design feel all in one. Pick light, machine-washable fabrics, and you’re good to go.

5. ADD PET ACCESSORIES TO YOUR CLEANING ROUTINE

Unwashed beds, toys and blankets can quickly build up that doggy odour. Chuck them in the washing machine if they’re machine washable, and wash everything else in your kitchen sink. Let them dry outside in the sun to zap the doggy smell.

6. INVEST IN A QUALITY VACUUM CLEANER

No matter how conscientious you are, there will be dog hair in your home. Make sure your vacuum cleaner is up to the task of dog hair, and consider an automatic vacuum to clean your floors while you sleep.

7. KEEP YOUR DOG CLEAN

You can’t blame a dirty dog for making your house a mess. Regular grooming sessions can go a long way in minimizing the mess. Fun fact — trimming your dog’s nails regularly will help decrease the amount of dirt he tracks in from outside.

8. PUT A DOG CLEANING STATION AT YOUR FRONT DOOR

It might sound crazy, but having a few essentials handy to catch your dog as he comes into the house could save you more work down the line. Have a durable outdoor mat, a cloth for wiping dirty paws and a dog brush to get debris out of his coat before he transfers them to the couches.

9. USE NATURE’S TOOLS

Sunlight and fresh air will do wonders to remove dog smells. Air out your home regularly and put dog beds and throws in the sun to kill the smells.

HAVE THE STAIN REMOVER HANDY

Accidents happen, and the quicker you clean them up, the better. Choose an enzyme-based stain cleaner and keep it where you can get at it quickly.