It's National Puppy Day!
Sally Stocker
March 23 is National Puppy Day!
Puppies. You either love 'em or hate 'em. Personally, we love 'em. We don't love the messes they make in our houses, though.
One of our clients owns two Great Pyrenees dogs and one King Charles Cavalier. (Yeah, we think she's a little crazy, too!) Those big dogs shed that hair like it's their job. Lorie Stuart Cleaning cleans her home every two weeks, but that time in between can get a little ~hairy~ if you know what we mean. To help minimize pooch messes, here are a few clean-house tips we suggested to our client:
Keep your dogs regularly groomed. Regular grooming cuts down on unwanted hair falling all willy-nilly and creating little piles of pooch fur that accumulate in corners and under furniture.
Use a de-shedding tool on your dog's coat.
Keep a towel or a sheet where your dogs like to rest, and shake it out periodically to remove most of the hair before tossing it in the washing machine.
A good way to remove pet hair on rugs is to vacuum in multiple directions (first go north-south and then go east-west, or whatever directions you'd like to use). If you have low-pile carpeting, after vacuuming, use a rubber rake or squeegee to remove as much hair as possible.
The best way to remove pet hair from your clothing is to use a tape roller. Loop a ribbon through a handle and hang one from the doorknob inside closets so they're always available to use.
For furniture, use the vacuum's upholstery tool or a hand vacuum with a motorized beater-bar attachment. Lint brushes and dry sponges (sold at pet-supply stores) also work well.
Try to keep your dog's paws clean. We know this is a little extra, but it does cut down on dirt inside your home. After your dog does his business outside, use a wet towel to wipe off your pooch's paws before he enters your pristine home.
Puppies aren't usually housebroken, and the process can wear and tear on your sanity, as well as your home. The sooner you can get to pet stain, the better. Remove any solid residue with a dull knife. Blot fresh stains with a clean, white cloth. After absorbing as much moisture as possible, apply a solution of 1/4 teaspoon clear dishwashing liquid mixed with one cup tepid water. Blot dry with another clean, dry towel. Rinse by blotting with a towel dampened with tepid water. Continue alternating until the stain is gone.
Dogs aren't known for their clean eating habits. Place a mat or a rubber tray underneath your dog's food and water bowls. This way, you only need to wash the tray, not the entire floor.
If all else fails, give us a call and we'll come to help.