How to Keep Your House Clean with Dogs: Effective Tips for Pet Owners

Owning a dog brings joy, companionship, and unconditional love to your life, but it can also add to the challenge of keeping your home clean. From shedding fur to muddy paws and occasional accidents, maintaining a clean house with a dog requires consistent effort and the right strategies. Fortunately, with a few smart cleaning habits and some practical tips, you can keep your house tidy and fresh while enjoying your furry friend’s company.

Here’s how to keep your house clean with dogs, with helpful advice on dealing with pet hair, odors, and messes.

1. Brush Your Dog Regularly

One of the biggest challenges of living with a dog is managing the shedding, which can cover your furniture, floors, and clothing. Regular grooming is essential to control shedding and reduce the amount of fur around your home.

• Brush your dog daily or weekly: Depending on the breed and the type of coat your dog has, brushing can help remove loose hair before it falls all over your house. Long-haired breeds or heavy shedders should be brushed more frequently. Use a de-shedding tool for best results.
• Use the right brush: Invest in a high-quality brush that suits your dog’s coat type. This will help reduce shedding and prevent matting, making grooming easier.
• Bathtime: Occasionally giving your dog a bath can help remove excess hair, dirt, and oils from their coat. Just make sure to use a dog-friendly shampoo to avoid drying out their skin.

2. Create a Cleaning Routine for High-Traffic Areas

With a dog in the house, certain areas are likely to become dirtier faster, especially high-traffic zones like the entryway, living room, or kitchen. Developing a cleaning routine for these areas can help maintain a cleaner environment.

• Wipe down surfaces: Regularly clean surfaces that your dog frequently interacts with, such as floors, counters, and furniture. A microfiber cloth or pet-safe disinfecting wipe is ideal for this job.
• Vacuum frequently: To combat dog hair, vacuum your floors at least 2–3 times a week, or more if your dog sheds heavily. Use a vacuum cleaner designed for pet hair to ensure efficient cleaning.
• Mop regularly: Sweeping alone may not be enough to remove dirt, hair, and odor from floors, especially in high-traffic areas. Mopping once or twice a week can keep your floors looking fresh and clean.

3. Use Dog-Friendly Cleaning Products

When cleaning your home, make sure to use products that are safe for pets. Some household cleaners contain chemicals that can be harmful to your dog if ingested or inhaled.

• Pet-safe cleaners: Opt for non-toxic, pet-safe cleaning products that are free from harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, and artificial fragrances. There are many eco-friendly brands that offer safe alternatives for cleaning floors, furniture, and even pet messes.
• Baking soda: This is a natural, non-toxic cleaner that can help with odors, especially on carpets and furniture. Sprinkle baking soda on surfaces or fabrics, let it sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum it up.

4. Set Up a Dog-Specific Cleaning Station

To minimize the amount of dirt and hair your dog tracks through the house, create a cleaning station near the entrance of your home.

• Use a doormat: Place a large doormat at the door where your dog enters to help trap dirt and mud. You can also place a towel or absorbent rug near the door for your dog to wipe their paws on after walks.
• Paw cleaning station: Consider using a paw cleaner or a small container of warm water and a towel to clean your dog’s paws after walks. This helps prevent dirt and mud from being carried inside.
• Drying your dog: After being outside in wet or muddy conditions, use a towel or a dog-specific drying cloth to wipe down your dog’s coat and paws. You can also use a pet dryer if your dog has longer fur.

5. Control Dog Odors

Dogs can sometimes bring strong odors into the house, from wet fur to accidents or even simply the natural scent of their coats. Regular cleaning can help keep your house smelling fresh, even with a dog.

• Use odor-neutralizing sprays: There are many pet-friendly sprays designed to neutralize odors in your home. Look for sprays that use natural ingredients like baking soda or essential oils. Always make sure the spray is safe to use around pets.
• Air purifiers: Invest in a high-quality air purifier that can help reduce pet odors, hair, and dander in your home. Air purifiers with HEPA filters are particularly effective at capturing pet allergens.
• Wash dog bedding and toys: Regularly wash your dog’s bedding, blankets, and toys to reduce any lingering odors. Be sure to use a pet-safe detergent that is gentle on your dog’s skin.

6. Use Pet Covers for Furniture

Dogs love to lounge on couches, chairs, and beds, which can lead to pet hair, dirt, and even drool stains on your furniture. A great way to protect your furniture and keep it clean is by using pet covers.

• Pet throws and blankets: Place a washable throw or blanket over your dog’s favorite spot on the couch. These can easily be washed when they get dirty.
• Furniture covers: Consider using pet-specific furniture covers or slipcovers that can be removed and washed as needed. These covers can help protect your furniture from hair, stains, and dirt.

7. Train Your Dog to Stay Out of Certain Rooms

While it may be tempting to allow your dog to roam freely through the house, restricting access to certain rooms can help you maintain a cleaner home.

• Use gates or barriers: Install baby gates or pet barriers to keep your dog out of specific areas like the kitchen, bedrooms, or the dining room. This can help keep these spaces free from dog hair and dirt.
• Designate pet-friendly areas: Set up a specific area in the house where your dog can rest, such as a bed or crate. This keeps them contained to one area and makes cleaning easier.

8. Clean Up Accidents Quickly

Accidents happen, especially with puppies or older dogs. Whether it’s urine, vomit, or stool, cleaning up messes quickly can help prevent stains and odors from setting in.

• Act fast: Clean up accidents as soon as they happen. For urine accidents, blot up the moisture with paper towels and then clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner that neutralizes odors.
• Use pet training pads: If your dog is still in the process of being house-trained, or if they have a medical condition that causes incontinence, consider using training pads to catch accidents. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly afterward.

9. Invest in a Lint Roller or Pet Hair Remover

Even with regular brushing, pet hair will inevitably find its way onto your clothes, furniture, and carpets. A lint roller is a quick and easy tool to remove fur from various surfaces.

• Lint rollers: Keep a lint roller on hand in high-traffic areas where your dog spends time. These are great for picking up hair from furniture, clothing, and even the car seats.
• Pet hair remover brushes: There are specialized brushes designed to remove dog hair from carpets and upholstery. These can be particularly effective if your dog sheds a lot.

10. Create a Cleaning Schedule

To stay on top of cleaning with a dog in the house, establish a cleaning schedule that includes daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.

• Daily tasks: Wipe down high-touch areas, vacuum frequently used spaces, and make sure your dog’s bedding is clean.
• Weekly tasks: Mop floors, clean windows, and change out your dog’s water and food bowls.
• Monthly tasks: Wash your dog’s bedding, clean the garage or storage areas, and perform a deeper clean on furniture or carpets.

Conclusion: Keeping Your Home Clean with Dogs

Maintaining a clean house with dogs requires some effort, but it’s absolutely possible with the right approach. By implementing a routine of regular grooming, cleaning, and using the right tools, you can minimize messes, reduce odors, and keep your home tidy. Remember that while having a dog can add some extra cleaning duties to your day, the companionship, love, and joy they bring into your life are well worth it.

With these strategies in place, you can enjoy the company of your dog while keeping your home clean, fresh, and comfortable.