4 Common Household Cleaning Issues With Dogs

When you live with dogs, there’s no doubt your home is filled with love. That’s the greatest blessing of sharing your life with a four-footed friend.

But as any pet parent knows, a house with dogs is also filled with pet hair, muddy paw prints, questionable odors, and a whole list of other issues that can challenge a dog mom’s house cleaning routine.

So what’s a dog mom (or dad!) to do when she wants a clean home, but has to contend with a messy mutt? I’m so glad you asked because today I’m sharing 4 common household cleaning issues with dogs, and tips for combatting them. Keep reading!

Cleaning Issue #1: Pet Hair

Y’all, my dog’s hair is so short, it’s hard to imagine how it could be a problem. And yet I find those teeny, tiny red hairs everywhere! On the sofa, on the bed, on pillows, in the car, on our clothes, everywhere! But no worries, controlling all that crazy pet hair is fairly simple using these tried and true methods:

1. Lint rollers. I can’t tell you how much I rely on these babies. It’s so easy to roll the sofa cushions, our clothes, and the bed to quickly remove unsightly pet hair. I do this at least once a day.
2. Dyson Groom. If your dog will actually let you use this magical little tool on her, your life will become so much easier! Nike was a little bit afraid of it at first, as she’s always been a bit bothered by the sound of the vacuum cleaner, but once she got used to it, the Groom has become a regular thing here at our house.
3. Bissell PowerGlide Pet Vac. Speaking of vacuum cleaners, this one works like a charm. I highly recommend it.

Cleaning Issue #2: Muddy Paw Prints

Nothing ruins a freshly mopped floor like a heavy rain and four muddy feet. You know how it always rains right after you wash your car? Well, for me, the quickest way to bring on a rainstorm is to mop my floors. I’ve found a few handy solutions, though, and I honestly don’t know how I ever lived without them:

1. Rubbermaid Reveal. If a girl could ever fall in love with a mop, it’d be me. I flippin’ adore this thing, and I believe every pet parent should have this mop in their home cleaning arsenal. L-O-V-E it. That’s all I can say.
2. Method All-Purpose Cleaner. I try so hard to use natural products in my home for the health and well-being of my family, including our pets. Sometimes it’s hard, though, to find all natural cleaners that really work. That’s not the case with Method products. The entire product line is ah-mazing.
3. Pet Towels. The best way to combat muddy paw prints is to stop them in their tracks (total pun intended!). When Nike and I come indoors from the rain, she knows to wait patiently on her rug while I grab her towel (which I keep in a basket near the door). I quickly wipe off her feet and she runs off to play. Take that, muddy paw prints!

Cleaning Issue #3: Pet Odors

Even the most well-trained dog can have an occasional accident in the house, and even a teeny tiny accident can leave behind a really big odor. One of the best ways to air out your home is obviously to open the windows and let the freshness in. Beyond that, here are my favorite ways to get rid of the smellies:

1. Pet Stain & Odor Remover. The first step in getting rid of odors is to remove the source. I like to use a non-toxic and environmentally friendly l stain and odor remover at the site of the accident, and ZAP is one of my favorites. 
2. Method Room Spray. See? I told you that Method’s entire product line is awesome. This room spray is made from a non-toxic, naturally derived formula that contains no CFCs or dirty propellants, because the can is powered by pure air. This fresh clover scent is pure awesome.
3. Pet House Candles. I’ve written about these awesome candles before, and I still love them. They are non-toxic, made with 100 percent natural soy wax, and they are allergen-free. With many great scents to choose from, they’re a great way to fill your home with a fresh, clean smell that the entire family will enjoy.

Cleaning Issue #4: Slobbery Windows

Our front door has sidelights (otherwise called tall, skinny windows) on either side of the door, and Miss Nike absolutely loves to stand there and look out at the world. Consequently, those windows are always covered with slobber and her nose art, just as my car windows are. This is a pretty easy fix, although it does seem like I have to do it almost daily:

1. Method Natural Glass Cleaner. Yes, it’s another Method product. This one is also a great surface cleaner, as well. Did I mention that Method products are cruelty-free?  Just one more reason why they’re so fantastic.
2. Bounty Paper Towels. We’re big fans of Bounty around here, and we buy it in bulk. 
3. Glass Cleaning Cloths. For quick clean-ups, I like these glass cleaning cloths. They don’t clean as well as the paper towel and spray cleaner combo, but in a pinch they’ll do.

And then there’s my iRobot Roomba. I’ve written before about how much I love this thing, and I can’t tell you how much it has changed my life. Keeping a neat and tidy home is so much easier with my Roomba to help! It’s a bit of an investment, but trust me when I say it’s totally worth it!

Of course, there are many cleaning issues that come with living with dogs, but in my house, these are the biggies. I hope I’ve given you some ideas and inspiration for combatting these issues in your own home.

Do you have any cleaning tips for pet parents? I’d love for you to share them below in a comment!