Ever wondered how you keep your house smelling good when you have pets?
Having our furry friends around is a blessing. They make our lives sweet and cuddly. However, sometimes they make the house smell foul by producing unpleasant odours. It could be your cat’s litter box or your dog’s fur. Luckily, there are things you can do to make your house smell good when you have pets. Here are 7 hacks for keeping your house smelling good when you have pets.
Keep Your House Clean
The most important thing you can do is keep the house clean. Your pets will produce bad odours by having accidents or bringing in dirt from outside, so you have to clean after them as soon as they make a mess. If you don’t, the smells will get older and mustier. The best thing you can use is a vinegar mixture to clean furniture, pillows, and curtains. Distilled white vinegar can clean almost anything and remove bad odours and is very safe to use.
Clean The Litter Box Regularly
Your cat’s litter box can make the house smell stale and unpleasant. So, consider creating a cleaning schedule to remember to clean it regularly; that means cleaning the box and changing the litter too. Another tip is to use different types of litter boxes if your current one makes the house smell. An automatic litter box can keep your house fresh. It also minimises the manual effort you need to put in to clean the litter box as it automatically disposes of your pet’s waste via sensors.
Get An Air Purifier
Air purifiers clean the air from indoor and outdoor pollutants. It’s generally recommended for your lungs’ health, especially if a member of the household has allergies or asthma. They also clear the air from the pet dander and remove bad odours.
An air purifier with a HEPA filter will filter over 99% of air particles, leaving you breathing better in a cleaner environment. There are some models where you can even combine an air purifier with an air freshener, to increase the effect.
Maintain Air Filters
Air filters also work to remove harmful particles from the air and represent another way to get rid of the animals’ smells in the house. They can be found inside your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC system. Be aware that your air filter needs to be changed every 1 to 2 months.
If you don’t change them, they will stop working and may harm your HVAC system or damage it. If your filter is washable, then wash it, let it dry then reuse it again. If it’s not, you might find more joy investing in one that is. The most recommended type is the HEPA filter that we mentioned before.
Keep Pets Clean
If you have a cat, you already know that you don’t need to shower it regularly. That’s because cats have natural cleansing combs in their tongues and they spend about a quarter of their day grooming themselves. Regardless of that, you have to shower your cat at least once or twice per season.
Things are different for dogs. A dog needs to be cleaned regularly, showered once a week at least. By showering your cat and dog, they won’t make the house smell as much. Another tip is to use wipes made for animals, to clean your pets’ paws after they’re done playing outside. That will prevent them from making the floor muddy.
Get Your Pet An Odour-Resistant Bed
Getting your cat a bed is useless; any owner will know they’ll sleep in that random box again. However, getting your dog an odour-resistant bed will help with the smell. Beds are where dirt and hair accumulate which can make the whole house stink. Investing in an odour-resistant bed may be worth it.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is worth more than its price. It’s known for its culinary and cleaning purposes. It can clean stains left by pets, but it can also absorb bad smells. Just put it in a bowl and leave it open. Or sprinkle it on furniture and leave it overnight and vacuum it the next day. It’s the perfect solution if you’re having guests in a few days, and you don’t want your house to smell bad.
Pets can stink sometimes but we love them anyway. All we can do is clean after them and give them all the love we can. Keep in mind that we might get used to the bad smells and they can go unnoticed by us. However, guests may notice the smell which is quite embarrassing. That is why these tips are important, even if you don’t feel like you’re facing an odour problem. In any case, you should always keep your house fresh and pristine.
Key Questions To Consider
Here are some important questions to reflect on:
- How Often Do Puppies Poop? Understanding your puppy’s bathroom habits is crucial. On average, a healthy puppy might defecate more frequently than an adult dog, often three to five times a day. This can vary based on diet, age, and activity level. Monitoring this can help you schedule regular clean-ups and prevent accidents inside the house.
- What Are the Best Cleaning Products for Pet Odors? While vinegar and baking soda are great natural options, you might wonder if there are other pet-safe cleaning products that effectively combat odors. Researching and choosing the right products can make a significant difference in maintaining a fresh-smelling home.
- How Can I Integrate Pet Grooming into My Routine? Regular grooming can reduce pet odors significantly. Consider how often you can realistically bathe and groom your pets based on your schedule and their needs. This will help keep them clean and reduce the amount of dander and hair in your home.
- Are There Specific Diets That Reduce Pet Odours? Sometimes, what your pet eats can affect how they smell. Are there specific diets recommended for reducing the natural odors of your pets? Consulting with a veterinarian can provide insights into dietary choices that may help.
- How Do I Know If My Air Purifier Is Effective? If you’ve invested in an air purifier, how can you tell it’s working as it should? Understanding the signs of an effective air purifier can ensure you’re getting the most out of this appliance.
- What’s the Best Way to Train Pets to Avoid Accidents Indoors? Training your pets to go to the bathroom outside or in designated areas can prevent odors. What are the most effective training methods to encourage this behavior?
- How Often Should Pet Bedding Be Cleaned or Replaced? Even with an odor-resistant bed, it’s important to know how often to clean or replace it to prevent smells from becoming entrenched.
- Can Indoor Plants Help with Air Quality? Are there specific plants that are not only safe for pets but also known to improve indoor air quality? Incorporating these into your home could be a natural way to enhance freshness.
- What Are the Signs That a Litter Box Isn’t Working Properly? If odors persist despite regular cleaning, it might be time to consider if your litter box setup is effective. What should you look for to determine if a change is needed?
- How Can I Ensure Guests Are Comfortable in My Pet-Friendly Home? Lastly, consider what additional steps you can take to ensure that guests feel comfortable and welcome in your home, despite the presence of pets.
By addressing these questions, you can create a comprehensive plan that not only keeps your home smelling fresh but also ensures the health and happiness of both your pets and your human guests.
