Those of us who have chosen to be pet parents enjoy the laughter, connection, and joy those furry family members bring us. However, we also deal with fur, pet messes, and potty mistakes. Maintaining a clean, fresh home with pets requires careful planning and action.

Need some help? Here are some cleaning tips for people with pets (and how to get your kids to help).

Cleaning Tips for Pet Parents

Think “Washable”

Washable rugs, blankets, and furniture covers are key to easy swap-and-replace cleaning. Thin or small rugs placed at entryways, near kennels, or in pet sleeping areas are easy to grab and throw into the wash. While they are washing, sweep or mop up any hair and dirt.

Blankets and furniture covers can protect the fabric on couches, chairs, and beds to prevent dirty paws and shedding. Waterproof covers are ideal for pets prone to potty mishaps. 

These protect your items and are easy to toss into the laundry, so replace them with a fresh, clean one before guests arrive. Or, simply cover furniture when pets are on it, remove it when you are ready to sit or sleep, then replace it again.

Tip to get your kids to help: Assign them a specific responsibility and age-appropriate chore list. For example, have your child be responsible for picking up the rugs by all the entry doors every Sunday, shaking them out, and then putting them in the wash. 

Be Proactive

When a pet gets sick, it is stressful enough to run around looking for supplies and hoping your pet doesn’t make the mess worse. Having a ready-to-go pet clean-up kit, such as a box, bucket, or bag, can help make quick work of messes. Be sure to include paper towels and rags, cleaning supplies, rubber gloves, and trash bags.

A quick tidy can be done with a simple lint roller that can be used on clothes or furniture. Having one handy near the front door to roll yourself free of pet hair is a great strategy.

Tip to get your kids to help: Give each kid a lint roller and see who can come back with the most hair on the pad in the shortest time. Making a contest or game out of chores makes them fun, fast, and gets them done!

Use a Schedule

Set a reminder or recurring schedule daily, weekly, monthly, or less often, depending on the need for cleaning. For example, if the dogs eat every day at 5 PM, make a schedule to clean their bowls and refill their water just after. Or, set a reminder to clean the litter box every Thursday, or fish bowl every 15th of the month.

Schedules create routines, which build good habits and helps get things done.

Tip to get your kids to help: Games have rewards and consequences (think Chutes & Ladders). Use the concept of gamification by rewarding completion of the requested tasks or penalizing non-achievement. For example, if your child puts away his dishes, brushes his teeth, and lets the dog out before 6 PM, he gets an extra 15 minutes of screentime.

Outsource

Let’s face it—those with pets and children have their hands full. Asking for help can be a lifesaver! 

Chores are always great for building character in children, so let’s keep those in place! But if everyday chores like cleaning the bathroom, dusting, vacuuming, and taking out the trash are keeping you from parenting the way you’d like, building relationships with those you love, or even playing with your pets, hiring a cleaning service is a great self-care activity.

About A Cleaning Service, Washington DC

A Cleaning Service provides residential cleaning services throughout the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas. Parents have come to rely on our award-winning service that gives them back the time they desire to focus on the relationships that matter.

Get your home cleaner with weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or deep cleaning services. Contact us today to learn how we have earned our customer’s trust and loyalty over the years. 

Get a quote, ask questions, or get on our schedule. We look forward to helping you achieve your cleaning goals as a pet parent.