The arrival of spring isn’t just about tulips and taking picnics…
It’s also a time to bust out the vacuum cleaner attachments, load up on caffeine, time to tackle the task that we all love to hate: SPRING CLEANING.
For pet owners, this traditional spring activity goes beyond window screens and (cue the daunting music) that dirty oven with all the grease stains.
Homes with pets not only have more love, they also have more places for odors, dirt and debris to hide.
As you roll up your sleeves and get to work, don’t forget these 7 spring cleaning “must-dos” specifically for pet-loving homes!
1. Get the Walls
Take a close look at the walls near where your pet eats and sleeps. Are they covered with mess? A few simple steps and they’ll be good as new.
- First, run the dust attachment of your vacuum over the wall.
- Then, clean the wall with the mildest solution possible to protect your paint. Water and a sponge should do the trick, or a mild detergent mixed with water.
- For stubborn stains, try a paste of baking soda and water.
Tip: avoid colored sponges, as the dyes can color your walls.
2. Clean Your Pet’s Bling
Sometimes we focus so much on cleaning our pets and their bedding that we forget about one of the biggest odor-attractors: their collars!
To clean your pet’s bling, add a couple squirts of Oxyfresh Pet Shampoo to a bowl and fill it with hot water. Let the collar soak for 15 minutes, then rub it together to remove any stubborn debris.
Rinse and hang to dry. Easy!
3. Suds Up Their Toys
Toys are a magnet for bacteria and odors.
Plush toys can be washed in the washing machine on delicate cycle (using a dye-free detergent with no harsh chemicals). Line dry or stick them in the dryer inside a pillowcase.
Hard toys can be cleaned in the sink with a solution of half water and half vinegar. Scrub with a brush or sponge, and then air dry.
4. Spruce Up the Backyard
If you live in a four-season climate, what happens every spring? Yep, that blanket of snow starts to melt, revealing piles of poo and other unsightly messes, like trash that’s been blown in.
Clean up the yard to avoid all those icky smells being tracked through your house. Also, check for winter damage to your fence or gate to ensure that your pooch can’t escape.
5. Change Your Filters
Does it ever seem like pet odors keep overtaking your living space, no matter how often you clean?
If you don’t change your furnace and AC filters frequently, airborne pet odors can get caught in the air filters. This recirculates the same stinky smells throughout your house over and over again.
Be sure to change furnace and AC filters frequently to keep the circulating air fresh and clean!
Need a quick pet odor removal spray that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or fragrances? Try Oxyfresh Pet Deodorizer.
6. Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Sometimes the most challenging aspect of spring cleaning is getting rid of all that pet hair. It can seem like it’s everywhere!
Removing pet hair from furniture and drapes is easy! All it takes is water and rubber gloves.
Slightly moisten a glove on your hand and sweep the fabric with it. The pet hair should ball up and be easy to remove.
7. Pull Out Your Stove
The kitchen is likely one of your pet’s favorite places in the whole house.
What’s not to love? There are wonderful smells and food dropped right at their paws. This can create a host of crumbs and hair underneath the stove.
Pull out the stove and give the floor a good cleaning. Don’t forget the sides of the stove. You’ll be surprised at how many stinky spills are stuck to it!
Let’s Do This.
Get your spring cleaning out of the way, and then head outdoors for some fun with your precious pet. Happy spring from your pet pals at Oxyfresh!
