As a pet owner (five cats, a dog and some Goldfish), I know a thing or two about pet hair and pet odors.
I’m proud to say that people who come into our home that don’t know us say they can’t tell that we have pets because they don’t see the hair or smell them. Two different real estate agents told us that too, and you know how picky they can be.
If you didn’t see two of our cats (the others hide when we have company), the cat tree, litter box or hear our dog barking you wouldn’t know we have pets.
Keeping your home hair free and odor free requires effort, but it CAN be done.
Here are a few tips on how to eliminate unwanted pet odors and hair from your home. Some tips are from BISSELL’s lifestyle expert, Evette Rios. Other tips are from me.
- You can cut down on the amount of hair your pet sheds by brushing his fur daily. This will get rid of any loose hair that would otherwise end up on your furniture or floor.
- If possible bathe or have your pet groomed on a regular basis. This will not only cut down on unwanted hair but also odor.
- Pet odors can get trapped in carpets. Between regular deep cleanings, use Febreze Carpet Deodorizing Powder in Extra Strength Pet Odor Eliminator. Just sprinkle the powder on carpets, wait for a few minutes, and vacuum as usual. Not only does the powder clean up to 3X better than vacuuming alone, but it also leaves behind a light, fresh scent.
- You can remove hard-to-reach hair on furniture with a pair of rubber gloves. Put on the gloves and dampen them under warm water. Then, run your hands across the area. The hair will cling to the gloves, eliminating it with one swipe of the hand. You can also wrap wide tape (such as packaging tape) backwards around your hand (sticky side out) and run your hand across your furniture to grab the hair. It works the same as a garment roller.
- Dogs can track in a lot of dirt after playing outside, so place mats at all entryways to catch loose dirt right away. Another suggestion would be to keep an old glove and/or towel near the door your dog comes in from to wipe off dirt and mud BEFORE your dog comes inside.
- If your pet has an accident, prevent discoloration in your carpet by preparing a vinegar rinse. Deep clean the area first, then mix one part white vinegar to three parts water and apply it to the area. Finish by deep cleaning the spot again.
- If your cat’s kitty litter is causing a problem, mix dried tea leaves into the litter. The tea leaves will neutralize the odor. Baking soda can also help eliminate kitty litter box odor.
- Make a habit of cleaning out the litter box as quickly as possible. Don’t let the urine or feces sit there for a whole day or longer. Not only is it very unhealthy for you and your pet but it also stinks up your home. Clean it out as soon as you possibly can.
- As much as I dread it, you really need to make an effort to clean frequently. If you can’t clean a little bit on a daily basis at least make a habit of cleaning and vacuuming 2-3 times per week.
- Open up the windows and let some fresh air in. You’d amazed at how it can freshen up the smell of your home.
- Don’t just empty the litter box of waste. You also have to remove all the litter and wash the entire box out on a regular basis.
- Regularly clean all pet bedding. This not only helps to get rid of hair but also pet odors.
These are just a few tips. If you have any other tips for eliminating unwanted pet hair and odor in your home feel free to leave a comment.
Kimberly
*I was not compensated for this post. I am merely sharing tips with readers.
Olivia Rubin says
I follow a lot of these tips. I find that by regularly brushing my Labrador Retriever, she stays clean and so does my home. She knows to stop as soon as we walk in the door so I can wipe her feet after we come in if it has just rained.
People remark that my lab doesn’t smell like a dog. She doesn’t smell, but she really can’t. As my Service Dog,it is my part to keep her healthy in all ways, including appearance. I never want someone to know that a dog was there after we leave. I brush her teeth, clean her ears, feed her well, all which I feel contribute to a non-smelly pet and home
Kate F. says
These are great tips. I need to brush my dogs more often so there won’t be so much fur in my house.
Sarah L says
I brush my cat daily – it’s good for both of us.
Tammy S says
Thanks for the tips. I will have to try the damp rubber gloves trick on my furniture. I have never heard of that trick. Thanks!
md kennedy says
I’ll have to try the Febreeze for the odor. The hair isn’t so bad (a damp sponge after vaccuuming usually does the trick) but that doesn’t help the smell!
Holly @ Woman Tribune says
And I thought dealing with pet hair and odors was bad enough with just my two cats. Five cats, as much as I would absolutely love having five little fur babies roaming the house, sounds like a whole lot of work! Thanks for all of the tips on cutting down on the amount of pet hair and odor around the home. As for the litter box, not only should you clean it out everyday, with frequent whole litter box cleanings, but making sure there is enough litter in the box is also very important. Cats like to dig and bury, and it can drive them a little crazy if there isn’t enough litter in the box to do this the way they want.