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This post is all tips for how to keep your house clean with dogs and eliminate odors and messes.
Let’s be real: keeping a clean house while having a dog can seem like an impossible feat. It can seem like you are sharing your house with a cute little (or large) real-life dust bunny who goes around dirtying up your house day in and day out.
Even though my dog is a Goldendoodle and his shedding is minimal, he still manages to make quite the mess for me.
Whether he is traipsing in mud from outside, splashing water out of his food bowl, or dripping water from his mouth, he does quite the number on my home.
I, by no means, claim to have the cleanest home – but I have compiled a list of tips that have made a world of difference when it comes to keeping my home clean with a dog.
How Do I Keep My House Clean with a Dog?
I have compiled a list of both tools and cleaning tips for keeping your home looking, smelling, and feeling it’s cleanest!
1. Absorbent Rug – For Wet Paws
I have this heavy duty absorbent rug in front of the doorway where my dog comes and goes outside. If you are having trouble keeping their paws dry before coming inside, this is an absolute life saver.
Just doing this alone helps to absorb most of the moisture in their paws before they come inside.
Do yourself a favor and get one because it really comes in handy!
2. MudBuster – For Muddy Paws
This is a continuation of my last tip on the subject of minimizing paw tracks.
My previous home had a lot of patches in the backyard that got super muddy during certain times of the year. And of course, without fail my dood always found his way to those spots. You would have thought my backyard was an elephant exhibit from all the trampling.
So, on many occasions a towel or rug alone just doesn’t do the trick. I was having to throw him in the tub every time. With him going outside multiple times a day, you can see how this got old really quick.
Enter: MudBuster!
One of the dog Facebook groups I’m a member of suggested getting a MudBuster Dog Paw Cleaner from Amazon. Serious life changer you guys!
It’s basically a large cup with rubber cleaning bristles on the inside. You fill it partially with water and then one by one, dip your dog’s foot in it and twist.
The bristles get all the built up gunk off your dog’s paws with ease. I just squeeze his paws dry and use a towel to dry them off after and wala!
Clean as can be and sure beats the hassle of trying to hose his feet down in the shower.
3. Vacuum Daily
This is huge for maintaining a clean home with a dog.
Whether it’s from shedding, food crumbs dropped out of their mouth, or dried dirt – there’s always something to vacuum up. I find it’s better to stay on top of it and if you can’t commit to doing it daily, at least aim for a few times a week.
My cordless Dyson vacuum has been so helpful because I don’t have to mess with plugging it in. I can just pick it up and spot vacuum quickly and easily throughout the week.
4. Keep Your Dog Well Groomed To Help Keep Your House Clean
If you have a dog that grows a lot of fur, try to stay up to date on their grooming appointments. You could even invest in a clipper and do it at home like I do in between grooms to make it stretch (because let’s face it, $75 every 8 weeks adds up!).
Not only does dirt collect easier in paws with fur, their fury bodies collect more dust, dirt, pollen etc. from outside which in turn makes your house dusty quick.
Also make sure you are brushing them out regularly to prevent excessive shedding.
If you have a smooth haired dog you can just wipe them down with a waterless shampoo and warm cloth to prevent any build up!
5. Use Fragrances
To keep your home smelling like it isn’t a doggy dwelling, take full advantage of plug in wall scents, candles, room/fabric sprays.
I use them in every room of my home! Not to say you should mask the odor but, well, sometimes you just gotta mask the odor lol.
As always, before using or spraying anything on surfaces, check that they are pet safe and non toxic!
6. Wipe Down Surfaces More Often
Dust collects on surfaces such as floors, walls, and furniture way faster when you have a dog. So, you will probably find yourself wiping down and dusting more often.
When I do this, I like to use something with an amazing scent like the Mrs. Meyers Multi-Surface Cleaner sprays.
Not only do they do a good job of wiping off dust, they leave your house smelling fresh as can be!
Final thoughts on how to keep your house clean with dogs
Like I said, my home is far from spotless.
BUT, I can say I would much rather live in a home that gets dirtied up by my fur baby than to have a spotless home with no doggy companion in it!
If you share a home with a pet, drop a comment below with some of your top tips for how to keep your house clean with dogs!
Bonus:
If you want more exclusive tips for keeping your house clean – check out this post and download my free printable weekly cleaning checklist!
Ordering a Mudbuster now !