No home is perfect without an adorable pet, some prefer dogs, cats or even a cute hamster. Pets are considered family and create a lovable environment, but let’s face it, you sometimes feel you live in a kennel, from litter boxes, to bad breath or just general pet odor, it stinks! You could decorate your house to look very classy, but if call of nature happens, and the smell starts spreading, all the fancy decorations will make you embarrassed to let anyone in.
Having pets doesn’t mean you need to live with their smells, here are 5 simple tips to keep your home less stinky.
1. The litter box
Before you get a pet, specially indoor ones like cats, make sure you are set up with all their needs. Litter boxes may be the biggest source of cat smell in your home, so first be attentive here. Scoop the litter box on daily basis and throw the waste out. Note cats are known to be royal, and won’t accept to use the litter box if it’s dirty, so they may choose another location for bathroom purposes. That will definitely make your house stink!
Use scented litter, but make sure it’s not too strong, as cats are turned of by the scent and may look for another area, and if you’re lucky, it may be the bathroom corner. Sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of the litter box, can be a quick option to reduce odor.
We recommend you change the litter bi-weekly and each time, wash out the box with soap and water. The box itself must be replaced complete every year, because as frequent as you wash them, plastic boxes trap bacteria and begin to smell over time.
2. Keep your home and pet clean too
Obviously cleaning your home on a regular basis is vital if you want to eliminate pet odors. Vacuum regularly, especially if your pet is fluffy and sheds hair, this can cause more problems than odor, like allergies! Baking soda also works wonders as a carpet deodorizer, sprinkle a bit on the carpet, wait an hour and vacuum it up.
Next step is washing, using ¼ cup of vinegar with any laundry soap is a good solution when washing any furniture coverings, pillows, curtains, etc… anything you identify that cannot get clean, just throw it away as it probably has bacteria by now.
Voila! The house smells great, let’s move on to your pet now. Grooming frequently is a must, from baths, brushing, breath, and much more, keeping your furry pet clean is a key in keeping your house odor-free. And after a bath, make sure they are completely dry before moving around, wet pets smell sticks to carperts, air, couches, and anywhere else they settle in. If your pet turns into a wrestler when their bath time comes, a grooming service may be the way to go. Last but not least, don’t forget to clean your pet’s toys and accessories.
3. Open the windows
There is nothing better than fresh breeze to air out bad smells. Opening windows and doors, can purify and make a difference in your homes air quality by blowing a fresh breeze in and bad smells out. In colder months, open them for a short time, 10 minutes is enough. Air purifiers are a great way to cut down on allergies and odors in the air – keeping your house fresher, we suggest you use them frequently. A good suggestion is opening windows and doors while performing tips 1 and 2, as it will be more effective in reducing odors.
4. Keep their food and water area clean
The favourite spot for any pet, usually there is one area where they are accustomed to have their meals peacefully. These areas should be cleaned between meals, and don’t leave food out for long periods. Surprising fact; water bowls can be a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, so make sure you wash them out with soap and water to keep smelly bacteria away.
5. Get off the couch!
A saying we always hear around pets. Some pets are well behaved and listen, but we know cats aren’t… So if you must allow pets on your furniture, choose its material wisely; leather is more pet friendly than fabric, metal is easier to clean than wood, and soon. A good choice would be using a washable cover on furniture like slipcovers, so when your pet claims an armchair or a spot on the couch, you can easily throw it in the washing machine to avoid odors that occur in time.
Following these tips, will make your house smells fresh and clean, and less like a kennel. Share with us your favourite pet photos too, we would love to see them!
