Dog parents might find it challenging to keep their homes clean during the winter. They have to deal with shedding fur, muddy paws, and the general mess inevitable with cold and wet weather. As a result, keeping their home clean can become an ongoing project with associated expenses.
According to a National Pet Owners Survey (2023 and 2024), conducted by the American Pet Products Association, 86.9 million people in the U.S. own a pet. Also, an average household in the country spends approximately $741 on their pets annually.
However, dog parents don’t always have to shell out extra money during the winter to keep their homes clean. Useful budget-friendly tips can get the job done and also help to save money.
In this article, we will shed light on a few affordable winter home cleaning hacks that dog parents can implement.
Create a Paw Cleaning Station
One challenge dog parents face during the winter is muddy paws. You can set up a ‘muddy paw station’ right at the entrance. Wondering how to go about it? You can place a towel or a large mat by the door to wipe out your dog’s paws.
Arrange a small bucket of warm water, a towel, and mild pet soap to clean your canine’s paws as soon as they step inside. If you want, you can choose reusable, reasonably priced wipes for fast clean-ups. This will help prevent the dirt and mud from spreading throughout your home. That means it reduces your overall home cleaning to a huge extent.
Additionally, cleaning muddy paws can help protect your furry friend from the disease, Alabama Rot, which can cause kidney failure. The actual cause of this disease is still unknown. However, The Kennel Club states that many researchers link this ailment to wet, muddy conditions.
Dogs that lost their lives because of Alabama Rot were found to be strolling in muddy woodland areas during winter before falling ill. Therefore, the paw cleaning station can help to prevent this disease.
Protect Your Furniture
Dog parents often share that their furry friends love to rest on the couch. During winter, this can leave your furniture wet and dirty. Therefore, to keep your upholstery protected, opt for washable furniture blankets or covers. You can easily remove and wash them when they get dirty.
If you’re on a budget, you can opt for low-cost throws or old sheets. Also, you can place a towel on your canine’s favorite spot, to prevent moisture from soaking into the fabric and catch loose fur. Do you have leather furniture? If so, you can regularly wipe it with a damp cloth and olive oil to keep it conditioned and clean.
Remove Pet Waste From the Backyard
Accumulation of pet waste in your backyard during the winter months can pose significant dangers. The freezing temperatures can cause harmful parasites, pathogens like E. coli, parasites, and roundworms to survive longer. As the snow starts to melt, these contaminants can be carried through the water runoff, thereby reaching nearby water sources, gardens, and even your house.
Discover Magazine stated that once the roundworm larvae enter the human body, they can mature and move into the bloodstream. It can lead to coughs and that’s how it reaches the host’s digestive tract, where they take every nutrient by getting attached to the intestinal wall. Pet parents might not see visible signs of any diseases, but it may lead to anemia.
Additionally, the nitrogen available in pet waste can burn the grass and cause dead patches that may be tough to repair. The waste buildup can lead to unsanitary conditions and foul smells that pose health risks to both pets and humans present in the yard.
Pet owners should consider professional pet waste and sanitization services to keep their lawns clean. These companies have the required tools and know-how to clean your backyard and make it safe to walk around for all.
Scoop Soldiers states that today leading service providers of pet waste removal understand that backyard maintenance goes beyond aesthetics. They customize their service based on client requirements and use eco-friendly practices.
It can transform your backyard from a dirty space filled with dog poop to a clean space for everyone to walk around, including your pet.
Manage Shedding
Winter shedding can be a prominent issue, based on the breed of your dog. Daily grooming is essential to control shedding in your house. It’s a good idea to brush your dog daily to remove loose fur before it ends up on your furniture and floors.
You can choose from the various grooming tools that are available on the market. It includes grooming gloves and de-shedding brushes that can make this process effective and simpler.
According to WebMD, other tools to use include wire-pin brushes which are ideal for detangling curly or wooly coats. Rubber curry combs are also effective for short-haired dogs. They can remove dead skin, dander, and old hair.
Daily grooming not only keeps the house clean but also promotes your furry friend’s coat health.
Use Natural Deodorizers to Freshen Up
During the winter months, a musty smell can develop in your house, especially when your canine gets wet from rain or snow. Choose natural deodorizers such as activated charcoal and baking soda to keep your home smelling fresh. You can sprinkle baking soda on rugs and carpets before you vacuum to neutralize odors.
Additionally, you can also place activated charcoal in a bowl around the house to absorb any foul smells. These options aren’t just affordable but also safe for your dog.
FAQs:
To have a clean home space and eliminate pet hair and dander, vacuum at least once a week. For pets that shed a lot, frequent vacuuming might be essential. It’s also crucial to routinely clean the vacuum filter and brush to make sure the suction and performance remain effective.
There are multiple kinds of wet wipes designed for various purposes. However, using general wet wipes on your pets is not a wise decision. For instance, dogs have a different skin pH balance compared to humans. Hence, it’s necessary to use pet wipes that are specifically formulated for dogs to ensure they are safe and effective.
Baby shampoo is gentle and might not dry out the skin. Therefore, it is suitable for bathing puppies. It can also help soothe irritated skin. Just as with dog-specific shampoo, make sure to rinse your dog thoroughly to remove all suds. Afterward, use warm towels to dry your pup or a canine dryer set to a low temperature.
As a dog parent, you need not spend a lot of money to clean your home during the winter. Nor do you have to invest ample time in this. Follow the easy and affordable hacks mentioned here to create a safe, clean, and comfortable home environment. This will benefit everyone in your family, including your furry companion, health-wise.