Spring Cleaning Tips for Pet Parents

While you may be dreading Spring Cleaning, your pets probably haven’t given much thought, if any, to the cleaning tasks ahead. But that doesn’t mean they’re exempt from the season of clean. It means it’s up to you to complete Fido’s Spring Cleaning tasks. Even though you clean up after your pet regularly, we made this guide to get you thinking about cleaning some of your pet’s things that you may not think about as often.

Toys

Gather all your pet’s waterproof toys and toss them in the sink. Take a handheld steam cleaner and give them a good wash. If you don’t have a steam cleaner, the dishwasher works too. While you’re in the process of cleaning toys, consider throwing out older ones that seem to be on their last leg – like that tennis ball with the huge chunk taken out of it. If you’re sick of toys laying around the house, grab a big wicker basket next time you’re at the store. Then, when you get home, do a sweep of every room and gather all the toys in the basket. Put it in a central spot in your home, like the corner of the living room. Since the top is open, your dog should be able to easily get ahold of toys without having them laying throughout the house.

Food Dishes

There are several things you should clean for your pet on a regular basis. While we’re sure you wash your dog or cat’s dishes fairly frequently, when was the last time you gave them a deep clean? Or even replaced them? This is another opportunity to break out the handheld steam cleaner or toss them in the dishwasher. The same goes for that scoop you use to serve up Fido’s gourmet meals. It’s easy to forget about washing that, but Spring Cleaning is a great time to get that task done! If you keep pet food in a plastic tub or other washable container, make sure to wash that while you’re at it.

Beds & Crates

Beds, crates, carriers, or the floor… it doesn’t really matter where your pet sleeps, these all need to be cleaned regularly. Most beds are machine washable or can be cleaned with a vacuum and portable carpet cleaner, depending on the size. Most crates and carriers can be wiped down with a pet-safe all-purpose cleaner or a handheld steam cleaner, just be sure to let everything dry before your pet is allowed back in their sleepy space.

Leash & Collar

Cleaning your pet’s collar and leash can be tricky, especially that leash. We know the second your furry friend hears the leash clink, he’ll think it’s time for a W-A-L-K. We suggest getting your hands on the leash when your pet isn’t around. Grabbing their collar should be easier, just make sure to keep an extra close eye on him or her while they’re collarless as this should have emergency contact information for your pet on it. Once you have the leash and collar, you can toss them in the washing machine and run the gentle cycle. Lay both flat to dry. Handwashing is also an option, just fill up the sink with warm water and some dish soap. Let both soak for about 10 minutes before laying them out to air dry.

Clothes

Considering it is spring, your pet may not need that sweater for the next few months. Now is a good time to toss their cute little clothes in the wash. It’s also a good time to declutter and get rid of any clothes they don’t wear or that may be stained or torn.

Pet Hair Everywhere

This is the perfect time to give your carpets the vacuum they deserve. We’re talking more than just a few quick passes in high traffic areas. Instead vacuum those areas that don’t get a lot of attention throughout the year, like under the couch or other spots where you may need to move heavy furniture to get to the carpets. It’s tough to think about all of the icky things that can get stuck in your carpet throughout the year, but did you know vacuuming in one direction and then switching to vacuum in the opposite direction actually loosens embedded pet hair so you can get it out of the carpet? We love sharing this tip, especially around Spring Cleaning season. And the best part is, you can use this technique all year round!

Sanitize Around Litter Boxes

We can’t forget about cleaning up after the cat during Spring Cleaning. While vacuuming and sweeping litter up does a good job for quicker, weekly cleanups, this is a good time to go a little further when cleaning around and on the litter box. Use a steam mop on the floor around the litter box so the area gets a sparkling, chemical-free clean.

Remove Stains

We know you’re quick to clean pet messes as they happen, but we also know it’s impossible to see everything your pet is doing at all times, so some stains are missed, especially harder-to-see stains like urine. When it comes to these stains, there’s no time like Spring Cleaning to break out the big kid tools. Use a blacklight to show where your pet had an accident. Once you’ve found it, tackle the stain with one of our enzyme cleaners. Those enzymes will get deep down into the urine stain to remove the stain and the odor, making it less likely that your pet will remark that same spot. The action found in these types of cleaners is like the healthy probiotics found in some types of yogurt – they help “eat” the microscopic particles that make up the stain. Once the spray is released from the bottle, the probiotics are activated and begin working. If kept moist, the enzymes will continue to multiply and remove the stain material until it’s gone. That’s why keeping a moist towel on the stain and giving it plenty of time to work will ensure that the stain is thoroughly removed.  

Outdoor Area

Make sure your yard is ready for pets again. It’s been a long winter, and that means there could be all sorts of messes that hid under the snow all season. Take some time to walk around your yard, picking up any pet waste, large sticks, trash, or other debris that could be dangerous for your pets. We can’t think of a better way to welcome spring than a clean yard for you and your furry friend!

We hope these tips help give you and your pets a fresh start this spring. With these tasks at the top of your mind, consider trying to keep these habits all year long, not just when spring starts. Doing these cleaning tasks when you think about them can make a real difference in your pet’s life and yours.