PAWS FOR THOUGHT
The 7p trick to keep pet hair at bay this spring malting season & the sofa to avoid if you want your home to look clean
Plus, scroll down for more cleaning hacks you won't want to miss
THERE’S nothing more annoying than getting home after a long day at work, only to sit on your sofa and notice that it’s covered in pet hair.
And with spring malting season here (unfortunately for many), if you want to ensure your home always looks clean, you’ve come to the right place.
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With the days getting longer, lots of homeowners will be getting that itch for the big spring clean.
But if you're a pet owner, the masses of pet hair (that usually begins in March and can continue into early June), often poses a large challenge to overcome.
Luckily for you, Laura Carter, a pro from online retailer , has shared her top cleaning and styling hacks to ensure your pad stays looking tidy when you have a house full of fur.
So with National Pet Month finally here, there's no better time to ensure you get your home looking sparkling - even if you do have a host of furry friends scurrying around.
Read more pet stories
Use shaving foam to clean stubborn pet stains
First things first, if your sofa is covered in nasty pet stains you just can’t shift, you’ll need to try Laura’s shaving foam hack.
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Simply cover stains with the beauty buy and leave it for 20 minutes before wiping away.
White shaving foam is great for stains on fabric carpets and upholstery including faux leather.
It is a surprisingly effective cleaner because it contains surfactants, emulsifiers, and cleaning agents similar to those in soap, making it gentle yet powerful for cleaning various surfaces and removing stains.
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Don’t scrub at muddy paw prints
Secondly, you’ll need to remember not to scrub at your dog’s muddy paw prints and instead, will need to let them dry first.
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Rubbing or scrubbing stains risks damaging fabrics or pushing the mud deeper into it.
Top 6 spring cleaning hacks
Instead, once dry, hoover as much dry mud as possible, then use a blunt knife to scrape away the remaining mud.
On carpets, which are designed to be a little tougher, you can also gently brush at stains with a steel brush, vacuuming as you go.
For particularly tough stains, mix a quarter teaspoon of detergent (non-bleach) or white vinegar mixed with water to really attack the mark.
Blot out wee stains
When it comes to liquid stains on fabrics, simply spray them with water and then absorb with paper towels, blotting rather than rubbing to avoid weakening or stretching the fibres or pushing the stain further into the fabric.
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Sprinkle the stain with bicarbonate of soda and leave for half an hour to neutralise the smell, then hoover.
Repeat as necessary until the stain and smell are gone.
Tumble dryer sheets are a game changer
If your pooch has made your home kick up a nasty smell, tumble dryer sheets should be added to your shopping list.
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They’re great at collecting dust as they are anti-static and leave a nice fresh scent behind.
These are better than using liquid aerosols or sprays as moisture can encourage dampness and mould in fabrics.
You can even tuck dryer sheets inside cushion covers for a more permanent freshener.
Cleaning and household chores in numbers
Well Polished conducted a survey and the results are in!
Most Hated Household Chores
- Cleaning the oven - 34%
- Ironing - 15%
- Cleaning the toilet - 10%
- Washing the dishes - 5%
- Decluttering - 4%
Most Liked Household Chores
- Cooking meals - 21%
- Decluttering - 12%
- Hoovering - 11%
- Doing the laundry - 9%
- Tending to pets 8%
Men VS Women: Who Puts the Work In?
Men spend 7 hours 54 minutes a week cleaning.
Women spend 12 hours 15 minutes a week cleaning.
Attach a dryer sheet to a dry-mop or rubber broom using elastic bands then run around the floors to pick up dust and add a fresh smell.
You can buy dryer sheets for as little as £2.50 from Sainsbury’s and biodegradable options are also available.
For a pack of 34 sheets, each use will cost you just 7p, making this trick great for those on a budget.
Use a window cleaner squeegee to clean fur from sofas and carpets
For those dealing with a fur-covered sofa, a shower squeegee is sure to soon be your new best friend.
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Squeegees are great for scraping up all the fur from sofas and carpets that the vacuum cannot budge.
Regular vacuuming is also essential and can also help to deter fleas.
Not only this, but a rubber broom can be used to get rid of pet hair on wooden or vinyl floors too.
Select the right furniture
But at the end of the day, if you have pets and want a home that sparkles, choosing the right is key.
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Short pile and short nap polyester velvet are great options when shopping for the best sofa for dogs or cats.
Polyester, including velvet, is durable, and a short pile means fur or mud won’t sink into the fibres as easily.
While upholstery is super easy to wipe clean, it can be scratched, so it might be a better option for pets who aren’t prone to claw things and may want to be avoided if your dog has sharp claws.
Choose furniture that sits on legs, making it easier to clean beneath and making a world of difference in keeping hair under control.
Read More on The Sun
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Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You're cleaning your carpet all wrong - here's how to get it spotless again in no time
- Unblock a toilet without a plunger
- Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
- If you haven't in ages, here's how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
- Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
- Give your TV screen a once-over
- Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
- Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps
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