Springing Into Clean: 5 Cleanup Tips for Pet Owners
Spring is in the air, and for Southern Pines pet owners, that means more time outdoors, more shedding, and—let’s be honest—more messes! From muddy paw prints to pet hair on every surface, keeping a clean home with pets can be a challenge. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
Here are five expert pet mess cleanup tips to help freshen up your home this spring so you and your furry friends can enjoy a cleaner, healthier space.
1. Say Goodbye to Shedding with a Spring Grooming Routine
As temperatures rise, so does the amount of pet hair floating around your home. Shedding is a natural process, but regular grooming can dramatically cut down on loose fur.
✔ Brush daily – A de-shedding brush or grooming glove removes loose hair before it ends up on your furniture and floors.
✔ Bathe strategically – A mild, pet-specific shampoo every 4-5 weeks helps loosen excess fur and dander.
✔ Professional grooming – Regular trims are beneficial for some breeds, such as doodles, while pets with multiple coat layers (e.g. German Shepherds, Huskies, Pominarians, Auzzies etc) can benefit from bath deshedding treatments. However, the latter (double and triple coated dogs), may not be shaved without causing lasting damage to their natural coat. Always ensure that you’re selecting the most appropriate grooming service for your pet.
Pro Tip: Keep fur-capturing dryer balls in your laundry to help reduce the “extra love” your pet’s like to share with your clothes!
2. Tackle Muddy Paws Before They Hit the Floor
Spring means more rain, and more rain means muddy paws! Prevent dirty floors by setting up a muddy paw station near your entrance.
✔ Absorbent mats – Place a washable mat by the door to catch excess dirt.
✔ Pet-friendly wipes – Keep a stash of paw wipes handy for quick cleanups. Some water-based kids wipes are also available at a lower price point, and work well for this.
✔ Teach a “wait” command – Train your pup to pause at the door while you wipe their paws clean.
Pro Tip: Some of the extra shaggy sherpa-like door mats work exceptionally well, by capturing extra sand, in our Moore-County region!
3. Freshen Up Pet Bedding & Toys
Your pet’s bed and toys can hold onto dirt, odors, and bacteria. A deep clean this spring will eliminate allergens and keep your pet’s space fresh.
✔ Wash bedding & blankets – Use a mild detergent and hot water to remove fur and odors.
✔ Sanitize toys – Hard toys can be washed with warm, soapy water, while soft toys should go in the washing machine. Try to avoid using any scented soaps, which might offend your pet’s snooze and deter them from their toys.
✔ Deodorize naturally – Sprinkle a bit of baking soda on pet bedding before vacuuming to neutralize odors.
Pro Tip: If your pet has a favorite toy that’s looking rough, consider replacing it with a fresh one. You can rub a bit of the old scent, from the old toy, off onto it to encourage the switch!
4. Banish Pet Odors from Carpets & Furniture
Even the cleanest pets can leave lingering odors in your home, especially in carpeted areas and furniture.
✔ Vacuum frequently – Use a pet-specific vacuum to remove hair, dander, and dirt.
✔ Use an enzymatic cleaner – These break down pet stains and odors at the source. It also helps prevent your pet from “re-using” the spot.
✔ Steam clean for a deep refresh – A seasonal deep clean of carpets and upholstery will remove pet smells and bacteria. We use, and highly recommend, “Spot-On” Carpet Cleaning for your home needs as well.
Pro Tip: Open your windows while cleaning to air out your home and bring in that fresh spring breeze!
5. Keep Your Yard (and Pet!) Clean with Regular Walks & Pet Services
A well-maintained yard and a consistent pet care routine can help minimize indoor messes.
✔ Clean up pet waste promptly – Regular waste removal prevents tracking dirt and bacteria inside. Check out this local businesses, that helps with just that, here.
✔ Maintain a tidy yard – Raking up pine straw and trimming bushes reduces the amount of debris pets bring indoors.
✔ Schedule professional walks & care – A structured dog walking schedule helps your pet burn off energy outside, reducing restless indoor behavior.
At Your Pet Care Connection, we make pet care easy and stress-free! Whether it’s a midday walk to burn energy or a pet enrichment session to keep your pup entertained, our services help keep your home and pet happy this spring.
Spring into a Cleaner Home—With a Happy, Healthy Pet!
With these five simple cleanup tips, you can enjoy a fresher, cleaner home all season long—without worrying about pet messes.
🌿 Need help keeping your pet active and engaged this spring? Let us handle the walks, playtime, and enrichment while you enjoy a cleaner home.
📞 Contact us today to book your pet care services and make spring cleaning a breeze!