The Hairy Situation
I’m Ellen, and I’m not your average dog mom. I’m what you might call a little bit extra! My three rescued girls are spoiled to the best of my ability, with each living their very best life. I’ve learned a lot from being a dog mom, and I’m excited to share it all with you!
You see, I recently combined households with my partner, and we ended up with a total of three cats and one dog under our roof. Needless to say, the amount of pet hair circulating through our home has been…a lot. I’m talking about dog tumbleweeds drifting by on the floors and removing freshly washed items from the dryer only to find them still covered in fur.
As I was told by a new neighbor, “Wow, your house doesn’t SEEM like you have three dogs!” Well, my friends, that’s because I’ve learned a thing or two about controlling pet hair in the home.
Tackling the Shedding
Now, I know that shedding is just a way of life for many of our furry friends. My three labradors, for example, are double-coated breeds that blow their coats twice a year, causing the shedding to increase tenfold. But when I noticed one of my pups, Ruby, was going bald on her underside, I knew that was a sign of an underlying issue that needed to be addressed with her vet.
The key is not to stop your pet from shedding altogether – that’s simply not possible. Instead, it’s about learning how to manage and control the hair that inevitably ends up all over your home. And let me tell you, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way.
Keeping Coats Healthy
First and foremost, good health starts with good nutrition and hydration. Make sure you’re feeding your furry friend a high-quality diet and providing plenty of fresh water. Supplementing their diet with a quality fish oil or omega-3 blend can also work wonders for their skin and coat health, which in turn helps minimize excessive shedding.
Regular bathing is another important step. The more loose hair you can remove in the tub, the less that’ll end up all over your home. I like to use a Bodhi Dog Bath Brush to really get in there and collect all that excess fur. And to speed up the drying process and further remove loose hair, I recently invested in a SHELANDY Grooming Blower with Heater. It’s like giving my pups a trip to the professional groomer, just from the comfort of our own home.
Brushing in between baths is also crucial. I rely on the Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Brush for my labs, and I’ll often bust out the Oster Dog Rake to tackle their thick undercoats. The more you can remove that loose hair before it hits your floors and furniture, the better.
Frequent Vacuuming is Key
I was once told by a carpet cleaning pro that I should be vacuuming my house once a week for each person living there. And since my husband, myself, and two labs counted as four people, that meant four times a week. Yikes!
But you know what? They were right. Frequent vacuuming is absolutely essential for keeping pet hair under control. It wasn’t until I invested in an iRobot Roomba 980 that I was able to actually stick to that rigorous schedule.
That first couple weeks with Dusty (yes, I named my Roomba) were a bit of a conditioning process. The bin would fill up quickly, and I’d sometimes find little clumps of hair and debris left behind. But a coworker assured me that was totally normal, and soon enough, Dusty was able to clean my entire home on a single charge without a trace.
These days, I’m eyeing the iRobot Roomba s9+ with its self-emptying dock. That would make my life even easier, cutting out the need to constantly monitor and empty the bin. And with its superior suction power compared to my old 980 model, I know it would do an even more thorough job of removing every last bit of pet hair.
In addition to my Roomba, I also have a Dyson v8 Absolute cordless vacuum that I use for spot cleaning and tackling areas the Roomba can’t reach, like blinds, baseboards, and upholstered furniture. The mini motorized tool is a lifesaver for removing hair from our dog beds, car seats, and even the comforter on our bed.
Disguising and Cleaning Decor
When it comes to decorating our home, I have a two-pronged approach for dealing with pet hair. First, I choose colors, patterns, and textures that naturally disguise any stray fur. Neutral grays and blues with mild patterns work great for rugs and upholstery. And for furniture, you really can’t beat the easy-to-clean nature of leather.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and microfiber also hold up beautifully against paws and claws, making them ideal options for dog beds, blankets, and furniture. And speaking of blankets, those have become my secret weapon. A beautiful throw that matches my decor not only collects hair that would otherwise end up on the sofa or bed, but it also provides an extra layer of protection.
Of course, no matter how well I disguise things, there’s always going to be some pet hair that makes its way into the wash. Before tossing those loads in, I throw them in the dryer first for a quick air cycle. This helps release any loose fur so it collects in the lint trap instead of clinging to my clean clothes and linens. And if I notice extra static cling, a sprinkle of white vinegar in the rinse cycle works wonders as a natural fabric softener.
Professional Carpet Cleaning for the Win
Despite all my efforts, there’s one thing I’ve learned: no matter how diligent I am, there will always be some pet hair that finds its way deep into my home’s carpets. That’s why I turn to the professionals at ABC Home & Renovations for regular carpet cleanings.
Their team of experts knows exactly how to tackle even the toughest pet hair and odor issues. With their eco-friendly products and cutting-edge equipment, they can extract that embedded fur and eliminate any lingering smells, leaving my carpets looking and feeling fresh. Plus, their services help extend the life of my carpets by removing the dirt and grime that can cause premature wear and tear.
I can’t tell you how much of a difference these professional cleanings make. It’s like a reset button for my home, refreshing everything from the air quality to the overall appearance. And it’s one less thing I have to worry about as a busy pet parent.
Conclusion
Sharing your home with furry friends doesn’t have to mean surrendering to a lifetime of pet hair takeover. With the right tools, techniques, and a little help from the professionals, you can keep that fur under control and enjoy a clean, fresh-smelling home.
From regular grooming and vacuuming to strategic decor choices and periodic deep cleanings, there are plenty of ways to manage pet hair. And don’t be afraid to lean on the experts when needed – companies like ABC Home & Renovations have the know-how and equipment to truly get your carpets looking and feeling their best.
So embrace your furry friends, but take back control of your space. With a little effort and the right approach, you can create a home that’s as clean and comfortable as it is loving and lived-in. Happy cleaning, my fellow pet parents!
