The UK is unequivocally a nation of animal lovers, with an estimated 11 million households owning a pet. So, we obviously don’t need to convince you on the merits of a canine comrade or feline friend, but cleaning up after your buddy is a different matter entirely and one of the drawbacks to pet ownership! To save time and money, check out our 6 quick hacks:
1. Don those marigolds
A super-quick fix for removing hair from carpets or a sofa is to use rubber gloves. Simply place one dry glove on each hand sweep the area. The static will attract any hairs to create a fur-free zone- a cheap alternative to clogging up hoover bags! Rinse the gloves in water and throw the fur in the bin. A lint roller is a great alternative, if you have one spare.
2. Quick fix for those ‘little accidents’
Sometimes accidents happen, especially if your pet is young! A great way to combat any stains or odour is to mix two cups of white vinegar, two cups of warm water and four teaspoons of bicarb soda into a spray bottle. Dab the offending area first and spray the area thoroughly. Leave for five minutes, before dabbing for a second time, then leave to dry. Easy!
For washable items, chuck in a cup of apple cider vinegar to combat the ammonia.
3. Never find hair in your food again
Finding hair in your food can be a deal-breaker for some – especially if you have guests around. Humans aside (and sorry – we can’t help you there), cats tend to be the worst offenders for this as they want to be wherever you are, especially when there’s food about!
To stave off any embarrassment, place aluminium foil over the kitchen counters or prep areas. Cats can’t grip on to foiled surfaces so easily and hate to be humiliated, so in theory this trick should make them think twice about attempting it again!
4. Snowy paw bath
As the winter plods on, so does the chance of snow and ice. Salt grit can damage sensitive paws and wood flooring, too. A really quick tip to avoid a call to a vet, or to a professional cleaner is to place a warm bucket of water by the front door before you head out. After your walk, have your pet dip their paws in the water before drying. This also cleans off any mud!
5. Harness the power of lavender oil
Many believe lavender oil is a great soothing scent for humans and pets alike. Even better, it can prevent bad odours, even ticks, and keep your furry friends away from places you’d rather not be. What smells great to us isn’t always as nice to their noses! Place a drop between your pet’s shoulder blades to improve their perfume, or dilute in a spray bottle to create a room full of Zen.
If you’re a fan of natural remedies, adding some chopped parsley to food can prevent doggy breath! Similarly, citrus is a good way to deter digging – simply place some peel in the soil.
6. Polish out scratches
Most scratch marks caused by a clambering cat or dog won’t run too deep into your furniture. A quick fix for light marks to wooden furniture is to mix ¾ cup of oil with ¼ cup of vinegar. Dip the cloth in the solution and buff the offending area. And maybe add some lavender oil to keep them away in future!
Do you have a top tip we should know about? If so, post them in the comments!
