Top 10 Spring Cleaning Hints for Homes with Dogs: A Paws-itively Fresh Start!

Spring has sprung, and Spotless says it’s time to give your home a deep clean that even your pup will appreciate! In this article, Spotless and I will reveal the top 10 things dog families need to clean for a fur-esh start this season! We’ll reveal the supplies you need and our paw-some cleaning tips. Tails waggin’? Read on!

First, Gather Supplies

Table of Contents

Have everything you need on hand before you begin.

Earth Breeze Eco Laundry Sheets, Unscented
2 Pro-Tek™ spray bottles – (one comes FREE with your gallon purchase!)
Pro-Tek™ Cherry, Pro-Tek™ Lemon, or Eco–Orange™ (Pick your favorite scent!)
Cleaning cloths
Doggie treats (Spotless!! He slipped that on the list.)
Vaccum and Carpet cleaning machine
Broom, dustpan, mop
Your favorite tunes or podcast
Dishwasher detergent
New air filters

Now, For Items 1, 2, and 3, Head for the Washing Machine

Turn on the tunes or your favorite podcast. Cleaning is always more fun when you’re movin’ to the groovin’! The first things on the list to clean are

Dog Beds and Blankets – Your pup’s favorite snooze spots collect fur, dirt, and odors.
Plush Toys – Those slobber-covered ones! ‘Nuff said.
Doggy Apparel – Stylish bandanas, coats, and sweaters look so cute but smell, well . . .

The good news your pet’s dirtiest ditties can go in the washing machine! Use unscented Earth Breeze to wash them safely for your pets.

While those items are sudsing, move on to the next step!

Next, For Items 4 & 5, Head to the Kitchen

Now it’s time to clean the next two items on the list.

4. Food and Water Bowls – Looking pretty grimy? Pop them in the dishwasher top shelf. Run that cycle!
5. Collars, Leashes and Rubber Toys – Dingy and stinky-like? Fill the sink with warm water just enough to cover the items. Add 1/4 cup Pro-Tek and let soak. For stubborn stains, you may need to add a bit of elbow grease. Grime and odors will be dog gone!

You’re halfway through! Have a little dance paw-ty with your pup and then nose your way over for the last steps!

Get Down Low for Items 6 & 7

6. Floors – Hair, hair everywhere! Ooo, and paw prints, too!
7. Carpet and Rugs – Hmm, has Fido been scooting his booty, per chance?

Let’s begin with the hard floors. Run the broom over all your hard floors and just you see how much pet hair and dirt you can sweep up. Wowza! (Ever think you could knit a sweater from all that dog hair?) Next, fill a mop bucket half full with warm water (about six gallons). Add [insert] cups of Pro-Tek and mop yourself into the living room.

While the floors are drying, vacuum the carpet. If you really want to be spring about spring cleaning, have a buddy help you move the furniture from the living room (and everywhere else you have carpet) for wall-to-wall vacuuming. Next, pour 4 oz Pro-Tek in your carpet cleaning machine tank and fill the rest with water. For full details on how to use Pro-Tek to clean your carpets or how to remove stains the pet-safe way, check out Easy Eco- Clean Your Carpet.

Can you believe you’re two thirds finished?

Almost There! Items 8 & 9!

8. Pet Crates and Carriers – Wipe down and disinfect to give your dog a clean and comfy retreat.
9. Windows and Sliding Doors – Goodbye, wet nose prints! Let the sunshine in without those adorable smudges.

Grab your two empty Pro-Tek bottles. In one, make an all purpose 10:1 solution by adding 1.75 oz Pro-Tek and filling the rest with water. Spray your crate and carrier thoroughly. Use a damp cloth to wipe away grime and get rid of pewy doggie smells. (Sorry, Spotless. At least your heart is sweet.)

In the other bottle, make a window solution by adding 1/2 cap of Pro-Tek and fill the rest with water. Spray your windows and sliding glass doors. Use a clean, dry cloth to remove paw prints and nose schmears. Sparkling clean windows are yours!

Last Step! Item 10!

10. Air Filters – Replace or clean air filters to reduce pet dander and keep the air fresh for you and your furry friend.

You may not be thinking about your heat and air conditioning systems, but now is the time! Check your air filters and replace them to reduce allergens and keep everyone healthy into spring and summer months.

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a ruff task—especially when you have your four-legged friend by your side. Happy cleaning and happy tails!