Pets are wonderful. They enrich our lives in so many ways, from offering us unconditional love to keeping us safe. Unfortunately, they also create a lot of extra mess, and if you are a parent with a baby or toddler, you may struggle to keep on top of the cleaning.  

Short Vs. Long Hair Pets 

Long-haired breeds are the worse for shedding hair, but don’t assume you are safe with a short-haired dog or cat. Short hairs can be just as tricky to remove, and if they are a completely different colour to the carpets or upholstery, they will still show up.  

The good news is that you can control the pet hair without resorting to anything drastic like shaving your pets or rehoming them. They will soon get used to regular brushing, especially if you reward them.

Invest in a Quality Vacuum Cleaner 

The easiest way to clean large areas is by using a vacuum cleaner but look for a suitable model. A mediocre vacuum cleaner will not be able to cope with excessive amounts of pet hair. Before long, your carpets will have a whole new textural surface that looks remarkably like your cat. Look for a vacuum cleaner with a brush roller that picks up pet hair quickly and efficiently.  

Plenty of vacuum cleaners claim to be suitable for pet households, but don’t take their word for it. Instead, read reviews and ask pet owners which vacuum cleaner they recommend. The best vacuum cleaner is one that comes recommended by other pet owners. Once you have one in mind, conduct a vacuum cleaner test on a section of carpet covered in pet hair. For a list of the top brands, you should look at a website such as Best Vacuums which lists 33 of the best vacuums of the month.  

Try and vacuum your floors daily. Use the nozzle attachment to reach between items of furniture so clumps of pet hair don’t accumulate. Keep your pet’s bed clean too.  

Lint Rollers 

Lint rollers are handy if you need to tackle pet hair on your clothing. Use a lint roller to de-fuzz your clothes before you walk out the door. Keep a spare lint roller in your purse or car so you are always in control of the pet hair situation. If you run out, a section of sticky tape will work in an emergency. 

Rubber Gloves 

Rubber gloves are good at removing pet hair from upholstery and soft furnishings. Rubber sticks to pet hair and will drag it off the surface. Put a rubber glove on and rub the fabric. Lift hair off and place it in the bin. 

Daily Cleaning 

It’s important to keep the pet hair situation under control, especially if you have kids. For one thing, pet hair can be an allergen, so if your kids – or you – are sneezing and sniffling all the time, pet hair could be part of the problem. It is also unpleasant to eat food with cat hair in it or sleep in a bed covered in pet fluff. Some people don’t notice, but most of your guests will – and be quietly horrified that you live in such squalor!