7 Housekeeping Tips for New Dog Owners
You’ve got a dog – hurrah! But how is your home faring with its latest resident?
Kate Burt
9 July 2021
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
If you’re fairly new to life with a dog, you may still be figuring out how to adapt. And adapt you will have to – dogs fill our lives with love, entertainment and more, but also with all sorts of ongoing mess you may not have anticipated.
To make your home welcoming for your new pal, it may be best not to fight this. Instead, introduce some of these small touches to help you cohabit harmoniously.
To make your home welcoming for your new pal, it may be best not to fight this. Instead, introduce some of these small touches to help you cohabit harmoniously.
1. Invest in a dedicated hair remover
However much we love our pups, it can be annoying to find patches of their hair all over the furniture. So, whether you opt for a dedicated pair of rubber gloves to sweep up stray hairs, a silicone brush designed for the purpose, or a specialist vacuum cleaner, you’ll probably need some technique for removing it from your soft furnishings.
The alternative is to train your dog never to sit on your sofas, cushions and armchairs. This is broadly possible, though not necessarily desirable. Dogs also learn quickly how to adapt their behaviour for when you’re in the room and when you’re not…
Getting a dog? Find an upholsterer or professional fabric cleaner near you on Houzz to protect your furniture
However much we love our pups, it can be annoying to find patches of their hair all over the furniture. So, whether you opt for a dedicated pair of rubber gloves to sweep up stray hairs, a silicone brush designed for the purpose, or a specialist vacuum cleaner, you’ll probably need some technique for removing it from your soft furnishings.
The alternative is to train your dog never to sit on your sofas, cushions and armchairs. This is broadly possible, though not necessarily desirable. Dogs also learn quickly how to adapt their behaviour for when you’re in the room and when you’re not…
Getting a dog? Find an upholsterer or professional fabric cleaner near you on Houzz to protect your furniture
2. Stock up on washable throws
Draping favoured doggie sleeping spots with throws is another way to reduce dog hair accumulation on your furniture. Even if you have a pooch who doesn’t moult, throws can help keep furnishings clean and protect them from drool, smells and scratches.
Choose durable, washable throws in soft textiles that your dog will be drawn to (if the bare sofa is softer, you’re fighting a losing battle). Also consider choosing a pattern or a plain colour that coordinates with your dog’s colour – you’ll want to wash these throws regularly, but not necessarily look at everything you’ll be washing out between cycles.
Draping favoured doggie sleeping spots with throws is another way to reduce dog hair accumulation on your furniture. Even if you have a pooch who doesn’t moult, throws can help keep furnishings clean and protect them from drool, smells and scratches.
Choose durable, washable throws in soft textiles that your dog will be drawn to (if the bare sofa is softer, you’re fighting a losing battle). Also consider choosing a pattern or a plain colour that coordinates with your dog’s colour – you’ll want to wash these throws regularly, but not necessarily look at everything you’ll be washing out between cycles.
3. Rethink your rugs
There are various times in any dog’s life when he or she will have some sort of bodily mishap that may well wind up making a mess on one of your rugs. Are your floor coverings up to the challenge?
You may have a part of your home that’s a dog-free zone, in which case, go crazy in there with your woven silk or valuable antique kilim. If not, consider how you might clean up a variety of stains from your chosen floor surface and furnish accordingly.
A washable cotton rug is ideal and wool is extremely hardwearing and stain-resistant. Heavily textured or knotted floor coverings, such as coir or sisal, however, may prove impractical with a hound in the house.
There are various times in any dog’s life when he or she will have some sort of bodily mishap that may well wind up making a mess on one of your rugs. Are your floor coverings up to the challenge?
You may have a part of your home that’s a dog-free zone, in which case, go crazy in there with your woven silk or valuable antique kilim. If not, consider how you might clean up a variety of stains from your chosen floor surface and furnish accordingly.
A washable cotton rug is ideal and wool is extremely hardwearing and stain-resistant. Heavily textured or knotted floor coverings, such as coir or sisal, however, may prove impractical with a hound in the house.
A good foaming upholstery cleaner should deal with most mishaps, depending on your rug. You may also want to invest in a specialist cleaning gadget – you can find handheld versions with brush attachments that deliver hot water directly to stains. (Always check the rug’s care instructions before getting stuck in.)
While you may get the rug back to freshness and hygiene, some stains may linger. Perhaps it’s time to try a patterned rug…
While you may get the rug back to freshness and hygiene, some stains may linger. Perhaps it’s time to try a patterned rug…
4. Designate a doggie spot in the garden
In an ideal world, your dog will be out having carefully timetabled walkies every time there’s a call of nature. In reality, there are times when they’ll probably go in your garden, if you have one.
Accept this and simply prepare for the inevitable by creating a small, discreet loo zone for them, ideally somewhere slightly tucked away from the main garden.
There are loads of videos online showing how best to set one up and even how to train older dogs to use one. Your flowers and lawn will thank you.
In an ideal world, your dog will be out having carefully timetabled walkies every time there’s a call of nature. In reality, there are times when they’ll probably go in your garden, if you have one.
Accept this and simply prepare for the inevitable by creating a small, discreet loo zone for them, ideally somewhere slightly tucked away from the main garden.
There are loads of videos online showing how best to set one up and even how to train older dogs to use one. Your flowers and lawn will thank you.
5. Clean your washing machine
Dog beds and rugs absorb lots of doggie ‘perfume’, especially when it’s the first place your pooch goes for a roll-around after a rainy walk. For a clean and fresh-smelling home, it’s a good idea to frequently give these items as hot a wash as possible to kill any bacteria.
The perhaps not immediately obvious ‘but’ in doing this, is that your washing machine will subsequently require some attention – particularly if your four-legged friend sheds hair. If you don’t, this hair will appear on the next batch of washing you pull out.
Always wash doggie accessories in their own cycle and leave the door open afterwards to let the drum dry. Get a damp cloth or wad of kitchen roll and wipe inside the door seal. Then get your vacuum cleaner with its brush attachment and suck out all the stray hairs that will probably now be lurking in there.
With machines that handle this type of washing, it’s also super important to keep on top of your machine’s cleaning regime and do an empty hot wash with your choice of cleaner at least every couple of months.
Browse more beautiful laundries on Houzz
Dog beds and rugs absorb lots of doggie ‘perfume’, especially when it’s the first place your pooch goes for a roll-around after a rainy walk. For a clean and fresh-smelling home, it’s a good idea to frequently give these items as hot a wash as possible to kill any bacteria.
The perhaps not immediately obvious ‘but’ in doing this, is that your washing machine will subsequently require some attention – particularly if your four-legged friend sheds hair. If you don’t, this hair will appear on the next batch of washing you pull out.
Always wash doggie accessories in their own cycle and leave the door open afterwards to let the drum dry. Get a damp cloth or wad of kitchen roll and wipe inside the door seal. Then get your vacuum cleaner with its brush attachment and suck out all the stray hairs that will probably now be lurking in there.
With machines that handle this type of washing, it’s also super important to keep on top of your machine’s cleaning regime and do an empty hot wash with your choice of cleaner at least every couple of months.
Browse more beautiful laundries on Houzz
6. Have separate towels
This is a follow-on from the washing machine tips. You may be happy to share (clean) towels with your faithful friend – and everything, of course, is washable – but it can be helpful to have a collection of dog-only towels. The practical benefit is that these can easily be identified and washed separately to avoid clogging up your machine.
This is a follow-on from the washing machine tips. You may be happy to share (clean) towels with your faithful friend – and everything, of course, is washable – but it can be helpful to have a collection of dog-only towels. The practical benefit is that these can easily be identified and washed separately to avoid clogging up your machine.
7. Create a doggie-wash station
This idea will obviously not be feasible for many. However, if you’re renovating or adding a laundry, ask your designer or builder to factor in your pup’s baths. As seen in this clever example from Papilio in Gloucestershire, UK, a dedicated tap with a hose or a sink for small canines doesn’t need to take up lots of space and is a practical consideration for dog owners.
If that sort of arrangement is out of the question, consider improving your entry point by creating a small cleaning station to help you deal with the aftermath of messy walks. Factor in the necessary equipment (think towels, water or dog-appropriate freshening spray, cleanable floor mats, somewhere to quickly put mud-caked leads or soggy, dripping dog coats in the winter…) and make the space to store it all nearby.
This idea will obviously not be feasible for many. However, if you’re renovating or adding a laundry, ask your designer or builder to factor in your pup’s baths. As seen in this clever example from Papilio in Gloucestershire, UK, a dedicated tap with a hose or a sink for small canines doesn’t need to take up lots of space and is a practical consideration for dog owners.
If that sort of arrangement is out of the question, consider improving your entry point by creating a small cleaning station to help you deal with the aftermath of messy walks. Factor in the necessary equipment (think towels, water or dog-appropriate freshening spray, cleanable floor mats, somewhere to quickly put mud-caked leads or soggy, dripping dog coats in the winter…) and make the space to store it all nearby.
Your turn
What are your tips for living harmoniously with a dog? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Haven’t quite had your fix yet? Read 10 Home Truths for Those Who Live With Dogs
What are your tips for living harmoniously with a dog? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And remember to like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Haven’t quite had your fix yet? Read 10 Home Truths for Those Who Live With Dogs
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In addition to all of the above, especially the hardwood or tiled floors (with underfloor heating), make your living/dog spaces easy to vacuum - sofas on legs so that you can vacuum underneath, display and storage units that hang on the wall, or are on rolling casters - and a powerful, cordless vacuum cleaner for speedy and frequent use!
Update …… As much as I dealy love my 4 legged friend trying to keep up with his hair was a daily challenge which I felt like I was losing…… until I purchased a robot vacuum cleaner.
Now this bit of plastic and electrinics waners around my house, vacuuming and mopping and its truly been life changing.
I’m now welcomed ar the front door by the bundle of uncondional love, but the floors are hair and paw print free!!
I dont have piles of dog hair tucked in the corners of my rooms anymore. The robot trundles around my home whikst I an at work, or in and out if the rooms wheh working from home.
The need to dust is also reduced as the robot is simply collecting off the carpets daily….
for every dog owner - a robot vacuum cleaner is a must!!
Oh dear.I wish I’d trained our dogs to stay off sofas. But I did buy sofas with washable covers! And that works well. I also matched the colour of my kitchen floor to muddy footprints. Ceramic “ floorboards”.