Having pets in the house can really liven up the surroundings and lighten the atmosphere even on the dullest days. But as you know, cats and dogs shed regularly and any place they sit, sleep, or crawl into, has fur and dander left behind. Vacuuming is one of the simplest ways to get rid of this. So, check out the following tips to keep your home clean in a fuss-free manner.

5 vacuum tips for homes with pets

1. Buy the right type of vacuum cleaner
There are many types of vacuum cleaners specifically designed with adjustable nozzles and cleaning modules to effectively draw out every ounce of pet fur, dirt, and outside debris. You might not fit behind the sofa easily but your pet can easily scamper there and create a mess. We recommend you explore cordless or handheld battery-powered vacuums that come with long attachments designed to reach difficult places.

2. Use a protective cover over furniture
Your furniture and furnishings are made out of materials that can easily trap fur and dirt, even if your pets don’t necessarily jump up and down on the sofa. Felt lining, cotton cushions, and even the sides of the armrest are all hotspots where fur and debris can accumulate quickly. Using a powerful handheld vacuum with a thin nozzle, you can scoop out most of the dirt before covering the article. Use quality slipcovers that can be easily removed and cleaned outside if your pets do decide to get comfortable on the couch and have a good time rolling around.

3. Carpet cleaning technique
Carpets are the toughest places to vacuum especially if you have a couple of pets running around all day long. And simply running a dry vacuum won’t do the trick. You must instead use a rubber broom to sweep the carpet area and dampen the material using a mixture of baking soda and water. The baking soda helps get rid of any odor from unclean carpets. Lightly spray the solution all over and wait for a few minutes before running a vacuum. You will notice it becomes easier to clean this way.

4. Adjust the direction
While common sense dictates running the vacuum cleaner in one direction, you should adjust the angle of the nozzle and vacuum against the grain of the material. This way, the suction will be more effective and your vacuum cleaner will pick up pet dander from deep within the carpet lining. Ensure you constantly adjust the direction and run the vacuum at least twice in a single session.

5. Make use of everyday items
Using just a small wet sponge, you can clean your furniture and ball up tufts of fur by brushing the sponge over the surface. A micro-fiber cloth, Velcro lint brush, or a lint roller works equally well to scrub and collect pet hair from sofas, the couch, and recliner surfaces made with more delicate materials. Alternatively, try using a pair of thick latex gloves to scoop up a big ball of fur before turning to your trusty handheld vacuum for a final scoop. As one of the final vacuum tips for homes with pets in this article, try a combination of any of these methods to see which works best.