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Clean House Shortcuts when you Have Multiple Pets

Keeping a clean house when you have multiple pets is quite the challenge. It can be difficult for anyone to keep up with housework, but ever since we added our third dog, getting that clean smell is more challenging than ever. This is a sponsored post with Acorn, but all opinions are my own.

A candle on a mantle.

It’s crazy when Mike and I both team up and clean the house like nuts, and still find ourselves noticing that “dog smell”. Over time, I’ve found the major contributors to this “dog smell”. In fact, now that I know the main culprits, I can use them as shortcuts for a quick fix when needed. With the holiday season here, you never know when someone might stop by. It’s horrifying when a visitor comes by and you imagine them getting a whiff of zoo instead of clean house.

Cleaning Shortcuts when you Have Three Dogs

Give your pets a bath

If your pets are smelling a little funky, they aren’t helping with the overall scent of your home. Give them a bath to ensure they are smelling fresh when people stop by.

Here are some tips to give less stressful dog baths if yours prefer to stay stinky.

Boston terrier pug mix dog sitting on a rug.

Clean pet beds and rugs

Where do your pets hang out most often? Ours have pet beds and a few rugs that they lay on. The rug by the door is the worst. It absorbs all the gross pet smells and needs to be cleaned or replaced frequently. It’s amazing how that one rug can make the whole house smell like dog.

Boston terrier pug mix dog curled up sleeping.

Toss old toys

If you have any stuffed dog toys lying around, you might want to give them a careful sniff. If our stuffed pet toys make it past a week or so, they can get a little rancid. Since the dogs like to lick, suck, and drag them around, they can get extremely smelly.

Eliminate fur

Obviously, try to get as much dog fur up as possible. Our Hilo sheds so much that it causes tumbleweeds of fur to waft on by carrying their own dog smell with them. A good sweeping before people stop over helps the house smell cleaner.

Candles and Air Wicks packages.

Air care products

We are frequent shoppers in the Walmart air care aisle. There are many air fresheners out there to help control odors and aide you on your #SmellsClean mission. It’s fun to shop for the different scents.

Right now there are holiday scents that can make your house feel more festive, too. With so many choices, it’s easy to find products that match your taste and your decor. Make sure to refill your plug-ins and light some candles before guests arrive.

Air Wick plugin.

Check behind furniture

Maybe this just applies to us since we are still training a puppy, but there’s been a few surprises when cleaning behind furniture. This little Franklin is not house broken yet, and he likes to mix it up when it comes to going potty. Even with our eyes on him most of the day, he still manages to sneak off and plant a surprise somewhere.

During this busy time of year, it’s even easier to let simple chores slide on by. I am all about the shortcuts when it comes to keeping a clean house. Let’s save the deep cleaning for the new year, okay? 😉

Do you use any air care scents to help with a clean house smell? Have any shortcuts to share with us?

Julie Wood

Thursday 1st of January 2015

I like the Plug in air fresheners because they really get rid of odors. My dog does not like baths, and it is hard to give him a bath in the winter, so cleaning his bed and using air fresheners is the way to go!

Brigid OHara Koshko

Tuesday 30th of December 2014

I am glad I am not the only multi critter household that struggles with odors. I am always cleaning, washing and scrubbing to get rid of those smells. Nothing has worked 100% but having one of those wax warmers has been a bit of a relief.

Margot C

Sunday 28th of December 2014

I hear you on the pet beds (we have four different ones that rotate) and baths. I even bath the cat occasionally. Air Wick I can't agree on. I think it just adds another layer without improving anything at all.

Amanda

Wednesday 3rd of December 2014

We don't have a dog anymore, but when we did, air fresheners were a definite must!

Jessica (Savory Experiments)

Wednesday 3rd of December 2014

We have a kitty, so baths aren't an option, but he gets brushed a few times a week in an effort to keep those fur tumbleweeds under control. It still gets pretty bad, but I wouldn't change it for the world!