10 Go-to Cleaning Hacks for Pet Parents

It's a testament to how much you love your furry friend that you're more concerned than annoyed when they vomit on your carpet or furniture. But that doesn't mean you can't still be a little annoyed, and worried about especially gross stains setting in. Quickly remove as much of the mess as possible using paper towels, then sprinkle baking soda over the area to neutralize odors and absorb remaining vomit. Let it sit for a few minutes and vacuum it up. Follow with a mild cleaning solution if necessary.

Hey, no one vacuums as often as they should. So if you look down at your carpet and see pet fur tumbleweeds sailing past... no judgment. A traditional vacuum doesn't do a great job at collecting pet hair that's pressed into carpet fibers. The next time you pull out the vacuum, try sweeping the carpet first to loosen the hair so the vacuum can grab it.

Watching the world go by is the pet equivalent of watching TV. Plus, watching through the window is the best way to spot your human coming home. But all those wet nose prints and slobber marks look terrible on your windows. Spritz windows with a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water and wipe with a sponge. Your windows should be clean, and you won't have to worry about using toxic cleaners around your pet.

Dogs are like toddlers in some ways. If they see a puddle, they're going to aim straight for it, and then track all that wonderfully squishy mud right into your living room. Keep baby wipes right inside the door to clean dirty paws as soon as your pet comes inside. They're effective and gentle enough for sensitive paws.

Is there any part of the house that your pet hasn't touched with their shedding? And if your pet has been in the car recently, there's a good chance there's fur lingering in there too. A simple squeegee will help you remove pet hair from upholstered surfaces like your couch and your car seats. Wet the rubber blade and drag it across the fabric to pull hair right up.

If you're going to let your pet lick you, it's definitely best not to think about how dirty that mouth is. But when you're picking up your pet's chew toys, it's hard to think about anything else. Kill bacteria on chew toys by running them through the dishwasher alone, without dishes. This only works with hard rubber toys that are dishwasher safe, so check the packaging first.

Having a litter box makes cat ownership easier than dog ownership... until it's time to clean the thing out. In between cleanings, the smell's not great. Neutralize those odors by picking up a diaper pail with a filtering system and an odor-lock system and keeping it near the litter box. Whenever you see used litter, scoop into the diaper pail and seal it. You can do full box cleaning less frequently while keeping any smells from spreading.

Auuuggh! You've scraped and swept as much pet hair as you could off of yourself and the surfaces in your home, and yet clumps still appear every day. Between big cleaning sessions, wrap packing tape around your hand, sticky side out. Press the tape to any areas where you see shedded hair to get rid of it on the spot.