Spring is here and this usually means regular spring-cleaning sessions around the house. You know it must be done, and if you need some encouragement to get it done, here it is. Keeping a hygienic home will enhance your family’s (which includes the pets) health and help everyone live a healthier life.
One of the many reasons why we need to keep our homes clean is to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases, which are spread between people and animals. When you clean your home, disinfect all areas, including those hard-to-reach places, like the tops of doors, cupboards and curtain railings.
Healthy lifestyle
If you live in those areas of our country that experience dry winters, you will know that dust seems to accumulate in the strangest of places. These small speckles of dust can be a source of allergies for your family and pets, and can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and parasites. It is not always possible to clean in the small nooks and crannies around your home, and that’s why an annual spring cleaning is so important.
Daily cleaning will ensure that the obvious places are cleaned – to remove dust and dog and cat fur from the floors, carpets and furniture. Unfortunately, your four-legged family can’t help you to keep these areas clean, but you can ask the humans in your house for some assistance.
Areas to remember
Dogs
You need to wash your dog’s bed at least once a month. When you wash his bed, look out for anything strange, like broken material, foreign objects or signs of parasites, and clean or fix these areas if possible. Leave his bed in the sun to dry, or if it fits in the tumble drier, then tumble dry it.
His blankets and toys should be washed at least once a week. Use dishwashing liquid to wash his toys – remember he carries them in his mouth.
Cats
While your cat’s litterbox should be cleared of solids on a daily basis, you should replace the sand at least once every two weeks – depending on the type of litter that you use. The litter tray should be cleared of sand and properly cleaned with a pet-friendly detergent at least once a month. Adding a layer of bicarbonate of soda before you replace the sand in the cleaned litter tray will help to keep nasty odours at bay.
Birds
Vacuum up any seeds, loose feathers and other bird litter, and properly wash your bird’s bowls every day. A clean bowl with fresh water and food will help your bird to stay healthy. Remove any bird droppings as soon as you can and don’t allow them to accumulate at the bottom of his cage. Clean and disinfect his cage at least once a month, from top to bottom.
Whenever your bird is out of his cage, clean up after him, as his droppings can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Small animals
Whether you have a hamster, mouse, rat, or any other small rodent pet, you need to keep his cage clean as well. You will have to clean out any litter from his cage and clean his food bowls daily. Replace all his bedding once a week with fresh bedding and thoroughly clean his cage at least once a month. Make sure that you use soap that is rodent friendly and don’t use any ammonia-based cleaning solutions – this is harmful to some small pets.
Cleaning tools
Once you have finished cleaning, remember to clean your tools, including the broom, mop and cloths. Invest in a vacuum cleaner that is designed for pet hair and that you can use for all areas of your home. You can also invest in a robotic vacuum cleaner to automatically clean between your vacuuming sessions. A robotic vacuum cleaner is great to keep the floors clean at all times. Do some research and ensure that the robotic vacuum cleaner you choose will clean up pets’ hair too – many of them do.
Fresh and clean
Living in a clean environment is not only healthy – it also helps us feel good. Walking into a room that smells and looks clean and fresh will give you a refreshing feeling that can lift your spirits.
