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The Easy Way to Clean Up Every Annoying Pet Mess

Because owning a four-legged friend shouldn't mean your home always stinks.

By Rebecca Deczynski
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Because owning a four-legged friend shouldn't mean your home always stinks.

1

Fight Furniture Stink

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If your pet has couch privileges (or thinks he does), your furniture can start to smell like the dog park. Sprinkle baking soda on your cushions to freshen them, let it sit for 15 minutes, and vacuum it up. We also like Febreze Pet Odor Eliminator to quickly keep upholstery smelling nice in between deeper cleanings.

2

Banish Pee Stains

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Spot an accident? Mix of 1 cup water and 1/8 tsp dish soap, and blot the mess with a clean cloth. Then, wash out the soap by dabbing it with 1 Tbsp white vinegar mixed with a cup of water. For tile stains, rub the spot with a paste made of baking soda and a little water.

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3

Pick Up Fur Fast

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A damp rubber glove can whisk away errant hair in a flash, but bigger shedding messes require a trusty vacuum. Our experts in the The Good Housekeeping Institute recommend the Electrolux Precision Brushroll Clean Vacuum Cleaner.

4

Freshen Dogs Between Baths

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Bathing is too tough to make a daily ritual, so keep you dog fresh by spritzing him with a mix of one-part apple cider vinegar and one-part water (avoid his eyes). Then sprinkle him with baking soda to absorb lingering odors, and brush everything out.

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5

Detect Hidden Smells

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If you just know there's a stinky stain, but can't see it with your naked eye, try shining a black light on your carpet to seek it out.

6

Sponsored: Control Litter Box Odors

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Double down on freshness where it matters most. Make Tidy Cats' LightWeight Instant Action formula your first pick for featherlight litter (it's 50% lighter than other clumping litters) that powerfully neutralizes odors before they have a chance to linger.

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7

Clean Muddy Paw Prints

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Fight the urge to scrub these spots as soon as you see them. Let the mud dry, and it will be easier to vacuum away. Then blot whatever remains with dish liquid mixed with warm water.

8

Control Litter Spills

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Tucking away your cat's litter box helps stop smells (and all that litter) from spreading. Stow the box in cabinet by simply cutting an entry hole in the back.

Get the tutorial at Bellapop »

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9

Prevent Chewing Messes

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Chew toys distract your dog from gnawing at your table legs, but some toys (like chew bones) can embed stains on fabric and carpet. Give your pup light-colored toys and think about confining them to an un-carpeted area.

10

Remove Poop Stains

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To clean up this icky mess, mix 1 Tbsp dish detergent, 1 Tbsp white vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water. Blot the stain with the mixture until it disappears. If it persists, use an eye dropper to add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide, and then add a drop or two of ammonia. Dab with water.

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11

Ditch Fur in Your Washer

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If your clothes are covered in pet hair, it can collect in the wash. To keep your machine running efficiently, vacuum the drum when dry with a soft brush attachment and clean out the drain pump filter.

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