How to clean 6 pet-hair problem areas
You can love your pet but hate having their hair all over, well, everything.
If you have a pet that sheds, you know that cleaning up all of that hair can feel like a never-ending task. But there are plenty of strategies to help you get things under control. It’s all about having the right tools. “Removing pet hair is one of the toughest challenges for vacuum cleaners because static electricity can make dog and cat hair cling tightly to fabrics like carpeting and upholstery,” said Carolyn Forte, director of the Cleaning and Home Care Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Ready to shed the fur? Here’s how to use those tools on some of the most common hot spots in your home.
➤ Sofa: Spritz the area first with an anti-static spray. This helps loosen pet hair from the fabric and helps repel it in the first place, Forte said. Then use your vacuum’s upholstery brush or pet-tool attachment on cushions and crevices for easier removal. For stubborn spots, put on a rubber glove, moisten it with water, then swipe your hand over the affected area.
➤ Carpet: Even if you’re using a pet-specific vacuum, Forte suggests giving fur-covered carpets a spritz of an antistatic spray before vacuuming to help lift strands in a flash.
➤ Pet bed: Take it outside and shake it out. Remove as much pet hair as you can by hand with your vacuum, lint roller or brush. Then wash the bed by itself on a warm or hot setting, if safe for the fabric. Before putting the bed in the dryer, do a second rinse cycle. Put it in the dryer to fluff and remove any remnants of hair. (And clear out the lint filter pronto.)
➤ Clothing and blankets: To get pet hair off of your duds, try a used dryer sheet. This household item helps reduce static and loosens pet hair clinging to fabrics, Forte said. You can also send washable clothing or bedding for a spin in the dryer for a couple minutes on the low or air-only setting. The action of the drum will help loosen hair and pull it into the filter. Once the cycle is complete, clear out the lint screen.
➤ Hardwood floors: Hardwood floors should be vacuumed at least once per week and wet-cleaned every one to two months. For the deep-clean days, use a petspecific vacuum to suck up the majority of Fluffy’s fur. Then wet-clean with a hardwood-floor cleaner. Spray a small area with the cleaner, and wipe with a microfiber mop, working your way around the room.
➤ Your car: Use a cordless handheld vacuum and the attachments to clean the seats, carpeting, trunk and to get into all of those tiny crevices. For blind spots like the folds in car seats, try a double-sided lint-remover brush.
10 best cat toys for indoor and outdoor pets
Obstacles, feather wands, scratchers and other interactive toys are available for cats that are bored in the house.
Cat toys aren’t just fun for Fluffy; they’re actually good for cats’ health. First, it can help them maintain a healthy weight if they’re running around the house regularly. That, in turn, can help them live longer and keep chronic health conditions at bay. Play also keeps them mentally sharp. Puzzle play engages cats’ minds and staves off boredom, boosting their mood.
Playing with your pet can improve your bond, too. Whether dangling a feather toy, tossing a catnip mouse or setting up a cat obstacle course, engaging with your pet will strengthen your relationship, which can even lead to betterbehaved pets. Check out our list of top-rated cat toys below:
➤ Youngever 24 Cat Toys Kitten Toys Assortments: With a tunnel for hiding, a dangling wand, balls, springs and mice, this set of 24 toys will give cats lots of options as they figure out which types of playthings they prefer.
➤ SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Cat Toy Concealed Motion Toy: Just turn this on, and let colored lights and a fluffy-ended wand get your cat dancing. It works great for independent playtime and has adjustable speeds, so you can customize the toy to your pet’s agility level.
➤ Easyology Amazing Roller Cat Toy: Interactive puzzle toys like this one typically keep your cat busy for longer and can reduce boredom-related destruction. The balls’ movement mimics prey, so kittens and elder cats alike will love chasing these balls.
➤ SmartyKat Catnip Cat Toys: Most cats will get excited when they smell the catnip and chase it around. These refillable versions come in fluffy mouse and koala designs, and the catnip is produced without added chemicals or pesticides.
➤ Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish Toy: This realisticlooking fish toy wiggles and flops, enticing your cat to chase and catch it. It also comes with a catnip pouch for extra play incentive, and recharges via USB so you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries.
➤ ChicWow Cat Toys Interactive Cat Feather Wand: Give cats some much-needed exercise by dangling colorful feathers for them to chase. The retractable wand adjusts for larger or more limited spaces, and it comes with a number of feather bunches.
➤ Earthtone Solutions Wool Felt Ball Toys for Cats and Kittens: These low-fi toys work great for those who don’t like noisy or electronic playthings.
➤ YOUTHINK Cat Scratcher Collapsible Cat Scratcher Lounge Bed: For small spaces, go for this collapsible corrugated cardboard lounger that’s also a scratching post. It comes with an attached bell toy to get cats engaged. You can also change up the toy’s shape so cats don’t get tired of it over time.
➤ Blackhole Litter Mat Interactive Swimming Fish Toy: Give your cat some fun stimulation with these colorful electronic swimming fish. Just turn them on, set them in a bowl of water, and let your cat bat them around.
➤ SPOT Ethical Products Ethical Wide Colorful Springs Cat Toy: Cats love the bouncing motion of these colorful springs when you toss them across the floor.