PET PROJECTS
Seven ways to keep your rugs cleaner when you have animals at home
Dogs and cats bring a lot to a home: joy, love and companionship — but also dirt, hair, dander and stains of the, um, more unpleasant variety. Still, we love them like family, which is why we can often overlook the messier, less convenient parts of having them around. And when it comes to your rugs, there are plenty of things you can do to make the cleanup less of a pain. Here are preventive measures, as well as vacuuming and stain-removal tactics to help.
1. Choose your rugs wisely
If you're buying a new rug, think about how easy its material is to clean and maintain — and about the amount of traffic it will endure — before you splurge.
Most pet owners will probably want to steer away from fibres such as wool, viscose and silk, says Ali Hafezi Mashhadi, vicepresident of Babash Rug Services, a specialty rug restoration company in Los Angeles.
“(Rugs) that tend to be on the more expensive side, ironically, are the ones that are (easier) to stain,” he says.
Kristopher Ayoub, co-owner of Ayoub N&H, a flooring company in the Washington, D.C., area, agrees. “Usually, synthetic fibres are going to be the best,” he says, adding some are more durable than others. Nylon, for example, is typically quite durable, while polyester offers stain resistance with less durability.
2. Think about placement
“If you've got pets, think about what your high-traffic areas are,” says Melissa Maker, whose Youtube channel, Clean My Space, has more than two million subscribers. A cat owner and cleaning expert based in Toronto, Maker says strategic rug placement is key. “Think about where you're spending your money as compared to where your pet is spending its time.”
Mashhadi notes that antique rugs are especially vulnerable to damage, so placing those in rooms with less traffic can help extend their life.
For high-traffic areas, Ayoub recommends sticking with a synthetic low- to medium-pile rug.
3. Pay attention to paws
“Paws are kind of like shoes,” Maker says. “When your dogs are running around outside, they're able to track dirt, debris, pollen, dander, fungi, all of those great things, back into your home.”
Pet booties are the most effective way to keep paws clean on walks, especially during inclement weather, but they're not the most convenient option, because pets may resist wearing them. Instead, Maker suggests keeping a microfibre towel by your front door and wiping down your pet's paws after every walk.
4. Vacuum consistently
Don't underestimate the importance of a great vacuum. “Invest in a high-quality vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to effectively remove pet hair and dander,” says Muffetta Krueger, founder of Muffetta's Domestic Assistants in New York, referring to a high-efficiency particulate air filter.
Depending on the type of rugs you have, Ayoub suggests looking for a vacuum with a brush roller or beater bar (a rotating brush that agitates the carpet while you're vacuuming) to help get pet hair and dirt out of the material.
For high-traffic areas, Krueger recommends vacuuming at least twice a week. If you have an antique or delicate rug, Mashhadi suggests sweeping it gently with a broom.
Just don't wait to clean your rugs until they look dirty. “The point (at) which you can visibly see dirt on the surface,” Mashhadi says, “means that the inside — the pile — is full of dust, dirt, whatever you can imagine.”
5. Be thoughtful about hair removal
Dealing with pet hair embedded in rugs is a constant battle, but choose your tools wisely. Rug rakes are a popular option for digging deep into the pile, but some are too aggressive and can damage your rug over time. “I always recommend testing those things in an area just to see how the rug reacts. You don't want to have a situation where you start doing it, and it starts pilling,” Ayoub says. “Vacuuming with a beater bar, something that can kind of brush the carpet as you're vacuuming, that's going to be the best bet.”
6. Groom your pets regularly
If your pets shed, pay attention to how often you brush them. Regular brushing not only helps remove loose hair, but it also prevents pet hair from accumulating throughout your home, says Bethany Hsia, a veterinarian and co-founder of Codapet.
“The frequency (you need to brush) depends on the type of pet and their specific coat types,” she says, noting that a de-shedding/ undercoat brush can help.
7. Spot-clean the right way
Maker and Mashhadi recommend steering away from fads. “Blot and extract as much of the stain as possible before you apply anything,” Mashhadi says. If the rug is synthetic, you can then use an enzyme cleaner formulated specifically to remove pet stains and odours, such as one from Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie.
For severe stains — or more delicate rugs — Mashhadi advises calling a professional rug cleaner.