As a working mom, you’re always short of time. Trying to fit a couple of kids, work, pets, and all your chores into 24 hours often seems like a mission impossible (without Tom Cruise, unfortunately). It appears that every other mom has it figured out: their home is sparkling and spotless while you struggle to control the chaos.
With kids and pets, there is always a lot going on – especially on the mess front. Spilled cereal, muddy paw prints, pet hair everywhere, pee stains on the carpet (human or animal origin)…
The list just keeps going, and you try to keep up.
Luckily, we have a few tips which will help you win those cleaning battles in your home:
1. A stick vacuum makes cleaning easier
Hate vacuuming? You probably do if you have a huge outdated upright vacuum you need to lug out and plug in before you can even start vacuuming. Instead, what you should invest in is a handy and powerful stick vacuum that is easily converted into a handheld vacuum for above-floor areas.
A stick vacuum is lightweight, and it is always ready and at hand when you need a quick clean-up. It will save you a ton of time and make vacuuming less of a chore. With the vacuum juiced up and within arm’s reach at all times, the mess won’t build up, and your home will always be ready for guests.
If you want a stick vacuum that works miracles in pet homes, you can find some of the best ones here.
2. Pet blankets and pet beds save the day
Teaching your pet to use their own bed for napping or covering their favorite spot on the couch with a pet blanket will make cleaning easier. You won’t have to vacuum or clean the sofa since a blanket or bed is easily thrown into the washer and drier. Just a quick cycle and the pet hair is gone.
3. Use doormats and paw washers
We all know those mornings when you try to get the kids to school before work, and you’re running late. You take the dog out for a quick wee, but when you come back, you notice Charlie has a taken a little detour Peppa the Pig style, and muddy puddles are what you will soon have in your hallway.
Don’t worry, as a clever mom you are well prepared. What you need are a doormat inside your front door and a paw washer and towel. You might even keep a container or water ready. With everything at hand, it will only take you a minute or two to handle the situation, and you won’t have to worry about muddy paw prints while you rush off to work.
4. Groom your pet
Keep your pet healthy and groomed to avoid excess shedding. Skin diseases, poor nutrition, and lack of grooming may cause your pet to shed more than they should. Brush your pet regularly and bath them now and then to make sure you catch most of that loose hair before it gets wafted into the air landing everywhere.
If you have a pet that sheds a lot of fur or it’s shedding season, you may need to brush your pet every day to keep the shedding under control. The best way to do this is to find a brush you and your pet both are comfortable with and use this time to bond with your pet. Brushing doesn’t have to be a chore; you can even do it while watching TV and relaxing after the kids have gone to bed. Cuddling up with your pet will reduce your stress levels – and you can take care of brushing while at it.
5. Get a robot to do it for you!
If you really want a pro tip: invest in a robot vacuum! This is by far the best tip for busy working moms with kids and pets. With a push of a button, the robot will clean your home while you’re at work (or at the nail salon!). After work, you can come back to a clean home without needing to worry about getting out the vacuum.
The great thing about robotic vacuums is that they will take care of daily upkeep vacuuming, which significantly reduces dust, pet hair, and dander in your home. Because the mess does not accumulate, there is a lot less for you to clean up – even on above-floor surfaces.
You might be skeptical, but a robot vacuum really does lower those stress levels and help you keep your home sparkling with minimum effort from your part. It’s such a tremendous help! You will find the best robotic vacuums for pet hair here.
We hope these tips will help you win that war against messes in your home. Sometimes it may feel overwhelming but getting a little help with your chores is just what you need!
Author Bio:
Matt is the founder of PetHairPatrol. He lives in New York with his two golden retrievers: Ben and Jerry. Once he opened a carton of yogurt, and immediately there was a dog hair inside. ‘That’s when he decided to find the best ways to get rid of pet hair and start a website to share his knowledge. He has researched and reviewed hundreds of products that help you keep your home clean – even when you have furry roomies. He loves running and Italian pizza. He hates pigeons. And obviously, pet hair!
