Anyone who shares a home with a pet knows the deal. You get the company, the affection and the little routines that make you smile. You also get muddy paws, well-loved blankets and, every so often, a smell that seems to have taken up permanent residence.
It's all part of life with animals. Still, it's nice to have a home that smells fresh when you walk through the door.
The trick usually isn't finding a stronger fragrance. It's figuring out where those everyday pet odours are coming from and dealing with them a little at a time.
Start with their favourite spot
Every pet has one. Maybe it's the corner of the sofa, a bed beside the window or the blanket they drag from room to room. Those soft surfaces collect fur, dirt and odours over time.
Wash pet blankets and removable bed covers according to their care instructions. If the bed has an insert, check whether that needs cleaning as well. Once everything has been washed, make sure it's completely dry before putting it back.
Vacuuming helps, especially around furniture and the edges of rooms where fur likes to gather. You don't need to deep-clean the entire house every day. Staying on top of the places your pet uses most is a good place to begin.
Keep a towel near the door
Canadian weather and pet ownership make for an interesting combination. A happy walk through the rain or a snowy afternoon can leave you with a very damp dog and a trail of wet paw prints.
Having a towel by the entrance makes cleanup easier. Dry paws and coats as needed, and let wet mats, collars and leashes dry rather than leaving them in a pile.
It sounds almost too simple, but keeping moisture off rugs and upholstery can make a real difference.
Pay attention to feeding and litter areas
Food bowls, litter boxes and small-animal enclosures need their own routines. Clean them as appropriate for the species, and use products suitable for the animal. Pick up spilled food, deal with waste promptly and check the corners of those areas now and then.
If your pet has an accident, clean it as soon as you can using a product intended for the affected surface. If an odour keeps returning, some residue may have soaked in deeper than you realized.
A sudden change in your pet's usual smell or bathroom habits is also something to discuss with your veterinarian.
Do you need a scented home?
Not necessarily. Some people like a little fragrance in the living room. Others prefer none at all. Pets can be sensitive to products that people barely notice, so it's worth being thoughtful about anything you use around them.
Luxe and Little offers a Pet Odour Eliminator Soy Candle in several varieties, including unscented. If you choose to light a candle, place it where animals cannot reach or knock it over. Never leave it burning unattended, and stop using a product if your pet seems uncomfortable around it.
Your home doesn't have to look or smell perfect every minute just because you have pets. A little laundry, regular cleaning and some attention to damp spots can go a long way. The rest is part of the joy of having them around.
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