Tips of the Season

The Doggy In Winter – Indoor Cleanup Advice

Minnesota’s often-arctic winter temperatures do not inspire long walks or afternoons in the park with your dog. Our pals are indoors more, which – because they’re biological creatures who shed, go to the bathroom and get sick – creates more potential “cleanup opps” for us owners.

So here are some valuable tips for getting brown fur off white couches and treating urine stains (or worse!) on carpeting.

Fighting Fur

• For floors, your upright or canister vacuum’s twirling brush will pick up most hair on carpeting; for bare floors, the suction alone will suffice.
• For stairs and upholstery, using the vac’s extention hose with an upholstery brush attachment is the fastest and most effective fix.
• A lower-tech solution: use a terry cloth or old sweat sock to brush the fur to one spot, then pick it up.
• The new hand-held Pledge “Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair” has two rollers: one picks up hair off carpets, the other whisks it into a small compartment.

Skirmishing with Stains

We’re talking stains from urine, vomit and “other”.

• The cleaning product departments of home-improvement stores and pet stores display many “Pet Stain and Odor Remover” sprays. I prefer the ones with “Oxy” in the name.
• Prevent the dingy crime scene body outline dogs may leave in their favorite spot on the carpet by placing an inexpensive rug or pad there.
• Whatever happens, treat all stains ASAP!