How to Keep Your Home Clean When Living With a Dog

[FAM Times reporter Lee Kyung-han] Living with a dog does not mean your home has to be as dirty and smelly as a kennel. Here are five ways to keep your home clean while raising a dog.

First, keep dog hair from becoming airborne. Dogs need to be brushed regularly, and this is especially important if you have several dogs.

Spending about five minutes a day brushing your dog's coat will significantly reduce the amount of hair scattered around the house. Brush daily to remove dead skin cells. Brushing also keeps dogs looking neat and smelling fresh.

Remove pet hair from floors. To remove hair from carpets, vacuum several times a week. A vacuum cleaner equipped with a high-efficiency particulate filter is recommended. Clean wood and other hard floors with an electrostatic cleaner, which prevents hair from becoming airborne and is more efficient than a vacuum cleaner.

Remove hair from clothing and furnishings. For clothes, the best method is to use a lint roller. Hold it by the handle and roll it over the fabric, then hang it on a doorknob inside the closet so it is always within easy reach.

For furniture, use a vacuum cleaner fitted with an upholstery attachment or use a handheld vacuum cleaner.

If your dog is dirty, do not let it inside through the entryway right away. Keep a towel and a basin filled about one-third full with water beside the entrance. After a walk, dip and wash the dog's paws in the water. Dry them with the towel before letting the dog inside. This is especially essential in winter when returning from a walk and the garage is covered in snow.

It is best to remove stains as quickly as possible. The sooner pet stains are cleaned, the better. If a dog urinates on a carpet, it can cause permanent discoloration. Stubborn residue can be removed with a blunt knife.

Blot the stain with a clean cloth. If it does not come out, mix 1/4 teaspoon of liquid detergent with one cup of lukewarm water and pour it onto the stained area. Blot it with a dry cloth, then rinse by wiping it with a towel dampened with lukewarm water.

Reporter Lee Kyung-han fam1@pcss.co.kr