Modern homes may be into hard wood and marble flooring, but carpeting is making a comeback, with nostalgic homeowners missing the softness, safety, warmth, and noise absorption of soft flooring. This, coupled with advanced technology that makes for easier-cleaning, liquid-repellent fabrics, has meant that many homes are embracing the use of carpets again, even when they have dogs. Some of the biggest problems that can arise on carpets when you have dogs include shedding, stains and allergies. How can you strike the perfect balance between the soft flooring you always wanted and the pooch-filled paradise you long for?
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Choosing Pet-Friendly Carpets
There are many different materials to choose from when it comes to carpets, but when you have pets, it’s important to make durability and built-in stain resistance priorities. You should also ensure that the carpets you choose bear the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Green Label or are Greenguard certified. This will ensure that the carpets have low (or zero) levels of Volatile Organic Compounds – which can hamper your dogs’ health by causing eye, nose and throat irritation, allergies, and neurological problems. Just a few top materials to choose include nylon, wool and olefin. The latter, once made exclusively for outdoor use, is now being designed for indoor use as well, with a wide array of colors and patterns to choose from. You should also ensure that your cleaning machine has a solid warranty and good technical service close to where you live.
Investing In A Pet-Focused Carpet Cleaner
There is a wide array of vacuum and steam vacuum cleaners for carpets, but when you have pets that shed, it’s important to find a machine that is specially designed to pick up even short, fine pet hair. This article by Mia Bell explores some of the best carpet cleaners for pets. Key features of cleaning machines should include power (to fully get rid of urine odors and stains), pet hair baskets (which trap hair so you don’t have to remove individual hairs from the machine), and stain trappers (to target hard-to-remove stains).
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Ask a Vet Live NowPreventing Stains
It is important to have a regular cleaning schedule for carpets. Additionally, a stain-prevention strategy will be necessary. This can include cleaning your dog’s paws after a walk and before he enters the home, cleaning spills up quickly, and using a neutral cleaner quickly if your dog urinates on the carpet. You should also invest in dedicated pet-safe carpet cleaners made to spot-treat carpets. Just a few brands that are popular among pet owners include Clean & Green Pet-Safe Carpet Cleaner, Puracy Carpet and Upholstery Shampoo, and Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh Carpet Odor Eliminator.
If you love carpets and you have a pet, know that there is no reason why both can’t be compatible. To ensure success, start off by selecting a pet-friendly carpet that is resistant and liquid-repellent. You should also invest in a good home cleaner that is specially made to pick up pet hair and dander. Finally, try to avoid stains appearing in the first place, and when they do, take immediate action to avoid a build-up of stains.
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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