THERE’S nothing more annoying than getting home after a long day at work, only to sit on your sofa and notice that it’s covered in pet hair.
And with malting season here (unfortunately for many), if you want to ensure your always looks , you’ve come to the right place.
With the days getting longer, lots of will be getting that itch for the .
But if you're a , the masses of (that usually begins in March and can continue into early June), often poses a large challenge to overcome.
Luckily for you, Laura Carter, a pro from online retailer Furniturebox, has shared her top and styling to .
So with National Pet Month finally here, there's no better time to ensure you get your home looking sparkling – even if you do have a host of scurrying around.
Use shaving foam to clean stubborn pet stains
First things first, if your sofa is covered in you just can’t shift, you’ll need to try Laura’s hack.
Simply cover stains with the beauty buy and leave it for 20 minutes before wiping away.
White shaving foam is great for stains on fabric carpets and upholstery including faux leather.
It is a surprisingly effective cleaner because it contains surfactants, emulsifiers, and cleaning agents similar to those in soap, making it gentle yet powerful for cleaning various surfaces and removing .
Don’t scrub at muddy paw prints
Secondly, you’ll need to remember not to scrub at your dog’s muddy paw prints and instead, will need to let them dry first.
Rubbing or scrubbing stains risks damaging fabrics or pushing the mud deeper into it.
Instead, once dry, hoover as much dry mud as possible, then use a blunt knife to scrape away the remaining mud.
On carpets, which are designed to be a little tougher, you can also gently brush at stains with a steel brush, as you go.
For particularly tough stains, mix a quarter teaspoon of detergent (non-bleach) or mixed with water to really attack the mark.
Blot out wee stains
When it comes to liquid , simply spray them with water and then absorb with paper towels, blotting rather than rubbing to avoid weakening or stretching the fibres or pushing the stain further into the fabric.
Sprinkle the stain with and leave for half an hour to neutralise the smell, then hoover.
Repeat as necessary until the stain and smell are gone.
Tumble dryer sheets are a game changer
If your has made your home kick up a , should be added to your shopping list.
They’re great at collecting dust as they are anti-static and leave a nice behind.
These are better than using liquid aerosols or sprays as moisture can encourage and in fabrics.
You can even tuck dryer sheets inside cushion covers for a more permanent freshener.
Attach a dryer sheet to a dry-mop or rubber broom using elastic bands then run around the floors to pick up and add a fresh smell.
You can buy dryer sheets for as little as £2.50 from and biodegradable options are also available.
For a pack of 34 sheets, each use will , making this trick .
Use a window cleaner squeegee to clean fur from sofas and carpets
For those dealing with a fur-covered , a is sure to soon be your new best friend.
Squeegees are great for scraping up all the fur from sofas and carpets that the vacuum cannot budge.
Regular vacuuming is also essential and can also help to deter .
Not only this, but a rubber broom can be used to get rid of pet hair on wooden or vinyl floors too.
Select the right furniture
But at the end of the day, if you have and want a home that sparkles, choosing the right furniture is key.
Short pile rugs and short nap polyester velvet are great options when shopping for the best sofa for or cats.
Polyester, including velvet, is durable, and a short pile means fur or mud won’t sink into the fibres as easily.
While faux leather upholstery is super easy to wipe clean, it can be scratched, so it might be a better option for pets who aren’t prone to claw things and may want to be avoided if your dog has sharp claws.
Choose furniture that sits on legs, making it easier to clean beneath and making a world of difference in keeping hair under control.
For more tips on how to spring clean with pets, go to the Furniturebox blog.
