Cleaning Your Home with Pets – The Most Common Problems

Published on: 08 July 2020 Last Updated on: 04 November 2024
Cleaning Your Home

For most of us, pets are a part of the family, we love them, talk to them and generally pamper them. However, they don’t always return the favor by behaving as we would want them to – after all, they are animals and different species, so some of their habits and instincts may clash with our ideas.

Professional maids and cleaners from That’s Clean Maids share some of the most common issues that pet owners come across and how to deal with them in terms of cleaning your home.

Hairs, Hairs Everywhere

Probably one of the biggest concerns for people who live with pets are hairs; no matter how long your pets’ hair is, they will shed, and you will need to clean it out of your carpets and furniture. This can become even more problematic if a member of the family develops an allergy to animal hair.

One way to ensure a reduced amount of hair needs to be cleaned out of your furniture is to groom your pet regularly. The frequency of grooming can depend on the species and breed of your pet, as well as the season and other factors. One thing is certain, though – with proper grooming, your pet will shed less on your carpet and furniture, making cleaning so much easier.

Air Quality Concerns

Another related issue is the air quality in your home. There are numerous things that can affect the quality of air in your home, and pet hair and pet dander are a part of it. Animals, just like humans shed skin cells and hair, and it is not much you can do about it.

What you can do, however, is change your cleaning routines and habits to counteract the problem of pet dander and hair. Once again, this issue is not a big problem for most people, but particularly cleanliness-oriented people, as well as those with allergies, may be interested in this one.

Keeping your pets away from areas where you sleep is a good start, but you should also make sure to vacuum the house regularly, as well as keep the air conditioning unit in good condition. That means cleaning the vents and changing the air filter as often as the manufacturer recommends.

Ensure Your Pets Don’t Bring In Dirt

If you have a dog, you need to walk them regularly, and that means going out. Cats can be strictly indoor animals, or they can have access to the great outdoors. With both dogs and outdoor cats, there’s one thing you should be wary of – dirt they can bring in on their paws. Dirt is seldom just dirt, it can also be full of pathogens that you would rather not have in your home.

When it comes to dogs, the issue can be quite simple – wipe their paws with a wet wipe (one suitable for pets, of course), and you are good unless they rolled around in the mud or something. On the other hand, cats are much more independent and come and go as they please. Still, you can put a little disinfecting tray in front of the cat flap (once again, make sure that the solution is not harmful to your pet).

Scratches on the Floor and Furniture

Cats need to scratch things as a part of their instinct. If you don’t provide a scratching post, chances are that your furniture will suffer for it. Similarly, dogs whose claws are not trimmed can do quite a lot of damage to your hardwood floors.

In order to mitigate those problems, keep your pets’ claws trimmed, and give your cat plenty of things to scratch.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Home Maintenance Plan

5 Ways A Home Maintenance Plan Can Prevent Disaster

Home maintenance is not only a common subject of debate in married life, but it’s also a widely disputed chore that not everyone believes is necessary. But the fact of the matter is that home maintenance is actually much more important than you might think. 5 Ways A Home Maintenance Plan Can Prevent Disaster Here are a few ways home maintenance (or the lack thereof) can affect you: 1. Maintains The Value Of Your Home : Of course, this isn’t a major perk on its own but if you take into consideration that neglecting regular home maintenance can drastically decrease the value of your home, you may start to realize that it’s worth a second thought. How does home maintenance really help? Neglected homes can easily depreciate in value as a result of structural damage, hefty unattended repairs, and really any types of damage sprouting from long-term negligence. Small things can easily amount to a huge amount of damage which in turn will definitely negatively impact the value of your home. Because the more money has to go into a home to bring it up to standard or up to date the less it is worth. Say you suddenly had to sell your home, would you want to have a to-do list as long as a novel or could you get away with a few hundred dollars worth of upgrades in the short amount of time you had? That’s when your home value really matters. 2. Mitigates Potential Repair Costs :  When you stop doing regular maintenance on your car like replacing the filters, checking the oil, replacing brakes, etc. your car will start to break down and worse, it could cause an accident. In the same way, if you stop taking care of your home it will start to fall apart on you. If for example, you neglect your home’s gutters the water will gather and leak into the seams of your home, over time that can cause serious water damage which can actually lead to structural damage as well. The damage that could have been prevented by simply cleaning out and inspecting your gutters and downspouts once or twice a month. Home maintenance is a cost-effective way to prevent the pricey, invasive, inconvenient and down-right frustrating situations that can develop if your isn’t properly cared for. 3. Improves Your Home’s Security : Safety is something we don't generally associate with home maintenance, but that is one of the primary reasons why it’s so important to do it. Home maintenance and upkeep can help keep your family safe in various ways, not only is your home in itself a protection against the elements and other dangers but if it isn't maintained your home can become a real danger. A child could fall from a fault in the stairs or holes in the floor. Neglecting to replace or repair a broken balustrade could cause serious injury or death. You should also address potential fire hazards, inspect for electrical faults, make sure the smoke detectors and extinguishers are working correctly. If you trim dead tree branches they won’t be able to rot off and fall on the house or the car or a person, child or pet. Investing time and a little money in regular home maintenance can help you to avoid potentially dangerous and disastrous situations. 4. Prevents Infestations :  Pests can move in so quickly, and before you know it you could have a nasty infestation on your hands. At best, pests are inconvenient and at worst, they pose a serious health risk to you and your family. Cockroaches aggravate asthma and allergies and like rats and mice, carry an insane amount of deadly bacteria that can cause diseases that are fatal to humans. Even though anything can happen and some infestations can and should only be handled in a humane way, by trained professionals, for the most part, this could be prevented by a few simple home upkeep and maintenance strategies. Keeping food in sealed containers can prevent anything from cockroaches to raccoons and squirrels and yes, rats. Maintaining your home’s roof and carpentry by ensuring that there aren’t any holes or weak spots can prevent pests from entering your home and nesting in your basement or attic. Trimming trees can also help minimize the potential for rodents to gain access to your roof. Clutter can also be extremely inviting to a variety of critters to make nests in, so be proactive by regularly ridding your home and yard of clutter. 5. Improves Your Family’s Health :  It may seem like a bit of a stretch to attribute a significant portion of your family’s health to the maintenance of your home, but in reality, it’s anything but. Your environment absolutely affects your health. We need proper ventilation in order to maintain an adequate amount of oxygen circulating in our bodies, which is why it’s important for the air conditioning and windows to be in optimal condition, Extreme temperatures can exacerbate countless medical conditions, therefore your home’s temperature control needs to be maintained so that it doesn’t decide to quit on you in the middle of the icy winter. (when else would it decide to quit?). Conclusion If there are pests or vegetation that aggravate your child’s allergies or sinuses then that has to be kept under control. Of course, having good quality water is just as important to the health of any living creature. Not to mention a home that is practically falling apart will dramatically affect the stress levels in your home and stress in itself is a massive health risk, accounting for 60% of all human illnesses and diseases. Homes are meant to be a safe, secure and relaxing environment for your family and their health and a few small tweaks to your home maintenance plan can ensure that it stays that way. Read Also : Relax In Style In The Comfort Of Your Homes Top 7 Reasons To Get Artificial Turf At Your Home First Home Renovation Ideas And Tips

READ MOREDetails
Downsizing

7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment

So you want to downsize to a smaller apartment?  If you’re banging your head against the wall trying to figure out how to make a move go smoothly, you’re not alone. We’ve all been guilty of having too much stuff! Give yourself a break and start thinking of solutions. Stay inspired by focusing on the many benefits of downsizing!  Moving into a smaller apartment gives you the chance to start over and get rid of things you no longer need. It can also help you to get organized and keep only the essentials.  Even better, you won’t have to clean nearly as much space and can live as a minimalist! That in itself has some serious perks. Your stuff won’t own you and you’ll have more time to enjoy life. Do you see where we’re going with this?  Get ready, because, in this article, we offer seven expert hacks to help make the process of moving into a smaller apartment easier.  Here are 7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment: 1. Analyze the space you’ll have It’s essential to know the total space of your new apartment before you start the downsizing process.  Take a look at your new floor plan and figure out how much room in feet and inches are on each wall. That way you’ll know what will fit in your apartment. If the measurements aren’t on the floor plan, ask the leasing office to provide you with the details.  But, the floor plan or provided measurements won’t tell you everything. You need to measure the extra spaces as well:  Closets Space under the bed (more on this later) Bathroom storage and cabinets Garage storage (if your apartment includes a separate garage) Kitchen storage and cabinets Other spaces where you might add shelving (like the top of the fridge or in a window) When you’re done with that, measure your current furniture and decide which pieces will fit into your place and which ones you won’t need.  2. Determine your actual needs  An excellent way to figure out what your needs are is by asking yourself if everything was gone, what would you replace?  Jot down some necessary items you can’t live without such as a bed, sofa, coffeemaker, dog bed — whatever is important to you.  You should also ask yourself the following questions:  What sentimental items will I miss the most?  Does this item serve a purpose?  Do I already have something that serves the same purpose?  Can I use this item to accomplish more than one task?  Is this object in good shape, and will it last for a while longer? This is the point where you’ll be making some headway on knowing what you’re keeping and what you can live without.  If ever in doubt of whether you should keep or donate something, go back to asking yourself these questions.  3. Set some tangible goals  When it’s getting closer to moving time, you need to come up with a game plan.  Best get started with setting some goals before time escapes you!  We’re assuming you want to declutter and possibly redecorate your new place, and if that’s the case, it’s time to set some tangible goals.  Ask yourself these questions: (Yes, we realize we’re telling you to do this yet again.) What do I hope to gain by adopting a minimalist lifestyle?  Do I want to keep the furniture I have or get new furniture (#1 and #4 will help with this) How do I plan to declutter?  How will I maximize my space? (Keep reading because we cover this in #4.) What will I do if I can’t decide to part with some items?  Should I pay for storage elsewhere to store extra belongings?  Need some help answering those kinds of questions?  Here are some goals you could have: I want a clutter-free apartment that will give me peace.  Not fixating on my possessions will help me feel free.  I’d like to have a clean slate and keep my belongings organized moving forward.  Being minimalistic will help me put emphasis on the most important emotional and physical items in my life.  Write down a few goals that inspire you so that when you feel like giving up, you’ll be able to remind yourself of your intentions. 4. Be a master organizer by maximizing space  Since you know how much space is in your apartment, as we recommended in #2, you should already have a plan in place as to where everything should go. With the limited storage space in your new digs, it’ll help to store things vertically. Vertically aligning hooks and shelves helps you take advantage of every square inch of space.  You might want to use adhesive hooks at first because most are easy to adjust. We’ll be getting into how to simplify your wardrobe next, but for now, keep in mind that multi-use furniture can solve a lot of storage problems.  Keep reading because we’re about to reveal some killer ideas.  One idea is to maximize space by incorporating storage headboards. These are pieces of furniture such as bookshelves and a hutch that’ll fit over your bed.  Incorporating these types of units will make it easier to store a variety of items from family treasures to books and jewelry.  For example, incorporating a fitted unit in your closet can make it easier to organize.  Beyond that, think of other ways you can make use of storage. Is there any room underneath the bed you’ll be moving into your fancy new apartment?  If there isn’t and you need an upgrade, buy a bed that has drawers underneath. Trust us — those drawers will be your best friend when you need to store extra items of clothing such as blankets or sweatshirts.  Keep your bed if you like it, and it just so happens that you may be able to squeeze in some bins underneath to use as storage. For example, milk crates work well when you want to store books, tee shirts, and keepsakes. 5. Simplify your wardrobe   Seriously, how do you go about simplifying your wardrobe with you have a gazillion t-shirts?  If you think your new closet is small, just think about the people who live in tiny homes. Now those are super tiny!  Don’t worry; you can do this if they can!  Here are some steps to follow that’ll make your wardrobe functional in no time at all.  Step 1:  Get all of your clothing out (ALL of it!) and put it somewhere you can sort through it. Whether that’s on the floor or on your bed is entirely up to you.  Step 2:  Next, divide those clothes into three different piles and decide to donate, keep, or store them.  Step 3:  Ask yourself if the clothing fits you or if it's still in wearable condition. If you haven’t worn jeans, for example, due to a weight gain or loss, donate or store those items.  Don’t keep clothing that’s falling apart. That’s just a waste of precious closet space! Step 4:  Are you done going through your clothing and separating them into three different piles?  Okay good, you’re going to do it again. This time ask yourself if this clothing fits your personality and your current lifestyle.  Step 5:  Mission complete! Well, almost. Organize the clothes you’re keeping, store what you plan to wear later (such as seasonal clothing), and drop off clothes you’re donating. 6. Sell or donate what you don’t want  Now that you know how much space you have, and how to simplify your wardrobe, let's dive into why it's so essential to sell or donate belongings. It's time to stop and figure out which items you can and can't part with.  As you know, whether you're moving to a different city or relocating to a separate apartment at the same complex, moving takes a lot of work. You should do everything in your power to simplify the moving process.  Eager to make some money to help with moving expenses? One way to do that is by selling belongings and furniture you no longer want. Try Craigslist, eBay, garage sales, Facebook, consignment stores, and more. Before you even start packing, you should sell, donate, or recycle stuff you can live without. This will eliminate packing everything up only to decide later that you didn't need that item of clothing or five extra plates.  If you have problems deciding whether you want to keep, sell, or donate an item, take a hard look at everything you own.  Think about whether another person would find use out of that item. If the item is useful, you can either donate it or sell it, depending on its value.  Who knows, your trash may turn into someone else's treasure.  7. Digitize nonessential media Next let's dive into how you can digitize and save documents, pictures, videos, cassettes, videos, DVDs, and CDs.  While it's important to keep hard copies of documents such as your social security card and birth certificate, try to save and scan everything else.  Transfer CDs and DVDs to digital files by using free computer programs such as Freemake Video Converter, Movavi, and WinX. Scan documents to your computer or save them as PDF files. After you're done scanning everything, use services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft One Drive.  Online storage sites are lifesavers when your goal is to digitize media.  Think of all of the space you'll free up in your new apartment by getting rid of boxes of videos, paper, and more by going paperless!  It'll take some time, but it'll totally be worth it. And boom! Suddenly you'll realize you're there.  So, do you think it’s time to move? Even though downsizing may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Moving to a smaller apartment has its perks, such as decluttering your life and organizing your new place with fewer belongings.  Simply put, downsizing to a smaller apartment means:  Enjoying lower monthly expenses and living costs Not having to clean nearly as much since your place is smaller Living a minimalist lifestyle without meaningless belongings getting in your way  Instead of sweating the small stuff, take the moving process step by step. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your new digs, relieved that you took the time to eliminate the clutter. Carolina Creek is a great townhouse-style community located about a mile from Eastern Carolina University's campus. The community consists of 2x3 and 3x3 apartments and contains a full amenity suite including a fitness center, pool, business center, and game room. The community is the best value in the Greenville NC student housing market. Read Also: 5 Tips For Designing a Tiny House How To Make Your Home Look Like You Hired An Interior Designer Buying A House Vs Renting An Apartment: Which Is More Affordable?

READ MOREDetails
Commercial Roof

7 Important Factors You Must Consider Before Renovating A Commercial Roof

The roof is important for any commercial building. If your roof is broken, it exposes precious belongings that incorporate certain expensive commodities.  In most of the commercial buildings, roofing projects often stand out. It is necessary for your home to be protected from the harsh elements. For this, all you need is a reliable roofing company that can offer you these required services.  It is important to remember that remodeling and renovating your home is an intensive undertaking with several potential pitfalls. Before you can think of renovating your commercial roof, there are a few considerations to make.  This article will emphasize factors you should consider before renovating a commercial roof.  Top Considerations Before Renovation Of A Commercial Roof  Here is a list of guides to help you fix your commercial building roof.  1. Roof Ponding  Before you can contact a roof contractor, you need to inspect your building to see if there is any ponding.  Therefore, you need to observe if there is an act of accumulation on the roof. This will indicate you have an issue and might also face certain drainage issues. Excessive ponding might also lead to algae growth. This causes permanent harm to the rooftop.  Ponding indicates the right sign your roof is getting damaged, and it is time that you get into reroofing.  2. Determine The Material That Fits The Best  Thinking of renovating the commercial space is a great way to look functional. But at the same time, it is also expensive and time-consuming if you do not pay attention to the included material. Before initiating the renovation, create a plan outlining the materials you need and the purpose. This will help you delegate the project effectively. Researching the materials in advance will help you renovate appropriately, last longer, look great, and cost much less.  Not only will certain materials dictate aesthetics, but they will majorly reflect attributes in the home’s new design. When you are taking on home renovation projects, make sure you choose the right materials.  3. Consult An Insurance Company  If you need to replace the roof, it might be due to bad weather, so ensure it from an insurance provider first.  There are certain contractors who are more happy about helping one another during the time of processing the claims. So look for an insurance provider who can clear your doubts and get you all the valid information required to proceed with the claim.  In addition to that, they will try to get the insurance company to pay according to the damages. Similarly, you might also get a new roof without spending as much.  4. Prepare A Contingency Plan  Renovating your home is an exciting undertaking. It requires thorough planning and research. Similarly, knowing if you can prepare a contingency plan for any potential issues is vital.  An unforeseen issue might occur throughout the course of the renovation process. Thus, your contingency plan should include details about what you would need in certain cases, what can go wrong, the material required, and design decisions.  Hence, a comprehensive contingency plan can equip you and assist you in tackling unanticipated issues instantly. Moreover, you might not have to cause much of a disturbance in your renovation timeline.  5. Check The Paperwork When you are dealing with something as vital as your roof, you do not wish to leave anything else to change.  For any contractor, it lays out how much you would need to pay and how much time they need to install a new roof. In addition to that, the paperwork can include all pertinent details on what permits you would need to make the new roof within your community.  In the end, you should also receive a letter from the contractor’s insurance providers and communicate exactly what is under the business liability plan. Commercial Roofers, similarly, can also help you with the renovation process and install a new roof.  6. Anticipate The Budget  Determining and setting the right budget is important before you can contact any roof contractor. You might develop a limit or have an expensive amount, so consider your decision.  Thus, setting a budget makes you plan about every attribute in the renovation project. Dreaming about a luxurious change that might increase your home's value is easy.  Therefore, create an estimated labor charge, material and decoration costs, and a contingency fund. Build up a detailed calculation and cost breakups that will keep you on the right track and assist you in saving time and resources.  Furthermore, keep all your expectations in check today.  7. Obtain The Right Permit  Before you can start with the major renovation, it is vital to know about the local areas and obtain the necessary permits.  This could be acquired for a permit from the country or city before you can begin the construction process. This is a specified requirement if you are undertaking any work affecting the home structure, plumbing, or electrical system.  Thus, by doing so, you need to protect the roof in the long run and save resources while ensuring that renovation will be handled professionally.  Furthermore, obtaining the right permit can avoid legal issues with the local authority, and it is worth going through the entire stage.  Hire The Best Roofing Contractors  Thus, finding a listed contractor is an integral factor. This is because it would ensure your home is in tip-top condition. If you know business owners who offer commercial roofing repairs, research before hiring contractors.  When you finally consider the essential requirements before renovating a commercial roof, you must hire the best contractor. You must look for contractors with the expertise and skills to install and replace a roof. Ensure they carry their material and tools as well.  Therefore, a roofing contractor can offer significant advice on roofing installation and repair. Make sure that roofing projects are conducted properly with qualified materials.  Furthermore, roofing contractors carry liability insurance, so you only need to protect yourself if any mashup or accident occurs.  Thus, roofing contractors offer invaluable skills and knowledge regarding roof installation and repair and valuable protection from damage.  Read Also: Choosing A Siding And Roofing Companies In Delaware What To Know About Commercial Greenhouse Flooring Why You Must Use A Residential Roofing Company For Your Home

READ MOREDetails