Dog Days of Summer: Cleaning Up After Your Dogs

August 23, 2023

Cleaning up after your dogs is an ongoing battle. Dogs are beloved family members, but let’s face it – they can make a mess. Whether it’s muddy paw prints or an accident on the floor, cleaning up after dogs is an inevitable part of pet ownership. Yes, cleaning your dogs’ messes and “accidents” can be a challenge, but with these tips and tricks, you can keep your home clean, even with furry friends around.

Cleaning Up After Your Dogs

Keep Your Dog Groomed

Regular grooming is vital to keeping your home clean with dogs. Brush your dog’s coat regularly to remove loose hair and bathe them as needed to keep their coat clean and fresh. Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed can also help prevent scratches on floors and furniture.

Vacuum and Sweep Regularly

Dogs shed – it’s just a fact of life in dog ownership. To keep your home free of dog hair and dander, it’s important to vacuum and sweep regularly. Invest in a high-quality vacuum designed to pick up pet hair and vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery at least once a week.

Stay on Top of Messes

One key to keeping your home clean with dogs is to stay on top of messes. Don’t let accidents or spills sit for long. The longer they sit, the harder they are to clean. Keep a stash of cleaning supplies on hand, such as paper towels, Bar Keepers Friend, and odor-neutralizing sprays, so you’re always prepared to tackle messes as soon as they happen.

Cleaning the Entryway, I Mean Dogway 

Do you have a granite or stone floor entryway where your good buddy comes in and out, tracking in dirt, grime, and mud? While these entryways are beautiful, they can be a challenge to keep clean with Fido bounding in and out. The good news is we have the product for you. Bar Keepers Friend Granite & Stone Cleaner & Polish. BTW, you can use Bar Keepers Friend Granite and Stone cleaner on more than floors and countertops; it works great on marble and quartz.

If the entryway is vinyl or linoleum, good old-fashioned BKF Powder Cleanser works wonders. Here’s a two-minute video of a new BKF fan discovering how BKF Powder cleaned her grandmother’s old, stained linoleum floor when other products had failed.

We do not recommend BKF products on carpet or wood floors for those, it might be best to invest in pet-specific cleaning products and enzymatic cleaners for Cooper or Bella’s accidents.

Cleaning Water and Food Bowls 

Even “stainless” steel dog bowls become stained over time. Food grime, hard water, and dog slurps aren’t easy to eliminate. For any stainless steel products, specifically metal dog bowls, we recommend our Cookware Cleanser & Polish. Although formulated for burned, stuck-on food, this extra-strength formula also helps rid your bowls of other stains – all while leaving a beautiful shine.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can spray on our Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish for extra shine. It contains no harsh abrasives and is specifically formulated to spruce up stainless steel without scratching or dulling surfaces. It’s even designed to remove oily prints (finger or paw).

IMPORTANT: Regardless of the products used, ALWAYS rinse your bowls thoroughly with water before use.

Cleaning up After Your Dogs 

Remember to stay on top of messes, vacuum and sweep regularly, and keep your dog groomed. With a little effort and some elbow grease, you can enjoy a clean and happy home with your four-legged friend.

About the Author 

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends (after COVID-19), he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two daughters. He has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook: A crash course in effective management.