How often should you wash your floors if you have pets?
Here is the frequency that experts recommend.
Mopping your floors is probably already part of your regular cleaning routine. But if you have pets, you may be wondering how often you should be mopping your floors. While pet hair may never make your home look nice, it can also have consequences that aren't so obvious. According to cleaning expert Marla Mock, pet hair can lead to a buildup of dander, dust, allergens, and even pet-related odors, which can negatively impact the air quality in your home.
To keep your home clean, hygienic, and smelling fresh, Mock recommends sticking to a regular cleaning schedule, which depends on several factors, including the type of flooring and the amount of fur your pet has. MigNews shares her tips.
How often should you wash your floors if you have pets?
According to Mock, if you live in a home with shedding pets, your floors will need some attention every day. A quick daily vacuum in high-traffic areas will keep pet hair from getting into hard-to-reach corners where it's more likely to settle for a long time.
Sweep and vacuum at least once a week for a more thorough cleaning. “For a deeper clean to remove stubborn pet hair or even dirt left by their paws, consider mopping or steam cleaning once every two weeks,” says Mock. This schedule will help you prevent buildup while also keeping your space from becoming overcrowded. Cleaning more frequently will speed up the cleaning process and keep your home cleaner overall.”
Factors to consider
If you have pets, you will have to vacuum, mop, and sweep more often, Source: vecteezy.com
Hard floors, such as tile, laminate, and hardwood, are generally easier to keep clean than carpet. “This is because hair and dander can get trapped in the fibers of the carpet. On a hard floor, they stay on the surface,” says Mock. To keep hair, dander, dust, and odors from building up on your carpet, you’ll need to vacuum it more often. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on your carpet once a month and let it sit for 30 minutes before vacuuming thoroughly. This will help neutralize odors that may naturally develop even if you’re on a regular vacuuming schedule.
“Another factor to consider is whether you have more than one pet,” says Mock. “Homes with multiple shedding pets will require frequent or daily cleaning to prevent hair build-up.” To make the job easier, keep floor cleaning tools readily available for grabs.
Tips for keeping floors clean with pets
- Periodically clean your floors by hand. Steam cleaners and steam mops are useful tools for keeping your floors clean. But you’ll still need some extra manual cleaning to keep your floors in tip-top condition. “Every now and then, a deep manual cleaning can be helpful. Especially in areas where pets go to the bathroom or where dirt accumulates that’s hard to remove and can’t be easily reached with a broom, mop, or vacuum,” says Mock. The cleaning pro recommends using a soft brush paired with a pet-safe cleaning agent to clean areas like corners and baseboards.
- Invest in the right tools. Having the right tools is a surefire way to be prepared for any mess your pets make. “Your best friends for pet-friendly floors are a good electrostatic broom and a vacuum for pet hair,” says Mock.
- Stay consistent. As with any cleaning routine, it's important to stay consistent. Mock says that regular cleaning will help prevent pet hair buildup and excessive soiling, as well as keep your home healthy.
- Brush your pet daily. “You can help prevent matting by brushing your pet daily,” says Mock. “If possible, brush your pet outside so that the fur doesn’t fly around the living room.”
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