Cats are furry and fun, but they have a tendency to shed everywhere. A cat adds complexity if you want to be able to keep your home clean for longer than an afternoon. Owners can take measures to keep their home clean even with a cat.
You’ll need a little more than cat litter and vacuums, but it’s worth having a clean house.
Start by Brushing Your Cat Properly
Your cat should be brushed often. Cats shed a lot, and this is often the biggest mess you’ll experience. Cat hair has a way of getting on everything, from furniture to couches and on your clothes.
Brushing your cat will eliminate much of the hair-related issues you’ll deal with.
The video below provides a brief demonstration on brushing your cat properly and even includes a must-know method to remove cat hair from your clothes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9UwsDAPPdU
If you brush your cat for just a few minutes daily, you’ll notice a lot less hair coming off of your cat and ending up everywhere.
Vacuum 2 – 3 Times a Week
Daily Mom recommends vacuuming weekly, but as a cat owner, I know that your cat will change your vacuuming habits. You’ll want to vacuum every other day if possible. You should vacuum at least once per week, especially if your home is heavily-carpeted.
Your vacuum should have a filter for best results. A filter can be a:
- HEPA filter
- Allergen filter
Do It Yourself even recommends using a HEPA air purifier to help you keep your cat allergies at bay.
If you’re really enthusiastic and are willing to invest in a new vacuum, you’ll find a lot of models are designed for homes with pets. These vacuums may include upholstery tools, dust caps, filters and even stair cleaning tools.
Clean Non-Carpet Surfaces
While you may see clumps of cat hair on your floor, you’ll often seen hairs on your tables, countertops and furniture. The problem is that even when we try to keep cats off of our furniture, we can’t watch them day and night.
Cats are very curious animals, and their agility allows them to jump on everything, from a kitchen table to a nightstand.
A few tips that can help you clean your surfaces with greater ease, include:
- Use a vacuum to remove the hair before using any other cleaner
- Wipe down all countertops
- Use a steam mop to clean the floors, but always vacuum first (optional)
- Mop the floor weekly (non-hardwood surfaces)
You’ll find steps on how to clean hardwood floors on Real Simple.
Cats have a tendency to get cat litter stuck in their paws and carry dirt and grime around the home. If you don’t clean your non-carpet surfaces, you may be spreading germs and bacteria. A simple wipe with a paper towel and cleaning solution is all you need.
Cleansing wipes can be used, too, and will allow you a quick-and-easy way to clean up after your cat.
Teach Your Pet to Stay Off of Furniture and Countertops
Cats are very independent and have a mind of their own, but this doesn’t mean that they can’t be trained. You need to remain diligent if you want to keep a cat off of your furniture and countertops.
But if you can train your cat to avoid these places, your home will be much cleaner as a result.
The American Humane Society recommends that you:
- Never reward your cat for jumping on counters
- Reward your cat for staying off of furniture and couches
- Play with your cat daily to release some of their pent up energy
You can use a spray bottle with water to deter your cat from going on your counters, or fill a can with change and shake it up to force your cat off of the counters. While this may seem cruel, it’s a more humane method of showing what negative behavior you, as the owner, do not like.
Keep Your Litter Box Confined
Litter boxes are an eyesore, and they are the single most bacteria-filled source in your home. Even though your cat may try to bury her waste, she will undoubtedly get some on her paws or maybe even on the floor.
You’ll want to scoop your litter box often and dump the entire contents of the litter box every few days, depending on the amount of urine in the box. According to Pet Finder, you’ll want to scoop your litter box once or twice daily.
If possible, you’ll want to keep your litter box confined.
A few key places for your litter box may be:
- Garage
- Basement
- Bathroom
If you need to put the litter box in an area that has carpeting, make use of towels or other floor coverings to keep any waste off of your floor. Some owners will also buy enclosures for the box or make their own.
The goal is to keep the dust that leaves the litter box to a minimum while also keeping as much waste as possible inside the box.
