Clean Dog-Dirty House

It never fails. Every time my bathroom is spic and span, my dogs need a bath. My spotless bathroom is soon filled with paw grime and tons of stray, wet dog hairs. It’s like Murphy’s Law. I save money by grooming my Sheltie’s at home but my cost is in time.

Over the years I’ve learned a few things that can help you avoid my double cleaning mistakes.

• Vacuum Cleaners are my friend.

A quality vacuum cleaner may cost a few hundred dollars but with two long haired dogs living with me, it’s like coffee in the morning. A complete necessity. After giving the dogs a bath, it’s mandatory that I vacuum or their newly softened tresses will wind up all over my custom drapes.

• Hair Pickup tools can be your BFF.

Whether you go with the lint roller type, washable or squeegee, there is a type for you. Personally, I have both a tape style lint roller and a Pledge Pet Hair Fabric Sweeper placed all around the house so that no matter the room, I can quickly nip the hair in the bud.

• Use an old oversized Tee or Apron when bathing your pup.

If you don’t chances are whatever you’re wearing will wind up soaked or full with hair! You can purchase a smock at a craft store. Try to get one that is water repellent though so it will keep you dry!

• Have grooming clothes.

Even with the water repellent smock, you will still need to have a set of old clothes you won’t mind getting wet. Trust me!

• Absorbant Towels.

The towels don’t need to be top of the line but make sure they aren’t thin but can absorb the water that will be coming off your dog. Use them to cover the bathroom floor and if you crate your dog, line the crates with them so your wet dog won’t have to lay in hard, plastic crate.

Paper towels. They’re helpful in case of accidents or spills.

• A trash can with a removable bag.

Place any cotton swabs or anything you need to dispose of. When you are done bathing your dog, you can easily remove the bag and throw it away where it won’t make your bathroom smell like wet dog!

• A tether.

Restraining your dog in the tub might sound difficult, but it is actually safest to keep the dog in one central location. The bath will not only go smoother but quicker if you can easily spray down, shampoo, lather and rinse.

• Disinfectant.

Self explanatory! To clean your bathroom with

• Wash.

As soon as the baths are complete and the dog is dry, do a high temperature wash for the items you used. Don’t mix the towels, clothes and apron/smock you washed your dog in with other laundry items… the hair grows, trust me.

With enough thought beforehand, your at home grooming experience can be less mess and more Martha Stewart! It’s a good thing!

Tags: dog grooming