Is it possible to co-exist with a pet and all the trimmings? Peacefully? Can you really have a clean house and a furry pet? Yes. It's possible. Not perfect but certainly possible! Next to dirty bathrooms (see previous blog), pet hair is a major concern for people who long for a clean home.
Hair can be as fascinating as it is frustrating. You love hair on your head but not in your sink. You want it to stand up, or lay flat but stay out of your mouth! If you have fine hair you may long for thick, wavy hair. If you are blonde you may wish to be a brunette. Your pets fur is what makes it so cuddly but also makes the house a mess. Next to bone marrow, hair is the fastest growing tissue in the body. On a human it grows about 1 cm per month. That's a lot of hair.
What's the fuss about hair right now? It's spring and pets are starting to shed!
A full ninety eight percent of our cleaning clients have pets in the home. We love our endearing pets to no end. They help reduce our blood pressure and give us a more positive outlook on life. They keep us laughing and active and healthy but geez...all that hair!
There are some easy ways to minimize the challenge of all the hair. Washable slipcovers are great. Cat towers that act as fur traps. Putting hair laden blankets in the dryer for 10 minutes with a fabric softener sheet will help loosen hair for the washing machine. Also, add liquid softener to the wash cycle to release more stubborn hairs.
Some furnishings are naturally hair resistant. Hardwood, tile and vinyl floors are better than carpet. Leather and canvas are good for sofas. Ultrasuede is good although I find it harder to maintain than leather or canvas.
My favorite way to remove hair is to vacuum it up. Preferably with a Miele (pronounced Mee Lah). Suction is important but so is ease of use. If you have a great vacuum but it weights 150 pounds are you really going to use it frequently? The Miele canister vacuum is small and lightweight. It fits in tight places and the floor brush has a very slim profile so it will go under many sofas and cabinets, helping suck the pesky hair right out of your life. By vacuuming up the hair, you remove it completely. If you sweep first and then try to collect it in a dust pan, you sometimes stir up a lot more hair and dander. And by the time you get out the broom and dust pan, you could almost as easily get out the vacuum and get a much better clean. After vacuuming, a quick mop with a microfiber mop head will get up any loose hairs the vacuum missed. Swiffers are great, too, but I prefer to use products I can wash and re-use many times. A high quality microfiber mop head will pick up a lot more sand, dander and small particles than the Swiffer, but there is something to be said for the convenience of a Swiffer.
In the end, I think it also helps to lower your standards! If pet hair is constantly aggravating you, then I would say try to re-frame it.....get used to pet hair as a reminder of why and how you love your pet. Think of all the ways your pet loves you unconditionally and looks out for you and your safety. It's a small price to pay for all that good stuff! And if it's too much to bear, feel free to call us for some hair peace.....904-704-0936.
Hair can be as fascinating as it is frustrating. You love hair on your head but not in your sink. You want it to stand up, or lay flat but stay out of your mouth! If you have fine hair you may long for thick, wavy hair. If you are blonde you may wish to be a brunette. Your pets fur is what makes it so cuddly but also makes the house a mess. Next to bone marrow, hair is the fastest growing tissue in the body. On a human it grows about 1 cm per month. That's a lot of hair.
What's the fuss about hair right now? It's spring and pets are starting to shed!
A full ninety eight percent of our cleaning clients have pets in the home. We love our endearing pets to no end. They help reduce our blood pressure and give us a more positive outlook on life. They keep us laughing and active and healthy but geez...all that hair!
There are some easy ways to minimize the challenge of all the hair. Washable slipcovers are great. Cat towers that act as fur traps. Putting hair laden blankets in the dryer for 10 minutes with a fabric softener sheet will help loosen hair for the washing machine. Also, add liquid softener to the wash cycle to release more stubborn hairs.
Some furnishings are naturally hair resistant. Hardwood, tile and vinyl floors are better than carpet. Leather and canvas are good for sofas. Ultrasuede is good although I find it harder to maintain than leather or canvas.
My favorite way to remove hair is to vacuum it up. Preferably with a Miele (pronounced Mee Lah). Suction is important but so is ease of use. If you have a great vacuum but it weights 150 pounds are you really going to use it frequently? The Miele canister vacuum is small and lightweight. It fits in tight places and the floor brush has a very slim profile so it will go under many sofas and cabinets, helping suck the pesky hair right out of your life. By vacuuming up the hair, you remove it completely. If you sweep first and then try to collect it in a dust pan, you sometimes stir up a lot more hair and dander. And by the time you get out the broom and dust pan, you could almost as easily get out the vacuum and get a much better clean. After vacuuming, a quick mop with a microfiber mop head will get up any loose hairs the vacuum missed. Swiffers are great, too, but I prefer to use products I can wash and re-use many times. A high quality microfiber mop head will pick up a lot more sand, dander and small particles than the Swiffer, but there is something to be said for the convenience of a Swiffer.
In the end, I think it also helps to lower your standards! If pet hair is constantly aggravating you, then I would say try to re-frame it.....get used to pet hair as a reminder of why and how you love your pet. Think of all the ways your pet loves you unconditionally and looks out for you and your safety. It's a small price to pay for all that good stuff! And if it's too much to bear, feel free to call us for some hair peace.....904-704-0936.