Muddy paws season: keeping a doggy home fresh this autumn
Hey, it's Katie! If you've got a dog, you'll know autumn is when the garden starts moving indoors. Wet leaves, puddles, and those little brown paw prints all the way from the back door to the sofa.
With three Cocker Spaniels and a Labrador in my house, I promise I'm not judging anyone! Here are the things that genuinely help in our home.
Set up a paw station by the door
An old towel, a shallow tray of warm water and a good absorbent mat make all the difference. Two minutes of wiping paws saves twenty minutes of mopping later. My Spaniels have learnt to wait for it (most of the time).
Choose a proper mat
Go for a barrier mat with a rubber back rather than just a pretty one. The thicker and more absorbent it is, the less ends up on your floors. If you can, put one outside the door and one inside.
Stay on top of the hair
Spaniel ears seem to collect half the garden, and Labs shed all year round. A quick brush outside a couple of times a week keeps so much of it off the carpets. Here's a little trick: run a damp rubber glove over the sofa and the hair rolls right up.
Wash the bedding more than you think
Dog beds hold onto smells, especially once they've been damp. I wash ours every week or two through autumn and winter, and give the covers a good shake outside in between. A sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda on fabric, left for half an hour and then hoovered up, freshens things up nicely.
Don't forget the sneaky spots
Skirting boards, the bottom of doors, and that bit of wall they lean on while you're putting their lead on. These pick up muddy marks without you noticing, right up until visitors come round.
Be kind to yourself
A home with dogs is never going to look like a show home every minute of the day, and that's ok. The aim is a home that feels fresh and calm, not one where you're constantly chasing your tail. (Sorry, I had to!)
If you'd like a hand keeping on top of it all, that's exactly what we're here for. As a fellow crazy dog owner, I completely get it, and I'd love to help.
