what can i use to clean my dog's tear stains

When it comes to co-habiting with canines, we've all been faced with their often-times stinky, mucky, and hairy ways. But it is possible to have a dog and still live in a clean home?

There's a number of tips and tricks you can use to keep pongs and mess at bay, from keeping cleaning kits in the hall, to using the best products for animal cleaning, like pet vacuums and bed fabric sprays.

It's important to keep on top of cleaning the less obvious things, too, like dog collars and toys, so you can all breathe more easily.

To embrace Spring Cleaning Week (2nd to 8th March), the British dog bed and blanket company, Charley Chau, have shared their nine top tips to whip your home into shape.

Never be unprepared or embarrassed by a surprise visit from a friend or neighbour again...

1. Clean your animal

9 top spring cleaning tips for dog owners

Rebecca Nelson

Dust, wash, hoover and spray all you want but the first step starts with Fido. Whether via a professional groomer or DIY, it's important to maintain a grooming regime that's suited to your dog's breed and needs, be it regular trims, using a de-shedder, a daily wipe to clean food debris from their beard or a weekly bath.

For their health and your home hygiene, it's also important to keep up their flea and worming treatments, too.

2. Upgrade your dog's bed

A dog sleeps, on average, around 12 to 14 hours per day, so if your pet's bed is looking shabby, it might be time for an upgrade. When picking a new dog bed there are some key considerations that will help get the best from your purchase. The dog's comfort is essential and, with the dog bed often taking residence in heart-of-the-home rooms, what it looks like is important too.

You must also consider size; pick a bed that matches or is ideally 25% bigger than their measurements when standing, from the tip of their nose to base of tail, and from top of skull to the floor, so they have enough space to curl up or stretch out.

The shape of the bed is also relevant. Observe how your dog likes to sleep and choose a bed accordingly. For example, a flat mattress bed is great for 'sprawlers' whereas a donut or oval bed works best for curler-uppers.

Some dogs may require a specialist bed to suit a particular need or environment; breeds that like to burrow or feel the cold easily, love snuggle beds with a stitched-in blanket top for them to climb under. Older dogs with stiff joints may require the support of an orthopaedic mattress, such as a memory foam mattress.

Its washability is also a factor in keeping your house looking good, as a dog generally picks up a lot of muck, which goes back to their beds.

8 dog beds to buy now

Eco Domino Pet Bed

Project Blu joules.com

£44.99

Stoneham Tweed Donut Dog Bed

nationaltrust.org.uk

£125.00

Finnick Quilted Bed in Navy

3. Buy blankets

An essential for any dog owner, both at home and on the go. Are you an owner that lets your dog on the sofa or bed? We've all done it. A blanket will protect against muddy paws, fur, odours and general muckiness. They're also handy to hide any doggy-ness in a hurry should you receive guests at short notice.

Argos

Fleece Comforter Blanket

Petface argos.co.uk

£6.99

4. Invest in a quality pet vacuum

From carpets, hard floors, and upholstery to nooks and crannies, pet hair manages to get everywhere as does dog dust and pesky parasites. If you share your home with a dog, it's wise to invest in a pet-specific rather than standard vacuum, as they have extra-strong suction, brush action and more robust filters. Brands such as Dyson and Shark are popular choices and, while they're not cheap, their cost per use is minimal over time.

5. Tackle their toys

Make time to spring clean your dog's toy collection and repair or toss any toys that have been loved to death by your pooch. Pass on or donate unused or barely used toys to a local animal charity, and wash whatever you are keeping in the sink. You might also want to overhaul how they are stored, with a stylish basket that matches your interiors.

6. Clean their collar

Labrador Retriever Dog Smiles on Bench Outdoors

Purple Collar Pet Photography Getty Images

Just like their bed, a dog's collar is a hotbed for muck, so it's important to give it some domestic attention too. To avoid irritation, try washing and soaking fabric collars in the sink with a little bit of dog shampoo, carefully rubbing the insides together to remove any neck dirt. Leave to dry naturally. Wipe leather collars with a lightly damp soft cloth.

7. Get kitted out

For general home use, a lint roller helps get rid of dog hair from anywhere and anyone. Store alongside a fabric spray to freshen pet beds and blankets in between washes. Kennel Spray from Australian botanical brand Bondi Wash is designed specifically for this purpose and includes anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and insect-repellant along with ingredients to relax and soothe.

It's also a good idea to create a mini dog cleaning kit complete with items such as towels, wipes and water spray. You can also keep dog-walking essentials such as toilet bags, lead, and treats here, too. Store by the entrance of your home or utility room to make life easier and to contain any mess.

8 dog cleaning essentials every owner needs

Pet Stain and Odour Remover, 945 ml

Simple Solution amazon.co.uk

£5.99

Lint Roller, Remove Lint, Dog Hairs

Scotch Brite amazon.co.uk

£9.99

THE LAUNDRESS Fabric Fresh spray 250ml

THE LAUNDRESS selfridges.com

£13.50

120 Biodegradable Poop Bags, Lavender

earth rated fetch.co.uk

£5.05

Lemon Scented Pet Kennel Disinfectant and Deodoriser

chemicalproducts.net

£1,782.00

WildWash PRO Dog Shampoo for Deep Cleaning and Deodorising 300ml

Bondi Wash Kennel & Dog Spray

8. Light a candle

For times when 'eau de dog' is strong, a beautifully scented candle will help neutralise the stink. These are particularly useful in spring when sudden showers strike, leaving you with a wet and smelly dog, and during the warmer months when the atmosphere feels stuffy and smells gets amplified in the heat. Yankee Candle has a large range of lovely option, ad we're fans of the Vanilla Cupcake scent. Similarly, reed diffusers can help add a sustained and pleasing scent to your dog-dwelling home.

9. Form a 'weekly wash' habit

Cleanfluencers like The Organised Mum and Lynsey Queen of Clean are encouraging structured cleaning routines. So, as you are whipping off the sofa throw or bed covers for their wash, address your dog's bed and blankets, too. A weekly wash is best. Charley Chau offers spare bed covers for all its fabric beds, to rotate between washes and their machine washable Waterproof Dog Bed Liners also help protect against dirt, dander and dust, keeping the mattress much cleaner for longer.

Other habits to forge, ideally on a monthly basis, include attending to the cleanliness and condition of their collar and toy collection, as well as airing their mattress. To air the mattress, simply take off the covers and hang it up somewhere warm and dry – a linen cupboard or radiator are perfect.

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