Of Pets And Couches & How To Get The Best Of Both Worlds
Mortal enemies
Dogs (and cats too if they like you) are out best friends. They are always ready to cuddle and show us love and there is truly nothing more rewarding to look forward to at the end of the day. Unfortunately, this love is not extended to the upholstery. If anything, it seems like couches and pets just cannot seem to get along.
From pee stains to mud prints, it sometimes seems as a homeowner that you cannot enjoy your couch with a pet around. However, this is not always the case. In the sections below we will go through what could go wrong so that you are prepared and how to get the best of both luxuries.
What could possibly go wrong?
- Stains
Animals do not really have an understanding or even appreciation of what it means to keep a space clean. Their comfort is key even if it is at the expense of your couch. As a result, you can expect a number of weird stains. These could be anything from mud they dragged in from the yard to a poop parcel they so loving left on the cushion for you. If you do not get the mess cleaned soon you might end up with a very stubborn and smelly stain.
- Funky odours
In addition to poop and pee, the natural musk from your beloved pet could lead to funky odours on your upholstery. This happens particularly with pets that just love to take naps on these warm and comfortable spaces. Pheromones and other particles from their fur and skin settle into the couch fibre and very soon your entire seat starts to smell like the animal. This is particularly worse when either the couch or the pet is wet and the smell is harder to get rid of with simple airing.
- Scratched fabric
This happens a lot with untrained puppies but it can also be seen with cats. They do it as a way to ease tension on their claws or growing teeth and boy does your couch pay for it dearly. Unfortunately, this is the one problem that is hardest to deal with. No amount of professional upholstery cleaning will reverse the damage. It is therefore best to just prevent it from happening in the first place.
- Pet dander accumulation
Pet shedding is another problem that you will unfortunately have to deal with when it comes to keeping a pet. The dander can accumulate if you do not vacuum the surface on a regular basis. This, in turn, traps things like dust and pollen which make the whole situation worse than it really needed to be.
- Pest infestations
Finally, pets could also introduce pests that love to hide in upholstery fibres. These include the likes of dust mites and fleas which thrive in warm dark places like the crevices in your couch and the folds of the upholstery fabric.
Who stays and who goes
Fortunately, you can have your cake and eat it too. People have survived with their shedding cats and pooping puppies for ages and you too can do it. You just have to be willing to put in the extra effort that is required to ensure that the couch is protected. To help you out, here are a few very easy tips and tricks that will definitely make your life easier as a pet owner.
- Potty train your pet
This is without a doubt the most annoying issue when it comes to pets and upholstery. It not only leaves you with ugly stains but also has your couch reeking. However, it is also the easiest of the problems to deal with. All you have to do is to potty train your pet.
- Have your little friend house trained in general
In addition to having the animal potty trained, it is important that you have them house trained. This includes teaching them where to sit and where to avoid as well as giving them alternatives to chew and scratch on. That way your couch does not bear the brunt of their childlike glee.
- Vacuum the upholstery regularly
This is a great way to get rid of the shed fur and anything that it may have trapped. It works best when it is done on a regular basis especially if your pet sheds a lot. If you can manage, try and do it every 2 or 3 days. The vacuuming also helps get rid of some of the pests like fleas that your furry little buddy brought home. It will not get the job fully done like a professional crew would but it will definitely make your life easier.
- Have your pet checked for pests and cleaned
A more effective way to deal with the fleas and mites is by preventing their infestation. You can do this by having your pet checked and cleaned regularly. You should also restrict where they go outside and other animals that they interact with.
- Clean up after your furry buddy
Giving your furry little buddy a regular shower will also do a lot for your upholstery. This helps to get rid of any dirt and mud that they may unwittingly deposit onto the couch. It also reduces the natural animal smell which lessens the muskiness on your couch.
- Get the couch cleaned professionally
Last but definitely not least, make sure to get your couch professionally cleaned on a regular basis if you are a pet owner. This will help you deal with all kinds of problems from stains to odours. Working with a professional crew offers you the advantage of having access to the best specialized equipment for the best results when it comes to cleaning pet-exposed couches.
Invest in professional upholstery cleaning
It really is not that hard to keep a couch clean if you own a pet. With a little training for the animal and tender loving care for the couch you should be able to enjoy the best of both worlds. It will also make the world of a difference if you include a professional upholstery cleaning crew into the mix for those efficient services and high quality results.
