A Pet Owner's Guide to a Cleaner, Fresher Home in Regina

Life with a dog or cat is better in almost every way, except maybe the fur on the couch and the paw prints across the kitchen floor. In Regina, pet owners also deal with spring thaw mud, fall shedding and winter salt on paws. With a few smart habits and a good routine, you can keep your home feeling fresh without giving up the cuddles.

Staying ahead of pet hair

Pet hair builds up fastest in the places your pets love most: their bed, the couch, the stairs and the corners where fur drifts and collects.

Brush more, vacuum less

The easiest hair to clean is the hair that never hits the floor. Brushing your dog or cat a few times a week, outside or on the deck when the weather allows, catches loose fur before it spreads. In spring and fall, when many pets shed their coats, daily brushing can make a noticeable difference.

Use the right tools

• A vacuum with a pet or motorized brush attachment for upholstery and stairs
• Rubber gloves or a rubber squeegee to pull fur off couches and car seats (just dampen the glove slightly and sweep your hand across the fabric)
• Lint rollers by the front door for a quick touch-up before you head out
• Washable throws on the furniture your pets claim as their own

Don't forget the hidden spots

Fur gets everywhere. Check under beds, behind the couch, along baseboards and inside floor vents. Pet hair mixed with prairie dust can form tumbleweeds that roll out from under furniture every time the furnace kicks on.

Handling pet odours

A home with pets doesn't have to smell like one. Odours usually come from a few specific sources, so tackle those directly rather than covering them up.

1. Wash pet bedding every week or two. It's one of the most common sources of lingering smells.
2. Clean litter boxes daily and fully change the litter on a regular schedule.
3. Wash food and water bowls often. Regina's hard water can leave a film on bowls, so a regular scrub helps.
4. Treat accidents quickly with an enzyme cleaner made for pet messes, which breaks down the source instead of masking it.
5. Air things out. On mild days, open the windows to move fresh air through the house.

Soft surfaces hold smells longer than hard ones. Vacuuming rugs and upholstery regularly can help keep odours from settling in.

Muddy paws in spring and fall

Every Regina dog owner knows the season. When the snow melts in spring, backyards turn into mud pits and every walk ends with four brown paws. Fall rain can bring the same problem back again.

Set up a paw station

Create a spot right inside the door where your dog stops before going any further:

• A heavy, absorbent mat that catches water and dirt
• An old towel or two hanging on a hook
• A shallow bin of water or a paw washer cup for really muddy days
• A few treats to make the routine something your dog looks forward to

Train your dog to wait on the mat for a quick wipe. It takes some patience at first, but it saves a lot of mopping.

Winter salt is a paw problem too

In winter, sidewalks and roads get salted and sanded. That grit sticks to paws and gets tracked across your floors, leaving a white film and scratching finishes. Wiping paws after winter walks keeps salt off both your floors and your dog's feet.

Build a simple weekly routine

A little regular upkeep keeps pet mess from piling up:

• Daily: Quick vacuum of high-traffic spots, wipe paws, scoop litter
• Weekly: Vacuum all floors and furniture, wash pet bowls and toys, mop hard floors
• Every couple of weeks: Wash pet bedding and throws, wipe nose prints off windows and patio doors
• Monthly: Vacuum under furniture, wipe baseboards, clean the paw station mat

If you're in a neighbourhood with lots of walking paths, like Lakeview near Wascana or Harbour Landing, you might find your entryway needs extra attention during mud season.

When professional help makes sense

Pet homes often benefit from more frequent cleaning, because fur, dander and dirt build up quickly. Many pet owners find an every-two-weeks schedule keeps things under control. At YQR Cleaning, bi-weekly visits save 15%, and every-four-weeks visits save 10%.

A few tips when booking with pets:

• Mention your pets when you book so the cleaners know what to expect
• Decide whether your pet will be crated, in a closed room or out with you
• Note any trouble spots, like a favourite napping chair or a muddy back entry
• Consider the wet-wipe blinds add-on ($55) if fur and dust cling to your blinds

A cleaner home for you and your pets

YQR Cleaning is a locally owned Regina company, cleaning homes since 2022. Our background-checked, insured and bonded cleaners bring all the supplies, and you don't need to be home. You pay after the clean, and if anything was missed, we'll come back and fix it free.

Pricing is flat-rate, starting at $180 + GST for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom home. Get your price online in about 30 seconds, or call or text us at (639) 739-7669 to talk about what your furry household needs.