In Switzerland, more than one in four households owns a dog. And while our four-legged companions bring immense joy, they also bring hair, mud, odours, and sometimes a few surprises on the carpet. Keeping a house clean with a dog is a daily challenge. But with the right habits and tools, it’s absolutely doable. Here’s the complete guide to a spotless home, even with a furry companion.
Keeping a house clean with a dog: daily challenges
Before we talk solutions, let’s identify the problems. Having a dog at home means several specific challenges:
- Hair: the number one challenge. Some breeds (Labrador, German Shepherd, Husky) shed enormous amounts of hair, especially in spring and autumn during seasonal coat changes.
- Mud and dirt: after every walk, your dog brings the outside in. Muddy paws, wet belly, sand between the paw pads.
- Odours: the wet dog smell is a classic. Even day-to-day, a pet produces odours that get absorbed into fabrics.
- Marks: drool on windows, scratches on the parquet, paw prints on tiles.
- Allergens: hair and dander require regular cleaning to maintain good air quality.
These challenges call for an adapted routine. That’s why many dog owners in Suisse Romande call on a professional house cleaner for help.
Daily routine: 15 minutes for a clean home with a dog
With a dog, daily upkeep isn’t optional: it’s essential. Here’s a 15-minute routine that makes all the difference.
Morning (5 minutes)
- Vacuum the areas where your dog sleeps and lies down most often.
- Air out the house for 10 minutes: fresh air chases away stale odours.
- Check the dog’s eating area: clean the bowls and wipe up water splashes.
After each walk (3 minutes)
- Wipe your dog’s paws with a damp cloth or special wipes before they enter the home.
- In rainy weather, keep a dedicated towel by the entrance. Some owners set up a small basin of warm water to quickly rinse paws.
- Quickly brush the coat if your dog is wet or sandy.
Evening (7 minutes)
- A quick vacuum of the main living areas.
- A damp mop on hard floors (very effective against paw prints).
- Shake out or use a lint roller on sofa cushions and blankets.
With this routine, you maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness day-to-day. But regular deep cleaning remains essential when you live with a pet.
Fighting dog hair: strategies that work
Dog hair gets everywhere: fabrics, clothes, corners. Here are the most effective methods for keeping a house clean with a dog:
- Robot vacuum: a life-changing investment. Programme it to run once a day while you’re out.
- Vacuum with turbo brush: for carpets and rugs, a rotating brush is essential.
- Regular dog brushing: brush your dog 3-4 times a week (daily during shedding season). It’s the best prevention.
- Rubber gloves: run a damp rubber glove over fabric surfaces. The hair sticks to it like magic.
- Washable sofa cover: if your dog gets on the sofa, a machine-washable cover will save you hours of cleaning.
MénageSimple professionals know these techniques and apply them during every visit. They use high-performance vacuums and methods adapted to homes with pets.
Eliminating dog odours: natural and effective methods
Dog odour is often the most bothersome issue for pet owners. Here’s how to fight it effectively:
- Baking soda: sprinkle it on carpets, the dog bed, and fabrics. Leave for 30 minutes, then vacuum. Baking soda neutralises odours rather than masking them.
- White vinegar: mix 50% water and 50% white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray on fabrics and smelly areas. The vinegar smell disappears as it dries.
- Regular fabric washing: the dog bed, blankets, and sofa covers should go in the machine at least every two weeks.
- Daily ventilation: 10-15 minutes of airing morning and evening makes a huge difference. Simple, free, and very effective.
- Air purifier: a purifier with a HEPA filter captures hair, dander, and airborne odours.
MénageSimple professionals bring all necessary cleaning products to every visit. You don’t need to buy or provide anything, which is particularly handy when you need specific products for a home with pets.
The Swiss Animal Protection recommends using only pet-safe cleaning products. The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) also provides hygiene guidelines for homes with animals.
Pet-safe cleaning products for homes with dogs
Not all household cleaning products are safe for your dog. Some common products are toxic to animals.
- Avoid: undiluted bleach (irritates paws and airways), phenol-based products, certain chemical air fresheners, products containing formaldehyde.
- Prefer: white vinegar, baking soda, black soap, certified eco-friendly products, enzymatic cleaners (excellent for organic stains).
After cleaning floors, let them dry completely before letting your dog walk on them. Wet paws on a freshly cleaned floor undo your efforts. Prolonged contact with certain products can also irritate paw pads.
MénageSimple house cleaners are trained on these precautions. They adapt their products and methods to accommodate pets in the home. Check out our spring cleaning tips, especially relevant during peak shedding season.
Keeping a house clean with a dog: organising your spaces
A few simple adjustments make home maintenance much easier when you live with a dog:
- Choose hard floors (tiles, sealed parquet, vinyl) in high-traffic areas. They’re infinitely easier to clean than carpet.
- Create an entry zone: a small space with a washable mat, hooks for leads, and a towel. Dogs quickly learn the routine.
- Set allowed zones: if possible, limit your dog’s access to certain rooms. Fewer areas to deep clean.
- Choose durable fabrics: for sofas and armchairs, go for easy-clean fabrics (microfibre, leather, faux leather).
These adjustments combined with a daily routine significantly simplify upkeep. Even more so if you also have regular professional cleaning.
Keep your house clean with a dog thanks to MénageSimple
Living with a dog multiplies the cleaning workload. Many pet owners call on a professional house cleaner to maintain a clean home without spending all their free time on it.
At MénageSimple, our professionals are used to working in homes with pets. They know the right techniques (thorough vacuuming, odour treatment, cleaning sleeping areas) and use compatible products.
Here’s why dog owners in Suisse Romande choose MénageSimple:
- Cleaning products included: our professional brings all supplies, including products suited to homes with pets.
- 100% declared: all our house cleaners are declared and insured. Zero undeclared work.
- Guaranteed replacement: if your house cleaner is unavailable, we find a replacement. Your routine is never interrupted.
- Rigorous selection: every professional is carefully chosen (interview, reference checks). We make sure they’re comfortable with dogs.
- Total flexibility: adjust the frequency, duration, or cancel easily as needed.
- Responsive customer service: a friendly, available team to answer your questions.
- Local company: MénageSimple is a Suisse Romande company, active in over 150 cities (VD, GE, VS, FR, NE).
The ideal formula for dog owners: a weekly professional cleaning for deep cleaning, combined with your 15-minute daily routine. You enjoy your companion without the burden of intensive cleaning. Booking takes just a few clicks on our website.
Check out reviews from our satisfied clients, many of whom are pet owners. Also see our article on the ideal cleaning frequency when you have a pet.
FAQ: your questions about cleaning with a dog
How often should you vacuum when you have a dog?
Ideally every day in the main living areas (living room, hallway, kitchen). A daily-programmed robot vacuum simplifies this task. For deep cleaning of carpets and fabrics, once or twice a week is enough. You can also call on a professional via MénageSimple for impeccable results.
How do you get rid of dog smell in a house?
The most effective combination: daily ventilation (15 minutes morning and evening), baking soda on fabrics (leave to work then vacuum), regular washing of the dog bed and blankets, and floor cleaning with diluted white vinegar. An air purifier with a HEPA filter completes the setup.
What flooring is best when you have a dog?
Hard floors are most suitable: tiles, quality vinyl, or sealed parquet (watch out for scratches with some soft woods). Avoid carpet, which traps hair, odours, and allergens. If you want rugs, choose machine-washable ones.
Can a house cleaner help keep a house clean with a dog?
Absolutely. At MénageSimple, we take pets into account when matching you with our professionals. We check that the house cleaner is comfortable with dogs and knows the right cleaning techniques. Just mention it when booking online.
