7 Quick Tips Keeping Your Home and Office Clean with Furry Friends
The American office used to be more formal. Now you might enter a large corporate headquarters and what do you find…dogs at work. Humans’ best friends in cubicles, offices, relaxing in the company lounge. That is a fine and even psychologically healthy development, but it does require a bit more attention to keeping the office safe and clean.
Here are seven quick tips for pet-friendly cleaning:
- Use Pet-Safe Cleaning Products: Many conventional cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful to pets. Pet-safe cleaning products that are free from harsh chemicals and toxins are now an entire category easily found online or in most pet stores. Alternatively, you can make your own cleaning solutions using natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.
- Up Your Vacuum Frequency: Pet hair and dander can quickly accumulate on floors, carpets, and furniture. More frequent vacuuming keeps allergies in check, especially if you use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
- Spot Cleaning: Accidents happen. Be prepared to clean up any spills or messes promptly. Speedy cleanup avoids stains. Use a pet-friendly stain remover and blot the affected area with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Wash Pet Bedding and Toys: Pets’ bedding and toys are frequently overlooked as items requiring a good, regular cleaning. Clean your pet’s toys with mild soap and water to keep them germ-free.
- Clean Food and Water Bowls: Another neglected cleaning chore, which should be done daily – I know, who does this daily? – But it must be done especially if bowls are shared.
- Air Purification: Consider using an air purifier with a HEPA filter to remove both human and pet dander, allergens, and odors from the air.
- Pet-Proof Your Office: Take steps to pet-proof your home or office to minimize messes and accidents. Keep cleaning supplies, medications, and other potentially harmful substances out of reach of pets, and secure trash cans with pet-proof lids. Several examples of common foods that can harm dogs: grapes, raisins, fried foods, macadamia nuts, avocados, garlic, onions, chocolate, and especially cheese.
Do you have a company policy that allows pets to come to work? Be sure to sit down with your LACOSTA crew manager and discuss your employee guidelines for in-office pet management and how the LACOSTA crew can assist you with some of the tips listed above.