Keeping your floors clean with pets

The Reality of Pet Ownership in Australia

According to the research in Pets in Australia: A National Survey of Pets and People, 69% of Australian households have a pet. That adds up to 6.9 million homes and a total of 28.7 million pets. Dogs and cats are the most common, with 47.8% of households owning a dog and 33.3% owning a cat. These numbers keep growing, and so do the cleaning challenges. Pet hair collects on floors, furniture, and carpets. Mud and dirt stick to paws after every walk. Water spills near food bowls leave streaks on tiles or wooden floors.

Pet owners in Australia spend over $33 billion every year on their furry friends. A large part of this goes to pet-friendly cleaning products. With more pets living indoors, cleaning becomes a daily task. Fur gathers fast, and messes are unavoidable. But keeping floors clean doesn’t have to mean spending more. A few small changes can make pet-friendly cleaning more effective and less expensive.

Different Flooring for Pets

Floors cop a lot when you’ve got pets. Claws scratch the surface, fur sticks everywhere, and muddy paws leave a mess. Some floors handle this better than others. Picking the right one makes cleaning easier and helps keep your home looking fresh.

Tile floor is one of the best choices for pet owners. It’s tough, scratch-resistant, and doesn’t hold onto fur. Spills wipe up easily, and there’s no risk of warping from moisture. The downside is that grout can trap dirt, making floors look grubby over time. Sealing the grout stops stains from setting in and makes mopping easier.

Laminate is a popular choice because it looks like wood without the high price tag. It doesn’t hold onto pet hair, and it’s easy to clean. But it doesn’t handle moisture well. If water sits too long, the boards can swell and buckle. A quick clean-up after spills helps keep it in good shape.

Hardwood floors brings warmth and character to a home, but it’s not the most pet-friendly option. Claws leave scratches, and moisture seeps into unsealed wood. Some finishes help protect against damage, but accidents still need to be cleaned straight away. Rugs and mats in high-traffic areas can help stop wear and tear.

Carpet is cosy underfoot, but it’s the hardest to keep clean. It holds onto fur, dirt, and pet smells. Stains sink in fast, and vacuuming doesn’t always get all the hair out. Stain-resistant treatments help, but regular deep cleaning is needed to keep it fresh.

No matter what flooring you have, a few extra steps make a big difference. Sealing surfaces helps protect against stains, and using mats near entryways stops dirt from spreading. The right flooring makes pet messes easier to manage, so you spend less time cleaning up.

Ways to Keep Floors in Excellent Condition with Pets

Keeping a home clean with pets takes extra effort. With the right routine and a few smart tricks, it doesn’t have to be a struggle. A good cleaner and quick daily habits make all the difference.

Stopping Dirt Before It Spreads

Pups love the outdoors, but they bring the mess back inside. Mud sticks to paws, dirt clings to fur, and water drips onto the floor. Setting up a cleaning station near the entrance helps prevent the mess before it spreads.

• A microfiber mat traps dirt before paws touch the floor.
• Paw washers with water remove mud before pets come inside.
• A quick wipe with a cloth helps dry pet's paws and stop water from leaving streaks.

Entryway rugs make a big difference. A rubber-backed rug holds onto dirt and water, keeping floors cleaner for longer. Washable rugs make cleaning easier and reduce the need for constant scrubbing.

Cleaning Up Pet Stains Fast

Accidents happen, but cleaning them quickly stops pet stains from setting. The right cleaning solution cleans messes without damaging floors.

• For urine stains, blot up as much liquid as possible. Avoid scrubbing, as this pushes moisture deeper. A tea tree and lime multipurpose cleaner removes odours and keeps the area fresh.
• For mud, let it dry first. Sweep or vacuum loose dirt, then mop with a streak-free floor cleaner to remove any marks.
• For food spills, wipe them up straight away. A plant-based multipurpose spray cuts through grease without leaving residue.

For pet owners, our pre-measured cleaner sheets make it an easier job. They dissolve in water, work on all surfaces, and avoid harsh chemicals.

How often should you be cleaning the floor

How often you mop depends on the mess. High traffic areas like the kitchen and entryway need a quick mop every few days. 

Not all cleaning products are pet-safe. Many store-bought cleaners contain:

• Bleach and ammonia – Strong fumes that can irritate paws, noses, and lungs.
• Artificial fragrances – Chemical-heavy scents that linger on floors and can cause allergies.
• Residue-forming detergents – Can leave a sticky layer that pets walk on and lick off their paws.

Choosing a plant-based floor cleaner removes mess without the risk. Pine & lemon Myrtle-scented floor cleaning sheets dissolve in water, creating a powerful yet gentle solution. Used with a lightweight spray mop, they make quick clean-ups easy. Washable mop pads cut down on waste while keeping floors fresh. Safe for pets and simple to use every day.

Vacuuming the Fur

One of the biggest issues is that pet fur finds its way into everything. It sticks to floors, furniture and clothes. It floats through the air and settles in corners, and this happens daily!

You would need a vacuum to deal with this as well! You can vacuum daily and make a routine that helps stop hair from taking over. A quick vacuum every day keeps high-traffic areas clear. A deeper clean once a week lifts hair from carpets and rugs. Hard floors need sweeping and mopping to stop the pet hair from spreading. 

Brushing pets often means less hair on the floor. A de-shedding brush works well for dogs and cats that shed a lot. A rubber glove lifts loose fur while giving pets a massage. Brushing outside stops hair from floating through the house. Regular grooming means less cleaning and keeps pets comfortable too.

Keeping Floors Smelling Fresh

Pets bring love into a home, but they also bring odours. Fur, dander, and everyday mess can leave floors smelling less than fresh. A few simple habits help keep the air clean and the floors free from lingering smells.

Good airflow makes a difference. Opening windows lets fresh air in and pushes odours out. A fan or air purifier helps when windows stay shut. Stale air holds onto pet smells, so regular ventilation keeps everything feeling fresh.

Pet bedding and toys trap odours fast. Beds, blankets, and soft toys hold onto fur, skin oils, and dust. Washing them often stops smells from spreading to floors and furniture. A quick wash every week keeps pet spaces fresh and reduces the need for deep cleaning. Small habits keep odors under control, so the home stays clean without extra effort.

Wrapping It Up: A Clean Home with Happy Pets

And that’s it! Keeping a clean house with pets doesn’t have to be a struggle. With a few easy habits and the right products, many pet owners can keep their homes looking fresh without extra effort. A tidy space means happier pets and a more relaxing home for everyone.