How to Keep Your House Clean With Dogs (Complete Guide)

If you’re an animal lover, you know that having dogs in your home brings endless joy and extra cleaning. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your house clean with dogs without spending your whole weekend scrubbing, you’re in the right place. Pets can leave hair, stains, and unwanted odors behind—but learning how to keep a house clean with a dog (or several!) makes clean living totally doable.

One of the “side effects” of living with a dog is that cleaning time goes up—especially when you’re figuring out how to keep the house clean of dog hair and manage lingering pet smells. You want a tidy, healthy home, but sometimes it feels impossible.

That’s why YCS has compiled proven, time-saving tips to help you how to keep your house clean with dogs of all breeds and sizes—plus specific advice on how to keep a house clean with multiple dogs and control odor, hair, and high-traffic messes.

Why It’s Harder to Keep a Home Clean With Dogs

Keeping a home clean with dogs can be more challenging due to constant shedding, tracked-in dirt, and the pet odors that build up over time. Understanding how to keep your house clean with dogs starts with knowing what you’re up against so you can set up realistic daily and weekly routines.

Shedding, Dirt, and Everyday Messes

Dogs shed—some nonstop. Hair collects in carpets, on furniture, and under baseboards. Add dirty paws, drool, and scattered kibble, and suddenly you’re asking how to keep the house free of dog hair and crumbs. Dog beds and toys also trap bacteria and oils, so regular washing is a must if you want to keep a house clean with a dog long term.

Pet Odors and Accidents

Even well-groomed pups can leave a “doggy” smell on fabrics. Older dogs, puppies, or dogs in training may also have accidents. Spot-treating fast is key to how to keep house smelling fresh with dogs—and to preventing stains that invite repeat accidents.

High-Traffic Areas and Furniture Use

Our dogs can leave our furniture dirty, covered in hair, or smelly. They can also leave us “gifts” in high-traffic areas that we might accidentally step on.

This type of behavior not only causes inconvenience, it’s particularly uncomfortable when entertaining. Hence the importance of knowing how to keep your house clean with dogs.

Daily Cleaning Habits for Pet Owners

A quick daily routine is the secret to how to keep your house clean with dogs without burnout. Wipe paw prints, clean bowls, respond to accidents right away, and run a fast sweep or vacuum in high-shed zones. These small habits add up—especially when you’re tackling how to keep a house clean with multiple dogs who bring in double the dirt.

Wipe Paws Before Entering

Post-walk paw wipes are a game-changer. Keep a mat, towel, or pet-safe wipes by the door. This one habit dramatically helps how to keep a house clean with a dog by stopping mud, grass, and allergens before they hit your floors.

Vacuum or Sweep High-Hair Zones

Target the areas where fur collects—under couches, along baseboards, favorite beds. Sweep clumps first, then vacuum with a pet tool or HEPA filter. Consistency here is key to how to keep the house free of dog hair and reduce dander in the air.

Set Up a Pet-Cleaning Station

Create a small wash-and-wipe area with towels, a sprayer, and grooming tools. Indoors mud bath? No problem. A setup like this makes how to keep your house clean with dogs far easier—especially for active breeds or owners managing how to keep a house clean with multiple dogs who come in from the yard at once.

Must-Have Cleaning Tools for Dog Owners

If you want to master how to keep your house clean with dogs, the right cleaning tools make all the difference. To keep your home clean and your dog healthy, it’s crucial to have essentials like quality dog shampoo, pet-safe wet wipes, a grooming brush, a pet hair vacuum, and products for stain and odor removal.

A grooming kit with a hair clipper and brushes tailored to your dog’s coat can also make cleaning easier and reduce shedding.

Vacuums Designed for Pet Hair

Pet hair can be stubborn and get embedded in carpets and upholstery. A vacuum designed for pet owners, especially one with a motorized brushroll and specialist pet hair attachments, is key when learning how to keep your house clean with dogs.

A vacuum with a HEPA filter (high-efficiency particulate air filter) can trap allergens and dander, improving indoor air quality and keeping your home fresher.

Grooming Brushes to Reduce Shedding

Shedding is one of the biggest challenges when figuring out how to keep your house clean with dogs. To effectively control hair, dog owners should use a slicker brush, a de-shedding tool, or brushes that suit their dog’s coat type. Self-cleaning brushes simplify the process, while rubber curry brushes are great for short-haired breeds.

Air Purifiers for Allergens and Smell

Air purifiers are essential for dog owners aiming to keep allergens and odors under control. A HEPA filter can remove pet dander, while activated carbon filters neutralize odors—both critical steps in how to keep your house clean with dogs. Advanced models with multi-stage filtration and quiet operation create a fresh and pet-friendly environment.

Safe and Effective Pet-Safe Cleaning Products

Choosing pet-safe products is crucial when thinking about how to keep your house clean with dogs. Commercial pet-safe cleaners often contain natural, non-toxic ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and plant-derived formulations. Enzymatic cleaners, which break down organic messes like urine, are also a must-have for pet owners.

Enzyme-Based vs. Natural Solutions

Both enzyme-based and natural cleaners play a key role in how to keep your house clean with dogs effectively and safely. Enzyme-based cleaners break down tough organic stains and odors, while natural options like vinegar and baking soda are great for everyday cleaning.

Enzyme-Based Cleaners:

• Function: Enzyme cleaners use natural enzymes to break down organic materials like urine and feces, eliminating odors at the source.
• Effectiveness: These cleaners are effective at removing stains and odors and can discourage repeat accidents.
• Safety: Generally safe for pets and humans, though some may have sensitivities to specific enzymes. Always check the label.
• Considerations: They may take time to work and can vary in effectiveness based on the stain or surface type.
• Examples: Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain and Odor Eliminator, Nature’s Miracle Stain & Odor Remover.

Natural Cleaning Solutions:

• Function: Natural cleaners use ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils for cleaning and deodorizing.
• Effectiveness: They work well for general cleaning but may be less effective on deep stains compared to enzyme cleaners.
• Safety: Generally safe for pets and humans due to natural ingredients.
• Considerations: Some may have strong odors that might not be suitable for all pets.
• Examples: Baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and DIY solutions.

Avoiding Harmful Chemicals for Pets

When working on how to keep your house clean with dogs, always avoid products with harsh chemicals like ammonia or chlorine. Instead, opt for natural or pet-specific cleaners. Check labels to ensure they are free of harmful toxins and safe for your furry friends.

How to Remove Dog Odors and Keep Your Home Fresh

Learning how to keep house smelling fresh with dogs can feel challenging, but it’s entirely possible with the right cleaning habits. The smells of our canine friends can be tricky to manage, especially if they spend time indoors.

A simple yet effective solution is a mix of apple cider vinegar and water, which acts as a powerful cleaner and disinfectant. This solution neutralizes dog urine odors and is highly recommended for wooden surfaces such as furniture or floors. It can even leave your home with a subtle, polished scent!

Wash Bedding and Toys Frequently

A big part of how to keep house smelling fresh with dogs is cleaning their belongings regularly. Wash their bed or blanket at least once a week, and don’t forget about their toys. You can vacuum their bedding daily and toss their blankets into the washing machine.

For toys, the dishwasher is an excellent cleaning hack that removes bacteria and odors effectively. A monthly steam cleaning session is also a great way to eliminate mites, fleas, and lingering smells, helping you maintain a cleaner, fresher environment.

Use Natural Deodorizers (Charcoal, Baking Soda)

When exploring how to keep your house clean with dogs, natural odor absorbers are your best friends. Apple cider vinegar can be added to your floor cleaner or used on a damp cloth for wiping surfaces. Sprinkling baking soda or activated charcoal around high-traffic pet areas overnight and vacuuming it up in the morning helps neutralize persistent odors. These natural deodorizers are effective, pet-safe, and easy to use.

Ventilation and Air Circulation Tips

Good airflow is essential when figuring out how to keep your house clean with dogs and reduce lingering odors.

1. Increase Natural Ventilation:

• Open windows and doors frequently to circulate fresh air throughout your home.
• Consider the time of day and the weather conditions. Cooler, less humid weather is perfect for airing out your home.
• If you are allergic to pollen or allergens, be cautious. On pollen-rich days, you may need to rely more on mechanical ventilation.

2. Use Mechanical Ventilation:

• Exhaust Fans: To remove moisture and odors from areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, use exhaust fans, particularly after cooking or showering.
• Ceiling fans can assist circulate air and keep odors from setting.
• HVAC System: Ensure that your HVAC system is in good working order. Veteran HVAC recommends changing or cleaning your HVAC filters on a regular basis, particularly those designed to trap pet dander and odors.
• Consider getting professional air duct cleaning: To remove accumulated pet hair and dander, schedule frequent air duct cleanings.

3. Use Air Purifiers:

• Use air purifiers with HEPA filters in locations where your dog spends most of their time.
• Air purifiers with activated carbon filters can effectively remove odors and pollutants from the air.
• Place air purifiers in high-traffic pet areas to remove dander and odor particles.

Grooming and Hygiene Practices That Help Keep Homes Clean

Regular grooming and attentive hygiene procedures are essential when learning how to keep your house clean with dogs. This involves brushing, bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care for your dog, as well as frequent cleaning of their living areas, including bedding and toys, and proper pet waste management.

Brushing Schedule for Hair Control

This is one of the most rewarding routines for your dog, as you get a ton of benefits: not only a more beautiful and shinier coat, prevention of the spread of parasites, and reinforcement of effective bonds, but those few minutes a day will ensure that the vast majority of your dog’s daily shed hair ends up on the brush, not on the sofa. If you do it outside, you’ll prevent airborne particles from remaining in your home, but remember to throw the hair away in a wastebasket. Brushing is one of the simplest yet most effective steps in mastering how to keep your house clean with dogs.

Regular Baths With Gentle Shampoos

Bathe your pets regularly to reduce the amount of loose hair and dirt they track in. Consult your veterinarian about the appropriate bathing frequency for your pet and use specific products. Regular baths not only keep your dog healthy but also play a big role in how to keep your house clean with dogs by minimizing odors and shedding.

How to Keep Dog Hair Under Control

To keep dog hair under control, take a multifaceted approach that involves regular grooming, cleaning, and clever home design decisions. Regular brushing, vacuuming, and cleaning of pet bedding is required. Consider utilizing lint rollers and pet hair repellant sprays, as well as choosing pet-friendly furniture materials.

Lint Rollers and Furniture Covers

Lint rollers are useful for removing loose hair from clothing and upholstery, and sticky tape wrapped around your hand can be a low-cost solution for furniture.

Slipcovers, blankets, or throws can protect your furniture from dog hair and make cleaning easier.

Daily Sweeping in Key Areas

To keep dog hair under control, sweep essential areas daily with a microfiber or electrostatic dust mop. Regular brushing of your dog, vacuuming, and eliminating debris will all assist to reduce shedding and make cleaning easier.

Why Partner With the Pros After Learning How to Keep Your House Clean With Dogs

Smarter Pet Hair, Odor & Safe-Cleaning Support

Now that you know how to keep your house clean with dogs—from daily lint rolling and pet‑specific vacuums to using pet‑safe enzymatic or vinegar‑based cleaners—remember that consistent upkeep is what keeps allergens and smells under control.

HEPA air purifiers, baking soda odor absorption, and the right dog hair management tools all make a difference, but professional support ensures they’re used correctly across fabrics, flooring, and high‑shedding zones in busy pet homes.

Florida Pet Homes Face Humidity, Fleas & Mold—Get Local Help

In Florida’s humid climate, excess moisture can amplify pet odors, support mold growth, and even help pests like fleas thrive in fabrics, rugs, and pet bedding. Keeping indoor humidity below recommended thresholds and washing pet bedding and soft furnishings frequently are key steps in preventing infestations and allergen buildup.

A local team like Yorleny’s understands regional conditions—salt air, seasonal humidity spikes, outdoor sand tracked in by dogs—and can build a maintenance plan that includes odor treatment, fabric care, and moisture‑smart cleaning routines tailored to Florida pet households.

Ready for a cleaner, fresher, dog‑friendly home—without the daily struggle? Reach out to Yorleny’s Cleaning Services to schedule a pet‑smart cleaning plan designed for Florida homes. We’ll help you stay ahead of fur, odors, and humidity so you can spend more time enjoying your dogs, not cleaning up after them.