1. Use tape or a wet rag
When vacuums do not pick up all or most of the hair on the upholstery, using a piece of masking tape can work pretty well. Using a damp rag and dragging it across the furniture works even better.
2. Dish soap for urine stains
If you do not like the idea of using a cleaner that can possibly damage the carpet, just make a solution of water and dish soap (1 cup of water and 1/8 tsp soap). Blotch the stain with a rag and wash with the mixture.
3. Use baking soda for smells
Sprinkle a little on the desired area, let it settle for about 15 minutes, and then vacuum it up. Using pet odor eliminators afterward helps prevent more smells.
4. Vacuum mud
Letting the mud dry and then vacuuming it away has fewer risks for stains. Afterward, blotch the remains with another dish soap and water solution. Washing it right away increases the risks of stains.
5. Emptying cat litter
Before you fill your cat box with a new batch of cat litter, line the box with a large kitchen garbage bag. This makes it easier to change the cat litter and does not make it harder to clean the cat box every day.
6. Vacuum the dog
While you are vacuuming the rest of the house, try and vacuum the dog with the vacuum hose. Many dogs love the sensation and it picks up shedding hair. Make sure you slowly introduce your dog to the hose before attempting it for the first time.
7. Bath fur pick-up
If you are giving your dog or cat a bath, make sure you use something like a scrubby pad in the drain to prevent it from clogging.
8. Poop stains
Make water, soap, and vinegar solution (1 cup water-warm, 1 tbsp dish soap, and 1 tbsp vinegar) and use it to soak the stain for a few minutes before blotching it with a clean rag.
9. Baking soda for litter boxes
If the litter box smells even after cleaning it, scatter a few tablespoons of baking soda on the top of the litter. Do not worry, it is not harmful to them.
10. Store the food
Use a plastic container to store the dry food and prevent the pet from getting into the bag and scattering it everywhere.