Raise your hand if you have dogs. Now raise it again if you want a clean home and dogs at the same time.
We have four doodles in our family; two live with us full time and two visit when they can. That’s a lot of fluff, but we love them and have learned practical ways to keep our home comfortable for both people and pups.
Below I answer common questions I get about living with dogs and keeping a tidy home. These are real-life tips that work for our family and might help yours, too.
Here are some questions I’m often asked about dogs in our house.
1. Do your dogs shed?
No, our doodles don’t have heavy shedding. I can’t offer advice for heavy shedders since I haven’t had one, but our dogs still produce the usual loose fur and dust bunnies that travel around the house.
2. How do you manage the fluff?
Regular brushing and professional grooming about every six weeks help a lot. We also rely on a robot vacuum to keep up with hair on floors. It’s surprisingly effective at catching the everyday dog debris.
3. Do your dogs get on the furniture?
Yes—they’re allowed on the furniture. It wasn’t my first choice, but it’s worth it for the joy they bring. To keep things manageable, we use washable covers and blankets where they like to sit.
4. Don’t they track mud inside?
Not often. We take several preventative steps to reduce mud tracking.
5. How do you prevent muddy paw prints?
We design the outdoor areas with clean, dry surfaces in mind: bark on soil, covered spots where they might dig, and plenty of hardscaping like patios leading to the doors so dogs have room to shake off. In winter or after rainy walks we wipe paws before they come in.
6. Don’t floors and rugs get dirty?
We use hard floors such as wood and tile that are easy to clean and hide dirt at a glance. Rugs are chosen for durability—many are indoor/outdoor styles that stand up to dog traffic. When messes are likely, we roll rugs up or remove them temporarily.
We accept a little extra cleaning as part of living with pets, and choose materials that make that cleaning simple.
7. What about accidents on rugs? How do you clean them?
Accidents happen. We avoid harsh chemical cleaners and use a plant-based household cleaner that’s safe around pets and people. It cleans upholstery and rugs well when used according to directions and is gentle enough for homes with animals.
Because we prioritize non-toxic cleaning products, spot-cleaning rugs and upholstery becomes a straightforward task without risking pet health.
8. How do you handle wear and tear on furniture?
We choose washable or easily cleaned pieces. Our living room daybed is covered with a regular twin sheet and mattress pad for easy laundering. Slipcovers and durable performance fabrics work well for sofas, and we keep washable blankets and pillow covers on hand to protect furniture.
A light-colored slipcover can actually be practical—you see when it needs cleaning and can address it promptly. For tougher fabrics, performance materials resist stains and are easy to maintain.
9. What about dog smell?
Some scent is inevitable with pets, but grooming and frequent washing of blankets, bedding, and covers help a lot. We groom our dogs regularly so they stay fresh. For home fragrance we use pure essential oils in diffusers to add a natural scent without synthetic chemicals, being careful to use high-quality oils and follow safe usage around pets.
We avoid toxic air fresheners, plug-ins, and artificial fragrances that can be harmful to animals. Keeping the house ventilated, washing fabrics often, and regular grooming are the best defenses against lingering pet odors.
Natural, safe scents in diffusers can help keep your home smelling pleasant without harsh chemicals.
We also keep an eye on behavior: certain calming essential oil blends can help reduce stress in anxious dogs when used appropriately and safely.
10. What about dog noses on windows?
This is one of my biggest pet peeves: nose prints on windows. I clean the main windows our dogs press their noses to every day. There are only a few, and it takes a couple of minutes. Daily upkeep prevents a big, unpleasant job later.
Tell me about your pets—how do you keep your home clean with furry friends? I’d love to hear your tips and routines.
PS: For more photos of our pups, see our Instagram accounts Doodles at Home and Jack the Inspired Goldendoodle.
Related Post:
How I Keep My House “Clean Enough” – 4 Daily Routines