Favorite Housecleaning Tips + Tools
I often get asked how I manage to keep our home and furniture clean with dogs — and recently, how we removed white paint that Finnegan spilled on our rug. That was a real calamity! Living with a puppy is lively and, yes, messy. I don’t have a housekeeper, so my approach is practical: use a few reliable tools, build simple routines, and prepare for the kinds of messes that tend to recur. Over years of raising dogs and three kids, these habits have helped us maintain a comfortable, tidy home without stress.
To begin, here’s how we handled the white paint incident. The spill happened late at night. It was a brand new rug we had just placed in the dining room, and my husband found the mess while I was asleep. He immediately grabbed our portable carpet cleaner and went to work. That machine had already proven itself many times during puppy training, and it saved the rug — you can’t even tell paint was spilled there now.
I believe in being prepared for the specific messes that bother you most. Identify the problems that make your home feel chaotic — whether that’s tracked-in sand, pet hair, or accidental spills — and keep simple, effective solutions within reach. That way you can address issues quickly and prevent them from spiraling into overwhelm.
Cleaning and tidying need to be part of the daily rhythm — not a huge, infrequent chore. For that to be realistic, the tools you use must be convenient and dependable. I don’t buy lots of gimmicky gadgets. Instead I rely on a handful of versatile tools that handle most problems efficiently.
Cleaning tools we use regularly
- Robot vacuum
- Lightweight stick vacuum kept upstairs
- Upright vacuum with hose for deeper cleaning
- Portable upholstery and carpet cleaner for spills
- Broom and dustpan for quick touch-ups
- A gentle, multi-purpose cleaner we use instead of harsh chemicals
- Handheld spot cleaner for tougher stains
If you want your home to feel clean, focus on the floors and clear surface clutter. Floors show dirt quickly, so keeping them tidy goes a long way toward making rooms feel refreshed.
On our main floor a robot vacuum handles daily debris and dust bunnies. It runs on a schedule, uses a HEPA filter, and self-empties, which makes it easy to maintain consistently clean floors without thinking about it. For jobs the robot can’t manage — corners, stairs, or deep-cleaning rugs — we rely on an upright vacuum with a hose attachment.
For furniture and area rugs, a portable upholstery cleaner is indispensable. It’s our go-to for quick spot treatments and accidental spills like the paint incident. Choosing durable, easy-to-clean upholstery fabrics also saves time and stress.
We avoid harsh chemicals and prefer a milder, multi-purpose cleaner for regular use, including in our upholstery cleaner. Keeping gentler products on hand protects fabrics and surfaces while still getting the job done.
A compact spot cleaner is another helpful tool for tougher stains that need more attention. You don’t need to use it often, but having one ready means you can respond immediately when a real problem arises.
For quick daily touch-ups, a quality broom and dustpan set is invaluable. We keep one in the pantry and another upstairs. A brief sweep of the stairs or entryway can instantly make the house feel neater — especially in a home with dogs and sand tracked in from the beach.
Upstairs, a lightweight stick vacuum is my preferred tool. It’s stored where I need it, so short cleanups in bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways are fast and easy. A quick pass over a rug or hardwood floor removes hair, sand, and fluff and makes the whole room feel refreshed.
If you’d like more practical routines and encouragement for caring for your home, I teach home and self-care rhythms that make daily upkeep feel easier and more enjoyable. With a few reliable tools and small habits, you can keep your space welcoming, even with pets and kids around.