Laundry Tips for Your Pets
Your pets are a part of your family – and that includes their laundry. While it’s sometimes easy to forget, (or put off) their bedding needs to be washed just as often as yours does. When it comes to keeping your pet clean, you might use a trusted groomer, but their overall cleanliness and care go far beyond a wash, brush, and blow-dry. Animals get dirty and can track that dirt all through your home and into their (and sometimes your) bed. Not to mention the trail of dog fur and cat hair and gets left behind. It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to cleaning up after your pets, but we’ve got you covered with some helpful tips and tricks to keep you on track!
Your pet spends a lot of time sleeping or relaxing on their bed and unlike you, they won’t hesitate to get into bed just because it’s muddy or smelly. Luckily, most pet beds have a removable and machine-washable cover. Remove the cover and run it through the washing machine at least once a week (or more often if needed) to keep it clean and fresh. If you have a particularly high-shedding pet, don’t forget to vacuum the bed cover before putting it in the washing machine to prevent the hair from clogging up your machine. If your pet’s bed doesn’t have a removable cover, or if washing the cover alone isn’t enough, you’ll want to consider washing the entire bed (as long as it is safe to do so as per the manufacturer’s instructions). Suds Launderette has brand new washing machines ranging from 20lbs to 62lbs and High-Efficiency dryers that can easily handle your pet’s bedding! You can sit back and relax while the bedding goes through the machines, or schedule a pick up/ return delivery service for added peace of mind and convenience!
Any clothing your pet might wear, including their collar, also needs special attention! Their clothing should be washed after each use, and changed daily to prevent growth of unwanted bacteria that could transfer to their skin. A great tip for keeping your pet’s collar clean is to hand-wash it in their favourite shampoo. This keeps it from potentially getting damage in the washing machine (or damage your machine in turn) and if you wash it before bed, it will be dry and ready to be worn again for that morning walk!
Shedding can be a real problem for pet owners. Not only can fur and hair get all over your pet’s bedding, but it can get all over you too! It is always a great idea to keep a lint roller on hand and to shake out any clothes you were wearing while cuddling and playing with your pet, before putting them into the washing machine. Not only can the pet fur clog up your washing machine but it can build up in the lint trap in your dryer, making it more difficult for your machine to run effectively. Vacuuming high pet traffic zones often will help to keep those stray hairs under control and the less pet hair floating around your home, the less pet hair that makes its way into your laundry.
Fur and hair isn’t the only thing to watch out for though. If you have an affectionate dog, then drool is probably at the top of your list when it comes to pet stains. While we all love those puppy kisses, they can get a little out of control when it comes to drips and drops on your clothes and furniture. Think about using a pre-treating agent on your clothes before putting them in the washing machine. If you’re not sure how to handle pet stains, our Wash ‘n’ Fold Service is a great option! And for those pesky stains on your furniture, turn to a cleaning solution that specializes in pet stain and odor removal (usually found in the pet aisle or at your local pet store).
Part of pet ownership is keeping your furry friends clean and happy, which is why it is so important to make sure they have a fresh and cozy place to sleep each night (and during the day). Staying on top of your pet’s mess can be a full-time job in itself some days – but it doesn’t have to be! Suds Launderette can take the guesswork out of your pet’s laundry and those questionable stains they leave behind!
Reach out to us today for more information!
