Cleaning Up After Pets Merry Maids Experts Offer Solutions to One of the Most Common Cleaning Questions

As much as we love our household pets, they can create cleaning headaches. Whether it's muddy paws, fur on upholstered furniture, odors and occasional accidents, we can spend quite a bit of time cleaning up after our furry friends. Since pets will never be able to clean up after themselves, the experts at Merry Maids offer some suggestions for undoing the most common pet damage.

• Minimizing the Mess - Bathe and brush your pets regularly to minimize the amount of pet hair and pet dander, and to help with odors. Keep a lint brush or damp sponge handy to quickly pick up loose pet hair.
• Lifting Stains - Dilute spots using a damp cloth, then clean the area with one quart of water mixed with one teaspoon white vinegar. Cleaning solutions from your local pet stores or supermarkets also work well in lifting stains and odors, but follow the label directions-be patient and allow them to work for the full amount of time indicated.
• Stomach Trouble - Neutralize or at least dilute the acid as quickly as possible to minimize damage. To bring the carpet back to a neutral pH, treat the affected area using a professional carpet detergent. Rinse the area with clean, hot water. Extract the soiled solutions away from the carpet.
• Removing Pet Hair - On carpeting, use a vacuum with a good beater brush or brush roll. Use velour brushes, tape rollers or even the rubber bottom of a clean tennis shoe and use light, even strokes. Pet sponges are also good for hard-to-reach corners.

No one said that pets come without messes, but with these simple tips, you'll know how to do the "critter clean-up" to avoid any real damage.

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