AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB HELPS DOG OWNERS WITH SPRING CLEANING

There’s finally hope for spring around the corner, and after a long winter, it’s a better time than ever to start your spring cleaning.

The American Kennel Club offers the following spring cleaning tips to help dog owners start the season off right:

Control shedding. When dogs begin to lose their winter coats in the spring, they also shed more, so make sure you’re cleaning up after your pup.

Regularly brush your dog’s coat and brush all the way down to the skin to remove any and all hair and dandruff. You might have to vacuum a bit more during this time as well.

Clean the paws. There’s more rain around the corner, which also means more mud. “Mud season,” as some dog owners call springtime, can lead to paw tracks throughout the house when your dog comes back inside.

Make sure to wipe your dog’s paws at the door to avoid mud and water tracks. When they return from outside, take a damp cloth and gently clean between the toes to remove any mud, dirt or debris; this will keep the house — and your dog — clean.

Regularly wash your dog’s bed. Washable beds are a major plus during this time of year for your dog. You can use a fabric cover on your dog’s bed so that you can easily wash it.

Make sure you are using a non-scented detergent and no fabric softener — this can irritate your dog’s skin. Vacuum out any excess dirt or hair from their space and you’re good to go.

Remove pet hair. For surfaces you can’t vacuum, don a dampened rubber glove to remove pet hair. For large areas, use a rubber squeegee or broom. Run your gloved hand over cushions to collect fur; wad into a tight ball as you go to keep your collection in check.

If its your car interior that’s a hairy mess, gently rub a pumice stone over upholstery to remove fur embedded within fibers. A squeegee can also do double duty removing hair and cleaning windows later.

Wash the toys. If Fido’s favorite teddy is starting to stink, throw in a load of toys. Use an all-natural, unscented detergent, not bleach or Borax; line-dry or set your dryer on low without a scented dryer sheet; and check for loose parts before returning to its owner. Collars, clothing, blankets and other fabric-based items are actually to blame for the dreaded “dog smell,” not canines themselves.

Wash each item as directed on its tag. No tag, no problem. A cold rinse with pet-safe soap can go a long way. Even toys with squeakers and crinkles can make it through the washer unscathed, although you should let them air dry to be perfectly safe.

Scrub the dishes. Pet food and water bowls are one of those things that slip our mind to clean — they’re used every day, but not by us. Place plastic pet bowls in the dishwasher for a much-needed rinse; give them another rinse after removal for good measure to remove any traces of detergent.

Heavy-duty rubber toys like the Kong can be placed on the dishwasher’s top rack, but skip the heated dry setting to avoid potential meltdowns. For stubbornly sticky toys, soak them in a 1:2 vinegar/hot water mixture for 15 minutes. Scrub, rinse and let dry thoroughly before playtime again.