What Are the Best Ways to Clean and Freshen Your Dad’s House?

With winter on the way, your dad’s windows and doors are closed. You’ve noticed his house smells strongly of his pets. It’s unpleasant, but you don’t know where to start. Here are the best ways to clean and freshen his house.

Home Care Services Whittier CA – What Are the Best Ways to Clean and Freshen Your Dad’s House?

Start From the Bottom

If he has a basement, start there. Basement odors can enter the upstairs through holes used for plumbing or cables. If the basement smells musty, it’s likely there is an issue with humidity. Start by running a dehumidifier and put aromatherapy oil on the circulation fan area.

Mildew can be wiped down with paper towels and a spray cleaner of bleach and water. Look for leaking pipes or other sources of moisture that cause mildew. Finally, wash the concrete floor and walls to remove any dust and dirt.

Daily Maintenance of a Cat Litter Tray is Essential

Change the litter every week. Clean messes that fall outside of the litter trays. A mat to catch litter can help with that. Use a deodorizing pet enzyme spray if urine splatters or a cat is going in the wrong place.

For dogs that aren’t making it outside in the time, the same pet enzyme spray will help. Make sure your dad is taking his dog outside enough. If not, it may be time to hire help with pet care.

Removing Odors Upstairs

Start by vacuuming and sweeping pet hair and dander off floors, carpets, and other surfaces. Change the vacuum bag as soon as this cleaning task is done. The pet odors will be trapped in the bag, so be sure you change the bag before you use the vacuum again.

In the upstairs rooms, pet odor tends to get trapped in upholstery, curtains, and carpeting. If curtains are machine washable, do that and use a vinegar rinse to remove odors. Upholstery and carpeting should be washed using a carpet and upholstery steam cleaning machine.

Wipe down all surfaces with a damp cloth to catch all pet hair and dander. Wait a few minutes after vacuuming to allow time for dust and hair to settle. Use a beeswax-based wood polish to finish cleaning and protecting all wood furniture.

If the pets are allowed in bedrooms, wash bedding. A throw cover for the area where the pet sleeps makes cleaning easier in the future. Vacuum and dust those rooms.

After all this is done, bath the animals to remove excess hair, dirt, and dander. Each day, brush the pet to keep shedding to a minimum. You can use a spray-in shampoo designed for pets if your dad has cats or dogs that are hard to bathe.

Has your dad started slowing down? Is he getting negligent when it comes to cleaning? Home care services can keep the clean house from getting messy again. Call our home care services agency to arrange weekly housekeeping visits from a caregiver.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Whittier CA, please contact the caring staff at 1Heart Care Services today.