Pet Owners' Guide to Couch Cleaning in Las Vegas

We love our pets like family – but let’s face it, they aren’t the tidiest roommates! If you share your home (and your furniture) with furry friends, this guide is for you. Here’s how to keep your sofas clean despite the fur, paws, and occasional accidents, with tips tailored for Las Vegas pet owners:

1. Battle Pet Hair Effectively: Pet hair has a way of weaving into upholstery fibers. In Vegas’s dry climate, static can make hair cling even more. To remove hair:

• Vacuum with Upholstery Attachment: Do this a couple of times a week. A vacuum with a beater bar or special pet hair attachment works wonders by agitating hair out of fabric.

• Lint Rollers & Rubber Gloves: Keep a lint roller near the couch for quick pickups. For a cheap hack, use a damp rubber glove – run your hand (wearing the glove) across the fabric; pet hair will ball up and stick to the glovefacebook.com. It’s strangely satisfying and very effective on cat hair!

• Pet Hair Specific Tools: There are also brushes or “hair magnets” designed for furniture. A squeegee (for windows) lightly dragged over fabric can also collect hair.

2. Oils and Odors: Pets naturally have oils in their fur that can transfer to upholstery, sometimes leaving darkened areas on armrests or where the pet lies, and a doggy or cat smell over time.

• Blanket or Slipcover: One strategy is to train your pet to a specific spot on the couch and cover that area with a washable pet throw or blanket. Wash that frequently. It protects the main upholstery.

• Regular Vacuuming & Occasional Washing: Besides hair, vacuuming helps remove pet dander (tiny skin flakes) which contribute to odor and allergies. If your couch has removable cushion covers and they are machine washable, take advantage and wash them periodically (follow the fabric’s cleaning instructions).

• Baking Soda for Odor: Just as with carpets, baking soda works on couches too. Sprinkle on fabric, leave for 15-30 minutes, then vacuum thoroughlymanypets.com. It neutralizes odors naturally.

3. Handling Pet Accidents on the Couch: If Fluffy has an accident:

• Urine: Blot immediately with absorbent cloths to pull out as much as possible. Then use an enzyme-based cleaner specifically for pet urine on upholstery. Enzymatic cleaners break down urine acids and eliminate odor at the source, crucial to prevent repeat accidents (the pet won’t smell the urine and think it’s a pee spot). Avoid using steam until it’s fully cleaned; heat can set the stain/odor.

• Vomit: Scoop up solids gently with a spoon. Blot liquids. Treat the area with a mild detergent solution or upholstery cleaner. Vomit can be acidic, so it’s good to clean it promptly to avoid any bleaching of fabric.

• Drool spots: Some dogs drool, and you might see darkened patches where they rest their chin. A little vinegar and water solution can help cut drool residue (test a small area first). Wipe with that solution, then again with plain water, and blot dry.

4. Preventing Dirt and Mud: After outdoor play or walks, pets can track in dirt. In Vegas, it’s often dust rather than mud, but after a rare rain, mud is possible.

• Pet Paw Wipes or Mats: Keep a towel or pet-safe wipes by the door to clean paws before your pet jumps on the furniture. There are also absorbent doormats designed to pull dirt from pet paws.

• Grooming: A clean pet equals a cleaner couch. Regular baths (not too often for their skin health, but as needed) and brushing your pet will reduce how much dirt and loose fur ends up on your sofa.

5. Training and Boundaries: It might help to designate some pet-free furniture, or at least train pets that they can only jump on the couch when invited. Providing a comfy pet bed near the couch can lure them to their own spot. If your dog or cat has a favorite “scratching” habit (some cats may scratch furniture), ensure you have a scratching post and perhaps use furniture covers or deterrent sprays to protect your couch sides.

6. Professional Cleaning: Even with diligent upkeep, if your couch has been a pet domain for a long time, a professional upholstery cleaning can do wonders. We at Sudz & Steam LV use pet-friendly cleaning agents that dig deep into cushions to extract pet hair, dander, and eliminate odors. We can also apply fabric protectant after cleaning, which helps with future hair removal and spill cleanup.

7. Dealing with Twelve-times-the-bacteria (Remember?): If you recall earlier, we mentioned sofas can have a lot of bacteria – pets contribute to that with whatever’s on their paws or fur. Professional cleaning annually keeps the hygiene in check, and in between, you can occasionally mist fabric with a fabric-safe disinfectant spray (make sure it’s pet-safe too) to freshen and kill germs.

Being a pet owner doesn’t mean you have to accept a perpetually dirty couch. With these tips, you can cuddle with your cat or watch TV with your dog on a clean, nice-smelling sofa. A bit of routine maintenance goes a long way. And when there’s a big mess or it’s time for a deep clean, you know who to call – we’re here to help keep both your pets and your furniture happy!

(Internal link: Curious about our pet-friendly couch cleaning? Check out Sudz & Steam’s upholstery cleaning – we’ll remove the fur, odors, and stains, so you and your pet can enjoy a fresh sofa.)