Eliminating Pet Scum from Walls and Doors

No matter how much you clean, you may find that a house with pets just can't stay clean for very long. Although they certainly don't mean to be messy, your dog, cat, or other pet can still leave behind annoying stains and messes that you must repeatedly tidy up.

Still, having pets doesn't mean that you can't get a clean home. It may require a little extra work, but your efforts will pay off when your house looks sparkling clean.

There are certain areas that you probably think to clean all the time. These include floors, sofas, chairs, and windows, among others. But there are other places where you may find pet messes, and you probably don't consider these areas very often. Still, if you own pets you are likely to find a dirty, scummy build-up on your walls and doors.

Whether you are dealing with slobber, urine, dirt, or other pet-related messes, there are certain methods you can try to rid your doors and walls of pet scum:

• To remove dirty build-up from doors, a wet rag or sponge can be a great tool. Wipe the surface using a multi-purpose cleaning solution (or a mix of vinegar and water) that is pet safe and free of harsh chemicals. Pay special attention to the portion of the door that is at your pet's level, since he will be able to leave marks and messes lower down.
• Baseboards can be annoying to get perfectly clean, but it is important that you pay attention to them if you have pets in your home. Normally, going over these with a damp rag is good enough, but if there is a lot of dirt stuck in the grooves you may wish to use a bristle brush or tooth brush to get a really deep clean.
• Depending on the color of your walls, pet messes may be more or less obvious. Whether you can see buildup or not, try to clean your walls regularly to prevent staining. Use a safe all-purpose cleaner to spray the wall surface, then wipe away with a wet paper towel or rag.

No matter how many pets you may have or what size they are, it is important to stay on top of pet messes by cleaning up regularly. Preventing pet scum from building up in the first place can make future cleanings much quicker and easier.