Shedding dog + mud season = disgusting house!!

kkntim07 · March 2011

I'm starting to wonder how I'm ever going to have a remotely clean house for when the baby is here! Between my dog shedding like crazy and needing a major wipedown every time we come back in the house, all of the mud and dirt from this horrible winter, and the fact I live in an 1850 townhouse that NEVER feels truly clean, I'm starting to wonder how in the world I'll keep my home clean for the baby. We don't have a mud room, which would solve a lot of our problems, and I know we'll have to be better about taking shoes off as soon as we walk in the door. I also have had so little time (and energy) to do even my normal cleaning that it all feels that much more disgusting lately.

Anyone else feeling overwhelmed by a messy house? Or any experienced mommies with dogs have any tips on how they keep things clean? I'm very tempted to get a Shark steam cleaner, so if you've used one of those I'd love to hear your feedback. With all of the effort we put into washing every little baby item, I feel like none of it will matter if I don't figure out how to keep the rest of the house clean. Thanks!

Shelly203 · March 2011

We have a very large dog who sheds A LOT! We vaccuum several times a week in the areas that he goes into (which is the majority of the house). He's not allowed to go in DS's room just for the fur factor, and he won't be allowed in DS2's room for the same reason. When it rains, we put down towels by the back door, so when he comes in, he doesn't track mud all over the place. We towel him off right there, and it has worked so far. As for keeping everything else clean, I wipe down the kitchen every night and make sure the counters are cleared of any clutter (mail, DS's school stuff, etc) that accumulated throughout the day. It makes a big difference to take those few minutes so things don't keep stacking up. DS has to clean up his toys every night before bed. We usually do the big cleaning every Friday. Just quick little pick ups throughout the week are a life saver!

kkntim07 · March 2011

Thanks for the ideas! We do the towel thing by the door, which definitely makes a huge difference and we try to wipe him down as much as possible. I don't remember last winter being nearly this bad with him, but the snow has been much worse.

Unfortunately I think my biggest problem right now is having the time to do much of anything during the week besides taking care of the dishes and kitchen. I'm gone M-F at least 12 hours a day at work (generally at least 7 to 7, and often I'm not home until 8). By the time we deal with dinner and cleanup, I get about 1/2 hour to chill before I need to start getting ready for bed. Vacuuming just isn't happening at that point. I know that schedule won't apply while I'm on maternity leave (who knows what kind of schedule I'll have then!) and I'm trying to work out some kind of an alternate schedule with my boss once I go back that will allow a few days a week where I can work from home and avoid the 3-4 hours wasted commuting. When I think about what I could get done every day if I had those hours back it drives me nuts!

I also know I just have to keep my expectations of "clean" realistic and just do the best I can. If my house doesn't sparkle, I might just have to live with it if it means being a much more sane & happy mommy!

MrsK09 · March 2011

We have the Shark Steam & Vac and 2 Jack Russells. The latter made the former a necessity! They shed like crazy and track in mud. Our female likes to bring us in lovely clumps of dirt and grass too! I love ours, I like how easy it is to use, I like that the mop heads are washable, so you don't have to buy more! We had a Swiffer mop before and while I liked it, between the solution and the mop heads it got expensive. I also like knowing that when LO starts crawling that the floor is clean but not covered in chemicals!

kkntim07 · March 2011

I just read a bunch of the reviews, and I think I'm sold. I'd been thinking of just getting the steam (w/o the vacuum), but our main vacuum is so heavy to carry up and down stairs that I think it might be worth having something that we can move around more easily. Our nursery will be hardwoods with a 5x7 rug, so I think I'd be wanting to have one thing that can do both the vacuuming and steaming. Thanks for the feedback!

mizzmeg · March 2011

I just bought the simple shark steam mop! I love it! I swept the floors, the swiffer mopped them and then steam mopped to see how much was missed. It was so gross on how much dirt was missed... GROSS! And I have a Golden who never stops shedding. It picked up any extra fur too!

Shelly203 · March 2011

That's a tough schedule. I can see why there's no time for vaccumming! I agree with you that you need to set realistic expectations. This was the hardest thing for me to do when DS was born. I am a crazy neat freak, and I couldn't keep up. I had to realize that it wouldn't kill me if the house wasn't sparkling as long as DS was happy and taken care of. I just really focus on the clutter, and not letting it stack up, and that keeps me sane. You will figure it out...good luck!

yeahimamom · March 2011

I feel your pain!! We have a rottie and eng.bulldog and although they don't have long hair they still shed. I hate when the weather is like this, makes for a mess. I do have them pretty well trained to come in and do a couple of circles on a towel:) That helps a little. I sweep and mop all the time and I shampoo our carpet every few weeks just so I don't go crazy, but it still looks like muddy water....so gross! Also, brushing alot will help to cut down on the extra fur, if you have time for that. My rottie also doesn't mind the vacuum hose, so sometimes he gets Dysoned!

heysupnatalie · March 2011

I have been begging for the shark vacuum for so long. Now we are moving into a house with completely all hardwood floors so idk if I will ever get my wish

The commercials suck me in though like whoaaaa.
I have three large pitbulls and our whole backyard is basically mud right now. They come in and walk on the towels, we wipe them down, etc but we also send them straight to bed when they have any mud on them. Then it dries up and falls off and we wipe out their crates/wash their bedding. I can't wait until we move. Our yard is going to be basically concrete and I won't have to worry about the mud as much anymore. Only 2 more weeks I keep telling myself.

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