A Pet Owner's Guide to Keeping Your Home Clean and Comfy — For You and Your Fur Baby

No matter how many baths and wipe-downs your pet gets, it's inevitable that their paws and coats will accumulate some grime — grime that becomes all the more noticeable if you have light-colored bedding. Learn from my ruined white duvet mistake! Having a dark grey or navy comforter or duvet cover will get you a few extra days between washes, and will be more presentable in general. Make sure it's also machine washable — pet owners know how invaluable that quality can be. I love Parachute Home's quilt ($249) — it only gets softer and more cozy with each wash.

Did you know that fiddle leaf fig plants are toxic to cats and dogs? How about your beloved monstera? Before you invest in houseplants, make sure they are safe for your pets, especially if your dog or cat has a tendency to chew on leaves or get into the soil in their pots. Don't worry, there's plenty of gorgeous greenery that won't harm your fur baby. Go for a parlor palm ($65) or it's larger cousin, the majesty palm, spider plants, and most ferns.

Let's be real — your kitty is going to jump up on your kitchen counter, dining table, and anywhere else they damn well please. Plus, chances are you're also preparing your cat or dog's meals in the same area where you make your own. When you have a pet in the house, you have no other choice but to be a bit of a clean freak. Use Clorox® Clean-Up® Cleaner + Bleach ($13) to make sure your shared surfaces are disinfected and germ-free.

Every now and again, you'll catch a whiff of something a little doggy or cat litter-y in the air. It doesn't necessarily mean you need to do a full-on deep clean; often times a spritz of a nice room spray will suffice. I love this P.F. Candle Co. spray ($18) because it doubles as a linen spray. I spray it in the air and on my pillows when I want a little dose of woodsy freshness.

I can't stress this enough — a handheld vac will become your best friend (aside from your pet, of course). Hair, dander, and dirt will always make their way into your home and onto your sofa, into the fibers of your rugs, and probably in every nook or cranny existing in your house. Get a high-powered handheld vacuum like this Dyson ($200) model that will suction away all the evidence your pet leaves behind.

My dog loves nothing more than to roll around in sand, mud, dirt, and puddles — really anything that will completely saturate her in dirtiness. After I give her a bath in my tub, all that fun runoff settles on the sides and near the drain. Give your tub a quick scrub right after you're done with the doggo bath, so you don't wake up the next morning to take a shower amongst the gunk. Use your trusted Clorox® Bleach with CLOROMAX® ($14) to keep everything clean and shining.