How to Keep the House Clean with Multiple Dogs

Tips and Advice on keeping the house clean from a Multi‑Dog Household

Being house‑proud while living with several dogs can feel like an oxymoron. I love a clean, tidy home, but sharing it with multiple dogs means embracing compromise. Over the years I’ve refined routines that keep things manageable, hygienic, and pleasant without spending my entire life cleaning.

Here’s what genuinely works for me:

Routines and Prioritising

It’s impossible to keep every corner spotless when you’re dealing with dog hair, muddy paws, and the general havoc that comes with canine life. Time is limited when you’re juggling work, home, and pets, so simple daily routines make all the difference.

Each morning, I sweep the floors to gather up loose hair, then run a cordless stick vacuum over the mats.

Carpets and pets aren’t the most hygienic combination, but bare floors can be slippery and hazardous for dogs, so I use mats and runners strategically to prevent slips and injuries.  A sprinkling of bicarbonate of soda an hour before vacuuming will neutralize odours.

My mop bucket gets refreshed daily with soapy water or hot water mixed with white vinegar and lemon juice. It keeps floors clean and sanitised without irritating paws. I also keep a spray bottle of hot water, vinegar and citrus juice for quick wipe‑downs—especially cupboard doors that dogs inevitably brush against.

Little Accidents

Accidents happen, and the more dogs you have, the more likely you’ll encounter the occasional puddle, pile, or surprise. Being prepared saves stress.

•            Regina Blitz Household Towels are my go‑to for quick clean‑ups.

•            Dr. Beckmann Pet Stain and Odour Remover with the brush applicator is excellent for tackling urine, faeces, vomit, or mud on mats and upholstery.

Dealing with accidents quickly prevents lingering smells and keeps hygiene standards high.

Dog Smell

A clean home starts with clean dogs. Daily brushing removes dead fur and dander, and a regular bathing schedule with good‑quality products keeps coats fresh. Don’t forget oral health—bad breath can contribute to that “doggy smell” too.

Wash bedding regularly and tie it in with grooming appointments. And please, wash the collar! As a groomer, nothing ruins a freshly bathed dog faster than a dirty, smelly collar going straight back on.

freshly laundered dog collars

Air Fresheners

Air fresheners only mask odours, and many aren’t ideal for dogs. Spray fresheners should be used sparingly, and plug‑ins are best avoided altogether. A dog’s sense of smell can be up to 10 million times stronger than ours, and I can often tell when a dog comes from a home with plug‑ins—the scent clings to their coat. Imagine how overwhelming that must be. Read more here: Dog sense of smell - Wikipedia

Essential oil diffusers are popular, but some oils are toxic to dogs. If you use one, research safe options, dilute well, ventilate the room, and watch for signs of irritation like coughing or sneezing. I occasionally use mine upstairs when the dogs are all downstairs, sticking to lavender, rosemary, and ginger—but always consider other pets too, as some species (especially reptiles) are extremely sensitive.

Mud

Rain and mud are the biggest challenges in a multi‑dog home. There’s no magic fix, but there are ways to minimise the mess.

Large microfibre towels and drying robes help remove the worst of the muck.

Keeping dogs confined to one room (boot room, utility room or conservatory) until they’re dry, prevents the rest of the house turning into a mud mural. Once dry, a quick brush removes the remaining dirt.

dog room

The single most effective purchase I’ve made is a dehumidifier. Wet coats, wet towels, wet dogs—it all dries so much faster, and that damp dog smell disappears from the air. I always ask non‑dog‑owning visitors whether my house smells of dog, and they reassure me it doesn’t.

Deep Clean

A deep clean in a multi‑dog home isn’t about perfection; it’s about resetting the house so the daily routines work. With several dogs, certain areas accumulate hair, oils, and odours over time, and giving them a proper refresh makes a noticeable difference.

Floors and Soft Furnishings

Floors take the brunt of multi‑dog living. Even with daily sweeping and mopping, a deeper scrub helps.

•            Move furniture where possible and vacuum underneath— tumble weed accumulates.

•            Mop with a pet‑safe solution such as vinegar and lemon or a mild detergent.

•            Steam cleaners can help but avoid over‑wetting laminate floors.

•            Wash rugs and mats or give them a pass with a carpet‑cleaning machine to lift oils and odours trapped in the fibres.

Soft furnishings absorb dog smell more than you realise. Wash what you can and sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on items that can’t go in the machine.

Dog Zones

Where your dogs spend most of their time is where grime builds up fastest.

•            Wash dog beds, blankets, crate mats, and removable covers.

•            Hoover inside crates and behind and wipe down bars and doors.

•            Clean skirting boards, door frames, and walls at dog height

•            If you feed raw, disinfect food prep areas, cupboard handles, and fridge shelves.

High‑Traffic Touch Points

These are the places you don’t notice until you clean them.

•            Light switches

•            Door handles

•            Bannisters

•            Radiators (dog hair sticks to them like Velcro)

•            Windowsills where dogs like to perch and clean windows of nose smudges!

A quick wipe lifts grime and removes that subtle “doggy film” that builds up.

Air Quality

Even a clean home can feel stale if the air is heavy.

•            Open windows wide for 10–15 minutes to thoroughly ventilate.

•            Run the dehumidifier to pull moisture and odours out of the air.

•            Vacuum curtains or wash them if possible.

•            Clean vents and extractor fans—dog hair loves to cling to them.

Outdoor Areas

The outside affects the inside more than people realise.

•            Sweep and hose down patios and paths to reduce mud being tracked in.

•            Wash down the back door, especially if you have enthusiastic scratchers or nose‑pressers.

•            Clean dog toys—rubber and rope toys harbour bacteria and smell.

Pleasant Smelling Home

For any lingering odours, a few simple tricks help—especially if you feed raw and occasionally deal with the aroma of green tripe.

Fill a bowl with water and a drop of Zoflora and pop it on the windowsill.

 Keep part‑baked pastries or bread in the freezer and put them in the oven before visitors arrive. You can’t beat the smell of freshly baked bread, and some fresh flowers on the table add a natural clean scent.

Comment below with tips on what works for you in your home.  Do you have any products you can’t live without?