We love our furry pals, but we could do without all the mess. Here’s how to keep your home clean when you have four-legged roommates.

Use a Robotic Vacuum

Tired of vacuuming constantly? Let a robotic vacuum do the work for you. Today’s automatic vacuums are more powerful and boast more debris-holding capacity, taking a lot of hassle out of pet ownership. Advanced models allow you to program the vacuum to operate on a schedule. That means you can come home to a clean house every day after work, even though your dog and cat had their run of the place.

Trim Nails

Cat claws can wreak havoc on your furniture. And dog nails can damage the carpet and scratch hardwood flooring, so it’s best to keep them trimmed. The ASPCA recommends cutting your cat’s nails about every two weeks. Dogs can go a little longer between clippings -- about every two months. If your furry friend kicks up a fuss, consider alternatives such as providing a scratching post for cats and taking your dogs for daily walks. The rough sidewalk will naturally file down their nails.

Groom

Brushing your pets will go a long way towards reducing the amount of fur that accumulates on furniture and floors. Try to groom them daily. Plus, your fur babies will enjoy the extra bonding time.

Use Sheets

Don’t let your pet pals turn your furniture into fur-niture. Throw sheets over their favorite resting places. This will protect your sofa and prevent odors.

Use Doormats

While you can’t train dogs to wipe their feet, you can place doormat outside doggie doors and a washable throw rug inside to prevent them from tracking debris through the house.

Have Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned

Even though your robo-vacuum is picking up the majority of the fur, deep cleaning of your carpets every six to nine months is highly recommended. A professional carpet cleaning will remove dirt and dander that’s deeply embedded in the carpet fibers. This will also eliminate odors, remove stains and help improve your indoor air quality.

To schedule an appointment with Executive Green Carpet Cleaning, call (630) 990-8600.