Make It Seem Like Your Pet Doesn't Shed (or Make Messes)

Take our 5 simple cleaning steps to make it seem like your pet never sheds! My adorable cat Penny is a serious shedder. She sometimes makes me wish I went for a hairless Sphynx (only sometimes).

She also decided that the new living room chair I purchased after months of agonizing research is hers and hers alone, leaving it covered in soft little tufts of charming grey and white fur every time she takes her morning, afternoon, and night snoozes.

What's worse, she has developed a new habit. In some sort of anti-litter box campaign or possibly in vengeance against me for locking her in the bedroom when I was painting the other day (I couldn't help it, she kept sniffing the paint!), she now kicks all of the litter out of her box before she does her business.

Then she goes on the floor anyway.

So she's messy -- I knew that going into this friendship. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't love to keep my place as tidy as possible, even with a kitten who's determined to keep me from accomplishing my goal.

But my plan is simple enough, and can actually be pulled off in just five easy steps taken about one a week, says Andrew Shogan, Vice President of Spotless Services, a cleaning and handyman company based in New York City:

Step 1: Stand back and take stock of your house or apartment. There are bound to be areas where your families furry friend frequents more so than others. Find those areas. Sweep the entire area that you're hoping to clean (the area around Fido's food bowl, Meowkins litter box, the bathroom, etc.) really well. Don't be afraid to go over the areas two or three times if necessary to get most of the mess up.

Step 2: Take a product like the Swiffer Sweeper or the Swiffer Sweeper Vac and go over the entire area again. The Swiffer is also very helpful for places that a broom or regular vacuum can't reach, like under the couch (yup, Penny's been there as well) or low furniture. Plus, it's more effective than a vacuum that will only end up blowing the pet hair around instead of getting rid of it.

Step 3: Mop the entire area with a Swiffer WetJet or a wet Swiffer Sweeper Cloth to quickly (and bucket-lessly) pick up any excess germs or hairs that managed to escape.

Step 4: Use a damp sponge or paper towel to remove pet hair from clothing, chairs, cushions, and upholstery. Just rub the sponge or towel in a downward motion and the hair will come right off.

Step 5: Never forget to brush your pet frequently in order to prevent shedding at the source.

Follow these steps and the next time you have guests at your abode -- or just don't feel like contemplating the hair everywhere -- it'll appear as if Fido doesn't shed at all.