Sarah says her secret is a realistic and preventative cleaning routine, sharing the exact products and regimen she uses to keep her home stylish and her pups safe
Cavapoo pups Peanut and Pablo have amassed tens of thousands of followers online with their adorable antics in and outside of the home, but behind it all is human Sarah Gillis ensuring her house is always Instagram ready. The secret to her fur-free floors and pawprint-less carpets is down to a few clever habits.
She said: “It’s not just about cleaning. It’s about stopping the dirt at the door.”
Sarah’s top four dirt-stopping habits include:
- Brushing the dogs outside to keep loose fur off the floors
- Keeping a towel by the door to wipe paws after walks
- Using a microfibre towel rug by the back door
- Setting up a dedicated drying off area to stop muddy pups from redecorating the entire house
If pet hair in your home is still an issue, Sarah recommended looking for a pet-specific vacuum. Pinpointing those with high suction, tangle-free brushes and a HEPA filter for optimal results, although her personal preference is one with a rubber brush tool.
She said: “If you haven’t tried one, you’re seriously missing out. It pulls embedded fur out of carpets and rugs using static, especially in those tricky spots like stairs.”
Sarah warned other pet parents that their usual floor cleaner may not be pet-safe, and residue left behind could harm your pup’s paws. Experts at Tapi Carpets & Floors teamed up with the dog mum to share their own tips for people with vinyl or hard flooring.
The experts suggested using non-abrasive, low-residue cleaners applied with a damp but not wet cloth, especially for vinyl and laminate, which are both water-resistant but not waterproof.
Tapi’s interior trends expert, Johanna Constantinou, added: “Many people don’t realise that even something as simple as leftover floor cleaner can be harmful to pets. The good news is that our LVT and laminate ranges are really easy to care for, just avoid over-saturating and use the right solution.”
For carpets specifically, Sarah recommended pet-safe stain removers like Vanish. She advised: “Spray, blot, let it dry, panic averted.” She also routinely uses a carpet cleaner: “It’s always highly satisfying and disgusting in equal measure when you see the colour of the fluid it collects!”
Johanna added: “Deep cleaning is a game changer. A well-timed professional or DIY clean can lift years off your carpet.
“Just be sure to follow the correct technique, which is appropriate for your type and composition of carpet, avoiding over wetting or leftover residue, and your floor will look and feel fresh again.
“If there are areas of concern, such as a muddy paw mark, it’s always a good idea to action cleaning these as soon as possible. For mud, vacuum clean thoroughly when dry and follow up with a suitable carpet shampoo, paying extra attention to woollen carpets. To remove the final stubborn areas, blot with a white cloth and repeat if necessary.”