How can I keep my Athens apartment smelling good with pets?

So, you've just moved into your Athens apartment and brought your pet with you. Yay! Pets are great for many reasons. They can be cute, fun to play with, and provide you with special companionship. However, they can also get smelly. No one wants their apartment to stink, especially when they have guests over; and due to a little thing called nose-blindness, you may not even realize your apartment smells bad until someone new comes over! Luckily for you, I've gathered information on how to best avoid this awkward situation and keep your apartment smelling nice and clean while having pets.

Clean Your Apartment Regularly

While regularly cleaning your apartment is important in general for sanitary reasons, it is especially important while having an animal in your home. Pets can shed hair, poop, and carry germs and bacteria that you don't want sitting around in your apartment. All these things can contribute to an unpleasant odor. Cleaning should include regularly wiping down all surfaces in addition to vacuuming. For owners of animals that shed hair, you may find that a handheld vacuum is beneficial for cleaning hard-to-get-to areas like corners and couch crevices. I also recommend using cleaning products with odor-eliminating ingredients on any old accident stains from your pets. However, it's important to note that many UGA off-campus housing communities will charge fees for damages caused by pets, which can include stains.

Keep Your Pets Clean

Your apartment could be squeaky clean, but if your pet stinks, your space will too–especially if they're allowed to roam around freely. Unlike humans, pets typically don't need to be washed daily as a lot of them already have self-cleaning routines. However, it is recommended that dogs and cats–which most pet friendly apartments in Athens allow–are bathed on a monthly basis. Washing your pet can help get rid of any germs or excess hair that could be contributing to the odor, and it can also make them feel better so it's a win for everyone! In addition, if your pet uses the bathroom indoors–like a cat or rabbit–then you should also make sure you clean their litter boxes regularly; it's also a good idea to keep the litter box in a designated and out-of-the-way space, away from common areas.

Keep the Air Clean and Fresh

If you want your apartment to not just be odor-free, but smell pleasant, there are multiple ways to achieve this. Firstly, a quick way to eliminate odor in a space is by allowing fresh air in. This could mean opening a window or the door–if your apartment comes with a patio/balcony. However, this method may not be the most effective when it's cold, so I would recommend buying an air purifier. Air purifiers function by sucking air in, filtering out odor particles, and releasing fresh air back into the space. Air purifiers can also get rid of any airborne pet hair and dander that could be contributing to the odor. Furthermore, to keep your apartment smelling good, oil diffusers, air freshening sprays and devices, and candles can all help–although candles may not be the best option for cat owners. You can even buy air fresheners and scented oils with antibacterial properties to really ensure your apartment smells clean. Make sure you check that whatever products you're using aren't harmful to your pets, though, as we want to keep safe and happy!