How does everyone keep their house clean?

[shermosley]

Hi everyone. I've had my great dane Zeus for almost 5 yrs now. I love him to death, but he is so messy. I've been looking at everyone's pictures and everyone's house looks nice and clean!!!

How do you keep your walls so clean? I don't know about your danes, but Zues can really fling slobber everywhere! When we first built our house we had flat paint on the walls. I could not get his slobber off the walls! I had to sand it off to be able to paint the walls! Then he just dirties the floors with those gaint feet of his. Oh and lets not forget about "THE WATER BOWL!" My goodness I think 98% of the water he drinks ends up on the floor. Then he has to walk around the whole entire kitchen dripping a water trail!

I do have 2 children under 3yrs, so they only help with the mess. Any tips on cleaning up after a dane? With the 2 kids and Zues running around all day, boy oh boy do I have my hands full! All in ALl I do love him, he is my bud! I must say though, Zues sure does help clean up the high chair and the floor after the baby is done eating!



Thanks,
Sherrie

[Ellen]

Gosh I remember feeling that way when my kids were little. Seemed like it was never ending. I learned then that messy is okay. My time with my kids was very precious to me and if any unexpected company didn't like tripping over toys then they shouldn't come unexpectedly }> That was when I learned to micro-clean. I just kept on keeping on daily and didn't worry about *big* cleaning till the opportunity presented itself. I know that a coat of paint makes a big difference and as you said flat paint doen't work (I did the same thing) I am using semi-gloss and love it. The coverage is better and the cleanup is a dream. I use a product called simple green for most of my cleaning. It is bio friendly and super concentrated so you can always find the right strength for the job. I use plain ole bleach and water for sanitizing (diluted in a spray bottle) and I use a daily shower spray. I buy cheapo faceclothes at Sams club when I find them on sale (40 for $10.00) so I can use em and lose em and its not big deal. Having what I need handy makes a big difference to me. As far a slobber my boy is little yet so I'm just dealing with the floor. I keep an old towel down near his food and drag it along the floor as needed. My problem is he won't let me sweep the floor! He has to be crated if I want to take out a broom...brooms are evil and must be chased and pounced upon. :P I vacuum at the end of the day and don't worry how bad it gets during the day. No sense doing things twice. If you look at my photos you can see my carpet is a mess of tiny bits from him chewing }>

[rachel]

My house is a mess, LOL.

I suffer the occasional bout of cleaning frenzy (temporary insanity) but mostly the house is pretty chaotic. My partner is a bit of a tidiness-freak so it's usually reasonably tidy, just cleanliness-challenged :)

I can get it in pretty good shape in a few hours' notice of visits from in-laws etc. but mostly it's comfortably lived-in to the degree than on the odd occasion when I don't clean Mia's feet properly or she knocks a glass over, we roll our eyes instead of freaking out. I like it that way (the carpet doesn't, and my partner doesn't, but I do). I think it's realistic. If one of us worked part time or not at all I'm sure it would be in better shape.

[Lanbon]

I feel your pain! My kids are two and three (both boys) and my dane pup will be coming home next month! The way I get anything done around here is to have EVERYONE on a schedule. We get up at the same time every morning (so I can make lunch and coffee for the hubby) Both of my kids take naps at the same time every day and go to bed at the same time every night. Also I find that I need to clean in the morning or else it doesn't get done. Of course there has to be flexibility, I mean I do have two toddlers! :7 I really think that my kids like the routine though, they know what is going to happen when. Oh and make sure everyone gets enough sleep!
I stay at home too which helps. I really think a lot of people are just too busy! But then I am a go to town once a week kinda gal! :7
Swiffers are great by the way. I buy the swiffer wet wipe things and I mop much more often just because it is so easy. I think Gwenna bought that Hoover floormate a while ago, if you have hard wood floors that would be the way to go. Maybe she will let us know how she likes it. :)

[gmac]

No, I didn't buy the Hoover floormate, but I sure want to! My main culprits are the incessant dust, soot from the woodstove (during the winter), a sloppy child who thinks mommy is the maid, and a husband who likes to "pile" things. My animals are really not the culprits, although Maggie has to eat in the laundry room and drink outside. She's a sloppy eater, and I just put down a tablecloth or towel under her eating area (less moppping).

My main focus is vacuum and dust, since it's the hair and dust that makes me allergic. The clutter - oh heck, it's only $hit if it's in someone else's house. In my house, it's Stuff.

[shermosley]

I do have that hoover floor mate. It's okay. A piece broke pff the other day, so I can't really use it now.

If your floors are pretty even and smooth it's great. It to big to get at the base boards really good. It is nice to sweep and mop at the same time, but it is a MESS to clean when finished. Let just say GROSS! Plus, you have to buy the cleaning solution that is made for that machine.

Anymore, I think mopping is just as easy. I do like to use it to sweep up the dirt though. It needs more power or better brushes to get the dirt out of the nooks and crannies.

Sherrie

[Tracytj]

I strap twelve little scrubbrushes to twelve big feet and then let 12 gophers loose in the house...

YEEHAW!!!

:7

Tracy

[ddpost]

My motto:

If you're coming to visit ME, come on over. If you're coming to see my HOUSE, you'll need an appointment! LOL

Honestly, tho, I keep Windex and rags in both bathrooms, Pledge and rags in both living areas, and my Swiffer WetJet is in use daily. It is very handy for cleaning up those messy spots. I have learned that the handier things are, the easier it is to clean up when I see something that needs to be done. As for REALLY keeping the house CLEAN and IN ORDER - hhhhmmmm, I'll have to keep reading the posts here! :+

Peace,
Dawn

[Gunners Mom]

"How does everyone keep their house clean?"

Hire a maid! Well, ok, I wish I had one daily, but I do have one at least once or twice a month. Megan is 14 and earning $$ for a trip to Washinton DC, and let me tell you she's the best thing since sliced bread!

This girl cleans like she loves it, we've offered her the world if she'd come live with us, hubby even told her he'd buy her a car, she just laughs at us! Megan happens to be our best friends daughter, and everyone needs a Megan in their life!

Oh the real kicker here ... she only asks $10.00 for working 4 hours! Even I refused to pay slave wages, she leaves with much more than that!

For the in-between Megan times, I keep lots of Swifter's and Lysol wipes on hand!

Edited to add this - LMAO I just got this email and boy does it fit this topic!

> Subject: Fw: Housekeeping tips for the busy woman...
>
> Dirt:
> Layers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a
> helpful filter against harmful and aging rays from the
> sun. Call it an SPF factor of 15 and leave it alone.
>
> Cobwebs:
> Cobwebs artfully draped over lampshades reduce the
> glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic
> atmosphere. If your husband points out that the light
> fixtures need dusting, simply look confused and
> exclaim, "What? And
> spoil the mood?" (Or just throw glitter on them & call
> them holiday decorations)
>
> Pet Hair:
> Explain the mound of pet hair brushed up against the
> doorways by claiming you are collecting it there to
> use for stuffing hand-sewn play animals for
> underprivileged children. (Also keeps out cold drafts
> in winter)
>
> Guests Coming:
> If unexpected company is coming, pile everything
> unsightly into one room and close the door. As you
> show your guests through your tidy home, rattle the
> door knob vigorously, fake a growl and say, "I'd love
> you to see my den, but my dog hates to be disturbed and
> the rabies shots are SO expensive."
>
> Dusting:
> If dusting is REALLY out of control, simply place a
> showy urn on the coffee table and insist that "This is
> where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes."
>
> General Cleaning:
> Mix one-quarter cup pine-scented household cleaner
> with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the
> air lightly. Leave dampened rags in conspicuous
> locations. Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself
> on the couch and sigh,
> "I clean and I clean and I still don't get anywhere."
>
> As a last resort, light the oven, throw a teaspoon of
> cinnamon in a pie pan, turn off oven and explain that
> you have been baking cookies for a bake sale for a
> favorite charity and haven't had time to clean.
>
> Another favorite, I think from Erma Bombeck: Always
> keep several get well cards on the mantle so if
> unexpected guests arrive, you can say you've been sick
> and unable to clean. It keeps visits short, too.


Gunner's Mom (Janet)

To see my boy ...
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290114239

[jlr07]

How?

Okay, I basically have to admit that I am neurotic and compulsive to the extent that I vacuum every day, maybe twice a day. After I vacuum, I freak out on my fiancee' if he starts walking all over my carpets. I know, real bad. I can manage the dogs, but what about children? Friends say I am in for it! I follow behind Morgan in cleaning up almost all of the water that was in her bowl that is now on the floor because she can't seem to drink it and hold it in because of her big lips!!!!! When they leave behind areas of treat on the floor, I instruct them to eat it all!!! Morgan, looks at me as if, Mom are you feeling okay?

[Eileen]

ROTFLMAO, Janet! Such GREAT ideas!

I have a Hoover Floormate, and I LOVE it. I HAVE found that I need to vacuum ALL the floors I want to mop before I put the vacuum into it's wet-scrub mode, or it can get clogged up and be a real pain. You don't have to use THEIR cleaner. I use a diluted mixture of my favorite cleaner and it works fine.

[Ellen]

OMG Janet I know that was a joke but I am seriously going to use some of those! Thanks for the laugh!

[LUVZHERDANE]

Janet, I loved it!

I loved the idea of the get well cards, and company leaves faster! I could of used that idea this summer ha!

Chris

~*He who is cruel to animals, becomes hard also in his dealings w/man. We can judge man by his treatment of animals*~

~Immanuel Kant~

[Vanessa_S]

Great answers, one and all. I am somewhat of a neat freak, but my hubby isn't. Given that, and the fact that we have 2 kids, 6 and 8, and 2 dogs........well, needless to say that I have eased up on the cleaning thing. My house doesn't need to be spotless anymore. I can let a glass sit in the sink without putting it in the dishwasher. I can let that piece of fuzz sit on the floor for awhile without breaking out the vacuum. I have graduated from tense to laid back, and let me tell ya.........I love it!!!}>

[danemaybe]

ummmmm....my dog is 6 months old and drools on the floor (ONLY when he drinks) but is it going to get that bad???? like hitting the walls?!?!?!?!

[jue03]

Oh yea that bad!!!!!!!!:P :P :P :P

[MyDaneBaby]

My Danes only drool right after they've taken a drink, well drool isn't exactly the right word, the water pours out, however, that is the only time they drool. I've been blessed with drool free danes, had two in the past & 3 now (two are too young to drool), so I don't think all danes are heavy droolers, they just have a drinking problem. New group, DA (Droolers Anonymous)

Mitch}>

[Holldoll]

Bandit only drools after he drinks too, but SOMEHOW I still get stuff on my walls!! I don't understand it!!

The Swiffer mop has become my best friend and I bought a Hoover Wind Tunnel for the carpets. It's GREAT at getting up all the hair!! I can't believe how much I pull up when I vacuum EVERYDAY!!

I'm not a big clean freak but DH is and I'm not sure what's gonna happen when he gets home and realizes that Bandit makes messes!! He only has lived with him for 1 week, oh well, he'll deal!

Holly

[kwhit]

Wait until you're in the car and you have to dodge it while you're driving! Quite a challenge on the freeway!!!x(

[shermosley]

It's not all drool. It's like slobber or not to be gross but like BLACK thick mucous. All he has to do is shack his head and it's everywhere!!!!!!!

If I were smart I'd bottle it and sell it as best think to super glue!

Ever look up and it's on the ceiling or on your family pictures hanging on the wall! LOL

Sherrie

[shermosley]

Just wait until your Dane can put his face on all your kitchen surfaces and Tables!!!!!! Yummy!!!!!

:9

[Gunners Mom]

The back windows in my car are "drool streaked", the guys at the car wash laugh every time I drive in!

Thank goodness Gunner doesn't drool that much at home, no icky walls at our house ... YET!

Gunner's Mom (Janet)

To see my boy ...
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290114239

[andiesdanes]

LOL I'm with you all here!
I am a recovering neat freak......I lapse sometimes, but CAN walk by a piece of fuzz from a toy or bed cover now.....I'm fine while my housekeeper cleans, but if she takes the week off, I'm on my hands and knees scrubbing and bleaching my floors. (We have all mexican tile with.....white 1" grout!") Now my housekeeper only comes once a week so there is alot of in between.......I CAN live with the nose prints and slobber on my sliding glass doors. I've learned to live with those gooky grey slobbers on my bedroom ceiling.....I get the walls (me too from flat paint to eggshell)with a swiffer wet. I still can't handle dirty floors though......working on it. I just orderd "mud suckers" or something to that effect from "Plow and Hearth" to put just outside of the door the dogs come in from....

Two things put it into perspective for me hubby said "You can either have a perfect house or you can have the Danes......" that was an easy choice. Second someone sent me an email years ago that was similar to the one Janet posted.....in essence, women spend their lives cleaning up dirt and what do they do when you die? Throw a shovel of dirt in your face! :)
Andrea

[chillygirl]

Well, you weren't looking at pics of my house, lol! Kiley manages to drip all over the floor after she drinks. I usually just grab a paper towel and "mop" with my foot or get the actual mop and just dry up the water. Swiffer Wet works really good for the muddy paw prints. Every other month or so, I get on my knees and scrub my white grout x(

Neither of mine are big droolers. Only if they get really worked up, I mean really worked up! Nobody I know in my area can keep up with the dust. It's just ridiculous! I tend to have a lot of "clutter" and have a great gift for not seeing it :7

[Dalmation]

I know the feeling about trying to keep the house clean. We have 6 Danes in our home ranging from the ages of 3 months to 5 yrs old. We love all of them to pieces but the slobber sometimes gets on our nerves. It's amazing how much slobber can dangle from their mouths. ;8 It's a never ending cycle. Don't pull your hair out and just try to do what you can, when you can.

Our thinking is, "If people don't like dogs, then they shouldn't come to our home"! But anyway, my husband and I usually vacuum every night and use Hot water and Clorox Clean up for the walls and the floors. That stuff works wonders. For us it's quick and easy, since it disinfects at the same time. Of course 2 minutes after we have mopped and dried the floor there are paw prints everywhere again, but at least it was clean for a bit. Good Luck:)

[shermosley]

I know the feeling! I just couldn't imagine more than one dane in the house!!!!! Wow 6! It must be pretty busy! I think the kids and my dane all put together=MEGA MESSES!

One my favorites-I just get finished vacuuming the floor, oh' how it looks so nice and untouched. And then here comes Zeus...He is sliding into 1st, all the way to home plate!!!!!! He sure does know how to "cut a rug"!

I love him though. I'll keep the dog and the kids!!!

[ddpost]

Jen,

Your place sounds like mine - white grout! Yuck! What was I thinking?

And the dust...it's never-ending. Okay, I give up! x(

Peace, leans and SLOBBERS,
Dawn

[Dina Gbeck]

My mother is German, she went to a catholic boarding school when she was young and those ladies didn't fool around. You will learn how to be a stepford wife, whether you want to or not. So consequently I have learned the "proper" way to clean your house. On all fours with a brush and a rag. This is the ONLY way, little missy...

Since moving out the house, oh 20+ years ago, and living out of "visiting" range, I have learned that the swiffer and an Oreck are my best friends and I can allow myself to cut some corners. Since moving back into into the area and one minute down the road from her (this IS a good thing) I have stepped up my cleaning abilities and also hired a maid once a week. The hiring of a maid has kept both her and myself happy. She noticed the dust building up between my cleanings and would happily point them out...UGH.

~ Dina & Cooper

Here's the "little" guy! http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290313725

[NixonIsMySpecialBoy]

>>>How do you keep your walls so clean? I don't know about your danes, but Zues can really fling slobber everywhere!

Eventhough I have just had my Dane for 2 weeks, I have not seen any slobber on the walls. He does not slobber.


>>>Then he just dirties the floors with those gaint feet of his.

I take a towel with me when I take Nixon to go potty. Before we come in the door I wipe his paws off. No paws prints on my floor!


>>>Oh and lets not forget about "THE WATER BOWL!" My goodness I think 98% of the water he drinks ends up on the floor. Then he has to walk around the whole entire kitchen dripping a water trail!

Like I said before I have just had Nixon 2 weeks so this might end up wearing me out but, everytime he drinks I follow him to his water bowl to wipe his mouth with a towel. He is getting used to it.

[gr8danelvrs]

My problem is mostly the hair. Gabe sheds a lot (I groom him frequently too). I guess my biggest help his my swiffer. Those things pick up hair you didn't even know was on the floor!! I love it.

gr8danelvrs

[wouldluv2haveadane]

Okay, let's see...where do I begin? I've only had Sarge for about a month (adopted him at 14 mos) and have already implemented a lot of 'coping' mechanisms for dealing with his messes. They are:

1. Plug-in air fresheners for every room - got a great deal on them at Big Lots!
2. Lysol spray - once per day spray all of Sarge's beds throughout the house, as well as his crate
3. Daily vacuum living room area, where he spends most of his time.
4. Towel kept in place next to water bowl for clean-up, as most of the water he drinks ends up on the floor next to the stand. Also implemented a 'Sarge is drinking his water, go wait for him to finish so you can wipe his face and floor' policy.
5. Towel kept by door to back deck so that Sarge's feet can be wiped before he re-enters the house.
6. Carpet shampooer used when #5 is not done.
7. Being thankful that my carpet hides dirt (till I can vacuum)!
8. Regular swiffering and mopping of kitchen and bathroom areas.
9. Weekly washing of all dog bedding.
10. Daily applying something to dog so he'll smell a little better.

I think I covered most of it!

Cindy

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289003909

[Darth_Vaders_Mum]

Our Dane, Vader, is 5 months old. We also have a 4.5 yr old boy, almost 3 yr old boy & a daughter who just turned 1 yr old. I work from home as well. And, it is hard to keep a clean house! I've sort of always been a clean freak. I used to even have my doors sitting straight! That was before kids! So, over the years I've gotten better. I find hardly ANY TIME for cleaning these days like I used to. BUT, somehow I'll conquer this mess! :)

[luvsdanes1]

I have seven children ages 5 to 11, two danes, and a husband who is a neat freak.
We recently had new flooring and carpet placed in our home. I tried to dog proof and kid proof the downstairs, ceramic tile and wood flooring for dogs and kids:o When I see something that needs to be done I try to do it right then such as water bowl mess wiping it up.
Dogs are trained to stop and sit at doorway for feet wiping. Kids haven't quite mastered that yet:D
Hubby, the neat freak, usually stays upstairs in his office or our bedroom:P

Connie and babies, Maddie and Bentley

[gbwoman]

At our house, it isn't our 4 month old Juno or my 4 & 5 year old non-fur kids that are the culprit-its the HUSBAND. You know, piles of dirty clothes slung over chairs when a clothes hamper is a foot away, dirty socks throughout the house (we are slowly kicking that habit as all of his socks now have holes in them compliments of Juno :P ), piles of papers that cannot, absolutely cannot, be moved or disturbed-I'll take a few more Great Danes anyday over his messes!

In all seriousness, the only solution we were able to come up with since I work full time was to hire a cleaning person 1 time a week. It forces me the night before to pick up all the toys, etc. and then all the in-depth cleaning gets done the next day. If you look around, you would be surprised if you hire a neighbors highschool/college kid that the prices can be reasonable.

[dacowden]

Hi! I've given up on the dust, but the quickest way I've found to clean the walls, ceiling, stove, counters, pictures, tv, counters, cabinets...etc. is microfiber towels and water. You can get them at Costco and they really make cleaning anything faster and easier.
Debbe, Mickey, Spirit, and Shrek
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289159369

[DaneObsession]

When Dragon shakes his head, after 'snorkelling' in his water bowl, he can actually reach the nine foot ceilings with his drool!!! No exaggeration. If he is slightly nervous or stressed, then that is the only other time that he 'really' drools, like sometimes when we go to the vet.

My 3 year old son, Mason is quite good at not touching the walls but Dragon and the fosters like to drag their tails on the door jambs, walls, leather furniture, your pant legs, clean laundry etc.

I have a cleaning lady that comes in bi-monthly to help 'control' the mess!!! Other than that, I vacuum daily, sometimes more than once(yes, a bit too neat freakish but my husband DOES not pick up after himself!:)), and I like using the wet wipes to clean the marks off the walls! I also like to use potpourri and plug-ins to 'freshen' the place up! Furthermore, I too, have a towel or two on the floor by the dog bowls and at the doors to the house.

Dragon also likes to rest his head on the island in the kitchen and 'watch' what is being prepared. He can leave a nice shiny 'trail' of slime when he is moves away as well.

How about when you Dane wakes you up either in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning to go outside or to eat and leaves a nice long piece of drool on the side of your face, ear, or back and it is also still connected to his mouth???? :)

As for toys, I am not sure who has more, the dogs or Mason!!! :) Mason at least picks up after himself before bed.

OH! And what about when they wag their tails and 'knock' things over!!! Or wagging their tails into food that is within reach!!!

THE JOYS of being a Dane lover!!!! HA!

For the love of the breed!

[KC and Critters]

Wow! i am SOOOOO lucky to have a fairly dainty 150 pound female! I do get slobber flung from time to time nothing like ya'll are describing! Dani is 3 years old. We got her as a rescue at 11 months. She goes to the kitchen, drinks, comes to the living room sits on her pappason pillow, cleans her paws and waits until she is done dripping then gets on the sofa. I do vaccum every day and i have a great shampooer that does appolstery. My sofa and the floor (black and white zebra area rug) after Dani comes in from out side are the biggest problems i have. The sofa is covered with sheets and Dani will 'wipe' her feet on the runner rug on the porch before comming in. We tell her "wipe your feet" and she will walk in a circle two times on the rug to wipe her paws. NOW we just got an 8 week old puppy..... we'll see what kinda flappy flews she is going to have when mature. I am just hoping my Danti Dani will teach her well!
The hairs in my bed are another story!

[DaneObsession]

The hairs in our bed is MINOR compared to ALL the sand that they can track in and deposit in the bed!!!! Feel like I am lying on the beach some days!!!! Then we change the bed, YET again!!! HA!

We live on a sand foundation and even when it rains, it never turns to mud, so I guess we are more fortunate than some when it comes to clean-up that way.....a good vacuum when it dries is usually all it takes and sometimes a quick damp mopping...we have hardwood floors with lots of throw rugs...THANK goodness...I would be steam cleaning the carpets everyday otherwise!!! MAYBE, even a couple times a day!!!! :7

Gwendilin, Dragon & Phantom
BHRR

[Victoria]

What's a clean house???

I am owned by 25 cats, 6 dogs, 60+ birds, and I live in the desert where the wind blows dirt ALL the time. Between the hair and the dust and the dogs tracking in stuff and the water-bowl that becomes a swimming pool... I've just given up. Nobody is allowed to come over without giving me a month's notice to get everything cleaned up! LOL

http://www.kritterkorner.com

[kull]

Ok to sum it all up. *Clean* What is that??? We gave up years ago.Now its more like make it look clean without really being clean.:P

[love my dane]

I doubt anyone will be reading this since there are so many replies, but I'll put my two cents in anyways. I feel so very fortunate after reading these horror mess stories! I am a neat freak, with one dane, a son, and a husband. My house is usually clean and I find (besides the water slobber), my dog is pretty good. He also drools when we eat (or when looking at the cat!), or when I'm cooking. That is about the only mess he makes. I do bath him once a week with Murphy's Oil to keep down the dog smell and it seems to get all the loose hair off, too. Plus he's so soft afterwards!