You’re behind the wheel and your dog’s deliriously flapping his tongue, half out the window, playing with the breeze, and barking at everything that passes — you know this was meant to be 💞. To encourage frequent rides with your pawed baby that are both safe and satisfying, we’ve decided to be of assistance 🐶😸. In the interest of your pets and your car, you could try these 5 handy tips to make car cleaning easier after a day on the road:
If your furry friend has a crate or container they’re used to being carried in when you travel, we’d recommend you use that. This will ensure they don’t fall or hurt themselves if the car swerves or brakes. If they spend the majority of the time in their crates, it can also reduce the amount of fur-fall you’ll see on the seats- without compromising on their comfort- making car cleaning and pet hair removal much easier later.
But if it’s only used when they go to the vet (which may mean they don’t enjoy the sight of it), try cordoning off the driver’s seat with pillows or bedsheets or even suitcases. This way, they have room to move around at the back of the car without disturbing you by crawling underneath the seat or scratching the back of it. If possible, you can even fold down the rear seats so your pet can freely roam about the boot.
Non-permeable seat covers are the 8th wonder of the world for pet owners—many come with convenient attach-and-detach systems—or you could simply lay a sheet down. In case you’ve forgotten to trim your pet’s nails, you may use heavy-duty rubber or plastic mats over the car’s carpet. (This can help in case they get over-excited seeing an animal on the streets or another dog in a car!)
With covers, you simply pick them up and toss them for a wash, it’s that easy. If you like to plan ahead, then do consider the material of the seats when picking the car you want to subscribe to (yes, we said subscribe, not buy, because it’s better 💙). With a pet as a passenger, you’re better off opting for vinyl or leather seats that are much easier to maintain than fabric seats. Make sure to check that before you choose a car.
We all love to see our pets drooling with joy all over the place (it certainly makes for some adorable #petmoments). Their fur is just one of their marks of presence when they’ve left the cabin 🐕🦺 If you fuss over these since you also like a clean car, immediately do a wipe down and vacuuming. You could also use flint rollers or Velcro curlers to clear away the shed fur.
Are you one for good scents? Do you look for scented pet shampoos? Then when you’re figuring out how to clean a car, don’t forget - you must de-odour your cabin too. As a first line of defence, you should sprinkle baking soda over the seat and carpeted floor. Let the baking soda sit overnight and vacuum it up the next morning. This trick should rid the car of most odours without causing any more damage. If there’s any lingering odour thereafter, just wash the mats and rub down the seats with a scented wash liquid. Always try out new cleaning products on a small area first, to ensure they don’t damage the material. If you still have lingering odours, you might want to get your car deep cleaned professionally.
To avoid extensive car cleaning at home, make sure your car is regularly stocked with emergency cleaning supplies. These can include paper towels, cleaning cloths, plastic bags, and a handy mini vacuum cleaner; never know when they might come in handy.
Why fuss over the small things in life when you’re busy making memories with your furry pal? Just use the tips given above and have a good time on your next drive. 🚗 When you subscribe to a car on Quiklyz, you can choose the one you think best fits your lifestyle, and “Pet Parent” is definitely one of those elements, so do keep it in mind! 😸🐸🐕🐵🐟
