We are a nation that is mad about our pets, which means we love to take them with us wherever we go.
This seems like a great idea and can be a lot of fun, but it is usually the interior of our cars that pays the price for it.
As you don’t want to leave your beloved pooch behind, here Car Mats UK, a leading car accessories manufacturer, has put together our top tips on how to keep the inside of your car clean even when you have the muddiest of paws.
Contents
Protect Your Surfaces
They say that prevention is better than cure, and when it comes to a muddy dog this can be very important.
Picture the scene: you take your canine companion for a walk through the woods and when you return to the car, you change your boots while they jump all over your seats or your boot with paws that look like they have been tunneling their way to the continent.
That is when you need some proper mats in place. There are now specially-made pet mats for your car that can go across your seat or the floor of your boot to help protect them.
They are lovely and comfortable, so your dog will feel perfectly happy on them, but they can stop things like mud, scratches, hair, and little accidents from damaging your car.
They are really easy to remove and wash, and your car will still be as good as new.
Pet Hair
Even on a journey where paws can be kept clean, your dog can still find a way to make its mark by leaving behind a nice layer of hair.
It can make your car look untidy and will cover the clothes of the next person who sits there.
Try and make sure that you groom your dog as regularly as possible, particularly just before you leave the house.
This can ensure that there is a lot less loose hair that can transfer onto your seats and carpets.
You might also want to consider investing in a small hand-held hoover, that is not only small enough to take on road trips and days out, but will allow you to clean up hair, mud, and mess quickly and easily without having to vacuum your car constantly at home.
Act Quickly
If you do find that you have some muddy paw prints to clean up, then try to act as quickly as you can.
Vacuum any loose dirt as soon as you get home and then rub your surfaces in one direction with a moistened rubber glove. This is a great way to collect any loose hair.
Use specialist upholstery cleaner for any ground-in stains but be careful to stick to using soft cloths and brushes so that you do not do any damage. The sooner you clean up any messes, the easier they are to deal with.
If you would rather not have to clean up every time you leave the house, consider training your dog to use a pet bed or boot liner, as these can be laid down in the back of the car or in the boot area and keep your seats and boot cleaner for longer. They’re also super comfortable for your furry friend for long drives.
Odour
We all know that damp dog has a very distinct smell about it, and it can be a difficult one to tackle. If you have car mats and pet boot liners, then these can easily be removed and freshened up.
Otherwise, you will need to make sure that you clean the interior of the car thoroughly and leave baking soda to soak into any fabrics overnight ready for you to vacuum up in the morning.
Cleaning your car mats and car interior doesn’t have to be hard work, in fact it’s quite simple.
Soap and some elbow grease is sometimes all it takes and if you have any rubber car accessories these can be rinsed off to remove any debris and stubborn odours.
Be Prepared
Try carrying an emergency cleaning kit in your car. This could be something as simple as some water for rinsing paws and a towel to dry off, but it can be a lifesaver for the interior of your car.
Your car is worth a lot of money, so it is important that you protect it and make it pleasant for the humans in your family to travel in as well.
By putting the right measures in place, you can enjoy your muddy walks and make the process of cleaning up much easier.
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