Winter is the perfect time for snuggling up with our pups… who doesn’t love a rainy day on the couch? But when we shut up our doors and windows to keep the cold out, we also seal germs and bacteria in.

Create a healthier home environment for your whole family — including your pup — with these winter cleaning tips. It’s never too early to get a head start on your spring cleaning!

We’ve partnered with our friends at Tirtyl to produce this dog-friendly guide — skip to the end for a discount code on their eco-conscious products, or stick with us for our top five cleaning tips.

1. Dealing with muddy paws on the floor

Muddy paws are a fact of life for pupper parents, but they don’t have to be a pain. Leave a towel or mat by the door and reward your dog for wiping their paws before coming inside to reduce pesky muddy paws. For any mud that does make it indoors, we’d suggest a dog-friendly universal cleaner that works for all surfaces.

2. Cleaning your pup’s bowl

Your pup’s bowl is a breeding ground for some harmful bacteria — cleaning it regularly can help avoid serious health problems caused by these bacteria. How you do this is up to you: there are a few methods you can weigh up.

Washing with soap and warm water is the most common approach (36% of people surveyed in this study), with the dishwasher as a close second at 33%.

The dishwasher is the most thorough way of killing bacteria in your dog’s bowl, as the water temperature is much hotter.

If you’re not comfortable with this approach, you can disinfect your dog’s bowl with an all-purpose dog-friendly spray and wipe. Follow this with a warm water rinse.

3. Drool on glass

You’re grating some cheese or heating up food, and the drool tap turns on! All dogs drool — some more than others. In some cases, drooling could also be a sign of dental disease.

According to our in-house veterinary experts, the breeds that drool the most include Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, Basset Hounds and Bloodhounds. Our Lyka pup Watson (and the star of this article’s feature image) is notorious for leaving wet patches around the office. We’re well-versed in how to clean it before it sets!

Drool can stain if left to set: try using an all-purpose cleaner for hard surfaces like doors and windows.

4. Washing your pup’s bed, toys and winter coat

Our pups look so cute in their little winter fits, dragging their plush toys around the house!

But these warm and moist environments can become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fleas, parasites and mites (eek!). They can also collect dirt and pollen over time.

This can lead to skin irritation, allergies and immune compromisation for your pup — which is why it’s so important to wash them on a regular basis! To give your pup’s possessions the deepest possible clean, run it as its own load in your washing machine.

5. Wee stains

Whether your dog has incontinence or is still being toilet trained, accidents happen. The smell of dog urine can really linger, so try to address it as soon as you can before the stain sets.

Before you break out the cleaning products, grab some paper towels to soak up the liquid. Once the urine is absorbed and you’ve binned the wet paper, clean the area with water.

For carpets and fabric, we’d suggest leaving a thin layer of baking soda on the floor overnight — or spraying a mix of 50% vinegar, 50% water and two teaspoons of baking soda. Hard surfaces like floorboards will just need a spritz and wipe with an all-purpose cleaner.

Peace of mind that your pup is safe and your home is clean

Pet stains can be smelly, but they don’t need to be permanent. With cleaning products made from natural ingredients, you can deal with messes as they happen: without harming your best friend.

Here are our favourite picks, tried and tested by our staff pupper parents:

• The Universal Cleaner has a “just add water” formula, and is compatible with spray mops for speedy clean-ups.

• Tirtyl’s Laundry Detergent sheets are easy to use and waste-free.

• Dishwasher tablets for washing your dog’s food bowl. For every tablet sold, Tirtyl collects one bottle of ocean-bound plastic.

By reducing your dog’s exposure to toxic cleaning chemicals, you can boost their overall sense of wellbeing. Who wouldn’t want to create a healthier home for their best friend?

**Use the code ‘PUPPER20’ to get $20 off your first Tirtyl order. Minimum spend of $60 applies.