Expert: Jan Hayner - 7/14/2010

Question
Hi
I was wondering if you could give me a few tips. I have 2 puppies that consently go in and out from outside and i'm concently vacuming and sweaping my floors. I'm sick of walking around my house 10 min after i vaccume and my floor feels like i havnt swept in a week. The dirt is driving me crazy! Also because of them i have to mop my floor alot as well, we have laminate flooring and were starting to damaged the floors because were mopping to much. Is there anything i can use or do to prevent this? Also my hubby clutters every table top avaiable. I dont like clutter it makes me feel like the house is messy. what can i do to organize these messy so he has places to put thing but also look good?
Thanks for the help

Answer
Hi Stacy;

This one is an easy one to answer because I live the same way. We have a chocolate lab that insists on tracking every piece of debris in the house on his paws. I also have a husband that has to keep all of his valuable collectibles :) right next to his favorite chair.

This is what I did to help to keep my sanity [at least part of it]!

Get two rugs that are the kind that are used outside of a cat litter box. Put one outside and one right next to the door on the inside of the house. These are made to grab hold of debris that collects on the pads of animals feet. It will help a lot. True, you still get some things on the floor, but it takes a little longer and if I shake the rugs often, it is easier that sweeping and washing the floors all of the time.

My husbands problem is a little easier. I bought two small decorator baskets at the dollar store and put them on the floor under the end table next to his chair. one is for small things that he accumulates and the other holds books and magazines that he needs by his side constantly [he is a car and hunting nut]. This looks good and somehow, it manages to work. I simply told him that if he doesn't want the grandkids hiding things on him that he needs to keep things in 'grandpas private baskets'. Amazing! He actually listened!

I hope this helps Stacy! :)
Jan Hayner