Spring Reset: Dog Lovers Checklist to Keep An Immaculate Dog Home

Muddy paws, shedding coats, drool, eau de wet dog… These are just a few ways that dogs leave their personal ‘paw-print’ throughout the home. But to experience the joy of living with dogs doesn’t have to mean compromising on a clean and stylish home.

As Spring Cleaning season approaches, award-winning British luxury dog bed designers since 2010 Charley Chau shares their cleaning and maintenance checklist, so dog lovers can whip their dog’s ‘house’ into shape, for the benefit of the wider home – all without sacrificing on their canine’s comfort and contentedness.

#1. Start with a clean dog. Before reaching for the hoover and odour neutralising sprays, start with the dog. Whether DIY at home or via the professionals, a regular pet grooming regime – brushing, de-shedding, beard- wiping, bathing and more – all help reduce hair and odours at source. Keeping up with flea and worming treatments is also important to protect both pet health and household hygiene. A clean dog equals a cleaner home. Simple.

#2. Shine a spotlight on their bed. Dogs sleep 12–14 hours a day, so their bed plays a big role in home hygiene. Keeping it clean is well worth the effort. Wash outer covers weekly (especially in spring and summer when dust mites peak), air the mattress regularly and replace the inner mattress around once a year. Spare covers help with wash days and waterproof liners protect against dander, dirt and moisture to keep the mattress hygienically clean for longer.

Check the bed’s condition too — if it’s flat, lumpy or hard to wash, it’s time for an upgrade. Choose a size around 25% larger than a dog’s standing measurements, consider their sleeping style (e.g. donut shapes suit curlers), and prioritise fully removable, machine-washable covers — ideally with washable inners. Also factor any special needs such a snuggle-style bed for burrowers, or an orthopaedic memory foam mattress bed for seniors.

#3. Layer With Blankets. For dogs allowed on sofas or beds, blankets are non-negotiable. They protect furniture from muddy paws, fur and odours. They're also handy to hide any doggy-ness in a hurry should guests visit at short notice. Charley Chau’s simple and stylish Double Fleece Blankets are anti-pil and moisture-wicking, so they wash beautifully and dry quickly, making them an everyday staple for dog life.

#4. Invest In the Right Tools & Kit. Pet hair has a remarkable ability to travel. A pet-specific vacuum is a worthwhile investment, as they have stronger suction, brush action and more robust filters than standard models. Keeping lint rollers in key areas where the dog lives are great for quick touch-ups. Store a fabric spray alongside them to freshen up pet beds and blankets in between washes. Creating a ‘dog station’ by the front door with towels and wipes also helps contain mess before it spreads.

#5. Edit Their Toy Collection. Tatty toys are an eyesore and unhygienic. Repair or discard destroyed toys, donate unused ones, wash those staying in the sink on rotation. A stylish storage basket that complements the home’s interiors will also help keeps clutter controlled and contained in between play.

#6. Don’t Forget Their Collar. Collars quietly collect dirt and oils. To avoid irritation, hand-wash fabric collars in the sink with a little dog shampoo, carefully rubbing the insides together to remove any neck dirt. Leave to dry naturally. Wipe leather collars with a lightly damp soft cloth.

#7. Neutralise, Don’t Mask

Candles and reed diffusers can help refresh a room — especially after rainy walks or on warmer days when the atmosphere feels stuffy and smells gets amplified in the heat. However, ventilation and regular washing offer the best solutions for eau de dog.

#8. Build it into your routine. The secret to an immaculate dog home isn’t constant cleaning — it’s consistency, so make a dog’s ‘stuff’ part of the wider home cleaning routine. Simple scheduling like tackling dog bed outer covers weekly, collars monthly, their toy collection quarterly helps avoid overwhelming deep cleans later.

Christine Chau, Creative Director &

Chief Product Designer at Charley Chau says:

“We firmly believe you shouldn’t have to choose between having a dog and having a beautiful home. Dogs are part of the family, and their beds are often front and centre in living spaces — so they need to work aesthetically as well as practically.”

She adds: “For us, washability is essential. If a dog bed can’t be properly cleaned, it won’t look or feel good for long. That’s why we design with a ‘machine washable everything’ mantra. When you build small, consistent cleaning habits into your routine, it’s entirely possible to live with dogs and keep your home looking immaculate.”

Trusted by customers in over 60 countries worldwide, Charley Chau beds and blankets are not just supremely comfortable – keeping dogs cosy, calm and content through their lifetime – they’re also designed to stand up to the practicalities of everyday life, making them a wise investment for a dog and the home, no matter the season. Their range of luxe bedding looks beautiful in the home too.

Reset a dog’s home this Spring at Charleychau.com.