(NAPSA)—As much as we love our household pets, they can create cleaning headaches. Whether it’s muddy paws, fur on the furniture, odors or occasional accidents, we spend quite a bit of time cleaning up after our furry friends. The experts at Merry Maidsoffer these suggestions for undoing the most commonpet damage: Since pets can’t clean up after themselves, it can help to have somehelpful hints at hand. Minimize the Mess. Bathe and brush your pets regularly to minimize the amount of hair and dander. Keep a lint brush handy. Lifting Stains. Dilute spots using a dampcloth, then clean the area with one quart of water mixed with one teaspoon white vinegar. Stomach Trouble. Neutralize or dilute the acid as quickly as possible to minimize damage. To bring carpet back to a neutral pH, treat the affected area using a professional carpet detergent. Removing Pet Hair. On carpeting, use a vacuum with a good beater brush or brush roll. For upholstery, use velour brushes or tape rollers. Pet sponges are also good for hard-to-reach corners. For more information on resi- dential cleaning, visit the Website at www.merrymaids.com orcall 1800-MERRYMAIDS.
