• One quarter of owners are regularly greeted with urine, vomit and faeces in the home
• However one in ten never wash their sofa covers whilst 17% never wash their carpets
• Despite this, a shocking 79% are aware of the bacteria that pets can bring into their home

There’s no denying that we’re a nation of animal lovers with around 16.5 million dogs and cats being kept as pets in the UK¹. However, it appears the love that we have for our four-legged friends doesn’t stop there.

New research by carpet cleaning experts, BISSELL, has revealed key insights into the cleaning habits of UK pet owners. In a survey of 1,500 UK dog and cat owners, BISSELL found that muddy footprints, and spilt food and drink are the most common messes for UK pet owners to clean up with a further 25% regularly facing urine, vomit and faeces.

However, what is shocking is that despite 79% of pet owners being aware of the bacteria that pets can bring into their home, one in ten have never washed their sofa covers, a popular place for animals to relax, whilst a further fifth have never washed their carpets.

Dr Pixie McKenna, who has teamed up with BISSELL, comments: “Pets make a great addition to the home; however we need to make sure that we clean up after them properly to keep our family safe. Dogs and cats enjoy the outdoors and during their little adventures, they can pick up dirt and germs which they then transfer indoors on their paws.

“Carpets are an area of the home where germs can lurk especially if pets tend to toilet on them as cats and dogs can transmit parasites, bacteria and fungal infections in their faecal matter. Escherichia coli for example is a bacteria found in animal faeces.Whilst severe infections tend to be most frequently seen in cows, sheep, goats and deer, domestic pets can also carry it.

“If pets contaminate carpets and children are playing on the floor this can be a potential source of infection, something that can be very severe in children under 5 or the elderly. So cleaning up after pets is about far more than odour and appearance, it needs to be thorough to reduce potential ill health.”

Although ignorance may seem like bliss, it’s important as a retailer to educate pet owners on the benefits of regular cleaning to eliminate nasty bacteria and remove excess dust and pet hair as although soft furnishings like carpets, sofa covers and mattresses may look clean, it doesn’t mean that they are.

BISSELL’s range of vacuums and carpet cleaners offer powerful solutions for keeping homes clean and families happy and healthy.

The Pet Hair Eraser in particular makes cleaning up after pets a breeze thanks to its Tangle-Free Brush Roll which removes embedded hair and SmartSealAllergen System which captures allergens helping those who suffer with pet hair allergies.

The InstaClean Pet and StainPro 6 carpet cleaners also work to wash away dirt and pet messes on carpets, stairs and upholstery removing old spots and stains with the power of the OXY formula included in the cartons. To top it off, all of BISSELL’s solutions are safe to use with pets!

For more information please visit www.bisselldirect.co.uk. You can also tweet us @BISSELL_UK and like us on Facebook.