CONTACT: Brian Sansoni, SDA, 202-662-2517 or 202-347-2900 bsansoni@cleaning101.com

Washington, D.C., July 1, 2002 -- During the "dog days" of summer, pets spend more time indoors, which means more dust, dirt, and unpleasant odors lurk inside. Fortunately, The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) has some useful cleaning tips for the 63 million U.S. households that own pets.

"Let's face it; we love our critters," said SDA Director of Consumer Education Nancy Bock, whose own friends include Alex the cat and B-BO the fish. "The only 'pet peeve' we may have is the mess that comes with them. Fortunately, there are a lot of easy-to-use convenience cleaning products to take care of pet odors, messes and stains."

SDA's website -- www.cleaning101.com -- features a wealth of information on household cleaning and good hygiene.

Ferreting Out Odors
When a pet's bouquet does not smell like roses, daisies or daffodils, homeowners should focus on attacking the odors where they lurk. Trouble spots include where pets sleep, eat and play--even their toys can harbor malodorous smells. SDA recommends thoroughly cleaning these areas at least twice per week, including vacuuming, dusting and mopping when necessary. Today's products can not only clean and disinfect dirty homes, but the variety of fresh and appealing fragrances can prevent the bad odors from quickly returning.

EXTRA TIP: Plastic and other hard-surfaced pet toys can be washed in the sink with mild soap and hot water. Rinse with clean water and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Getting Out of the Doghouse
Every pet owner will tell you, "accidents happen." When they do, it is important to clean the mess up as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Blot the area with a spray stain remover, following the directions on the package. Also consider using a disinfectant spray to remove any remaining germs.

EXTRA TIP: Use a fabric refresher to neutralize odors on hard-to-wash fabrics and upholstery.

Disappearing Dust Bunnies
While animal dander, fur and feathers can dirty your home, they also can trigger allergy and asthma attacks. To minimize symptoms, launder bed linens frequently, and vacuum and dust to remove pet dander from the home. Electrostatic dust mitts and sheets are very handy when it comes to dust removal. It is also a smart idea to wash the pet's bedding at least once per week.

EXTRA TIP: Use a towelette or wipe to remove dirt, mud and other grime from your pet's paws before they can track it inside the house. Don't forget to wipe your own hands, too.

Common Scents
With pets in the house, you should vacuum the rooms they hang out in a couple of times a week. Use a carpet and room deodorizer --many are formulated to eliminate deep-down odors left behind by pets. Baking soda is also useful in eliminating day-to-day odors on the carpet.

EXTRA TIP: Place a fabric softener sheet in an envelope under a sofa cushion where your pet likes to sit or under the back seat of the car if your pet often hitches a ride with you. This is a simple way to helping keeping those areas smelling fresh. Just make sure you keep these sheets out of the reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion.

Avoiding a Cat-Astrophe
With pets in the house, what will need cleaning is just as unpredictable as our four-legged friends. That is why SDA recommends keeping a smartly stocked cleaning closet, with the must-haves for those with pets. Cleaning products to have on hand for fast and convenient use include: spray stain removers for upholstery, carpet and clothing; polish and electrostatic dust cloths and mitts; a broom or electrostatic dry mop; fabric refresher and household cleaners; vacuum and carpet spray; paper towels and disposable disinfectant wipes.

When using cleaning products around pets, properly store them after using them, keeping them out of the reach of children and your pet's paws, claws and jaws.

EXTRA TIP: Create a cleaning closet checklist to be sure you are well stocked for any mess.

Finally, the SDA reminds people to always wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds after handling a pet to prevent the spread of harmful germs. And when soap and water aren't handy, consider using a hand sanitizer or antibacterial hand wipes.