People these days love their pets—it’s estimated that in the US alone, around 65 million households own a dog, with another 46 million owning a cat! But let’s face it; sometimes our furry friends make life a little trickier, and we must arrange special accommodations for them, such as during vacation or when moving. Believe it or not, painting your home doesn’t present too many challenges for pet owners; with a little savvy preparation and know-how, it can easily be done with no inconvenience to your pets! Here are three must-know tips to keep in mind if you’re a pet owner who’s about to repaint your home’s interior.
1. You’ll Want to Use Toxic-Free Tints
When you first set out to select your paint, you’ll want to be sure that you’re checking paint labels and selecting something non-toxic. You should avoid paints that have VOCs, or volatile organic compounds; these products can emit harmful fumes that your family members and your pets don’t need to be breathing in! Formulas made from natural ingredients like water, plant dyes, and essential oils are safe for humans and pets alike. However, they typically lack the potent pigments that make your colors pop and seem vibrant, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.
2. Some Colors Are Stain-Proof
While it’s very exciting to select your paint color, you’ll want to carefully consider your pets in this process—but this doesn’t mean asking them what colors they prefer! It means you’ll need to consider colors that are relatively stain-proof. Colors like bright red, yellow, blue, and green all tend to show smudges and stains, and since homes with pets tend to experience this damage more frequently, you might want to avoid them. Opt for darker, neutral shades like charcoal or other shades of gray, brown, or even bold black. Soft whites and cream work too; since the stains show easily, they’re easy to touch up! Also, consider the sheen of your paint—lower sheen finishes like satin can work well here, but just don’t get something too reflective.
3. Clean and Maintain Your Painted Walls
Typically, interior paint can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years under ideal circumstances. It needs to be kept clean; painted walls should be wiped down and dusted at least monthly, and if you have pets, you might want to do it even more frequently. You might also find yourself addressing scuffs and touching up high-traffic areas often. Fortunately, this is all relatively straightforward maintenance, and taking the time to do these tasks will guarantee that no matter what color paint you’ve chosen, it looks fantastic for several years to come.
About Platinum Painting
The team at Platinum Painting of Fort Worth has proudly served homeowners across Fort Worth and the surrounding metroplex for several years, offering expert assistance with a wide range of interior and exterior painting projects. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule a FREE in-home estimate, feel free to contact their team online or by phone for assistance—they’d be more than happy to help you out and accommodate your pets, too! Telephone: (817) 885-5656.