The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist For Pet Owners

Having a furry friend at home, whether a dog or a cat, is a blessing. They are the true companion in your home, bringing immense joy, happiness and energy into your life. They can boost your mood and promote good brain health after a long, hectic day at work.

Despite this, pet owners know the stress of maintaining a clean, dustfree and hygienic home. From pet hair to fur, pet pee stains to cat litter, you have to deal with everything on a daily basis. This can be quite challenging for working professionals and busy individuals. Fret not! Here’s an ultimate house cleaning checklist to help you maintain a spotless home without any stress.

Instead of losing your calm, focus on streamlining all your efforts to create a shiny, hygienic home environment. This can also help you secure a full bond back if renting with pets. In NSW, you are required to clean up pet messes before they become a serious problem.

1. Regular Dusting and Vacuuming is a must

This is one of the basic cleaning hacks when living with pets. Regular dusting and vacuuming are pivotal for removing pet dander, pollen, and loose dirt from almost all surfaces.

It is good to use a damp microfibre cloth to wipe down hard surfaces such as walls, tabletops, and skirting boards. For carpets, upholstery, furniture and rugs, use a pet friendly vacuum cleaner. A HEPA friendly filter can trap 99.9 per cent of airborne and embedded pet hair effectively. You can also use a lint roller to remove embedded pet dander from the couch.

Professional end of lease cleaning Sydney experts recommend vacuuming carpets and floors twice or thrice a week to maintain a tidy home.

2. Duct Cleaning Makes a Difference

Dusts and air vents tend to clog with pet dander and dust. With a pet, this only increases, leading to indoor air pollution and even making your HVAC systems less effective in the long run. You can clean your ducts and air filters using a vacuum cleaner. Use a ladder to access the vent cover, remove the dust with a clean cloth, and soak the filters in warm, soapy water. Use a brush or a vacuum to clean the duct, including nooks and crannies.

3. Act on Pet Stains Proactively

Pet accidents are inevitable! Therefore, it is essential for pet owners to keep enzyme cleaner readily available and to act on pet stains immediately. You can use a paper towel or a microfibre cloth to blot the fresh stain.

For urine stains, you can use a DIY enzyme cleaner and leave it for a few minutes before wiping. Make sure you act on such incidents as soon as you witness them to maintain a tidy abode.

4. Steam Clean Your Carpets and Furniture

Whether you have pets or are moving out of your rental home, steam cleaning is one of the best ways to maintain a tidy home like a pro. Steam cleaning is an effective method that uses hot steam to break down stubborn pet stains like urine or vomit, dislodge grime and gunk, and even kill harmful germs without damaging the surface. Make sure you keep do’s and don’ts  of carpet cleaning to prevent damage.

You can also include add on service when booking a professional end of lease cleaning Sydney to secure your hard earned bond money.

5. Banish Pet Odours Naturally

No matter how well your furry friend is, accidents can happen and ruin the hygiene of your home. One of the most challenging tasks is to banish pet odours. Whether it’s pet urine or vomit, the odours tend to linger and make you feel uncomfortable indoors. So, it is good to treat stains and use the following methods to neutralise unpleasant odours and naturally freshen up your home:

• Baking Soda: Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into carpets and leave it overnight to banish bad smells.
• Essential Oils: Use lavender, orange, and other essential oils to banish pet smell.
• Lemon: Mix lemon with white vinegar, then clean affected areas to banish unpleasant odours.

6. Disinfect Pet Bowls, Toys and Bedding

Make sure you kill lethal germs lurking on pet bowls, toys, and, of course, bedding. You can wash bedding in hot, soapy water.Even toys can be tossed in a washing machine. For bowls, use a white vinegar solution and clean them on a regular basis for effective results.

You can also use rubbing alcohol to disinfect toys and other surfaces. It is a safe alternative to chemically laden disinfectants available in the market.

7. Daily Mopping Makes a Difference

While sweeping helps remove loose dirt, pet dander and the mess created by your furry friend, mopping can eliminate paw traces, heavy soil and grime. It is always good to use castile soap solution or any other pH solution and use minimal water to prevent damage, like warping due to moisture buildup. Also, use a microfibre mop that effectively removes stains from all types of floors without leaving scratches.

If you are at the end of your lease, book experts for a thorough end of lease cleaning Sydney and pass your final rental inspection with ease.

8. Bonus Tip: Brush your Pet Regularly

Believe it or not! Brushing regularly has multiple benefits in pet grooming. It not only keeps your pet clean but also helps you maintain a tidy home environment. You must brush them every few days or once a week. This proactive approach will save you a lot of dusting time.

Infographic: How To clean Home With Pets

Wrapping Up

Pet parents have added responsibility to maintaining a clean and dust free house. Hopefully, the checklist mentioned above in the article will help you create a customised house cleaning checklist when you have pets in a home for a stress free experience.