35 Cleaning Tips For Homes With Pets To Keep It Clean All Year

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Imagine Finally:

  • Less visible fur on floors and furniture
  • Fewer lingering odors in living areas
  • A simple weekly system that keeps buildup from coming back

Here’s how you’ll do it…

1. Vacuum High Traffic Areas Every Other Day

Pet hair settles fastest in entryways and living rooms, girl.

Start Small With This: Run the vacuum over the busiest spots every other day before it piles up.

It will be so much easier if you use a vacuum with a rotating brush head to lift embedded fur.

2. Use A Rubber Squeegee To Lift Pet Hair From Rugs

Hair sticks deep in rug fibers where vacuums miss it.

Here’s What To Do: Drag a rubber squeegee across the rug to pull fur into one pile.

This gets easier if you use a rubber floor squeegee to gather hair quickly.

3. Wash Pet Beds In Hot Water Once A Week

Pet beds hold fur and odor longer than blankets.

Give This A Try: Toss the cover in a hot wash cycle every week.

4. Wipe Down Baseboards Where Fur Collects

Hair builds up along walls and corners, bestie.

Use This Simple Trick: Run a damp cloth along baseboards after vacuuming.

It will feel less stressful if you try a long handled baseboard cleaning tool to reach low edges.

5. Keep A Lint Roller In The Living Room

Couch cushions grab fur daily.

Begin With This: Roll cushions and throw pillows once each evening.

This is faster when you use a lint roller refill pack to stay stocked.

6. Sweep Hard Floors Daily With A Soft Broom

Fur spreads quickly across tile and wood floors.

Instead, Try This: Sweep lightly each night before bed to stop buildup.

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7. Clean Food And Water Bowls Every Day

Spills near bowls create sticky spots and smell.

The Easy First Step Is: Wash bowls with warm water and soap daily.

8. Mop Around Pet Feeding Areas Twice A Week

Feeding areas collect crumbs and water drops.

If You’re Not Sure Where To Start: Mop just the feeding corner 2 times per week.

This gets easier if you use a spray mop with reusable pads for quick touch ups.

9. Wipe Paws With A Damp Cloth After Walks

Outdoor dirt sticks to paws and spreads inside.

Here’s A Small Step That Helps: Keep a damp cloth by the door and wipe paws right away.

10. Brush Pets Outside To Reduce Shedding Indoors

Loose fur falls off during brushing.

To Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed: Brush pets outside once a week before vacuuming inside.

11. Wash Throw Blankets That Pets Sit On Weekly

Blankets trap fur and odor quickly.

Start By Doing This Instead: Wash pet favorite blankets on a warm cycle weekly.

12. Vacuum Upholstery With A Handheld Tool

Couches hold fur between cushions.

One Easy Reset Is: Use a handheld vacuum along seams and under cushions.

It will be way faster if you use a handheld vacuum with a pet hair attachment to lift embedded fur.

13. Clean The Litter Box Area Every Day

Loose litter spreads outside the box.

Consider This: Sweep or vacuum around the box daily to control scatter.

14. Empty Pet Trash Bins Frequently

Pet waste bins trap odor fast.

The Most Doable Way Is: Empty small bins every other day to prevent smells.

15. Use Baking Soda On Carpets To Reduce Odor

Carpet fibers hold pet smells longer than we notice, babe.

Here’s A Gentle Way To Start: Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and vacuum after 20 minutes.

16. Clean Air Vents To Remove Trapped Fur

Vents collect fur that blows back into rooms.

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To Make This Feel Less Heavy: Remove vent covers and wipe them with warm water.

This feels easier if you use a small detail cleaning brush to scrub slats.

17. Wipe Down Door Frames Where Pets Rub

Pets brush against door frames daily.

Here’s A Quick Way: Wipe door edges and lower frames with a damp cloth.

18. Wash Reusable Cleaning Cloths After Each Use

Fur sticks to cloths and spreads around.

If You Want To Keep It Easy: Wash cloths in hot water after deep cleaning sessions.

19. Remove Pet Toys From The Floor At Night

Toys scattered on the floor collect dust and fur.

Start Small With This: Pick up all toys and store them in one basket before bed.

20. Vacuum Under The Couch And Beds Weekly

Fur drifts under furniture and hides there.

Here’s The Shortcut Version: Slide furniture slightly and vacuum underneath once a week.

21. Clean Pet Crates With Warm Soapy Water

Crates hold fur and dirt inside corners.

Here’s What To Do: Wipe all crate bars and floor trays with warm soapy water.

22. Wash Curtains That Collect Pet Hair

Fabric near windows traps airborne fur.

Give This A Try: Wash lightweight curtains every few months to reset the room.

23. Use A Microfiber Mop For Hardwood Floors

Microfiber lifts fur better than cotton mops.

The Easier Approach Is: Run a microfiber mop over wood floors after sweeping.

This is less annoying when you use a microfiber mop refill pack to swap pads quickly.

24. Clean The Entryway After Outdoor Play

Dirt from paws spreads through the house.

To Make This Feel More Doable: Sweep the entryway daily and mop once a week.

25. Replace Old Pet Bedding When Worn Out

Old bedding holds odor even after washing.

Here’s A Small Step That Helps: Replace flattened bedding once it no longer smells fresh.

26. Wipe Down Walls Near Pet Sleeping Spots

Pets rub against walls and leave marks.

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Instead, Try This: Use warm water and wipe the lower wall area weekly.

27. Clean Under The Dining Table After Pet Meals

Crumbs fall where pets eat.

The Easy Starting Point Is: Sweep or vacuum under the table right after feeding time.

28. Wash Area Rugs Separately From Wall To Wall Carpet

Small rugs trap extra fur and dirt.

Here’s A Gentle Way To Start: Shake rugs outside and wash them as needed.

29. Open Windows To Air Out Pet Smells

Fresh air helps clear lingering odor.

To Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed: Open windows for 15 minutes after deep cleaning.

30. Clean Around The Couch Where Fur Builds Up

Fur hides in couch corners.

Start Small With This Instead: Vacuum around the couch base weekly.

31. Keep Grooming Tools In One Easy Spot

Searching for tools slows down grooming.

One Easy Reset Is: Store brushes and clippers in one labeled bin.

32. Use A Damp Cloth To Wipe Pet Hair From Tables

Hair settles on flat surfaces quickly.

Consider This: Wipe tables with a slightly damp cloth each evening.

33. Wash Pet Blankets And Towels In A Separate Load

Separate washing prevents fur from spreading to other laundry.

Here’s What To Do: Run pet blankets in their own cycle once a week.

34. Clean The Car Interior If Pets Ride Often

Fur from the car travels back into the house.

The Less Stressful Way Is: Vacuum seats and floor mats every weekend.

35. Set A Weekly Timer To Deep Clean One Pet Zone

Focusing on one zone keeps the whole house manageable.

The Most Doable Way Is: Set a 20 minute timer and deep clean one pet area each week.

You can make this easier to finish if you use a visual timer clock to stay on track.


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Lily Thompson

Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: making life easier and sharing what works. I created ''Like Mom Said'' after one too many moments of realizing: "My mom was right about this." Turns out, a lot of that old-school wisdom still holds up... it just needs a modern spin. Think of me as your friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand.)