House Cleaning Checklist for Homes with Dogs and Cats
A home with dogs or cats needs the same basic cleaning as any other home, just more often in a few specific places: floors, upholstery, entryways, litter and feeding areas, and anything at nose height. The simplest approach is a short daily routine for hair and messes, a weekly pass that covers every room, and a monthly reset for the spots pets hit hardest. Fall is a good time to tighten the routine, since many dogs and cats drop their summer coat as the days get shorter and the furnace starts running.
Below is a checklist you can print, hand to a cleaner, or split between the people in your home.
Why pet homes get dirty faster
Hair is only part of it. Pets carry in grit and water on their paws, leave oils on the furniture they lie on, scatter litter, and drop dander (tiny skin flakes) that settles on every flat surface. Once the heating comes on and the windows close for the season, dander and hair circulate through the air ducts instead of drifting outside, so surfaces dust up faster from October onward.
None of this means the house has to look like a pet lives there. It means the cleaning order and the tools matter more.
Daily (10 to 15 minutes)
- Sweep or vacuum the main traffic path: entry, kitchen, and wherever your pet sleeps.
- Wipe paws at the door on wet or slushy days, and keep a washable mat and an old towel there.
- Scoop litter boxes and sweep scattered litter around them.
- Rinse food and water bowls, and wipe the floor under the feeding station.
- Spot-clean accidents right away with an enzyme cleaner (more on that below).
Weekly, room by room
Entry and mudroom
- Shake out or wash the door mats.
- Wipe the lower third of the door, the door frame and any glass panels where noses and paws land.
- Vacuum or mop under the boot tray, where hair and grit collect.
Kitchen and feeding area
- Wash food and water bowls in hot soapy water or the dishwasher (a quick rinse does not remove the slimy film that builds up).
- Mop the floor, paying attention to the feeding corner and the base of cabinets.
- Wipe the fridge door and lower cabinet fronts.
- Store pet food in a sealed bin and wipe the outside of it.
Living room
- Vacuum sofas and chairs with an upholstery tool, including under and between the cushions.
- Wash throws and blankets your pet uses.
- Vacuum rugs slowly in two directions; pet hair weaves into the pile and a fast pass leaves most of it behind.
- Dust low shelves, baseboards and window sills, which collect dander first.
- Wipe nose prints off windows and patio doors.
Bedrooms
- Wash your pet's bed cover, or vacuum the bed if the cover does not come off.
- If your pet sleeps on your bed, wash bedding weekly and vacuum the mattress edge when you change sheets.
- Vacuum under beds; cats in particular like to hide (and shed) there.
Bathrooms and litter area
- Empty litter boxes completely and wash them with mild soap and warm water. Skip bleach and strongly scented cleaners, which many cats dislike and which can put them off the box.
- Mop the floor around the box and wipe the wall behind it.
- Clean the tub or shower after giving a dog a bath, and remove hair from the drain.
Whole house
- Vacuum every floor, including stairs and closet floors.
- Mop hard floors with a pet-safe floor cleaner.
- Empty bins and wipe the lids.
Monthly resets
- Wash or replace the furnace filter, or check it at least. Pet homes often need a fresh filter sooner than the package suggests.
- Vacuum vent covers and cold-air returns.
- Pull the sofa out and vacuum behind and under it.
- Wash pet toys: soft toys in the washing machine, hard toys in hot soapy water.
- Wipe down crates, carriers and the area around them.
- Clean the vacuum itself: empty the bin, rinse or replace the filter, cut hair off the brush roll.
Every few months
- Deep clean carpets and rugs with hot water extraction, especially in the rooms your pet uses most.
- Deep clean upholstery if it is fabric.
- Wash curtains and blinds.
- Wash walls and baseboards at pet height.
Many people schedule a first-visit deep clean to handle this list once, then keep up with a weekly or bi-weekly recurring visit. Our guide to choosing weekly or bi-weekly cleaning covers how to pick the right frequency.
Tools that make pet hair easier
- A vacuum with a sealed system and a good filter. It keeps dander inside the machine instead of blowing it back into the room.
- A rubber broom or squeegee for carpets and rugs. Dragging it across the pile pulls up hair the vacuum misses.
- Damp rubber gloves for upholstery. Run a gloved hand over the fabric and the hair balls up.
- Microfibre cloths for dusting. Dry feather dusters mostly move dander around.
- Washable covers on the sofa or your pet's favourite chair, so a weekly wash replaces a deep clean.
Accidents and odours
Pet urine contains uric acid crystals that regular cleaners do not break down. The spot can look clean and still smell, and the remaining scent can draw a pet back to the same place. The fix is an enzyme cleaner made for pet stains.
- Blot (do not rub) as much liquid as possible with paper towels.
- Soak the spot with an enzyme cleaner so it reaches as deep as the urine did.
- Leave it for the time on the label, then blot again and let it air dry.
- Avoid ammonia-based products, which smell similar to urine to a pet.
Older stains on carpet, or odour that comes back on humid days, usually need hot water extraction or professional carpet treatment.
Keep products pet safe
A few common cleaning products are risky around animals. Keep pets out of the room while floors dry, and store cleaners in closed cabinets. Be careful with products containing phenols (some disinfectants), and with essential oils such as tea tree, pine and citrus, which can be harmful to cats in particular. If you work with a cleaning service, tell them about your pets when you book so they can plan products and keep doors closed as needed.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you vacuum with a dog or cat?
In most homes with one pet, vacuuming the main living areas two to three times a week and the whole house once a week keeps hair under control. During heavy shedding, which for many dogs falls in spring and fall, daily vacuuming of the rooms your pet uses is often worth it. Homes with several pets or long-haired breeds usually need the higher end of that range all year.
Do house cleaners charge more for homes with pets?
Some do, and some simply price by the time a visit takes. Pet hair on upholstery, litter areas and extra floor time can add to the length of a visit, so mention your pets on a quote request to get an accurate price. A home that is kept up between visits generally takes less time than one cleaned only occasionally.
What is the best way to get pet hair off a couch?
Start with a vacuum and an upholstery tool, then go over the fabric with damp rubber gloves or a rubber pet hair brush to lift what is left. For velvet or microfibre, a slightly damp sponge works well. A washable throw over your pet's spot cuts the job down to a weekly wash.
Should you be home during a cleaning visit with pets?
It is not required, but your pet should be settled somewhere safe. Many owners put dogs in a crate or a closed room, or take them out during the visit, and leave cats in a room the cleaner can do last. Note anything specific in your booking, such as a door that must stay closed or a pet that may try to slip outside.
Get a pet-ready cleaning plan
Hearthen arranges weekly, bi-weekly and monthly house cleaning, plus deep cleans, with a written checklist and a price per visit. Tell us about your home and your pets through the quote form, and you will get a checklist that includes the areas your dog or cat uses most. Homeowners in Nova Scotia can also see our Dartmouth house cleaning page.