10 Hidden Areas Pet Owners Shouldn’t Skip When Cleaning

We love our furry friends. But the messes they make? Not so much. For pet owners, maintaining a clean house can seem like a never-ending task — one that there isn’t always time for. Pet owners who want to achieve a cleaner home may consider the help of a professional. And, luckily, Thumbtack — a home services app used by millions — connects busy homeowners with local professionals for a variety of jobs, including home cleaning services.

If you’re a pet owner looking to keep your home clean, pay extra attention to these messy areas that are commonly overlooked when cleaning. Targeting these spots or hiring a professional cleaner to tackle them can lead to a neater home for the whole family — pets included.

1. Windows And Window Sills

Many animals are intrigued by windows — so much so that they leave behind impressions on the glass. As animals get excited by what they see outside, they often jump on windows and create marks with their noses and paws. A simple cleaning agent should remove those marks and get your windows looking clean and clear. In addition, wipe down and dust window sills, as they collect dirt and hair from daily life and usage.

2. Walls

Designated areas for your pets can get messy, such as the space surrounding food bowls, cages or litter boxes. That is why it’s important to clean behind and below your pet’s feeding, relief and sleep areas, as the frequent pet traffic can dirty walls over time due to dust, fur and other messes that build up nearby. For example, food often ends up splattering all over the place while animals eat and stains surrounding walls. And if your walls have taken too much pet-related damage, you might want to consider hiring a professional painter to give your walls a fresh coat of paint.

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3. Couches And Recliners

When pets snuggle up with you as you watch a movie on the couch, they leave behind fur and odors on the furniture that homeowners may be nose-blind to, but their guests have no problem detecting. Keep couches, recliners and other furniture neat by deep cleaning and vacuuming the furniture when necessary, including underneath and in-between cushions. Cover your couches and recliners with a blanket when your pet wants to join — that way, you can remove the blankets once they’re off and still keep your furniture clean. You also have the option to hire professional furniture cleaners to get your couches and recliners looking (and smelling) like new.

4. Area Rugs

Whether your pet crawls, hops, runs or slithers across your rugs, they’re bound to leave behind germs and messes that can lead to odor and hair buildup over time. Remove urine stains and other odor-causing spots by using pet-safe products. Clean rugs frequently by vacuuming with a high-power vacuum designed to remove pet hair, or hire a professional carpet cleaner for a more-thorough clean without the guesswork and added cost for materials.

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5. Curtains

As curtains sweep across your floor, they attract loose hair and dirt on the ground. In addition to being a filth magnet, curtains retain odors in the air, which can make it difficult to create a fresh atmosphere in your home. Wash curtains to remove odors and restore them to their original look. You can also get rid of stubborn hairs by using a lint roller, vacuum or by running a rubber glove across the curtains.

Your Home Is Sure To Be Spotless When You Hire A House Cleaning Pro Using Local Businesses

6. Throw Blankets And Pillows

Throw blankets and pillows are often overlooked when it comes time to do your laundry. However, they collect a lot of pet hair and dander over time, especially in households where animals are allowed to climb on the furniture. To help remove excess pet hair and odors, wash blankets and pillows regularly with pet-safe detergent and by following each product’s washing instructions. In addition, maintain freshness in your home by keeping blankets and pillows out of your pet’s reach until you plan to use them.

7. Beds

Whether your pet sleeps in a crate with nesting fluff, on your mattress, or on a plush animal bed, cleaning their sleeping quarters is an important part of keeping your home looking and feeling fresh. Not only do dirty beds lead to foul odors and unsightly messes, they can also cause bacteria and germ buildup, which can lead to infections or diseases that impact the health of all living things in your home.

8. Room Corners

Room corners are already known to collect an excess of dust, dander and hair — even without an animal living in the home. Always remember to check the corners in each room when cleaning your home, and make sure they are free of hair and dander, as well as food and treat crumbs. A powerful vacuum cleaner, particularly one with multi-surface capabilities and an extendable wand for hard-to-reach areas, can help you target room corners and effectively clean your home.

A professional home cleaning can also take care of those dirty corners. The pros dust, sweep and take other steps needed to get to any hidden spaces. And if you notice a lot of buildup in the corners of your home, you may need to upgrade to a deep cleaning to ensure that your home is spick-and-span.

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9. Floors

Animals that go outside, walk around in litter or step in animal bedding or nesting fluff can track dirt all over the floors in your home. That is why it’s important to regularly, and thoroughly, wash floors to remove dirt, allergens, dust and other contaminants. As they roam, animals also leave behind paw prints and scratches. Check for and remove these marks to keep floors looking bright and new, and wipe down pet’s paws after they’ve been outside to stop them from tracking more dirt on clean floors.

10. Exposed Surfaces

Be mindful of the areas your pet frequents most, as these areas often accumulate dust and hair. Even when you can’t see it, animals shed loose hair whenever they run, shake their head or groom themselves. When possible, consider painting exposed surfaces with a dark color. Doing so will make it less obvious when surfaces are dirty with nose marks, loose hairs or any other pet residue, and they add a sleek and classic look to your home.

Hire A Cleaning Service For Pet Messes

Thumbtack is the best choice for booking cleaning services because it lets pet owners browse through trusted professionals, read customer reviews and book the right professional for their needs — all in one place. Their pros can help provide a quality and pet-safe clean with each visit, which can be particularly helpful for those with allergies.

Owning a pet of any size is a big (and messy!) commitment, but the love and happiness it can bring into your home is worth it. Pet owners looking for the best of both worlds — a pet-filled home that is also clean — should visit Thumbtack. You will find professionals available to provide specialty services in your home, such as deep-cleaning and pet odor removal. Visit Thumbtack today and enter your ZIP code to get started with your search!

Looking for a house cleaning service in your area? Visit Thumbtack today to find a top-rated local company.