Pet Hair and Allergens: A Pet Owner's Cleaning Guide

Pets make a house a home, and they also make cleaning harder. Hair on every surface, dander in the air and the occasional muddy paw print are part of the deal. Here's how to keep a pet-friendly home properly clean, without it becoming a full-time job.

Managing pet hair

• Brush your pet regularly, ideally outside, to catch loose hair before it ends up on your furniture and floors.
• Vacuum with a pet-specific attachment on upholstery and stairs, where hair collects most.
• Use a rubber glove or squeegee on carpet and fabric to pull up embedded hair a vacuum alone can miss.
• Wash pet bedding weekly to stop hair and odour building up in one spot.
• Wipe hard floors with a microfibre mop rather than a dry sweep, since dry sweeping tends to scatter hair rather than collect it.

Reducing allergens

Pet dander, which is far smaller than hair, is often the real trigger for allergy sufferers. A few habits make a real difference:

• Keep pets off beds and soft furnishings where possible, or wash those covers more often if they're not
• Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in rooms your pet spends the most time in
• Vacuum with a HEPA-filter vacuum, which traps fine particles rather than recirculating them
• Wash your hands after handling your pet, especially before touching your face

Carpet and upholstery

Carpet holds onto pet hair, dander and odour more than hard flooring. Regular vacuuming helps, but a periodic deep clean lifts what's settled into the fibres. If accidents happen, clean them as soon as possible with a pet-safe enzyme cleaner, since dried-in stains and odours are far harder to shift later.

When it's time for a professional clean

Some pet-related cleaning is a genuinely bigger job than a quick vacuum: deep carpet cleaning, a full reset after a house move, or simply keeping on top of a busy pet-friendly home when time is short. Housekept's home cleaning covers vacuuming and floor care as standard, with carpet cleaning available as an add-on at $70 per room (prices exclude GST) for homes that need extra attention.

Pet hair and allergens FAQs

Does professional cleaning remove pet odour?

A thorough clean addresses the surfaces and fabrics where odour tends to sit, though ongoing odour from bedding or furniture may need more targeted treatment.

Can I request extra attention to pet hair when I book?

Yes, let us know when you book or when your cleaner arrives.

Do you clean carpets?

Yes, carpet cleaning is available as an add-on at $70 per room.

Want a hand keeping on top of it? Book a clean or get in touch.