Unless you own a goldfish or a snake, pet hair is most likely something you must deal with as a pet owner. And if you thought that finding a pet-friendly rental place was a challenging task when first moving into a new place, you surely didn’t even think about the move-out stage.
Renting a place with pets is challenging; you probably don’t want to be charged for damages and want your deposit back.
So, unless you want to say goodbye to your bond money, you should take your time with some end of tenancy cleaning by following the move-out cleaning tips below.
Start your move-out cleaning by dusting
Working your way from top to bottom is the best cleaning tip to follow when doing end of tenancy cleaning. But when you own a pet, this job doubles.
When prioritising your cleaning steps, put dusting first! You need to be extra thorough when getting the dander off the furniture.
When dusting, you should get a few microfiber towels and consider the furniture material well to get suitable cleaning products.
Removing pet hair must be part of the end of tenancy cleaning
Many people don’t truly realise what end of tenancy cleaning is and how to do it properly. Removing pet hair must absolutely be at the top of your list when completing end of tenancy cleaning tasks.
When you think about it, your pet has probably spent a considerable amount of time on the couch, carpet, and all the hard floors, so there are undoubtedly stains, hairs, and other things that must be considered. By completing these necessary steps, you’ll ensure your deposit back for sure!
- From upholstery – Cleaning pet hair from upholstery is never a pleasant experience, but it’s not a mission impossible! With the right hair removal tools, getting rid of pet hair will be easy. For example, you can take care of all that pet hair on the couch using a squeegee. Be careful not to damage the furniture while using this cleaning method. With a dampened sponge, you can do wonders on any upholstery! Simply run it over couches, chairs, sofas, or armchairs. This cleaning hack will lift pet hair with ease.
- From carpets – You’ll have to get the right equipment to remove pet hair effectively from the carpets. You can try various cleaning methods that will work wonders on any type of carpet. Ensure you have a good vacuum cleaner, squeegee, rubber gloves, and lint roller. Thorough vacuuming is a vital cleaning step and should be the first on your list when you’re on carpet cleaning. Your favourite squeegee served you well when cleaning your windows and mirrors, but you can also easily eliminate pet hair from your carpets. It will collect hairs that are trapped deep into the carpet’s fibres. Wettened rubber gloves with a textured surface will also do wonders, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results when you run your hands over the carpet with them.
- From hard floors – When it comes to cleaning pet hair from hardwood floors, you can also use various methods to complete this task perfectly. The microfiber dust mop, for example, is a great helper in attracting pet hair and other dirt particles by creating static electricity. Of course, it’s best to go over all hard floors with a good vacuum cleaner. You can rent one if you don’t own a powerful enough one. After you collect all pet hair from the hard floors, you’ll want to use floor polish or a special hardwood floor cleaner that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Clean the floors thoroughly and finish with a floor polisher to complete the task perfectly.
Take care of stains before moving out
Even the most well-behaved pets can leave unwanted stains on floors and walls.
There’s no doubt that dealing with urine stains is a task no one wants to deal with, and it’s definitely not the easiest to clean, but there’s always a way!
For example, white vinegar and baking soda will do wonders on hard floors. You only need to pour a small amount of vinegar directly on the stain and then dust the area with baking soda. This solution will not only clean the stain but also eliminate bad smells.
Deep-clean the upholstery and vacuum the whole property
Your furry friend’s hairs are probably all over the place, especially on the upholsteries. One proven way to lower the stress of moving is to give yourself enough time to put some extra care on these areas when doing your end of tenancy cleaning.
This will ensure your landlord will be happy, and you will get your security deposit back in full.
First, ensure you vacuum all couches, chairs, cushions, etc. Then, to make sure all pet hair is collected, go over with a squeegee or a lint roller.
And you’re not finished yet! If you notice any urine stains, spray the stain directly with an enzymatic cleaner and then cover it with a damp cloth. Let it stay for at least 24 hours.
Vacuuming the entire property is a step that you simply cannot skip. After dusting, it’s probably one of the most important things to do, ensuring you reach every spot around the place – behind doors, under couches, beds, carpets, chairs, etc.
You must make sure that everything is perfectly vacuumed, especially with pets.
Ventilate
So, you’ve cleaned everything, hired professional movers to help you move, and squared everything away.
Not so fast.
You probably didn’t even consider this step, but your landlord will surely appreciate and notice if you air the property well before moving out.
If you have the chance, leave windows open the whole day, let that fresh air enter the property, and ventilate it.
This step is so important when you have pets because you’re used to your pet’s scent, and you probably don’t even pay attention to it, but for people coming from the outside, this scent is noticeable.
You can simply invite a friend or family member for a second opinion on the place’s smell.
Conclusion
Be sure that your landlord will do a thorough check-out and let you know of any issues related to your pet.
To ensure you get your deposit back, you’ll need to put extra effort into thoroughly cleaning the entire property. This deep clean will ensure your smooth moving process without any issues.
By following the move-out cleaning tips above, you’ll feel much more confident and relaxed about how to do end of tenancy cleaning and about your landlord coming to inspect the place.
