7 Cleaning Tips for Selling Your Home With Pets

If you have pets, you probably already know that you’ll have to do a little extra cleaning to sell your home – and that’s true whether they’re messy pets or neat pets. This guide gives you seven great tips for cleaning up your home before you list; the sooner you tackle these jobs, the easier it’ll be to sell you home.

Check out these seven cleaning tips that can help you sell your home with pets:

Pay special attention to areas where your pet hangs out the most.
Clean the floors thoroughly.
Deep-clean your furniture.
Wash pet bedding.
Check the paint on your walls for worn, scratched or oily spots.
Clean scuffs on doors, particularly if your pet scratches to go out.
Eliminate pet odors thoroughly.

Scroll down for a closer look at each.

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Pet-Cleaning Tip #1: Pay Special Attention to Areas Where Your Pet Hangs Out the Most

The first step in cleaning for a sale when you have pets is to take inventory of where your pets spend the most time. You might be surprised how much pet hair and dander can accumulate in these areas, even if you vacuum regularly. Once you know where your pet’s favorite spots are, you can give them a good cleaning.

Pet-Cleaning Tip #2: Clean the Floors Thoroughly

Your floors probably take the brunt of the wear and tear from your pets. If you have hardwood floors, be sure to sweep and mop them thoroughly. If you have carpet, you might want to consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner – or even replacing the carpet altogether.

Pet-Cleaning Tip #3: Deep-Clean Your Furniture

Your furniture is probably another pet magnet, so it’s important to give it a good cleaning before you list your home. If you have upholstered furniture, be sure to vacuum and shampoo the fabric. If you have leather furniture, clean it with a leather cleaner and conditioner.

Pet-Cleaning Tip #4: Wash Pet Bedding

If you have pets, you probably have pet beds – and those need to be cleaned on a regular basis, too. Be sure to wash all pet bedding in hot water with bleach on the day that you list your home for sale.

Pet-Cleaning Tip #5: Check the Paint on Your Walls for Worn, Scratched or Oily Spots

If you have pets, there’s a good chance that your walls have taken a few hits – whether they’re from claws or noses. Inspect your walls for any worn, scratched or oily spots and touch them up with paint before listing your home.

Related: Get your free e-Book, Family First: The Pet Parent’s Guide to Real Estate

Pet-Cleaning Tip #6: Clean Scuffs on Doors, Particular if Your Pet Scratches to Go Out

Pets can also leave their mark on doors – both the inside and outside of your home. If you have any scuffed doors, clean them before potential buyers come to tour your home. This is especially important if your pet scratches at the door to go outside; you don’t want potential buyers to think that your pet is destructive.

Pet-Cleaning Tip #7: Eliminate Pet Odors Thoroughly

Last but not least, it’s important to eliminate any pet odors from your home before you list it for sale. Pets can be messy, and even if you can’t smell them, potential buyers might be turned off by the scent. Be sure to wash all of your pet’s bedding, vacuum and shampoo all upholstered furniture, and clean all floors thoroughly. You might also want to invest in an air purifier to help eliminate any lingering odors.

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