Pet Owner Cleaning Schedule
Written by Shannon, Owner and Founder of Long Island MaidsPet hair, dander, and odors build up fast. This schedule breaks down what to do daily, weekly, and monthly to keep your home fresh without spending all your time cleaning.
Print this page for a ready-to-use checklist you can post on your fridge.
Daily Tasks (10-15 minutes)
According to the Humane Society, these quick daily habits prevent buildup and keep odors under control:
- Scoop litter box(es)🐈 Cats
- Pick up yard waste🐕 Dogs
- Wipe pet paws after walks🐕 Dogs
- Wash food and water bowls🐕🐈 All
- Quick floor sweep in pet areas🐕🐈 All
- Wipe up accidents immediately🐕🐈 All
- Shake out pet beds/blankets🐕🐈 All
Weekly Tasks (30-45 minutes)
Once a week, tackle the tasks that keep hair and odor from accumulating:
- Vacuum all floors and carpets🐕🐈 All
- Vacuum upholstery (couches, chairs)🐕🐈 All
- Mop hard floors🐕🐈 All
- Wash pet bedding and blankets🐕🐈 All
- Dump and wash litter box🐈 Cats
- Wipe floor around litter box🐈 Cats
- Clean pet toys🐕🐈 All
- Brush your pet (reduces shedding)🐕🐈 All
- Wipe down entry area mat🐕 Dogs
Monthly Tasks (1-2 hours)
Monthly deep cleaning targets the spots where odor and buildup hide:
- Deep clean litter box with enzyme cleaner🐈 Cats
- Wash walls/baseboards in pet areas🐕🐈 All
- Vacuum under furniture and cushions🐕🐈 All
- Clean pet crate/carrier🐕🐈 All
- Wash throw pillows and blankets🐕🐈 All
- Clean air vents and returns🐕🐈 All
- Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, wait, vacuum🐕🐈 All
- Deep clean dog bed (full wash with insert)🐕 Dogs
Quarterly Tasks
- Steam clean carpets and upholstery🐕🐈 All
- Replace HVAC filters🐕🐈 All
- Wash curtains and drapes🐕🐈 All
- Clean under and behind heavy furniture🐕🐈 All
- Check for hidden stains with black light🐕🐈 All
- Replace litter box (yearly—check at Q1)🐈 Cats
More pets = more frequent cleaning. With 2+ dogs or cats, bump weekly tasks to twice weekly, and consider professional cleaning monthly to keep up with hair and odor.
Adjust for Your Pet
- Heavy shedders: Vacuum 2-3x weekly, brush pet daily during shedding season
- Senior pets: More frequent accident checks, enzymatic cleaner always ready
- Puppies/kittens: More daily cleaning during training phase
- Long-haired breeds: Daily brushing, weekly mat/furniture hair removal
- Outdoor dogs: Entry station essential, more frequent floor cleaning
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean if I have pets?
Daily tasks (10-15 min) include scooping litter, washing bowls, and quick floor sweeps. Weekly tasks (30-45 min) include vacuuming all floors and upholstery, mopping, and washing pet bedding. Monthly tasks include deep cleaning litter boxes and vacuuming under furniture. Quarterly tasks include steam cleaning and replacing HVAC filters.
What daily cleaning should pet owners do?
Daily pet cleaning tasks include: scoop litter box, pick up yard waste, wipe pet paws after walks, wash food and water bowls, quick sweep in pet areas, wipe up accidents immediately, and shake out pet beds. This takes about 10-15 minutes total.
How often should I vacuum with pets?
With one pet, vacuum all floors and upholstery weekly. With multiple pets or heavy shedders, vacuum 2-3 times per week. High-traffic pet areas may need daily attention. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and pet hair attachments for best results.
How often should I wash my pet's bed?
Wash removable pet bed covers every 1-2 weeks. Do a full wash including the insert or stuffing monthly. Vacuum or shake out pet beds daily to remove loose hair. Wash immediately after accidents, illness, or flea treatment.
How often should I replace HVAC filters with pets?
Replace HVAC filters every 2-3 months with pets (vs. 3-4 months without). Pet hair and dander clog filters faster. Use filters rated MERV 8-11 for pet households. This improves air quality and reduces allergens throughout your home.
Related Guides
Let Us Handle the Deep Cleans
Keep up with daily and weekly tasks yourself—let us handle the monthly and quarterly deep cleans. Our pet-friendly service uses safe products and knows where pet odors hide.
Serving: Syosset · Woodbury · Jericho · Plainview and 40+ more · View all areas