The Pet Owner’s Semi-Annual Guide to Home Maintenance

Everyone has their own home upkeep routine, especially those of us with pets. There may be some spots in your home, however, that can be attended to less frequently. Assigning these tasks to a semi-annual list can help keep every part of your home running smoothly—something every pet owner loves!

A 5-Step Checklist

1. Erase Pet Messes From Carpets and Furniture With the activity of daily life, we don’t always notice the places where hair, dirt and debris build up. Vacuuming pet fur from your floors helps with the what you can see, but deep cleaning your carpets with a Pawsitively Clean® by BISSELL® Carpet Cleaning Rental Machine gets rid of trapped-in dirt and dander. Additionally, the Pet Stain Eraser® hand tool can be used to spot clean tough pet messes on upholstery.
2. Free Your Dryer From Fur and Debris It’s almost inevitable that your pet’s hair will end up in your dryer, along with other lint and debris from your family’s clothes. So, it’s important to add this appliance to your semi-annual checklist by vacuuming out the vent. Then, remove the dryer hose and vacuum inside where the debris collects.
3. Freshen Sleeping Areas Beds are a favored lounging spot for dogs and cats, but we often don’t think about cleaning the mattress underneath the blankets and sheets. Vacuuming away fur and dander buildup every six months can help everyone rest easier.
4. Get a Clearer View From changing weather to sticky handprints to your pup’s nose smudges, your windows can get a little clouded. A spray cleaner formulated for glass, along with paper towels, will do the trick on the panes, while you can use a soft cloth and appropriate product to dust the frames. You may also want to wait for a sunny day to do this chore so you don’t miss a spot!
5. Test Your Batteries Checking the batteries every six months in any appliances that need them—like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and flashlights—ensures they’re in working order. You should also have extra batteries of every size you need on hand as well.

Pet owners appreciate the importance of having an orderly home. Adding these semi-annual tasks to your overall maintenance list will help your home be even more enjoyable.