End of Tenancy Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners

End of Tenancy Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners

As a professional cleaner and a proud owner of a golden retriever and a British Shorthair, I know how much joy pets bring to a home and how they become a part of your family that you just can't ignore. I also understand the unique challenges that come with cleaning up after them though both on a daily basis and then especially when it’s time to move out.

The end of tenancy cleaning process can be nerve-wracking for pet owners, as landlords and letting agents are often on the lookout for any signs of pets so they can justify a charging you for cleaning out of your security deposit Don't you worry though, if you're reading these lines, you're already at the right place and on the path to learning how to avoid this from happening! With the right approach, you can leave your flat spotless, ensuring your furry friends don’t affect your deposit return. Here’s everything you need to know about preparing for an inspection when you have pets, the dos and donts and a few insider tips from the industry itself.

1. Start with Pet Hair: Tackling Fur on Furniture and Carpets

Pet hair is probably one of the most common issues for pet owners, and it’s one of the first things a letting agent might notice. Whether it’s my golden retriever’s golden fur or my British Blue’s sleek grey hairs, they have a way of embedding themselves into every fabric surface. If you have a dog with hard pointy hair like a Beagle for example, they are are like little needles that would stick inside anything, sometimes even leather sofas.

What to Do:

• Use a lint roller: This is your best friend when it comes to removing pet hair from sofas, cushions, and curtains. Roll over every fabric surface, paying close attention to corners and crevices where hair tends to collect. If you are able to find a multi-use lint roller that has the option to replace the sticky side, that's you're golden.

• Vacuum thoroughly: Invest in a vacuum cleaner with a pet hair attachment, you know that rubbery stuff. Although an iRobot or it's competitors work and there are specific ones for pet owners, they aren't going to do the trick all by themselves. Get a Dyson vacuum cleaner if you've got the money, it'll help you with your day to day cleaning and if it has a pet hair addapter the better. It's worth its weight in gold, trust me on that. That's not a paid advertising either, I truly believe there's no other option on the market that will do as much for cleaning after your pets after a Dyson vacuum. The LED light bar also helps find each and every little hair. Go over carpets multiple times, and don’t forget the areas underneath and behind furniture. In my experience, even after regular vacuuming, pet hair can remain embedded deep in the carpet fibers. A powerful vacuum with a rotating brush head is a must. Here's their pet vacuum current model for 2024 and 2025 .

• Steam clean: For carpets that have seen a lot of pet traffic, steam cleaning can help lift out hair and freshen up the fibers. Not only does this remove fur, but it also eliminates odors, which is just as crucial. In most cases the odor is the giveaway and the hair is less likely to make an impression during the checkout report. You will most likely have carpets that match the hair of your pet anyway, so the odor is definitely going to be the more prominent thing. Even if it's not as noticeable to you, it'll surely be noticeable to someone that doesn't live with pets.

2. Dealing with Odors: How to Neutralize Pet Smells

As much as we love our pets, they can sometimes leave behind unpleasant odors. Most owners are used to them, but other people aren't and a lot of them feel like the odors are very unpleasant believe it or not. Letting agents and landlords are quick to pick up on these smells, as they can indicate that a pet lived in the property. If you didn't have the pet in the original tenancy agreement, there's no need to read on, as you're already screwed and can expect a deduction regardless of the property condition when you leave it. Still, there are some golden nuggets below that might help plead your case. I’ve had to address this issue countless times when tenants thought their property was clean, only to have lingering odors flagged during inspections.

What to Do:

• Use a baking soda solution: Sprinkle baking soda over carpets and upholstery, then vacuum it up after a few hours. Baking soda is excellent at absorbing odors. I've personally used that method quite a few times, especially when my dog was a pup and wasn't properly trained yet.

• Vinegar and water spray: Mix equal parts vinegar and water to create a natural deodorizer for hard floors and fabric surfaces. Don’t worry—the vinegar smell disappears as it dries, taking pet odors with it. Combine that with the baking soda solution and you've got a winner.

• Wash pet bedding: If your pet’s bedding has been inside the flat, make sure to wash it thoroughly or remove it before the final clean. It’s surprising how much odor can cling to their blankets and beds, but honestly if you remove it entirely from your house is the safest bet you can make.

3. Cleaning Up Pet Accidents Top Stain Removal Techniques

Even the best-trained pets can have accidents, and stains are another red flag during inspections. I’ve seen tenants lose large portions of their deposit because of pet stains they thought were gone but reappeared once the carpet dried. It’s essential to treat these spots correctly from the start. In some instances you might be unable to take care of the pet stains to be quite frank and a professional carpet steam cleaning or shampoing might be required to ensure the stains are truly out.

What to Do:

• Blot, don’t rub: If the accident is fresh, blot it with a clean cloth to absorb as much as possible. Avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain deeper into the carpet fibers. That's a general suggestion for all types of stains of course, but it's especially important when it comes to pet stains, as they are usually very "pungeant".

• Enzymatic cleaners: These are lifesavers when it comes to removing pet stains. They break down the organic compounds in urine and other messes, eliminating the smell and the stain. Make sure you choose a pet-safe product and follow the instructions. The safety of your pet should always be your priority so the use of pet safe products should be your top on your list whenever you choose your cleaning detergents. A toxic chemical might mean the difference between life and death for your pet. If you book a professional carpet cleaning or upholstery cleaning for your home, it's crucial to ensure the cleaners are aware they are going to clean a pet friendly household and should come prepared for treating your furniture with the proper pet-friendly products.

• Professional carpet cleaning: If you’ve had multiple pet accidents, it might be worth investing in professional carpet cleaning. This not only helps with deep-set stains but also refreshes the entire carpet, ensuring nothing gets flagged during the inspection. Again, a professional carpet cleaning could cost as little as 100 pounds and it could save you an amount in excess of 300 pounds (depending on your property size) when you move out.

4. Scratches and Claw Marks: Repairing Pet Damage

If you have a cat like my British Blue, you’re probably familiar with claw marks. Cats love scratching furniture and even if they have their own toys, they might get that urge to scratch on something which is normally off limits, especially if they get separation anxiety or are just frustrated with you. Dogs can sometimes scuff floors or doors, chair legs, you name it. Unfortunately, letting agents are quick to spot these signs, as they’re clear indicators of pet damage. That's definitely out of the scope of general wear and tear and can result in a deduction from your deposit again.

What to Do:

• Use furniture repair kits: Small scratches on wooden surfaces can be fixed with repair kits that include wax sticks and markers matching different wood tones. These are perfect for covering up minor scuffs and scratches on doors, skirting boards, and furniture.

• Fill in claw marks on walls: If your cat has scratched walls or skirting boards, use a little spackle or filler to smooth over the area. Once dry, touch it up with matching paint to blend the repair seamlessly with the surrounding area. Although that might sound like gaming the system or lying to your landlord, if there's no harm - there's no foul either.

• Carpet patching: For deeper carpet damage, you might need to patch small sections. If you have a remnant of the carpet, cut a piece to fit and replace the damaged area. This is a more advanced fix, but it can save you a lot of trouble with deposit deductions. There are multiple videos on YouTube which you can watch on how to do that. Nowadays there are plenty of TikTok influencers even in the cleaning industry. Go watch a short video and you'll easily get the process memorized.

5. Freshening Up Floors and Walls

Floors and walls take the brunt of pet activity, from muddy paw prints to claw marks and fur buildup. During an inspection, landlords often check for damage or signs of wear and tear that go beyond the usual ‘fair wear.’

What to Do:

• Mop hard floors: If you have hardwood or laminate flooring, use a pet-friendly cleaner to mop thoroughly. Pay attention to edges and corners where pet hair and dirt can accumulate. The Dyson Vacuum cleaner is your best friend here again. It's LED lights will show you each and every single pet hair. As long as you're thorough and aren't lazy with it, you should be safe.

• Touch up walls: High traffic areas like hallways can get scuffed by pets, and walls near your pet’s bed or litter box might show signs of dirt or oil. Wipe down the walls with a mild cleaner and, if needed, use a bit of matching paint to cover any marks. I just watched this video the other day of a Golden like mine, which was laying on a certain step on a flight of stairs. It was basically it's favorite spot in the house. The dog had basically left a spot, where no paint was left from being worn out. Golden Retrievers are soft, generally speaking and it was impressive what the dog had managed to achieve. If you live in an apartment for less than 3 years, you should be safe from this, but still, it's good to keep in mind what time could cause.

6. Real-Life Example: What Happens When You Don’t Go the Extra Mile

I once cleaned a flat for a tenant who had two dogs and a cat. The tenant did their best—they vacuumed, mopped, and even cleaned the carpets. However, when I arrived for the final check, I noticed they hadn’t moved the sofa, where a lot of fur had accumulated underneath. They also missed cleaning behind the washing machine, where pet hair had built up over the years. It was like these Wild West movies where tumbleweeds cross the street, but instead of tumbleweeds it was dog hair and the streets were tiles. Despite their efforts, the letting agent deducted part of their deposit because these areas hadn’t been addressed and could you blame them.

This example should highlight the importance of going beyond surface cleaning and this is the point I've been trying to get accross during this whole post. When you have pets, you need to be thorough and check all those hidden spots that might harbor hair, dirt, or odors.

7. Final Tips: How to Make Sure Your End of Tenancy Clean Passes Inspection

• Inspect every corner: Move furniture and check areas where your pets like to sleep or play. Ensure these spaces are free from hair, dirt, and odors.

• Use professional services when necessary: For carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning, it’s often worth hiring a professional service to make sure everything is deep-cleaned and odor-free.

• Document your efforts: Take photos after you’ve finished cleaning, especially in areas where your pets spent the most time. This documentation can be useful if you need to dispute any claims about the property’s cleanliness. We have covered the topic of mistakes tenants make when their tenancy ends.
  You might want to refer to it to see other things you might be forgetting or that you could do to improve your chances of getting through the move out process with your security deposit intact.

Pet Owners Usually Get Deductions (that's a fact)

As a pet owner myself, I understand the challenges and the extra work involved in preparing a flat for inspection. But with the right approach, you can ensure your pet’s presence doesn’t cost you your deposit. The key is to be thorough, use the right products, and, when needed, bring in professional help. Your pets may be a part of your home, but that doesn’t mean their presence has to be obvious when it’s time for your flat to be inspected. Don't get down if you do get a deduction. Think about the great times and the love your pets have given you and you will quickly forget about it. Generally thinking about the bright side of thinks is a good life advice I tend to recommend to anyone.