Keeping a home clean is one of the biggest challenges that many people face. As you tidy up your home for you and your family, don’t forget about your four-legged friends! Getting your house in order is the perfect time to declutter, clean and organize your pet’s belongings as well. Just make sure to keep these to-do’s in mind as you make your cleaning checklist.

Check Your Pet’s Collar, Collar Tags and Leash

As your pet grows and spends more time outdoors, make sure you check for damaged leashes and collars. If either look frayed or like they may break, it’s time to invest in new gear. If not, make sure to give collars and leashes a quick wash. Washing these items with pet shampoo can help get rid of underlying bacteria and dirt. Make sure you also check your pet’s collar tags to confirm the information is up to date both on the tags and your HomeAgain^® profile. Once this information is up to date, be sure to keep your HomeAgain number and ID tag information somewhere easily discoverable in the event your pet is lost.

Get Rid of Pet Hair

If you have a pet that sheds, you know how difficult it can be to get rid of hair throughout the house. Try this simple trick to easily remove hair from stubborn places: dampen a rubber glove and run it over hard to clean areas, such as rugs or couches. This technique removes hair that a vacuum may miss.

Wash Your Pet’s Toys

Just like cleaning a child’s toy box, you should also wash your pet’s toy box to keep items sanitary and throw away any that are no longer safe. You can wash plastic toys with unscented soap to remove bacteria and dirt. For plush or cloth toys, simply throw them in the washer for a quick cleaning.

Spruce up your Outdoor Space

It’s just as important to keep your yard or outdoor space tidy as it is to keep your home clean. If you have a backyard, clear up any leaves or trash that may have blown through. Also make sure your yard is clear of any fertilizers or insecticides, which can be toxic if dogs ingest them.

Keep Clear of Pests

As much as we love playing with pets outdoors, no one wants pests, like fleas and ticks, coming into their house! To keep them at bay, talk to your veterinarian about preventative medications and call them immediately if you suspect your pet has fleas or was bitten by a tick.

Tidying up a home can take a lot of time and effort, but the end result is worth it. Just remember, if you’re going in and out of your home during the cleaning process, keep an eye on your pet so they don’t slip out the door with you. If a furry friend does escape, make sure you notify HomeAgain as soon as possible for help reuniting with your pet.