Cleaning a Home with Dogs: Pet Hair, Crates and Dust
By Extol Cleaning, owner Tamiris Kempner · Updated
Cleaning a house with dogs works best as a routine: remove hair before it spreads, dust high to low, clean floors last, and wash the crate, bed and bowls on a schedule.
Why does a house with dogs get dirty so fast?
A house with dogs gets dirty fast because dogs shed hair and dander every day, carry dirt and water in on their paws, and move around the whole home. Hair floats and settles with dust, so it collects in corners, under furniture and along baseboards long before you notice it.
Most of what a dog leaves behind is light. Hair and dander ride the air when the dog shakes, plays or runs past, then land on the first flat surface they find.
The second source is the floor. Paws bring in sand, mud, salt from winter sidewalks and wet leaves. Without a mat and a quick wipe at the door, that grit spreads from the entrance to the kitchen and the bedrooms.
The third source is the dog's own space: the crate, the bed, the bowls and the toys. These items hold hair, drool, food and odor, and they rarely get cleaned as often as the rest of the house.
Pet hair and dust travel together. A home with dogs needs dusting and floor care more often than a home without pets.
Where do pet hair and dust collect the most?
Pet hair and dust collect where air slows down and where cleaning tools rarely reach: baseboards, under beds and sofas, behind doors, on stair edges, in corners and around the dog's sleeping spot. Upholstery, rugs and vent covers trap hair too, so they need their own attention.
Check these spots when you clean:
- Baseboards and the corners where two walls meet the floor
- Under and behind the sofa, beds and dressers
- Stair treads and the edges of each step
- Door frames and the bottom edge of doors
- Air vent covers and returns
- Upholstered chairs, cushions and throw blankets
- Area rugs, especially the fringe and the underside
- The floor around the crate, bed and food bowls
Hannah C., who has two dogs, described exactly this problem in her review of Extol Cleaning:
"Thamy and her team did an amazing job! We have 2 dogs and lots of areas that easily collect dust in our house. She did such an efficient job the house was sparkling afterwards! We’ll be working with Thamy again in the future." Hannah C., October 2024
How do you clean a dog crate properly?
To clean a dog crate, take everything out, shake the bedding outside, vacuum the loose hair, then wash the tray and the bars with warm water and a mild cleaner that is safe around pets. Rinse well, dry completely and put fresh bedding back before the dog uses it again.
A crate holds more hair and odor than any other spot in the house. A simple routine keeps it fresh:
- Remove the bedding, toys and water bowl.
- Shake or vacuum the bedding, then wash it according to its label.
- Vacuum the tray and the corners of the crate.
- Wipe the tray, bars and door with warm water and a mild, pet-safe cleaner.
- Rinse off any product, since dogs lick their space.
- Dry everything fully to avoid odor and mildew.
- Clean the floor under and around the crate before you put it back.
Carmen H. mentioned crate cleaning in her review:
"Tamires and her team are absolutely wonderful! They started doing regular, biweekly cleanings at our house earlier this year and it has made a huge difference. Tamires is so kind and helpful and she and her team always leave the house gorgeous and feeling so fresh. They go above and beyond on the little details (such as cleaning inside our dog’s crate, putting away dishes, etc.). I would highly recommend their services to anyone in need of a cleaner and more livable / guest-ready home!" Carmen H., August 2025
What is a good cleaning routine for a home with dogs?
A good routine splits the work into daily, weekly and monthly tasks. Daily, pick up hair in the busiest rooms and wipe paws at the door. Weekly, dust, vacuum, mop and wash the dog's bowls and bedding. Monthly, reach the baseboards, vents, under furniture and the inside of the crate.
| How often | Task |
|---|---|
| Daily | Wipe paws at the entrance, quick pass on the floor where the dog sleeps, wash food and water bowls |
| Weekly | Dust high to low, vacuum rugs and upholstery, mop hard floors, wash dog bedding and blankets |
| Every two weeks | Clean the crate tray and bars, wipe door frames and low walls where the dog rubs |
| Monthly | Baseboards, vent covers, under beds and sofas, behind doors, rug undersides |
Work from top to bottom. Hair and dust fall as you clean, so dusting shelves after you vacuum just puts dirt back on a clean floor. Floors always come last.
Is it safe to have a cleaning team come when the dog is home?
Yes, a cleaning team can work with the dog at home, as long as you share what they need to know: whether the dog is friendly with visitors, where it should stay, and any doors or gates that must stay closed. Some owners crate the dog or keep it in one room during the visit.
Extol Cleaning welcomes dogs and cats. Tamiris Kempner, the owner, cares about the animals in the homes her team cleans, and clients with dogs mention it. Cameron Y. wrote:
"I highly recommend Extol Cleaning. Tamaris is professional and extremely experienced. I trust her, and they always clean my house beyond my expectations. Also, they like dogs which is a bonus for us!" Cameron Y., October 2025
Extol Cleaning brings all its own supplies and offers an eco-friendly option if you prefer it around your pets. If you want to talk through your home and your dogs before booking, Call (781) 528-7227Text us
How often should a house with dogs be professionally cleaned?
A house with one or more dogs usually stays under control with a professional cleaning every one or two weeks, with quick daily pickups between visits. Homes with several dogs, heavy shedders or light-colored floors often do best on a weekly schedule. Monthly visits work when the household keeps up with daily tasks.
The right frequency depends on a few things:
- Number of dogs and their coat. Double-coated breeds shed far more than short-haired dogs.
- Season. Spring and fall shedding can double the hair in the house.
- Floors. Dark wood and light carpet both show hair quickly.
- Your time. If daily pickups do not happen, the gap between visits should be shorter.
Extol Cleaning offers recurring cleaning weekly, biweekly or monthly. Recurring visits keep up the baseboards, where dog hair builds up, and interior windows are spot-cleaned.
How Extol Cleaning handles recurring cleaning for homes with dogs
A recurring visit keeps a house with dogs from falling behind, because hair and dust are removed before they build up in corners and under furniture. Extol Cleaning is a women-owned, insured company based in Malden, MA, serving Greater Boston, the North Shore and Salem, NH. Tamiris Kempner has cleaned homes since 2019 and opened Extol Cleaning in 2023.
What to know about recurring visits:
- Weekly, biweekly or monthly, Monday to Friday, 7am to 10pm
- Book at least 24 hours ahead
- You do not need to be home: a key or a door code works
- The team brings all supplies, with an eco-friendly option
- If something was missed, tell the team within 24 hours and they come back to re-clean it at no cost
- Service in English and Portuguese
If you want this done for you, see recurring house cleaning for homes with pets. To set up a schedule for your home, Call (781) 528-7227Text us
Frequently asked questions
Does Extol Cleaning clean homes with dogs and cats?
Yes. Extol Cleaning welcomes dogs and cats in the homes it cleans. Let the team know before the first visit how many pets you have, where they will stay and whether any of them is nervous around new people or vacuums. Clients with dogs mention it in their reviews, which matters when your pets are part of the household.
Do I need to be home with my dog during the cleaning?
No. Many clients are not home during the visit and leave a key or a door code. If your dog stays in the house, tell the team where it will be and which doors or gates must stay closed. Some owners prefer to crate the dog or keep it in one room. Share whatever routine makes your dog most comfortable.
What is the best way to get dog hair off a sofa?
Start with a vacuum and an upholstery attachment, working in one direction. Then run a slightly damp rubber glove or a lint roller over the fabric to lift the hair the vacuum left behind. Wash removable covers and throw blankets according to their labels. A washable blanket on the dog's favorite spot cuts down the hair that reaches the fabric.
How often should I wash my dog's bed and crate bedding?
Washing dog bedding once a week keeps hair and odor under control in most homes. Heavy shedders, puppies and dogs that go outside in wet or muddy weather may need it more often. Vacuum the bed between washes, and let it dry fully before your dog uses it again, since damp fabric holds odor.
Can the cleaning team use products that are safe around pets?
Extol Cleaning brings all its own supplies and has an eco-friendly option you can request. As general advice, rinse any product off surfaces your dog licks, such as the crate tray and bowls. If there is a specific product you do not want used around your pets, mention it when you schedule so the team knows before the visit.
What happens if pet hair is still left somewhere after a cleaning?
Tell Extol Cleaning within 24 hours of the visit. The team will come back and re-clean that area at no cost. Pointing out the exact spot, such as under a bed or along a stair, helps the team find it quickly.
Extol Cleaning, owner Tamiris Kempner. Updated October 27, 2026.
