7 spring cleaning secrets every pet owner should know – pros reveal how to neutralize extra spring odors and banish seasonal pet dirt on floors, furniture and more

It's that time of year when dodging sudden spring showers on dog walks and clearing up messes left by adventurous outdoor cats become a persistent problem. That's why knowing these seven spring cleaning secrets specifically for pet owners will help you keep one step ahead of the additional seasonal mess.

Besides muddy paw prints, there's excess seasonal shedding to tackle and more, so skip the juggle to keep your home immaculate and give these pet-specific spring cleaning tips from professional cleaners a go. It'll minimize the mess at this busy time of year.

1. Get rid of fur with ease

During early spring our pets start to molt with a vengeance, and depending on the climate you live in and the pet breed, this can range from minimal hair loss to rather a lot!

Removing pet hair from fabrics and upholstery can feel like a full time job in spring. Elizabeth Shields, operations manager of Super Cleaning Service Louisville says, 'Spring shedding can get out of control. Brushing your pet outside helps, but somehow, their hair still ends up in your coffee, on your clothes, and floating through the air like tumbleweed. You can follow that up by wiping them with a damp microfiber cloth to pick up any remaining loose hairs.'

I love the Maxpower Planet original pet grooming rake from Amazon, it's a double sided de-shedding and de-matting tool that can be used on both dogs and cats. It's a popular choice with over 74,000 ratings.

'As for your vacuum,' continues Elizabeth, 'Get one with strong suction and a brush roll that won’t get tangled. Fur loves to get trapped in fibers, so go in different directions to help pull it all up. For your clothes, use a lint roller. When I’m out of rollers, I just use tape!'

Hoover's PowerDash pet compact carpet cleaner, FH50710CN, from Walmart is a good model to check out, it's lightweight which is always a bonus and has a PowerSpin pet brush roll that offers antimicrobial protection. It's key to vacuuming pet hair the right way, getting up as much as possible in a few passes.

A fur scraper, available from Walmart and favored by Head of Solved and cat owner Punteha van Terheyden is also perfect for lifting pet hair from carpets.

2. How to tackle paw prints

You know the dreaded moment. You walk through the front door and not only does your dog have muddy paws, but they decide to shake just when they've walked in.

Preparation is key with this issue, and it's good to have a supply checklist if you're a pet owner, there are several options from our expert Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid . She advises trimming the fur around your pet’s paw pads to prevent mud from clumping, then getting prepped before you leave the house.

Marla says, 'Set up a shallow container of warm water and a towel by the door. When you return, dip each paw in the water, gently swish, and dry with the towel. For quick clean-ups, pet wipes are a great option to have on hand (Walmart's Earth Rated unscented dog grooming wipes are perfect for muddy faces and paws).

If you do get mud on your floor keep a microfiber mop – the Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 dry and wet mop from Target is a great option or have a pet-safe floor cleaner handy (try Aunt Fannie's vinegar wash and multi-surface floor cleaner from Amazon) for quick cleanups.'

Elizabeth advises picking washable floor rugs. She says, 'These are easier to clean up so strategically place them where your pet likes to walk. But, let’s face it. Even with the best prevention, some mud is still going to get in. When that happens, let it dry, then vacuum up the loose dirt first before using a damp mop or cloth to prevent smearing.'

3. Neutralizing wet dog smell

There's nothing quite as distinct as the wet pet smell, is there? I asked cleaning experts how to get rid of dog odor, especially in spring when sudden April showers are plentiful.

'April showers may bring May flowers, but they also bring damp dogs and lingering odors,' says Marla. 'If your pet gets wet and transfers that unmistakable smell onto furniture, baking soda works wonders as a natural deodorizer. Simply sprinkle it over upholstery, let it sit for 15–20 minutes, then vacuum it up. A light mist of equal parts white vinegar and water can also help neutralize odors – just be sure to test a small area first to ensure it’s safe for your fabric.'

We often praise the greatness of white vinegar and baking soda when it comes to cleaning, and both are complete pet friendly too. Our top buys are both from Target – Good & Gather's white distilled vinegar, you can use it for cooking too, and the Arm & Hammer pure baking soda, highly rated and very affordable.

4. Deep cleaning pet beds

If your pet sleeps in its bed and not in yours, firstly, congratulations – it's rarer than you think! But it's all the more important to give it a deep clean at this time of year.

'Your pet’s favorite sleeping spot can hold onto dirt and odors,' says Marla. 'Use the furniture attachment to vacuum any hair and dirt off of your dog’s bed often. For a thorough clean, remove and wash the fabric cover in hot water and launder as normal. Adding a cup of baking soda to the wash helps neutralize the dog smell. Make sure the bed is fully dry before letting your pet use it again to prevent mildew.'

Not only is it good to do this from a cleanliness point of view, but it's also vital to know how to wash dog beds (and cat beds) in spring to help with other 'friends' your pet may have brought in.

Dr. Jacqueline Brister, veterinary consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance explains, 'Regularly washing bedding helps reduce the risk of parasite infestations such as fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, and infections. It also provides a more comfortable place to rest and relax.

'Adult fleas can live up to two weeks, and adult ticks can live quite a bit longer. Certain bacteria, other parasites, and viruses can live in the environment for a while too. It's worth cleaning bedding at least once every couple of weeks, sooner if the bedding is visibly dirty.'

Look for an easy-clean pet bed, we like Amazon's KSIIA deluxe plush washable dog bed, it can be used in a crate or on its own. And for cats and small dogs, the 20" cat bed for indoor cats, also from Amazon, can be thrown straight into a washing machine when mucky.

5. Cleaning their bowls

This may seem a little random, but when the weather starts to warm up bacteria and germs can increase and they can easily collect in your pets bowls. Your pet can get skin irritations and stomach disorders as E coli and Salmonella can form in them.

'Just like you clean your dishes to remove spoiled food and bacteria, you should do the same for your pets,' says Dr. Liza Cahn, veterinary consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance. 'Most of us probably don’t clean our pets’ bowls as often as we should. It is recommended to clean water bowls and dry food bowls daily, while bowls used to serve wet food should be cleaned after each use. Also, don’t forget to clean the scoop that you use to serve your pets.'

Use hot soapy water with a dish soap that's pet friendly – Puracy natural plant-based dish soap from Amazon has 4.6/5 stars, clean with a separate cloth and dry properly before its next use.

6. Regular bathing

Easier with dogs of course but according to Dr. Jacqueline regularly bathing your pet helps cut down on soiled bedding and shedding hair. 'If your pet gets muddy on a walk or in the yard, wash and dry them off before letting them snuggle up in their bed, she says.

However, some dogs don't like being bathed and it can cause issues. Marla explains, 'While regular baths might seem like the best way to keep your pet clean, too much washing can dry out their skin, leading to itchiness and flakiness. Instead, try a gentle wipe-down using a towel dampened with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, then dry thoroughly.

'To keep their coat smelling fresh, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda, rub it in, and let it sit for a minute before brushing it out. This method helps neutralize odors and remove dirt without stripping natural oils from your pet’s skin.'

If your pet loves a bath, I recommend Kindfull's magnolia bergamot dog shampoo and conditioner, it's cruelty free, hypoallergenic and formulated from plant-derived ingredients.

Walmart has an ingenious cat grooming mesh bath bag if yours loves to get clean, and you can also use it if you need to trim their nails but they hate it and wriggle around.

7. Clean collars, leads and toys

We mustn't forget your pets accessories in spring as they need a refresh too. 'Springtime adventures mean collars and leashes can get dirty fast. To clean them, soak in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes, gently scrub, rinse well, and let them air dry completely before putting them back on your pet,' explains Marla.

And don't forget their favorite toys too, Marla adds, 'Just like human belongings, pet toys need a seasonal refresh. Plastic and rubber toys can be washed with warm, soapy water or placed in the dishwasher on the top rack without detergent. Soft toys and tennis balls can go in a mesh laundry bag and be washed in the washing machine, then air-dried.'

It's one of the unexpected items you can clean in the dishwasher.

Target's mesh laundry bags in grey are highly rated, you could also use them for washing any blankets your pets like to sleep on as well as toys, every extra bit you can wash will help to reduce pet dander.

Meet our experts

Marla Mock

Marla joined Neighbourly in 2012 as franchise consultant and was quickly named vice president of operations for Rainbow Restoration and then vice president of operations for Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning before transitioning to Molly Maid where she was named president in 2023. She is responsible for the overall leadership and growth of Molly Maid throughout the US.

Veterinary consultant at Embrace Pet Insurance

Veterinary consultant at Embrace Pet Insurance

Dr. Jacqueline Brister is a small animal veterinarian and veterinary medical writer dedicated to promoting pet health and wellness.

She began writing about pet health in 2010 while working as an emergency clinician, creating resources to help pet owners prevent common emergencies. Since then, she has worked at multiple veterinary clinics across the South and continued writing for both pet owners and clinicians.

Dr Liza Cahn

Dr. Liza Cahn is a veterinarian who graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). She has five years of experience working as a veterinarian in small animal practice in Washington and California. She loves working with dogs and cats and educating owners on all aspects of veterinary medicine, especially animal behavior and dermatology.

Our expert cleaning secrets for pet owners will help keep your home as clean as possible during the seasonal shift to spring. Prevention is always the best option, so putting a cleaning plan in place to minimize the extra fur, muddy paws and wet dog smell will help to keep a clean home when you have pets.