This is a question we get all the time from pet owners: “What should I do with my pets when you come to clean my house?”

Our answer: At Buckets & Bows Maid Service, we love pets and our cleaners look forward to seeing our clients’ pets every week. If your pets don’t like strangers or are likely to be stressed, you may want to keep them somewhere secure and out of the way on cleaning day. Otherwise, feel free to let them roam about your house as they normally would. If you are particularly concerned about your pets, let us know; we can come by before our cleaning and get familiar with your pets and vice versa. Please note that you can expect the cleaners to require more time cleaning your home if you have pets so that they can do a thorough job removing pet hair.

When you’re working with a cleaning service besides Buckets & Bows Maid Service, ask them up front how they work with pets. Generally, they will want to know how many and what kind of pets you have. They may have specific instructions about what to do with your pets when they come to clean, so be sure you know exactly what to expect.

Some other things to keep in mind:

  • Be sure your cleaning service has your cell phone number in case of an emergency with your pet. You can also leave your veterinarian’s contact information or details for local animal services in case the cleaners can’t reach you.
  • Consider leaving your pets in the guest room or a lesser-used room in your home that can go without a cleaning every time. Secure your pets in their kennel if they use one. If the weather is right, keep your pets outside in a safe, shady, fenced-in spot while your cleaners are working inside. Just be sure there is access to food and water so your pets are comfortable.
  • Your cleaning service is not responsible for your pets. But if you leave your pets secured in a room or outside, most services will let them out of the room or back inside if you leave explicit instructions. Discuss this ahead of time with the management of your cleaning company.