Offering a pet-friendly Airbnb can boost your bookings—but it also means more to clean. Pet hair, odours, scratches, and hidden surprises can turn off your next guests if you’re not thorough.
Gold Coast hosts welcoming dogs or cats need to be extra careful with post-checkout cleaning. Here’s a clear guide on what to clean after a pet guest has stayed—without leaving anything behind.
Why Pet-Friendly Airbnbs Need Extra Care
Even well-behaved pets shed fur, bring in outdoor dirt, and may leave odours behind. If the next guest is allergic or sensitive to smells, a basic clean won’t be enough.
Common issues after pets:
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Pet hair on couches, rugs, and linen
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Odours in fabric furniture or carpets
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Scratches on surfaces or doors
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Paw prints on floors and windows
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Accidents on rugs or decking
The good news? With the right checklist, you can reset your property quickly and properly—especially with help from a reliable AirBnB Cleaning Gold Coast service like Mi Casa.
1. Start With Visible Hair Removal
Hair is often left on:
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Couches
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Cushions
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Throws and rugs
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Curtains
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Under beds
Use:
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Lint rollers
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Rubber squeegees on fabric
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Vacuum with upholstery attachments
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Damp rubber gloves to lift fine hair
2. Vacuum and Mop Every Floor Surface
Pet hair collects along baseboards and in corners. Pet dander can also linger.
Checklist:
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Vacuum all carpet, tiles, and timber floors
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Use a HEPA filter vacuum if possible
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Mop hard floors with pet-safe disinfectant
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Move furniture to clean under and behind
3. Clean All Soft Furnishings
That includes:
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Couch cushions and throws
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Curtains or blinds
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Rugs
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Floor mats
Spray and wipe soft furnishings or deodorise using fabric-safe sprays. Steam cleaning may be required after heavy use or long pet stays.
4. Wash Linen and Towels on Hot Cycle
Even if pets weren’t allowed on beds, fur travels. Wash all linen and towels used in hot water with odour-neutralising detergent.
If pets slept on specific throws or blankets, wash them separately and air-dry if possible.
5. Check and Clean Hidden Spots
Don’t forget:
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Under beds
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Behind curtains
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In wardrobe corners
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Beneath sofa cushions
If an accident happened and wasn’t reported, this is where smells or stains often linger.
6. Remove Pet Odours
Even if it looks clean, smells may stay:
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Use baking soda on rugs or carpet
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Use an odour-neutralising spray—not air freshener
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Air out the room with windows open for at least 30 minutes
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Run an ozone or air purifier machine if needed
Professional cleaners like Mi Casa include odour treatment in our AirBnB Cleaning Gold Coast service when pets have stayed.
7. Check Outdoor Areas for Pet Waste
If your Airbnb has:
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A yard
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Balcony
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Courtyard
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Driveway
Check for:
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Pet droppings
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Scratched furniture
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Damaged garden beds
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Dirt or fur around furniture legs
8. Clean Windows and Glass Doors
Dogs love leaving nose marks and paw prints on glass.
Wipe clean:
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Balcony doors
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Glass doors
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Windows at pet height
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Mirrors if animals were left inside
9. Inspect for Damage or Stains
Look for:
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Chewed or scratched furniture legs
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Marks on skirting or door frames
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Stains or smells in rugs
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Torn curtains
Take photos for your records or in case you need to file a guest damage claim with Airbnb.
Conclusion
Pets can be lovely guests—but they leave behind more than their owners realise. To keep your property guest-ready, every pet stay needs a full refresh of surfaces, soft items, and odour-prone areas.
By using the right tools and process—or working with a team like Mi Casa—you can keep offering a pet-friendly space without risking your reviews.
Our AirBnB Cleaning Gold Coast service helps hosts reset fast, clean deep, and maintain a fresh experience for every booking.
FAQ
Hair and smell. Even clean pets shed, and their scent lingers on fabric and soft surfaces. Odours and fur left behind can lead to guest complaints or allergy issues.
Not always, but you should clean more thoroughly than normal. Vacuum furniture, wash soft items, and check for odours. A proper refresh keeps standards high.
Use a lint roller, damp rubber gloves, or a vacuum with a brush tool. Fabric squeegees and pet hair remover brushes also work well on couches and rugs.
Not necessarily, but pet-safe disinfectants, odour removers, and enzyme cleaners help with smells and accidents. Avoid heavily perfumed sprays that may trigger allergies.
Yes. Airbnb allows hosts to add a pet fee, and some charge an extra cleaning fee for pet stays. Just make sure it’s listed clearly in your rules and fees section.
Open windows, use baking soda on carpets, and spray fabric-safe odour neutralisers. Deep cleaning with steam or enzyme products may be needed for persistent smells.
Take photos, report it to Airbnb via the Resolution Centre, and include evidence. Clean what you can, then file for extra charges if needed to repair or replace items.
Yes. Check for droppings, scratches, dug soil, or shed fur in courtyards, balconies, and entry areas. These are often forgotten but noticed by the next guest.
Yes, if you’re ready for extra cleaning. Pet-friendly listings attract more bookings and loyal guests—but you need a reliable cleaning system to support them.
Yes. Our [AirBnB Cleaning Gold Coast](https://micasacleaning.com.au/airbnb-cleaning-gold-coast) service includes fur removal, deodorising, and full resets after pet stays to ensure the next guest arrives to a fresh space.