When it comes time to tackle your carpet, vacuuming alone just won’t cut it. 

Deep Cleaning is essential for:

• Removing dirt and stains, regular vacuuming alone can’t reach
• Removing dander allergens that get trapped in the deep fibers of your carpet
• Extending your carpet’s life by keeping it looking good longer
• Helping you adhere to carpet warranties

If you have young children moving into a new home, it’s essential to deep clean your carpet to ensure they are not playing or crawling on a dirty carpet full of debris and possibly allergen-dander. You likely don’t know how the people who lived there before cared for their carpet or how often they cleaned it.

Fortunately, tackling dirty carpet with a Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® carpet cleaner is simple. You can have your new carpets cleaned and ready for move-in in just a few hours! See how easy it is to use the machine here. And find a rental location near you here and rent one today.

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1. Remove Hair From Your Couch
   Pets love curling up on the couch as much as you do, which can mean extra fur and dirt. Regularly vacuuming cushions and other parts of your couch, as well as the floor underneath, keeps hair and dirt buildup to a minimum.
2. Clear the Vents
   With all the heating and cooling that goes on in a home, vents are magnets for dirt and pet hair. Vacuuming them out on a regular basis helps keep the air cleaner and your home smelling fresh.
3. Clean Doormats
   Chances are your doormats see a lot of traffic—and dirt and fur—and could use a little attention. Often, rubber mats just need to be cleaned off with a garden hose and put in the sun to dry, while natural-fiber mats might need scrubbing with a stiff-bristle brush and warm water to get rid of ground-in hair. If you have carpeted mats, clean with a carpet spot and stain spray.
4. Bathe Your Washing Machine
   A lot of your home’s fabrics go through your washing machine, and this probably includes the fur and dirt your pet leaves behind. Keep your washing machine clean and clog-free by running it without laundry and wiping up any hair left inside. Also, try putting clothes or blankets in the dryer for about 10 minutes without heat before washing them to loosen and remove pet hair from the laundry’s fibers. Don’t forget to clean your dryer’s lint trap where all that hair collects!
5. Give Your Fans Some Attention
   Fan blades are great for circulating air—and attracting pet hair. To clean standing fans, unplug them and vacuum or use compressed air to remove pet hair from motors and other hard-to-reach places. For ceiling fans, place a pillowcase over the blade to trap hair inside and keep it from spreading.
6. Tackle Pet Stains
   It’s a good bet that your pet’s favorite spots could use a little extra care. Our Urine Eliminator Pre-Treat and Spot Cleaner is perfect for getting rid of any pet stains or odors that have accumulated on carpeting and furniture, leaving your house looking and smelling fresh.
    

Working these fast and easy tips into your regular maintenance routine lets you get back to enjoying life with your four-legged family members sooner—and leaves your house feeling even cleaner!

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1. 1. Vacuum the Couch
   Since it’s one of the most popular seats in the house, your couch most likely collects its fair share of dirt and debris. Regularly removing and vacuuming the cushions, the area underneath and any crevices keeps messes from building up.
    
   2. Put Out the Welcome Mat
   Your doormat is the first defense against incoming dirt and grime. For natural-fiber mats, shake out debris and scrub any remaining dirt using a stiff-bristle brush and warm water. For doormats made of carpet, use a carpet spot cleaner spray to get rid of dirt and other stains.
    
   3. A Dishwasher That Sparkles
   With all of its use, your dishwasher needs a little upkeep now and then. First, remove any food and debris from the drain. Next, place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container in the top rack and run a cycle to help clean away any buildup and odors.
    
   4. The Spin on a Clean Washing Machine
   Another often-used appliance that can usually use a good cleaning is your washing machine. Start by removing any dirt and debris from in and around the machine. Then, wipe down rubber surfaces where mold can accumulate. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for additional cleaning recommendations.
    
   5. Show Your Fans Some Appreciation
   Giving your standing and ceiling fans a good cleaning can help ensure you are circulating the freshest air possible. To clean standing fans, unplug them first and remove the front grill. Then, use a vacuum or damp cloth to clean the blades and the rest of the fan. For ceiling fans, slip a pillowcase over the blades to gather the dust. Compressed air can also be used to clean the motor and force out dirt and debris.

We all have spots in our home that we don’t think about cleaning on a consistent basis. But once you’re aware of them, it’s just as easy to keep them as clean as the rest of your home. And, once you’re done, your house will be even cleaner!

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A 5-Step Checklist

1. Erase Pet Messes From Carpets and Furniture With the activity of daily life, we don’t always notice the places where hair, dirt and debris build up. Vacuuming pet fur from your floors helps with what you can see, but deep cleaning your carpets with a Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® rental carpet cleaner gets rid of trapped-in dirt, hidden pet messes and pet dander.  Additionally, the add-on upholstery tool rental can be used to spot clean tough pet messes on upholstery.
2. Free Your Dryer From Fur and Debris It’s almost inevitable that your pet’s hair will end up in your dryer, along with other lint and debris from your family’s clothes. So, it’s important to add this appliance to your semi-annual checklist by vacuuming out the vent. Then, remove the dryer hose and vacuum inside where the debris collects.
3. Freshen Sleeping Areas Our beds are a favored lounging spot for dogs and cats, but we often don’t think about cleaning the mattress underneath the blankets and sheets. Vacuuming away fur and dander buildup every six months can help everyone rest easier.
4. Get a Clearer View From changing weather to sticky handprints to your pup’s nose smudges, your windows can get a little clouded. A spray cleaner formulated for glass, along with paper towels, will do the trick on the panes, while you can use a soft cloth and appropriate product to dust the frames. You may also want to wait for a sunny day to do this chore so you don’t miss a spot!
5. Test Your Batteries Checking the batteries every six months in any appliances that need them—like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and flashlights—ensures they’re in working order. You should also have extra batteries of every size you need on hand as well.

Pet owners appreciate the importance of having an orderly home. Adding these semi-annual tasks to your overall maintenance list will help your home be even more enjoyable.

Video: Semi-Annual Pet Home Maintenance To-Do’s

Assigning these tasks to a semi-annual list can help keep every part of your home running smoothly—something every pet owner loves!

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6 Steps To A Well-Maintained Home

1. Give Carpets and Furniture a Clean Start We don’t always notice the places where dirt and debris accumulate. Vacuuming your floors frequently helps with what you can see, but deep cleaning your carpets with a Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® rental carpet cleaner gets rid of hidden dirt. Use the add-on upholstery tool rental to spot clean stains from upholstery.
2. Remove Lint (and Other Debris) Where It Hides Since it’s your dryer’s job to collect lint from clothing, it makes sense that dirt and debris would also build up here. So, add this workhorse to your semi-annual checklist by vacuuming out the vent. Then, remove the dryer hose and vacuum inside where the debris collects.
3. Refresh Sleeping Surfaces Mattresses are another item that we often don’t think about cleaning. Vacuuming this surface every six months can extend the life of the mattress.
4. Get a Brighter View After passing through two of the four seasons and daily activity, your windows could probably do with a good cleaning. Use a spray cleaner formulated for glass on the panes themselves and a soft cloth and appropriate product to dust the frames. Also, you may want to clean your windows on a sunny day so you don’t miss a spot!
5. Clear the Air Replacing your old air filter with a new one can make your whole home feel fresher. When you remove the old filter, be sure to notice the direction the arrow is pointing so you position the new one correctly.
6. Be Prepared Lastly, it’s a good idea to check the batteries in any appliances where they are required, like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and flashlights. This way, they’re ready to go when and if you need them.

Adding these semi-annual tasks to your overall maintenance routine will help you keep your home clean, safe and enjoyable for the whole family.

Video: Semi-Annual Home Maintenance To-Do’s

Working these jobs into a semi-annual maintenance regimen ensures nothing is overlooked.

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Quarterly Home Maintenance List for Pet Owner

1. A Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® carpet cleaning rental machine is your solution to removing deep-down dirt and stains. And, if you rent the upholstery tool along with the machine, you can give your area rugs and furniture the same deep-cleaning treatment.
2. Your refrigerator is opened multiple times a day, giving many opportunities for hair, dirt and dander to make their way into and around your fridge. Wiping out the inside with an all-purpose cleaning solution and paper towels will keep the surfaces your food rests on clean. You can also use the hose attachment of your vacuum to take care of any built-up fur and dirt on the outside.
3. Garbage cans can collect hair and debris that gets outside the trash bag. A good wipe down every few months can help keep odor and debris buildup at bay.
4. Your bathroom drains need some attention, especially if it’s where you’re bathing your pet. Remove the cover, clear out any trapped debris and wipe the inside of the drain so water flows down more effortlessly and to prevent odors.
5. Since the air that circulates throughout your house touches everything, the cleaner it is, the better. Particularly as a pet owner it’s important to change your air filters this often. Make sure you notice how the old filter was inserted as you remove it so you can place the new one correctly.
6. Pillows and comforters are favorite lounging spots for the whole family, especially dogs and cats. Be sure these make it into the wash so you can rest easy.

Including these items in your quarterly maintenance list can help your entire home feel clean and fresh!

Video: Quarterly Pet Home Maintenance To-Do’s

There are places where the fur flies and you don’t necessarily notice it. Getting to these places on a quarterly basis is important for the overall upkeep of your home.

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Quarterly Home Maintenance List

1. Having young children and pets means regular vacuuming to remove dirt and debris from carpets. With that much activity on your carpet, it’s important to deep clean as well. Renting a Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® carpet cleaner can help get rid of set-in spills, accidents and other messes deep down in your carpets. You can also choose to rent the accessory tool to use with the machine to give your area rugs a thorough cleaning.
2. The odor from spoiling food is easy to spot and remove from the refrigerator, however it’s easy to miss what that leaves behind. Wiping down the inside—as well as the area around the appliance—with paper towels and an all-purpose cleaner can help keep it fresh.
3. Why wouldn’t we give a quick clean to the place we throw our trash? Take a minute every few months once you’ve taken out your trash to freshen up the inside and outside of the bin, this can help prevent odor and food buildup; using a paper towel and all-purpose cleaner will do the trick!
4. The drains in your sink and shower see a lot. Go ahead and grab some paper towel and all-purpose cleaner. Then remove the cover and any debris and then using the cleaner and paper towel, clean around and just inside the drain.
5. Washing your bedding and pillow inserts can help get rid of any dust and dirt we bring to bed with us!

Including these items in your quarterly maintenance list can help your entire home feel clean and fresh!

Video: Quarterly Home Maintenance To-Do’s

What about those places that you don’t notice as much but are important for the overall upkeep of your home? It’s likely they belong on your quarterly maintenance list.

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Moving is a big part of military life. Many military families move every two to three years, which can be a challenge to families – especially those with kids and pets. Great programs are in place to help support our military families when they move. We have some tips for you too, and some special advice for those with a pet in the family.

Before You Leave Your Current Home

Take charge and start planning as soon as you know where and around when you are moving. You can figure out a timeline, start looking for housing, and then schedule your move. Make to-do lists to help you stay organized before and during the move.

• Talk to your family about the move right away. Kids may be nervous about moving but reassure them that you guys are a team and will still be together. Explain that moving is an adventure and a great way to explore new places and make new friends. Have your kids help you in small ways and talk to them throughout the process to help them understand what is going on.
• Take inventory of what you have and what you are moving. That way, you’ll know exactly what you should be unpacking and if anything is missing. Take pictures of high value items before you pack them.
• Make sure you have a bag of essential items that you keep with you at all times: orders, IDs (driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, passports), official certificates (marriage, birth & death), medical info & medication, housing & insurance information, school & employment records, vehicle documents and precious or unique items.
• Think about finding a sponsor or other contact at your new installation so that you have people to turn to with questions.

Moving with a pet? Here are a few pet-related things you’ll want to take care of before heading out to your new home.

• Take your pet to the veterinarian. Make sure they are healthy and have updated immunizations. This will make traveling with your pets much easier.
• Make sure your pet has identification. Get your pet a tag with their name, your phone number and an emergency contact. Consider microchipping your pet.
• Take pictures of your pet so you have them, in case your pet gets lost during the move.
• Clean your carpets before leaving. Many military housing communities accommodate pets but you want to make sure you get your deposit back after you leave. Don’t let pet stains or odors in the carpet stop that from happening. Rent a Big Green® carpet cleaner at your local Exchange store to get dirt, pet stains, and odors out of the carpet. It’s easy to use and costs less than $40 for 24 hours.

Moving To Another State

If you’ve received new orders and are moving inside CONUS, it’s time to figure out the details of relocation.

• Arrange for moving services, either through the military or through civilian companies. You can choose to use either or both, depending on what your needs are for the move.
• Don’t go shopping before you move! You may want to buy new clothes for a different climate or new furniture for your new house but wait until you get to your new place. You don’t want to move more than you have to.
• Keep a record of all your receipts during the process, the more details the better. Make sure you have all your paperwork (receipts, invoices, etc) in one place.

Moving out of state with a pet? Lots of changes at once can be stressful for pets as well as for humans. Try to be gentle with your pet if they are nervous during this time because they don’t understand what is going on. Remember – their whole house is getting packed up too!

• Find out if there are rules for bringing pets into the state you are heading to at the US Dept of Agriculture’s website. You may also want to check to see if there is a limit on the number of pets allowed on the military installation where you are moving.
• Another tip before moving is to look for pet-friendly hotels ahead of time if you are driving.
• Pack all your pet’s stuff in one bag or tote so everything stays together: bowls, food, leash, toys, meds, grooming tools, pet bed, etc. Don’t forget to pack your pet’s health certificates and proof of current vaccinations. Put those into a folder or plastic baggy so it stays safe and clean on the trip.
• If driving, stop at rest areas regularly to give your dog a chance to run around and do its business. Give your cat access to a litter box at the same time.

Moving To Another Country

Moving OCONUS is an amazing opportunity to see and learn more about the world, and experience life in different cultures. Your move will probably need more coordination and attention to detail, since you are moving farther.

• Don’t overpack. You’ll have a household good weight limit and you’ll need to stick to it. Only take what you really need.
• Be prepared to not get your belongings as soon as you arrive. The location of your new home determines how long it takes for things to arrive. Make sure you are carrying your most important things with you.
• Get ready for a new culture. You and your family should learn about where you are moving: the customs, the food, and maybe even start learning some of the language. It will take some getting used to once you arrive.

Moving out of the country with a pet? There are diverse rules and quarantine requirements for different countries. Be sure to do research ahead of your move to make sure you know what to expect when your family arrives overseas with your pets.

• To learn about the rules in the specific country where you are moving, contact the embassy or consulate in that country. Your pet may need to be quarantined upon arrival, and it could be for an extended amount of time. This can also be expensive, so be sure to ask about cost.
• Many places require that pets have microchips to identify them. Your pet can probably get a microchip at your vet’s office, but you’ll need to schedule an appointment ahead of time.
• Check airline requirements for bringing your pet with you. You may need to reserve space on the flight for your pet and you’ll also need a travel crate, probably with specific dimensions. When you have the crate, write your name and contact information, plus pet’s name, right on the crate.

Overall, moving can be an exciting time for you and your family. We wish you the best in your new installation. Thank you for your service.
 
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-housing/moving/planning-your-move/moving-with-pets

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1. Sort through your items
   This step may be easier done by first removing everything from the closet. Then, as you put items back, you can organize the contents to your liking.
   
   Much of the clutter comes from items that we no longer use but are keeping “just in case.” Take this opportunity to sort through everything, donating or throwing away items you no longer use. Here’s a good rule of thumb: if you haven’t used the item in a year and don’t foresee yourself using it anytime soon, donate or get rid of it. The same timetable applies to clothing items.
   
   TIP: If there are clothing items you are on the fence about, take a rubber band and wrap it around the hanger. Next time you wear this clothing item, remove the rubber band. Then, check back six months later. If there are still rubber bands on any items, gather them up and add them to the donate pile!
   
   
2. Clean every surface–including the floor
   Now that everything is out of the closet, do some cleaning of the space. Wipe down any shelves or fixtures that have been collecting dust and other debris. Remove items from the floor and vacuum it if you have carpet.
   
   Another great thing to do for your closet once or twice a year is to deep clean the carpet to remove deep down dirt and debris that vacuuming alone can’t reach. Once your carpet is fresh and clean, you’ll be more comfortable storing clothes, linens and other delicate items in this space.
   
   Deep cleaning can also help remove stains and odors from your carpet–and keep them off the other items you keep in your closet.
   
   
3. Put items back and organize
   Now that the space is clear and clean, place the items you want to keep back into the closet. This is the time to organize it. Group like items together, either by type of item, season or even color. Arrange shoes and other items on the floor or on shelves in a way that keeps them all visible and easy to reach.
   
   Go ahead and organize the space in a way that works for your needs: there are no rules on the right way to do it. If it works for you, then it works!
   
   

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Planning a move? If you’re like most people, you may have overlooked an important step in your pre-move preparation—even though there’s a reminder right under your toes!

It’s your carpet. Deep-cleaning your carpet can pay off in terms of peace of mind and more money in your pocket. So, if you plan to sell your home or move out of your apartment in the next few months, don’t forget to rent a Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® carpet cleaner rental to make sure your carpets are ready for moving day.

Here are four reasons to deep clean before your next move:

1. SELL FOR MORE
   It’s the little details—like clear, sparkling windows and a clean, fresh carpet—that can make all the difference. In fact, experts often include carpet cleaning in their lists of easy, inexpensive ways to help maximize and maintain your home’s resale value.
2. SELL OR RENT MORE EASILY
   Berber or shag…Oriental or plush…any carpet that looks cleaner and smells fresher becomes an asset that can help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers or renters.
3. PREVENT NEW STAINS AND AVOID “PHANTOM” STAINS
   When liquids spill on your floor, they often penetrate the backing layer at the base of your carpet, where they can spread over a wider area. Worse, even after you’ve blotted up the surface spill, stains can seep through the carpet backing and padding and reappear near the edge of the spill—even days later. By deep cleaning, you may be able to avoid unwelcome surprises later. Many Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® cleaning solutions have StainProtect® technology which helps prevent future staining too.
4. GET YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT BACK
   Giving your carpets a professional-quality cleaning before you turn over the keys of your old apartment is a smart move. Removing dirt, stains, and odor from the carpets of every room can help ensure the return of your entire security deposit.

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