Pets are undoubtedly a wonderful addition to any household, but unfortunately they do tend to make our homes dirty and smelly at times. Whether it’s the general odor of an unwashed dog, to pee and poop stains, cleaning up after pets is often a full-time job, and requires the use of cleaning techniques and solutions that won’t harm our furry friends.
To get your home looking and smelling clean, even when you have pets, here are some homemade cleaning solutions that are 100% pet-friendly:
Check whether any cleaning products you already have, are pet-friendly
When it comes to getting our homes hygienically clean, we often think we need to use chemicals to get the job done properly, but this isn’t usually the case. Chemical solutions are also generally harmful to both humans and pets, so avoiding their use altogether, is always going to be beneficial.
Here are some chemicals that have been known to cause harm to pets and people, and if you’ve got any cleaning products that contain them, you should get rid of them as soon as possible, or never use them around your pets:
- Ammonia
- Chlorine bleach
- Formaldehyde Imidazolidine
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Glycol
- Phenol
- Unnamed fragrances
A lot of store bought cleaning products contain one or more of these ingredients, so be sure to check the labels carefully before buying.
A DIY multi-purpose pet-friendly cleaner
This simple and cost effective cleaning solution is a great all-rounder for use in the home, and will get your windows and mirrors sparkling, too:
- Mix water and white vinegar together in equal portions
- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use as you would any other multi-purpose cleaning solution
- If preferred, you can add a few tablespoons of lemon juice for improved cleaning and a great smell
Baking soda for cleaning up after pets
Fantastic for cleaning and deodorizing, baking soda is totally safe to use around pets and people. If you have pet related stains on your carpets, for example, you can simply sprinkle baking soda onto the affected area, wait a few minutes, and then vacuum it up for a fresher carpet all round.
For cleaning your pets bowls or for general use around the home, you can try combining warm water with baking soda and salt until it forms a paste. Then, with a damp sponge or cloth, scrub the paste around whatever surface you happen to be tackling to clean it up wonderfully well. Always rinse well afterwards and allow to dry thoroughly.
It’s really important not to use chemical based cleaning solutions around your pets, but with baking soda, vinegar and water, who needs to?
