Pet Friendly Cleaning Tips
In many ways, dogs make great roommates, but they never do clean up after themselves! While we can’t blame our four-legged friends for not cleaning up, their mess can build up over time, meaning more work for us pet parents. Here are some tips for keeping your home clean (while still remaining safe for your dog) despite your canine companion’s penchant for mess.
Dog-Friendly Cleaning Products
Many household cleaning products can be dangerous to your pet’s skin, respiratory, or digestive systems if they aren’t used properly. You should always read the label on your cleaning products before using them and cleaning products should be kept out of your dog’s reach. Cleaning products from brands like Seventh Generation and Nature’s Miracle are generally pet-friendly, but always check the labels before using them. If you must use products that are not pet friendly, we recommend diluting them or rinsing off your surfaces with water before allowing your dog to walk on them. It’s important to be aware of items in your home that are toxic to your pet. Keeping them safe starts with keeping these items out of their paws.
Making Your Own Dog-Friendly Cleaning Product
If you still don’t trust these pet-friendly cleaning products, you can make your own homemade cleaning product to make sure you know exactly what’s going onto your home’s surfaces. When it comes to DIY cleaning products, water, vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and salt are your new best friends. Simply mix the vinegar and salt to make your own all-purpose cleaner, or just combine baking soda and vinegar on a damp sponge to clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces. For wooden areas, use vegetable oil mixed with lemon juice. To clean drains and toilet bowls, pour baking soda and vinegar into the toilet bowl or drain.
Getting Rid of Odors
Removing pet odors is a tough task, especially while being mindful of your dog and their wellbeing. To remove odors in a pet-friendly manner, use vinegar, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, lemon, and club soda. Mix any of these ingredients with water and apply it directly to your carpet, furniture, or clothing that may smell like dog. If odor continues, consider buying an enzyme solution from the pet store to digest the proteins in dog and cat urine.
Cleaning Fur
One of the largest issues that pet parents have to deal with is cleaning up dog fur, dander, and dust. Once your dog starts shedding off their winter coat, it’s game over for the surfaces in your home. Brush your dog’s hair against the grain and close to their skin to prevent shedding. To remove hair that ends up on your clothes, furniture, or carpet, use a lint brush, wipe the surface with a damp sponge or cloth, and use a vacuum with a good brush roller.
Cleaning your home doesn’t have to be a huge chore, and it definitely doesn’t have to put your dog at risk of ingesting toxic materials. Use these tips to safely clean your home and keep your dog safe!