Avoided Cleaning Products for Dog Owners and Recommended Alternatives
In a pet-loving household, maintaining a clean and safe environment is crucial. Here are some pet-friendly cleaning alternatives that can help keep your home clean while ensuring the well-being of your furry companions.
Firstly, a plant-based dish soap, unscented and biodegradable, is suitable for use when you have pets. It's gentle on surfaces and kind to your pets, making it an ideal choice for your daily cleaning needs.
For toilet cleaning, a naturally derived product using powergreen technology kills 99.9% of household germs without the harsh chemicals found in traditional cleaners. This makes it a safe option for your pet-friendly home.
When it comes to carpet shampoos and fabric sprays, it's essential to avoid harmful chemicals like perchloroethylene and butoxyethanol. These chemicals can cause dizziness, nausea, and liver damage in pets. Instead, opt for super-soft, absorbent, and lint-free microfiber cloths for all your cleaning and dusting needs around the home.
For a versatile all-purpose cleaner, an all-natural cleaning spray harnesses the power of plants to cut through grease and grime. However, avoid using it anywhere that it could be ingested by pets.
Pet-safe cleaning alternatives to bleach for disinfecting surfaces in homes with pets include diluted white vinegar, baking soda, enzyme-based cleaners, plant-based products, and hypochlorous acid-based disinfectants. These options effectively clean and disinfect without the harmful chemicals found in bleach.
White vinegar diluted with water (often a 1:1 ratio) is a natural disinfectant that kills many viruses and bacteria and is safe for cats and dogs when used on surfaces. Baking soda is another natural cleaner and deodorizer suitable for pet environments, especially good for neutralizing odors and gentle scrubbing. Enzyme-based cleaners break down organic matter and remove stains and odors from pet accidents, making them particularly pet-safe and effective. Plant-based cleaning products labeled as pet-safe avoid harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances that can harm pets.
Disinfectants containing hypochlorous acid (HOCl), such as CleanSmart Daily Surface Cleaner or Morton Nontoxic Heavy-Duty HOCl All-Purpose Cleaner, provide strong antiviral and antibacterial effects like bleach but without toxic residues. These products have low toxicity ratings, are safe around pet food and water, and do not irritate skin or eyes, making them suitable for households with pets.
When cleaning carpets, opt for non-toxic, plant-based cleaning solutions or steam-clean carpets using only hot water and a mild detergent. The Rocco & Roxie Extreme Stain & Odor Eliminator is a safer and effective option for pets on particularly stubborn stains.
Lastly, investing in a vacuum for pet hair can help keep your home clean and pet-friendly. DIY cleaning solutions can also be a safer alternative to toxic cleaning products when you have pets. By choosing these pet-friendly cleaning alternatives, you can ensure a cleaner, healthier, and safer home for you and your pets.
[1] PetMD. (2021). The Best Pet-Safe Cleaning Products. [online] Available at: https://www.petmd.com/blogs/lifestyle/clean-living/2021/may/best-pet-safe-cleaning-products-54167
[2] CleanSmart. (2021). Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) Disinfectant. [online] Available at: https://cleansmart.com/products/daily-surface-cleaner
[3] The Spruce Pets. (2021). The Best Nontoxic Cleaning Products for Pets. [online] Available at: https://www.thesprucepets.com/nontoxic-cleaning-products-for-pets-5676729
[4] Morton Salt. (2021). Nontoxic All-Purpose Cleaner. [online] Available at: https://www.mortonsalt.com/products/nontoxic-all-purpose-cleaner
[5] ASPCA. (2021). Common Household Items That Are Dangerous to Your Pet. [online] Available at: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/common-household-items-that-are-dangerous-to-your-pet
Incorporating the suggested cleaning products into the home-and-garden lifestyle helps create a pet-friendly space. Opt for a plant-based dish soap for cleaning utensils and surfaces, and a naturally derived toilet cleaner to keep the bathroom clean without harming pets.
