Keeping your home clean is not only important for your own health and well-being, but it’s also just as important for your furry friend. A clean and tidy home with pet-safe products is crucial for any pet parent. The last thing you want is for your dog to accidentally ingest a cleaning product with harmful chemicals. While products like bleach and ammonia may give your home that “super-clean” feeling, these harsh chemicals can be harmful to pets. We’ve put together a helpful list of 10 pet-safe cleaning tips, including natural solutions and easy ways to get rid of pet hair, to keep in mind to keep your home clean and your pet happy and healthy.
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- Choose Pet-Friendly Cleaning Products — Ideally, the cleaning products you keep around the house should be pet-friendly ones. Look at the list of chemicals in your cleaning supplies and opt for products that are labeled as non-toxic and biodegradable. It’s better for your pet and for your health, too!
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals — With that in mind, avoid harsh chemicals whenever you can to keep a pet-safe environment. Stay away from cleaning products that have bleach, ammonia and other harsh chemicals. You may even want to consider making a DIY natural cleaning solution.
- Try Natural Cleaning Solutions — You don’t need to go to the grocery or a specialty pet store to get a natural cleaning solution. Take a look at the ingredients you already have at home, like vinegar and baking soda. You can clean your hardwood floors with ½ a cup of vinegar and a gallon of warm water to mop your floor. If you’re cleaning your carpets and furniture, sprinkle baking soda on the surface and then vacuum it up after letting it sit for 15 minutes.
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- Establish a Grooming Routine — If you’ve ever heard of the concept of micro-cleaning, like cleaning in small bursts of a minute here or five minutes there, try micro-grooming. It may mean a quick 60-second brush down of your cat or dog with a portable pet hair remover.
- Keep Your Pets Away from Cleaning Products — Keep your pets safe by storing cleaning products in a secure place, like a locked cabinet that’s out of reach from your pets. That way, you won’t have to worry about your pet accidentally getting into toxic cleaning supplies.
- Tips for Keeping a Pet Hair- and Dander-Free Home — Use the best pet hair remover to help keep your home pet hair- and dander-free. You can use it to remove fur from furniture, carpets and other fixtures around your home. It doubles as a pet hair brush, too, so you can groom your furry friend regularly.
- Regularly Wash Your Pet’s Bedding and Toys — Before you throw their toys or pets into the wash, remove any excess fur with a cat hair removal tool. Stubborn cat fur may stick to their bedding, but that easy-to-use removal tool will get rid of hair in a snap.
- Removing Stains and Odors from Carpets — Before you remove stains or odors from your carpet, make sure you’re using a pet-friendly carpet cleaner. You’ll want to clean up any accidents as soon as they happen to prevent stains and any odors from setting in. There are specialty pet-friendly carpet cleaners that are made from natural ingredients that aren’t harmful to your pet.
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- How to Remove Pet Hair from Furniture and Clothing — Many pet parents have lint rollers at home to get rid of unwanted pet hair from their furniture and clothing. As an eco-friendly solution, consider using a pet hair removal tool. This easy-to-use brush has a few different purposes. For one, you can use it to remove pet hair from your favorite t-shirt, your carpets and your couch. You can also use it to actually groom your pet and remove excess fur, all without having to throw away those sticky lint roller papers.
- Stay Away from Toxic Essential Oils and Candles — According to VCA Animal Hospitals, essential oils like cinnamon and ylang-ylang, among many others, can be poisonous to dogs. While you may enjoy the calming effects of diffusing your favorite essential oils, if your dog accidentally ingests the essential oils or has skin exposure to the oils, it can be toxic to their health. The same goes for cats. Burning candles with paraffin or metal-based wicks with lead can create indoor air pollution and release toxins like formaldehyde and benzene into the air. As much as you may enjoy the relaxing scent of a lavender air freshener or citrus candle, these contain chemicals that can be harmful to your pets.
By following any of these helpful tips, you’ll be an even better pet parent. Prioritize the safety of your furry family members by choosing cleaning products and techniques that will keep your pet safe. Remember to always read the labels on any products you use and avoid harsh chemicals. Opt for pet-friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable options whenever you can. A healthy and comfortable environment fosters a happier and safer environment for everyone at home.
