Pet Friendly Cleaning Products: DIY Pet-Safe Cleaning Alternatives

Attention, all pet owners: It's time to set aside your store-bought cleaning products and whip up some of your own all-natural solutions at home.

Yes, you read that correctly. You can be a hero to your four-legged family members by crafting pet friendly cleaners that won't hurt their delicate skin or cause them any harm.

Don't worry—you don't need to be an expert on DIY natural solutions. All it takes is a few ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen and pantry, and voila—you've created your own homemade pet-friendly cleaning products! Here are a few hacks and ideas to get you started and the perfect shirt to do it in. ;)

Vinegar As Counter And Floor Cleaner

Vinegar and water have long been the best pet-safe and eco-friendly cleaners. A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water is an excellent cleaning solution for floors and countertops. Vinegar and water are also ideal for cleaning windows. You can add a little castile soap to the solution as well.

Pet-Friendly Furniture Polish

The chemicals in commercial furniture sprays would make any dog or cat cringe. You can make your own wood furniture polish with a bit of white vinegar and a few drops of olive or mineral oil. A ubiquitous lemony scent is optional, but you can always add a few drops of natural lemon essential oil. You can even try using coconut oil!

Using Coconut Oil For Polishing And Grooming

Wondering what else you can do with that jar of coconut oil lurking in the back of your pantry? Well, one thing you can do is whip up a batch of DIY furniture polish. You only need three tablespoons of coconut oil, ½ cup of lemon juice, and a pint-size spray bottle. Add the ingredients to the bottle—mix it up, and start polishing those wood surfaces!

Plus, if you have a pet who loves to be pampered, why not use the same recipe to groom them? You won't find any harsh chemicals here—just the natural goodness of coconut oil. It works a treat at keeping their coats healthy while adding a glossy sheen. Talk about multitasking!

Kill Mold With Baking Soda

Have a little mold and mildew fest going on in the shower? Baking soda is a safe mold killer; it has the added benefit of absorbing moisture to help keep mold at bay. Dissolve a small amount of baking soda in water, put in a spray bottle, and spritz on moldy areas. Scrub to remove the mold, then rinse. As a final step, re-spray with the baking soda solution and let it air dry to prevent future mold growth.

Pet-Safe Carpet Stain Remover

Pet stains on the carpet can be tricky. If you're having a hard time finding a good commercial carpet cleaner, you can make your own pet stain remover with everyday household products. Baking soda is a great stain remover and deodorizer. Sprinkle some on the area, let dry, and vacuum it up. Then treat the stain with either vinegar and water or hydrogen peroxide mixed with a bit of dish soap and baking soda.

Disinfect and Deodorize Using Lemon Juice

When life gives you lemons, make natural cleaning products! Seriously, lemon juice is an excellent natural cleaner. It's also a natural disinfectant and deodorizer, which makes it a great addition to any pet friendly cleaning regimen.

The best part? Lemon juice is safe for your pets and your home. And don't worry about the smells—lemons are surprisingly versatile. Squeeze some out into a small container to spot clean surfaces, or add it to water to mop away grime and debris. You can also use lemon juice on floors, walls, countertops, and furniture while making your home smell fresh and citrusy.

If you want to get creative, you can mix lemon juice with baking soda for an extra powerful cleaner! So what are you waiting for? Grab those lemons and put them to work!

Essential Oils As Air Fresheners

Who needs store-bought air fresheners when you have essential oils? Not only are they an earth-friendly way to freshen up your pet's favorite stuff, but they can also help keep fleas at bay!

Essential oils come from various plants, so it's best to start with the milder ones. Think lavender, bergamot, and rosemary—they are naturally great at repelling fleas. Mix 10-20 drops of your mixture into some distilled water, shake it well in a spray bottle, and voila! Pet friendly flea-proofing in an instant.

Whatever you choose, remember to test small areas before going full-on spray mode—essential oils can be strong for some critters! With the right concoction, you'll be well on your way to naturally keeping your pet's space fresh!

Pet Safe Heavy-Duty Cleaning

Cleaning the oven and unclogging drains doesn't mean you and your pet must be exposed to toxic fumes. You can make your own pet friendly cleaners for even the toughest jobs. Clean the oven by applying a paste of baking soda and water to the inside of your oven. The next day, scrub away the residue for a clean oven. For clogged drains, pour some baking soda and then vinegar down the drain. They will begin to foam and dissolve the clog. Run hot water when finished.

Whisk Away Pet Fur Using Recyclables

Pet fur around the house is always a problem, but it can be worse this time of year when some long-haired dog and cat breeds go through their spring molt. Swiffers are great, but the refills get expensive. Cut some old t-shirts or other old clothes to the size and shape of the refills and insert them into your mop.

Natural Odor Remover: Activated Charcoal And Baking Soda

If you've got a pet with an unexpected "aroma" in the home, fear not! There are natural ingredients ready to cover up the smell from pet spraying without any harmful side effects. That's right; you've got your very own natural odor remover right at your fingertips.

It's a two-step process to tackle any stinky situation:

Step One: Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is specially processed to have small, low-volume pores that filter out impurities, including odors. It's safe to be around your pet (and is even used to help treat pet poisoning). Simply sprinkle it onto the affected area and let it hang out for about an hour. Just be sure to use it sparingly—it works best as an occasional spot treatment.

Step Two: Baking Soda

Mix baking soda with water until it forms a paste, and apply it directly over the area affected by pet odors. Let this sit for about an hour before wiping away the excess with a damp cloth or sponge, and voila—that smelly situation is under control!

Why Pet Friendly Cleaning Products Matter

If you have pets in your home, you want to keep them safe and healthy, no matter what mischief they may cause! Pet friendly cleaners are essential to that process, as they reduce the risk of adverse reactions and other health issues associated with regular household cleaners.

Think of it this way: when you have a pet, you must be extra careful about what goes into their environment. Pet-safe cleaning products do the heavy lifting for you, ensuring that your furry friends stay healthy and that your home is sparkly clean.

And if you're still unconvinced, think about how much more fun playtime will be! That's right—no need to worry about harsh chemicals on their skin or the potential for accidentally ingesting harmful ingredients. So if keeping your home safe for humans and animals is important to you, pet friendly cleaners offer peace of mind in a bottle (or spray can)!

Harsh Chemicals In Regular Cleaners

No wonder many cleaning products come with labels warning us about their efficacy. Because, let's face it, they're pretty darn powerful, and they don't mess around when it comes to wiping out germs and grime. But, while they might do a great job tackling dirt, some traditional cleaning products can also be dangerous for your pet.

You see, just like you don't want to be around harsh chemicals, neither do your furry friends! Inhaling or even touching certain chemicals can cause skin irritation, breathing problems (itching and sneezing, anyone?), digestive issues (hello vomiting), and sometimes even impair neurological development. Yikes!

The good news is that the pet-friendly cleaning products mentioned above don't pack the same punch as their 'scary chemical' counterparts. Using special formulas that avoid ingredients like ammonia, bleach, and formaldehyde, you can keep your house clean without risking making your precious pet sick.

Common Toxic Ingredients To Avoid

We all want the best for our furry friends, and when it comes to cleaning your home, there are some common toxic ingredients you should steer clear of. And by 'steer clear,' we mean far away; the further away, the better. Here's a quick list of what to avoid:

Chlorine Bleach

Chlorine bleach is an absolute no-no for your pets' well-being. It can harm their respiratory systems and even burn their skin if they come into contact with it. So keep those bleach bottles locked away in a high cupboard—far from any paws that may try to reach them.

Phosphates

Commonly found in dishwasher detergent, phosphates can be dangerous for your pet's digestive system if ingested and can even lead to kidney failure. Yikes! So make sure you use phosphate-free when cleaning your dishes, or scrub a dub-dub carefully!

Synthetic Fragrances

Synthetic fragrances found in air fresheners, scented candles, and laundry detergents are usually laden with volatile organic compounds (or VOCs), which can cause issues like dermatitis or irritation for your pet's skin and lungs if they come into contact with them or breathe them in.

So now that you know some of the main toxic ingredients to stay away from and what DIY pet-friendly products you can clean your home with, you can rest assured knowing that your pet's safety won't be put at risk!

Pet-Safe Cleaning FAQ

Are Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products safe for pets?

Mrs. Meyer's products can be used safely on hard surfaces in households with pets, but it is always best to check the label for specific instructions. As with all cleaning products, keeping pets away from the area is vital until the product has been thoroughly rinsed off and has dried.

What disinfectant is safe for dogs?

We recommend using natural cleaning products to be sure they're safe for your pets. Look for plant-based ingredients and make sure the product is unscented. You can also try out one of our recommendations above and see which one will be your favorite!

Why make a homemade cleaning product?

Homemade solutions are more cost-effective than store-bought pet-friendly cleaner and safer for both you and your four-legged family members. This way, you're also sure what's really in your cleaning products!