DIY Pet-Safe Household Cleaning Products

Our pets are like members of our family, messy like but loveable little friends that we feed and care for. Despite loving them, messes in our homes seem to double with pets and it can be difficult to thoroughly clean up without using chemical cleaners that aren’t safe to use around our fur babies. There are a few different DIY cleaning solutions you can make for your home that are completely pet-friendly. Here are a few recipes and ways to help you identify which products can help or hurt.

Chemical Knowledge

The best way to make sure you are practicing pet-safe cleaning around the house is by checking any cleaning products you may already have. You’ll want to check for a few different chemicals that are known to cause harm to pets and even people if not used correctly. Here are some of the major chemicals in many cleaning arsenals that you’ll want to keep your pets far away from:

• Ammonia – found in many glass cleaners
• Chlorine bleach – a commonly used cleaner and laundry product
• Formaldehyde – products with DMDM hydantoin, Diazolidinyl urea and Imidazolidinyl urea are cancer causing
• Hydrogen peroxide – can cause surface and internal irritation
• Isopropyl alcohol – common cleaner and disinfectant
• Glycol – any products with glycol in the ingredients list
• Phenol – common in many popular disinfectant products
• Unnamed fragrances – the unnamed “fragrance” in ingredients lists can contain highly toxic and cancer-causing chemicals

Many popular cleaning products, while effective, can be very dangerous to pets so you’ll want to keep your furry friends far from the areas you’re cleaning if you find yourself using any of the above chemicals. You should also make sure you are storing your cleaning products properly and out of reach for both pets and any children within your home. For a more detailed list, check the manufacturer’s websites or contact Poison Control.

Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Cleaning with pet-safe solutions isn’t as difficult as it may seem. One of our favorite ways to clean safely is with a super simple multi-purpose solution that uses minimal ingredients you definitely have around the house. For cleaning projects that require a one-stop-shop kind of cleaner that works great on glass too, try this DIY recipe:

• Combine equal portions of water (distilled if possible) and white vinegar
• Pour the mix into a spray bottle and use as you would a regular cleaner with a rage or paper towel to wipe it away
• Add a few tablespoons of lemon juice for a cleaning and scent boost

Two Uses for Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of our favorite products to use when cleaning and deodorizing around the house, and it’s safe to use around pets. To deodorize any carpets or rugs you can just sprinkle a bit of baking soda around the smelly area, wait a few minutes, and vacuum it up to reveal a fresh and odor free carpet. You can also sprinkle a bit into your hand and rub it into your dog’s coat to help neutralize odors between baths. We highly suggest this DIY cleaning scrub to use for your pet’s bowls or just around the kitchen:

• Combine warm water, baking soda, and a bit of salt for grit to make a paste
• Use a damp sponge or rag to scrub the paste around the surface of dishes, utensils, counters, or pet bowls
• Rinse well with warm water and thoroughly dry

Air Fresheners & Essential Oils

When our homes start to smell a bit, especially after the dog comes running through smelling like a dirty old mop when it rains, an air freshener is probably going to be the first thing to reach for. Our favorite natural air freshener can be made like this:

• Fill a large jar with white vinegar
• Choose a citrus fruit to peel (we like lemons or oranges) and place to peels in the vinegar
• Allow the peels to soak in the vinegar for 24 hours, or change the peels and soak longer for a stronger scent
• Strain the scented vinegar into a spray bottle and use it as you would a regular room spray

Unlike many DIY suggestions, this particular recipe does not include essential oils. This is because many of our favorite essential oils, diluted or not, can be very harmful to pets if used heavily or incorrectly. If you do intend on using any essential oils in your home, take a moment to look up any warnings or dangers. You can also ask your vet about their professional recommendations and warnings for pets before using essential oils.

As with any and all cleaning products, be sure to use these DIY recipes with discretion and care around your pets. While these are safer to use, they are not non-toxic and should be used in moderation. If you have any favorite pet-safe cleaning DIYs, share them in the comments! Be sure to check out our Top Rated Miami House Cleaning Services if you’re looking for some help. Our eco-freindly green cleaning services are great for homes with children and pets, contact us today to find out how we can help.