Oh, pets. We love them so much that we let them live in our homes rent- and chore-free — but that doesn’t mean that the cleaning’s going to do itself. In fact, pet owners generally need to do even more cleaning than the average non-pet-owner. It’s a price we’re glad to pay, and it’s important that you choose the right tools for the job.
Finding the right product can be tough, though: many popular all-purpose and specialty cleaners contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs and cats, but a lot of natural solutions just don’t do the job. At SeaPet, we wanted to find a solution that offers the best of both worlds. Our EarthPawz cleaning products are both effective on messes and safe for pets. Want to learn more about natural cleaning products for pets? Read on for in-depth info on the things to avoid and the effective, non-toxic solutions that can replace them.
Cleaning Products To Avoid
There is a long list of cleaning agents that contain ingredients that can have serious side effects on your precious pup, and it’s important to read the label carefully before you pick a product. Here are a few of the most pernicious poisons to look out for:
- Formaldehyde: Found in everything from hand soap to all-purpose cleaners and even some types of pet shampoo. When formaldehyde is inhaled, via spray cleaners or otherwise, it can cause some very uncomfortable symptoms, including irritation of the mouth and esophagus.
- Bleach: Often used in disinfectant solutions such as toilet cleaners and dishwasher soaps. It can have serious effects on pets, causing vomiting, dizziness, and laryngeal edema. Bleach is also toxic when mixed with products containing ammonia, as this combination causes fumes that can be deadly to both you and your pet.
- Glycol ethers: Usually found in glass and carpet cleaners. This chemical is associated with lung and kidney damage, digestive issues, and liver conditions in both humans and pets.
How to Clean Carpet Naturally
One of the most frequently searched-for phrases is “How to clean pet urine from carpet”, and if you’re anything like the majority of pet owners, you’ve had to ask this question too. However, most commercial carpet cleaners contain one or more of the dangerous chemicals listed above. What’s a pet owner to do? Luckily, cleaning carpet naturally is easy as can be — and you probably already have the supplies right in your kitchen cabinet! All you need is white vinegar and baking soda. Just follow these steps:
- Step 1: As soon as you notice the spot, blot. Use gentle pressure to soak up the stain. You want to remove liquid without pressing too hard, which can dive the stain further into the carpet.
- Step 2: Soak the area with vinegar. Pour white vinegar over the area until it’s saturated but not soggy. The goal here is to rehydrate the stain just enough to kick-start the stain-removal process.
- Step 3: Sprinkle baking soda onto the stain. Lay down a generous amount of baking soda over the vinegar-soaked stain. You’ll know it’s starting to lift stains and odor from your carpet when you hear it start to fizz.
- Step 4: Have patience. After you’ve applied the baking soda, you’ll need to wait for the stain to dry. This gives the baking soda and vinegar time to remove the stain and odor. You may want to put a baking dish or heavy plate over the area to keep people (and pets) from spreading baking soda all over the house.
- Step 5: Vacuum time! As best you can, scoop up the bulk of the remaining baking soda. Then, fire up your trusty vacuum to remove the last of the baking soda. Presto! Your carpet should be as good as new — naturally.
All-Natural Pet-Safe Cleaning Products
Now that you know how to combat carpet stains, what about the bathroom? If you’re a dog owner, you already know that Fifi’s favorite water source is the toilet. Fresh water at a convenient height? It’s a no-brainer. Problem is, there are lots of toxic chemicals in traditional toilet cleaners, and scrub brushes can only do so much. Sometimes you just need something with a little extra oomph in it. Here are our favorite pet-safe products:
EarthPawz’s Thirsty Dog toilet bowl cleaner is a great replacement for toxic toilet cleaners. It’s made of the ultimate combination of all-natural (food-grade!) ingredients that are actually effective when it comes to banishing toilet odor and grime, leaving Fido’s favorite fountain sparkling clean and ready for lappin’.
To replace bleach- or ammonia-based glass cleaners, Doggie Slobber is the answer. We all know that windows are pets’ favorite TV programs, and they want to get as close to the action as possible (read: noseprints and licks everywhere). Doggie Slobber might be the problem, but it’s also the cure!
For owners who are looking to eliminate stubborn pet odors, Smelly Dog attacks odors with probiotic microorganisms, degrading odor at its source to kill it on contact. This non-toxic odor slayer is an ideal replacement for aerosol sprays that contain formaldehyde and other harmful airborne toxins.
Cat- and Dog-Safe Cleaning Products
We know how hard it can be to keep your house sparkling clean when you have pets, but you don’t need to resort to harsh cleaners. When you have fewer potentially toxic chemicals around the house, you can feel confident as you clean. In fact, both you and your pet can benefit from making the switch to natural cleaners.
At SeaPet, our aim is to make high-quality, non-toxic cleaning products available to every pet owner. We’ve got 25 years of experience providing owners with the best natural options for all types of pet needs, including cleaning products that are safe for pets. Our entire EarthPawz line is designed to be effective on grime and completely safe for pets. Experience the difference that EarthPawz products can make for you by picking up our natural cleaning products safe for pets today.
Image Credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/dog-puppy-pet-black-dog-animal-423398/
