Pet-Friendly Cleaning for Spring

Spring is upon us, which means it’s time to evict the cobwebs and dust in your home. If you have resident animals, choosing pet-friendly cleaning options is very important. The community of pet lovers at Rover.com are all about keeping pets safe and comfortable and have a few favorite cleaners to recommend.  

Residue from cleaning agents could be picked up by your pet and ingested during their grooming routines, so mindful cleaning is imperative. There are numerous cleaners to choose from–some effective solutions you likely already have under your sink. These cleaners are perfect for everyday use as well, just in case you’re feeling like you should keep your place spic and span year-round.

Baking soda and white vinegar

These multi-purpose solutions are incredibly versatile and safe for your family, four-legged members included. If you desire a foaming cleanser, simply mix baking soda with lemon juice (this is a great bathroom cleaner that will make your tub shine.) Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet, leave it for five minutes and vacuum it up for a deodorizing cleaner. For more in-depth information about safely cleaning your carpets (accidents happen…) check this out.

White vinegar is great for cleaning wood floors. To create an all-purpose cleaner for your countertops, windowsills, etc., dilute a half cup of vinegar with one gallon of water. If you’re opposed to the smell of vinegar, simply add lemon juice to the mix.

Borax

Bleach is harmful to humans and pets–thankfully, there are numerous safe alternatives to use. Try borax, a mineral great for cleaning stains in carpet and clothing. Mix a half cup of borax with two tablespoons each of salt and borax for a heavy-duty carpet-stain remover. For laundry, replace bleach with borax for your whites.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide breaks down quickly to water and oxygen when utilized for cleaning, making it a safe alternative to heavy chemicals. This solution is great for germ killing, so kitchen and bathroom countertops are an excellent place to utilize this powerful cleaner. Try the ratio of 25% hydrogen peroxide to 70% white vinegar and a bit of water.

Pet-marketed cleaners

A search for pet-friendly cleaners on the internet yields numerous options, many containing mixes of the above solutions already in spray bottles. If you’re in need of something even quicker than mixing your solutions on your own, these are a good option. Just be sure to double-check that the item is pet-friendly so that there’s no chance of harming your four-legged pal during your cleaning routine.

Keeping a safe and clean home for you and your pet doesn’t have to cost a lot of time or money. These cleaners are excellent additions to your spring-cleaning routine–your pet will thank you!

Guest Post Author: Courtney Heitter

Courtney is a miniature schnauzer dog-mom living in the PNW. In her free time she can be found hiking, reading, drinking whiskey neat, and saving the whales.