Avoided Cleaning Products for Dog-Owning Households: A Steer Clear Guide - Reasons and Alternatives Explained
Keeping a clean home is essential, especially when you share your space with beloved pets. To ensure the safety of your furry friends, it's crucial to choose the right cleaning products and methods. Here's a guide to pet-friendly cleaning alternatives that help you maintain a clean home without exposing your pets to hazardous substances.
Toilet Cleaning
For a pet-friendly toilet cleaner, consider the Better Life Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner available at Amazon. Alternatively, you can opt for natural methods like baking soda plus vinegar. Sprinkle baking soda in the bowl, scrub, let it sit, then flush, followed by vinegar for an extra cleaning boost. Always keep the lid closed after cleaning to prevent pet exposure.
General Cleaning
Dish soap is effective for general cleaning and safe for pets, though it should not be used as pet shampoo. Vinegar, diluted with water, works as a safe disinfectant on many surfaces. Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide® is another safe, non-irritating disinfectant that is safe for cats and dogs when used as directed. However, it's important to note that hydrogen peroxide should not be mixed with vinegar.
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning
Avoid carpet and upholstery cleaners with toxic chemicals like perchloroethylene or butoxyethanol. Instead, use non-toxic plant-based cleaners, steam clean with hot water and mild detergent, or use enzyme-based products such as Rocco & Roxie Extreme Stain & Odor Eliminator. This product is safe and effective on organic stains and pet odors.
Essential Oils
Essential oils in concentrated forms are toxic for pets and can lead to health complications. If you choose to use essential oils, make sure to use pet-safe oils (like lavender or chamomile) in diffusers and use them cautiously.
Safety Measures
Never use toilet cleaning tablets as they provide an ongoing supply of cleaning chemicals to the water. Also, avoid bleach and phenol-based disinfectants, as they can be harmful to pets and cause drooling, vomiting, and liver trouble.
When mopping muddy paw prints, consider a mop with a machine-washable and reusable microfiber mop head. And remember, pets that drink from the toilet can be at risk if a harsh cleaner has been recently used.
In summary, stick to pet-safe labeled products, natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar, and specialized enzyme-based cleaners to maintain a clean home without endangering pets. A spring simmer pot or simmer pot recipes for fall and winter can provide a fresh-clean scent without the risks of essential oils.
References:
[1] Pet-Friendly Cleaning: Safe Products and Methods for Your Home. (2021). The Spruce Pets. [Online] Available at: https://www.thesprucepets.com/pet-friendly-cleaning-products-1478435
[2] Pet-Safe Cleaning Products. (2021). American Kennel Club. [Online] Available at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/cleaning-supplies-for-pets/
[3] Rocco & Roxie Extreme Stain & Odor Eliminator. (2021). Chewy. [Online] Available at: https://www.chewy.com/rocco-roxie-extreme-stain-odor-eliminator/dp/197848
[4] Essential Oils and Pets: What You Need to Know. (2021). ASPCA. [Online] Available at: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/essential-oils-and-pets
- When dealing with toilet cleaning, pet owners can choose the Better Life Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner, or use a natural method with baking soda and vinegar, ensuring a clean home without exposing pets to hazardous substances.
- For carpet and upholstery cleaning, pet owners should avoid toxic cleaners containing perchloroethylene or butoxyethanol, and opt for non-toxic plant-based cleaners, steam cleaning, or enzyme-based products that are safe for pets, such as Rocco & Roxie Extreme Stain & Odor Eliminator.
