Pets are not only our best friends, but they are family, too. However, like any family member, pets can make your house a mess, from shedding hair to vomit to potty accidents. So, how do you clean these messes up and keep your floor safe for them to walk and lay on? Have you tried non-toxic floor cleaners for pets?
Non-toxic floor cleaners are safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Pets have sensitive paws, and exposure to chemical floor cleaners can lead to cracks, burns, and even infections. To avoid this, try a non-toxic floor cleaner.
In this article, we will look at the best non-toxic floor cleaners for pets that are safe and do wonders for your home.
Do Non-Toxic Floor Cleaners for Pets Matter?
Absolutely! Our pets usually spend their days sitting on your furniture or lying on the floor.
Hence, it’s essential to avoid chemical-based floor cleaners that could hurt or make them sick. Pets are both curious and clueless; thus, it’s easy for them to ingest products that are harmful to them.
Our pets are small-sized and have a faster metabolism. For this reason, they can be poisoned or, worse, die even with a small amount of toxins.
The good news, though, is you can prevent these unimaginable situations from happening by using a non-toxic, pet-safe floor cleaner.
You can also make one on your own using natural ingredients like baking soda, lemon, vinegar, etc.
How to Make Non-Toxic Floor Cleaners for Pets
If you want to be more in control over the ingredients of the floor cleaners you use in your house, feel free to make one with available ingredients at home.
Homemade pet-safe floor cleaners are perfect for dogs who have sensitivities and are prone to allergies.
Here are DIY options that are not only easy to make but are also safe and environmentally friendly:
Vinegar and Water
Vinegar has antibacterial effects, making it a tremendous, non-toxic floor and pet urine cleaner.
To make this non-toxic floor cleaner, mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle.
With these two combined ingredients, you can clean most types of flooring, like laminate and tile. Feel free to use as much as you like, as the vinegar scent will dissolve once it dries.
Never use the solution to clean porous surfaces like natural stone and marble.
Baking Soda and Water Paste
Baking soda paste is an excellent cleaner for dog pee on the carpet because it can tackle tough stains and nasty smells. To make a paste, mix baking soda and water.
Apply the paste to the affected area, scrub the carpet, and rinse with water.
Lemon Juice and Olive
This non-toxic cleaner cleans and polishes floors and leaves a lemon scent.
It is also a great floor cleaner for pet odor because olive oil deodorizes while lemon juice cleans.
Combine two tablespoons of olive oil and the juice of one lemon in a spray bottle. Shake well and then use it to spritz to the affected area. Do not use it on wood floors.
Where to Buy Non-Toxic Floor Cleaners for Pets?
You can buy non-toxic floor cleaners for pets at online and physical stores. Some non-toxic cleaners like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon are available at grocery stroes.
But for manufactured non-toxic floor cleaners, here are your options:
Online Retailers
Websites like Chewy, Walmart, and Amazon have a wide selection of non-toxic floor cleaners specifically designed for homes with pets.
Before you purchase one online, make sure to read reviews and compare products.
Pet Supply Stores
If you truly want a safe floor cleaner for your pets, your best option is to buy at pet supply stores.
Natural and Organic Stores
It’s a no-brainer. Natural and organic stores offer eco-friendly products; hence, you may find pet floor cleaners there.
Look for Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market, or local health food stores.
Home Improvement Stores
Some home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot sell pet-friendly cleaning products in their pet section or cleaning aisle.
Is Cleaning Floors with Vinegar Safe for Pets?
Do you wonder whether cleaning your floors with vinegar is safe for pets?
Or do you often use vinegar to clean the floor and are now scared that it will harm your furry friend? Don’t worry. Vinegar is safe for pets.
Vinegar is an efficient alternative to ammonia or other chemical-based cleaners that aren’t safe for pets to ingest.
This solution has acetic properties that make it effective in dissolving dirt, stains, scum, and soap buildup.
When using vinegar to clean floors, make sure it’s diluted and away from pets.
Diluted vinegar is a natural cleaning product that can help neutralize pet odor and remove pet stains. Once the floor dries up, you can again allow your beloved pet to spend time on the floor.
What Household Cleaners Are Toxic to Pets?
Cleaning products, especially chemical-based floor cleaners, can pose dangers if your furry friend licks, ingests, or inhales them.
If you want to prolong the lives of your pets, avoid these toxic ingredients usually found in most floor cleaners:
Ammonia
Ammonia is highly toxic to your pets. It can cause severe damage to their eyes, stomach, and respiratory system.
Check the label of the product you use at home to see if it contains ammonia. Ammonia is also called Ammonium Hydroxide.
If it does, avoid the cleaner altogether.
Bleach and Chlorine
Bleach and chlorine may have different uses, but they are chemically identical.
Contact with these cleaning products can irritate your pet’s eyes, skin, nose, and paw.
They can also cause pain, discomfort, and long-term health problems.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is popularly known as embalming fluid and a preservative. However, it is also a common ingredient in most cleaning products.
This ingredient is a strong irritant to your pet’s respiratory system and can cause digestive distress.
Glycol Ethers
Glycol Ethers are a common ingredient in various household products, including cleaning solutions, solvents, and paint.
They release fumes or vapors that, when inhaled by pets, can lead to respiratory irritation and distress. This can cause coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
What Home Cleaners Are Safe For Dogs?
Many at-home cleaners that are safe for dogs can be made from simple and pet-friendly ingredients. Here are some natural, safe, and non-toxic floor cleaners for pets:
White Vinegar
As mentioned earlier, vinegar and water works well for cleaning floors. White vinegar is a versatile, non-toxic cleaner used on various surfaces. It can help remove odors, disinfect, and clean floors.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a practical, non-abrasive scrub that can help remove stains and odors from various surfaces.
It’s especially useful for cleaning pet bedding or carpets. Try this one if you’re looking for the best home carpet cleaner for pet stains.
Lemon
Like vinegar, lemon has acidic properties, too. If you want a citrusy-smelling floor, use lemon to clean the floor.
It has natural cleaning properties that can clean and deodorize surfaces.
Essential Oil
While some essential oils can be toxic to pets, there are pet-safe options like lavender, chamomile, and cedarwood.
Add a few drops of these essential oils to your homemade cleaners for a pleasant fragrance.
Bonus: Recommended Pet-Friendly Cleaning Product
Miracle II Soap
Miracle II Soap is an all-purpose organic cleaning soap that works well for cleaning tile and vinyl flooring.
It helps eliminate pet stains without harsh chemicals. See the video below:
Conclusion
Keeping a pet-friendly environment should be the top priority for any fur parent.
When choosing household cleaners, it’s essential to pick products that are safe for your pets while effectively tackling the mess on your floors.
Pets can inhale, ingest, and touch harmful cleaners without them knowing it.
To prevent harmful effects on their health, choose pet-safe cleaners to clean the floor, tiles, or carpet at home.
Are you interested in learning more about cleaning products and pets? Read our article – Are Green Cleaning Products Really Safe for Pets?