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Living with pets can be very rewarding, but it comes with certain hygiene requirements that you need to follow if both you and your pets want to remain in good health. As a pet parent, you have to be extra vigilant about keeping your home and your pet clean. You should brush your pet daily, give them regular baths, and wipe their paws after each outdoor outing. My dogs are quite active that they get dirty and even get gum sticking in their coat. You also need to sweep, vacuum, and scrub your home regularly, and take care that the cleaning products you use are non-toxic and safe for your pets.
Using Dog-Friendly Cleaning Products
Many regularly used house cleaning products contain ingredients that can cause health issues in dogs. When dogs come into contact with floors, fabrics, and furniture cleaned with such products, they may pick up traces of the cleaning products and ingest these when they lick their fur or paws. This can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation, eye problems, breathing issues, seizures, and even death. To avoid these health concerns and to be on the safe side, it is best to switch to pet-friendly cleaning products.
Here is one such cleaning product that is completely safe for your dog:
Pet Stain & Odor Miracle – Enzyme Cleaner for Dog and Cat Urine, Feces, Vomit, Drool
Accidents and messes do happen when you live with pets, and these can leave stains and unpleasant odors. This cleaner combats these with enzymatic bacteria that clean surfaces completely and then disintegrate. The cleaning product is safe for both pets and children.
Cleaning Your Dog-Friendly Home
Create a schedule for regular house cleaning. Even if you have only 20 minutes to spare every day, use these well for cleaning and stay consistent.
Brush off pet hair from fabrics, furniture, and the floor, and clean up messes immediately with cleaning products that can get rid of both odors and stains.
Avoid using cleaning products containing chemicals like bleach, chlorine, formaldehyde or ones that have a toxic warning label. Use non-toxic cleaning products or make your own safe cleaning products at home.
Remove your pet’s water and food bowls beforehand if you have to use any insect sprays and air fresheners in a room.
Brush your pet daily and wipe their paws clean after every outdoor outing, and bathe them at least once a month.
If your pet makes a mess indoors, clean up immediately to avoid staining fabrics and floors.
Must-Have Cleaning Products And Tools For Your Dog-Friendly Home
Sweep Or Broom
Regular sweeping is essential to keep your home clean and free of accumulated hair, dander, and dirt. You can get a sweep or a broom made of synthetic or natural materials, and with a long, adjustable handle to help you clean better.
Squeegee
A squeegee is useful for clearing vomit, urine, and other messes, and for wiping away excess moisture from floors and surfaces after you have washed them. Get a rubber one with a long handle that can be extended when required.
Stiff-Bristled Brush
Do you encounter pet hair on your rugs, carpets, and furniture? Get a stiff-bristled brush and give the aforementioned items a good brushing every now and again. It will give your arm a good workout and get rid of the accumulated hair as well.
Vacuum Cleaner
A vacuum cleaner is useful for ridding your home of pet hair that gets lodged in corners and crevices that cannot be as efficiently cleaned with a regular broom or a bristle brush. Some vacuum cleaners come with tools to specifically clean up after your pets.
Old Rags And Old Newspapers
Keep a store of old rags and old newspapers. These are a very handy, eco-friendly solution for wiping up the messes that your pets will inevitably make. You can use and throw away the newspapers, and wash and reuse the rags.
Disinfectant Cleaner
After you have cleaned away the messes your pet made, you need to wipe and disinfect the cleared surface. There are many disinfectant cleaners on the market that will get rid of germs as well as stains and odors. Find one that is safe for both you and your pets.
Dog-Friendly Cleaning Products To Check Out
Given the public’s growing health awareness, as well as their growing concern about the environment, it is relatively easy to find dog-friendly cleaning products on the market today. Let’s look at some of the better ones that are currently available.
FURemover Broom with Squeegee made from Natural Rubber, Multi-Surface and Pet Hair Removal, Telescoping Handle that Extends from 3 ft to 6 ft
You will find this rubber-bristled broom convenient for sweeping away pet hair from your home floors. It is effective on carpets and linoleums as well as on tiled and hardwood floors. The broom has a squeegue for cleaning wet spills, and the handle is telescopic for more convenient use.
FURemover Duo, 2-sided lint Brush, Dog Multi Brush, Lint Brush for Couch and Clothes, Rubber-like Lint Brush is Dual-sided for Grooming and Lint/Hair Removal
This is a multipurpose brush with a thick-bristled side and a fine-bristled side and an ergonomic handle. You can use the thick bristles to groom your dog, and the fine bristles to get rid of the shedded hair from the surrounding fabrics and furniture.
If you’re looking for a handheld vacuum cleaner to remove pet hair and dander from your sofa upholstery, beds, and other surfaces, give the Bissell a try. It has a multi-layer filtration, a 16-foot long power cord, and comes with two rubber nozzles.
Hoover Vacuum Cleaner T-Series WindTunnel Pet Rewind Bagless Corded Upright Vacuum UH70210
You can adjust this light, easy to use vacuum-cleaner to remove pet hair from all types of surfaces and corners in your home. It comes with a 25-foot, retractable power cord, an Air Powered Pet Hand Tool, a Pet Upholstery Tool, a Crevice Tool, and an Extension Wand.
As this unscented bleach does not contain chlorine, it is safe for households with pets and children. It can get rid of strong odors and stains while being color safe. You can recycle the cap and bottle, and even the label, after use.
Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator – Enzyme-Powered Pet Odor & Stain Remover for Dogs and Cat Urine – Spot Carpet Cleaner – Small Animal Odor Remover (32 oz)
This cleaner contains strong enzymatic bacteria that can get rid of all manners of stains and odors. Clear up a mess and use this cleaner right away to eliminate any lingering smells. It does not contain chlorine and is safe to use on carpets.
Gonzo Pet Hair Lifter – Remove Dog, Cat Hair from Furniture, Carpets, Bedding, Clothing – 1 Sponge
The Gonzo Pet Hair Lifter sponge is useful for getting rid of shedded hair from your fabrics, upholstery, furniture, and floors. You only need to wipe the surfaces with the sponge and it will pick up the hairs. Alongside, the sponge will also get rid of accumulated dust and dirt. You can wash the sponge afterwards and reuse it.
Pet Hair Remover Brush – Fur & Lint Removal Brush with Self-Cleaning Base – Dog & Cat Hair Remover for Furniture, Couch, Carpet, Bed, Car Seat, Clothing – Double-Sided Animal Fur Removal Tool
With this two-sided brush, you can remove pet hair, dander, lint, and any other debris from fabrics, furniture, and home and car interiors. Clean the brush by dipping it into the self-cleaning base. The debris collects in a bottom tray and can be disposed of afterward.
If you have a pet water fountain, you already know how easy it is for debris to build up in the container and the pump. With this pet fountain cleaning kit, you can deep clean the fountain, the drinking bowl, and the pump. Regular cleaning will keep the fountain running well, and your dogs can be assured of a clean drinking water supply.
Natural Dog-Friendly Cleaning Products For Your Home
In case dog-friendly cleaning products are difficult to find or order in your area, you can have a go at making them at home. It is easy to make your own dog-friendly cleaning products using white vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and Borax. Mix these ingredients in small amounts and add water, and use the liquid for cleaning.
Lemon juice with water can work well for bleaching your laundry, and a dilution of vinegar in water is useful for cleaning glass and other surfaces. A mix of lemon juice and baking soda or Borax will work well for cleaning utensils as well as the kitchen and the bathroom areas. These ingredients are safe for both you and your pets, will produce efficient cleaning results, and will not have an adverse effect on your household items either.
Tips And Tricks For Combating Allergens
If you are prone to allergies, it is important to take care that being around dogs won’t aggravate your health. In addition to keeping your living quarters and your pets clean on an everyday basis, here are some things you can do:
- Wash your hands every time after petting your dog.
- Change your clothes after you have groomed your pets or after you have finished playing with them.
- Train your dog to stay off the furniture, particularly your bed.
Discourage your dog from kitchen counter-surfing, and don’t let them eat from the crockery and utensils that you use.
Dog saliva may trigger an allergy, so, as much as you love your dog, don’t allow them to lick you, and don’t handle toys, bones, and dog bowls that the dog has been mouthing.
Keeping The Whole Family Healthy And Hygienic
Many dog-friendly cleaning products are affordable for regular use, and you can also save money by making your own cleaning products at home. Switch to these and remove potentially harmful cleaning products from your shelves, and your home will be a safer and healthier place for you and your pets. You will also contribute to the well-being of the wider environment as there will no run off of toxic materials from your end.
Continue reading:
The Savvy Dog Parent’s Guide to Natural Cleaning Supplies