April 20, 2023 3 min read

Spring is here and that means it’s time for cleaning. Spring cleaning is an important, and often time-consuming task. It’s even more important when you have pets. Keeping your pets clean helps to keep them healthy. Your pet’s health is also a top priority when it comes to spring cleaning. Many cleaning products can be harmful, or even fatal to your pet. It’s important to know what to use and how to use it when you embark on your spring cleaning journey. Let’s go over some tips on what to think about when you decide to start.

When you share your home with furry friends you need to be mindful of what ingredients are in your cleaning supplies. Many chemicals in cleaning supplies can be toxic if ingested by your pets. Pets are lower to the ground, meaning they inhale and absorb more of these chemicals used to clean the floors. Our pets, especially cats, tend to groom themselves, which can lead to ingesting the chemicals they have gotten on their skin. Curious pets might even seek out cleaning supplies left out. Due to their smaller size, cats and dogs are at greater risk of toxic poisoning. Be sure to clean up any solutions completely. Try to avoid these ingredients when shopping for supplies:

  • Bleach
  • Ammonia
  • Chlorine
  • Alcohol
  • Phenols
  • Formaldehyde
  • Quaternary ammonium
  • Phthalates
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Certain essential oils
  • Coffee grounds

If you must use cleaning supplies that may be unsafe for your pets, there are some ways to keep your pet safe during the process. Keep your pet out of the room when cleaning, so they won’t come into contact with the harmful ingredients. Be sure to have good ventilation to get any fumes out of the room. Next, ensure everything is dry before allowing your pet back into the room. Lastly, be sure to put away all cleaning supplies in a secure location so your pet cannot get into them.

In addition to looking at the ingredients on the cleaning supplies, you will want to be careful about the plants that enter your house and garden. Some plants are toxic to pets, so be sure to research which plants are safe before planting them. Be sure to keep pets away from any fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides. These will be toxic to pets, so follow the directions and store them in secure places out of your pet’s reach.

When looking at pet safe cleaning options, baking soda is a popular choice. You can combine it with water or vinegar to make it a liquid solution. When used in small amounts, baking soda is a great tool. If ingested in a large amount, it can become dangerous to pets. Be sure to clean up all cleaning supplies after you’re done.

Cleaning your pets’ spaces along with your own will help to keep everyone clean and healthy. Vacuuming, while not a product, is still a great way to keep your house clean. Vacuuming can help reduce pet hair, dirt, and any external parasites (like fleas). Be sure to vacuum regularly to reduce build up of dirt and hair. In addition to vacuuming, be sure to regularly wash your pet’s blankets and clean their toys. Use a pet friendly detergent to wash your pet’s blankets. When you clean their toys, be sure to check for any damage or torn off pieces. Clean your pets food and water bowls to keep bacteria from growing.

Always do your research before bringing cleaning supplies (or plants) into your home to make sure they are safe for your furry loved ones. When spring cleaning, remember to clean your space and your pet’s space. A clean home is a jolly home for you and your pet.

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