How to Choose Pet Safe Cleaning Products

Finding pet safe cleaning products can be tricky. The debate of what is, and isn’t safe to use around your pets can be confusing at times. So we are going to break it down into easy steps, so you know what to look for and what to avoid. 

After all, pets are a part of our family! And we want to keep them safe and healthy whilst also keeping our homes clean and free of any pet-related odours.

The truth is, many mainstream cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that can be dangerous for ourselves and our pets. 

So finding natural pet safe cleaning products free from these chemicals mitigates this risk massively. So stick around, because in this article, we will share our top tips and tricks for cleaning your home in a way that is safe for pets and won’t hurt the planet.

Why choose pet friendly cleaning products?

Knowing how to find pet friendly cleaning products is important because traditional cleaners can contain harmful chemicals that can be toxic to pets, and humans. And it's very easy for animals to come into contact with these chemicals through their paws or by licking surfaces. Ingesting or inhaling these chemicals can cause a range of health problems for pets, including respiratory issues, skin irritation, poisoning, and even organ damage. 

Whilst harsh chemical antibacterial products that claim to kill 99.9% of bacteria sound necessary, the truth is that you would need to use them every 5-10 minutes for them to actually keep surfaces germ-free. This is because bacteria and viruses can repopulate from even just a single cell. Plus, we don’t want to be killing the “good” bacteria too, which is essential to gut health. 

Pet friendly cleaning products are specifically formulated with ingredients that are safe for use around pets. These products are made with natural, non-toxic ingredients that are gentle on your pets and the planet. And the bonus? The air in your home will be cleaner and free from toxins, so everyone in your home – human or otherwise – can breathe clean. 

Natural, Safe For Pets Cleaning Products: Our Top Tips

The best way to find safe-for-pets cleaning products is to know what to look for on ingredient lists, and be armed with a host of natural methods to keep your home fresh. 

Here are our top tips for cleaning your home without hurting your pets. 

Choose natural, non-toxic products

Avoid using products that contain bleach, ammonia, or other harsh chemicals listed below. Instead, opt for natural cleaning products that are free from toxic ingredients. 

Ingredients to avoid: 

• Ammonia: A common ingredient in oven cleaners, window cleaners, and more. It can be very harmful to pets – and humans – if inhaled or ingested. It's a known irritant, particularly to your dog's respiratory system. If you see this on the ingredient list, avoid. 

• Chlorine bleach: Bleach contains chlorine, which is considered toxic to many animals. Exposure to even breathing in bleach fumes can be dangerous to pets and humans. 

• Formaldehyde: Used in many everyday cleaners. When it reaches room temperature it’s released into the air, inhaled by your dog and absorbed into her skin. It’s a severe eye and skin irritant and can decrease nerve response rate.It’s recognized by the EPA as a carcinogen

• Phthalates: found in synthetic fragrances in your cleaning sprays, air fresheners and more. Innocently hiding under the words “fragrance” or “parfum” in the ingredient list. Animal studies have found that phthalates can cause liver, testicular and pancreatic tumours and are known carcinogens. So steer clear. 

• Glycol Ethers: Often found in all purpose cleaners, carpet cleaners and liquid soaps. Glycol ethers can cause liver, nerve and digestive damage. They’ve also been linked to lung damage, anaemia and kidney damage in both animals and humans.

• Benzalkonium chloride: found in antibacterial cleaners and can be irritating to pets eyes, ears and nose.

• Certain essential oils: such as tea tree, pine, lemon and orange should never be used around pets, even when diluted. Consult your vet if unsure. 

Vacuum Regularly: 

Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to clean pet hair and dander from carpets, furniture, and floors. And try a pet-safe stain and odour remover to clean up accidents. These products are designed to neutralize pet odours and remove stains without using harsh chemicals. You can even use Bicarbonate of Soda for this too by sprinkling some on the stain and leaving for a couple of hours to soak up the mess. 

Try Steam Cleaning: 

Use a steam cleaner to deep clean carpets and upholstery as an effective way to kill germs and bacteria without using harsh chemicals.

Have Safety Measures in Place: 

• Keep pets out of the room while cleaning and allow the area to dry completely before allowing your four-legged friends back in.

• When cleaning floors, always prevent pets from walking across them – or licking them –  until they are dry and have been rinsed or dried off.

• If your puppy is prone to drinking from the toilet, avoid in-the-bowl toilet cleaners, or keep the lid closed.

• Keep cleaning products safely stored in cupboards  on tightly to avoid accidental ingestion.

Be Careful with Essential Oils

If using cleaners with essential oils, choose ones that are widely recognised as pet-safe and make sure they are low in concentration. 

The best pet safe cleaning products 

• DIY Natural Cleaning Hacks: Utilise safe ingredients with natural antimicrobial properties that are already lying around your home. Vinegar, lemon, and bicarbonate of soda are must-haves. 

• Spruce Multipurpose Cleaner: A natural and non-toxic daily cleaner with no harsh chemicals. Made with plant-powered ingredients and fragranced with Geranium Essential Oil (diluted at a low concentration), which is widely regarded as safe for dogs. 

• Spruce Eco Floor Cleaner: Will leave your floor spotless without any nasty chemicals. Made with safe, vegan ingredients and fragranced with a Bergamot, Patchouli and Geranium Essential Oil Blend. (All three of these essential oils are regarded as safe for dogs.)

Note to reader: Whilst the concentration of essential oils in these cleaning products are low once diluted in the bottle, it’s important to know that a lot of the research on certain essential oils being safe for pets, particularly cats can be polarising. We do recommend consulting with a vet beforehand if unsure. 

For more safe, natural cleaning guides tips and tricks delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our weekly newsletter.