Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners: How to Keep Your Home Safe and Clean

Having a pet means a lot of love, but also some extra cleaning. It's important to use products that are safe for both your home and your furry friends. Here's how to keep your space spotless without compromising your pet's health.

What Cleaning Products Are Safe for Pets? For cleaning floors and surfaces, the safest option is to use just water and colorless, neutral detergent. In a spray bottle, mix 10 ml (about two teaspoons) of detergent with 500 ml of water. This solution can be used to clean the entire house, according to cleaning experts. Alternatively, you can use a bucket if that’s more convenient.

There are also pet-safe cleaning products available in pet stores and other shops, designed specifically to avoid harming your animals. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure you dilute the product properly as indicated on the label.

Which Products Should Be Avoided? Bleach, alcohol, disinfectants, multipurpose cleaners, abrasive powders, and solvent-based products should all be avoided due to their strong odors and potentially harmful chemicals.

If you must use any of these products, make sure to remove your pet from the area. Don’t allow them to return until the surface is completely dry and there’s no lingering smell. To speed up this process, open windows to ensure proper ventilation.

How to Clean Pet Urine and Eliminate Odors The area where pets relieve themselves should be cleaned daily. Pet-specific cleaning products are the best option, but you can also use hydrogen peroxide-based or quaternary ammonium disinfectants. Just remember to remove your pet from the room and let the floor dry completely before allowing them back in.

For convenience, disinfectant wipes containing these substances are great for quick clean-ups. If using a cloth, make sure it’s reserved solely for this purpose and wash it separately from other cleaning items.

For deeper cleans, bleach can be used—just be sure to follow dilution instructions and keep pets out of the area until all traces of the product are gone.

If your pet urinates on a wooden or laminate floor, start by absorbing the liquid with paper towels, then wipe the area with a cloth dampened with the water and neutral detergent mixture to prevent damage to the flooring.

How to Clean Pet Beds, Bowls, and Toys Pet bowls should be cleaned daily using water and neutral detergent. Use a sponge specifically for this purpose and rinse thoroughly.

Plastic toys can also be cleaned with water and detergent, then left to dry in the sun. Stuffed toys should be machine-washed and air-dried. Ideally, wash them once a month.

Pet beds should also be cleaned monthly. Many come with zippers to remove the inner foam, which should not be washed but aired out in the sun. The fabric covering can be machine-washed.

How to Remove Pet Hair For pet owners, a vacuum cleaner is the most effective tool for dealing with hair. A vertical vacuum model is particularly practical for everyday cleaning.

How to Clean a Sofa To remove pet hair from the sofa, use a vacuum cleaner with the appropriate attachment. You can also use adhesive rollers or nylon brushes with soft bristles.

If your pet frequently lounges on the sofa, consider covering it with a waterproof cover that can be regularly washed. If the sofa lacks protection, clean it with upholstery foam cleaner and a soft-bristled brush. Avoid using homemade mixtures, as they may damage the fabric.

In case of accidents, such as urine on the sofa, first absorb as much liquid as possible with paper towels. Then, use the water and detergent mixture or foam cleaner to clean the area. For thorough cleaning, it’s recommended to hire a professional service to ensure all traces of the urine are removed from the upholstery.