The Best Natural Household Cleaner for Dogs

Dogs have their cute moments, but they also have their not-so-cute moments. Like when you find muddy (or worse yet, inky) paw prints on your light-colored carpet or step in an oddly wet spot that definitely should not be wet.

However, when you have any pet that roams around the house, you need to become more careful with the cleaning products you use.

Time to stay goodbye to the chemical solutions anywhere a dog can reach and embrace more natural household cleaning products.

When it comes to natural household cleaners that are safe for dogs, we recommend good old sodium bicarbonate, otherwise known as baking soda. Not only does it have 101 uses (and that’s just for cleaning) but it is perfectly safe to use around pets.

Why Choose a Natural Household Cleaner When You Have a Dog?

If you have a dog, even if they aren’t particularly messy, you should still be making the switch to a natural household cleaner. The issue is that dogs tend to like to put things into their mouths and stomachs if it interests them. This means that the chemical solution that you use to mop the floor could end up inside your dog with the crumbs they lick off the floor.

In most animals, a small bit of your usual cleaners will be fine. Your dog has a very sturdy digestive system, after all. However, some of the more heavy-duty stuff can make them very sick, very quickly. Bleach and ammonia, even just inhaled, can cause inflammation of the mucus membranes in a dog’s nose, eyes, throat, and lungs. Not only that, but the chemicals in household cleaners are thought to have a link to cancer in humans, so they probably aren’t doing your pets any favors either.

The only real option is to switch to a natural household cleaning option. But don’t worry, you might be surprised how much more effective natural cleaning ingredients, like baking soda, are when compared to your chemical formulas.

Why is Baking Soda the Best Natural Cleaning Option?

These days, using baking soda for its wide array of cleaning uses is referred to as a “hack”.  But this hack was keeping your grandmother’s house clean long before the internet rediscovered how useful it is. Baking soda can be used for everything from whitening your teeth and removing stubborn countertop stains to de-stinking your pooch (without the terror that is a proper bath).

Why is baking soda the best natural cleaning option? It is because you can actually use it to clean your dog and their various messes as well. Unlike vinegar that can mess with the ecosystem of a dog’s skin, baking soda is a powerful cleaner that’s completely safe for dogs. Whether it’s  on them or in them if they happen to like licking freshly cleaned things.

Crafting the Perfect Baking Soda Cleaner for Every Need

If there is a mess, then baking soda can treat it.  By having baking soda and a select few natural ingredients on hand, you can remove any mess. The best thing is that all these cleaners are perfectly safe for dogs.

• Carpet Stains – If you have fresh vomit or urine stains on your carpet, clean up the bulk and blot dry with a paper towel to absorb as much liquid as possible. Afterwards, sprinkle it with baking soda and pat it into the spit. Let dry and vacuum. If you are dealing with older stains, use a solution made from vinegar and baking soda,. Massage it into the stain, and vacuum up once dry. Both methods will result in clean, fresh-smelling carpet.
• Grimy Dog Toys – Dog toys get pretty gross after a while. Instead of slathering them in dish soap, let soak in a solution of hot water and baking soda. Rinse after a nice long soak and let dry. You don’t even need to scrub.
• Stinky Bedding – If you have a dog bed that is starting to get a bit ripe, wash it by adding a cup of baking soda to the machine. You can wash it with laundry detergent as well, but if your dog has sensitive skin it works well without.
• Stinky Dog – Let’s be real, sometimes our dogs aren’t dirty enough to merit the full-on wrestling match of a bath, but they do smell a bit. Rub a little baking soda into their fur and brush out. It is not completely unlike a dry shampoo that humans use. It deodorizes and doesn’t completely strip a dog of all the precious oils they need for a healthy, shiny coat.