Sharing your home with pets means cleaning needs to do two jobs: deal with everyday mess, and keep curious noses and paws out of trouble. Dogs and cats spend a lot of time on the floor, they rub along skirting boards, and they’ll happily investigate anything that smells “interesting” – including freshly cleaned surfaces.
So, you need to select cleaning aids that are safe for use around pets. With a few sensible choices, you can keep your home fresh without relying on harsh, heavy-scented products.
Where Pet Safety Matters Most
Some areas need extra care simply because pets touch them all the time:
- Some areas need extra care simply because pets touch them all the time:
- Floors in hallways, kitchens, and utility rooms (AKA the post-walk mud runway)
- Rugs, throws, and pet bedding (where the wet dog smell likes to settle)
- Skirting boards and low cupboard doors (prime territory for nose prints and fluff)
- Feeding areas (the spot where spilled water and stray biscuits live)
If a product is going to leave a film behind, these are the places it’ll end up on paws.
Cleaning Products To Be Cautious With
You don’t need to panic about every bottle under the sink, but a few types of cleaning solutions could cause harm to your furry friends. Here are the prime suspects:
Bleach and Strong Disinfectants
They’re effective, but the fumes can be strong and the residue can irritate paws and skin. If you use them, keep pets out of the room, ventilate well, and don’t let anyone back in until everything is fully dry. Better yet – avoid them altogether if you live in a busy household.
Toilet, Drain And Oven Cleaners
These are often highly caustic or acidic and can cause burns if splashed or licked. If they’re in your regular cleaning armoury, close the door when in use, put products away immediately, and rinse any drips straight away. If your pet has ever tried to follow you into the bathroom like a shadow, you’ll know why this one matters.
Ammonia-Style Glass And Degreasing Sprays
Glass cleaners can be particularly harsh on airways. Avoid spraying into the air, and always apply directly onto a cloth instead. Keep pets away until the area is dry – particularly if you’ve got a cat who appears the second you start cleaning, just to sit in the exact spot you’re working on.
Strong Fragrance And Essential Oil “Fresheners”
A home that smells “fresh” to us can actually be overpowering to pets – they have hundreds of millions more smell receptors than humans.
Plus, fragrance-heavy sprays and oil-based products can linger on soft furnishings and floors – right where pets sit. If your dog already smells, the strong fragrance often just mixes into something worse.
Anything That Leaves A Coating
Floor “shine” products and some disinfectant wipes can leave a layer behind. If you’re using something like this on floors, follow up with a clean damp mop on main pet routes, so you’re not leaving residue where paws pad around.
A Simple Way To Clean Safely (That Still Works)
Most household cleaning doesn’t need heavy chemicals. What usually helps most is the order you do things in.
-
Remove The Dirt First
Vacuum, sweep, or wipe away loose debris before reaching for sprays. It’s the difference between a quick clean and smearing mud around like you’re icing a cake.
-
Use Mild Cleaners For Everyday Jobs
Warm water and a small amount of gentle detergent will handle most worktops, door marks, skirting boards, and pawprints – even the mystery muck at the back door.
-
Use Specialist Products Only When The Problem Calls For It
- For pet accidents and lingering odours, enzyme-based stain removers are made for that job (especially helpful when you can smell the “incident” but can’t quite find where it happened).
- For greasy cooker splashes, a degreaser can help – just rinse afterwards if it’s near pet areas.
- For pet accidents and lingering odours, enzyme-based stain removers are made for that job (especially helpful when you can smell the “incident” but can’t quite find where it happened).
-
Save Disinfecting For Times You Truly Need It
After illness, accidents, or contamination, disinfecting makes sense – think of it like your deep-cleaning must-have. But day-to-day, it’s often unnecessary.
Floors: The Biggest Difference-Maker
The biggest difference to how clean your home looks and feels is usually the boring bit: floors.
- Always brush up dirt first
- Choose low-scent or fragrance-free options where possible
- Don’t over-dose the product
- Keep pets out until the floor is completely dry
- If you’ve used anything stronger than a mild cleaner, do a quick rinse pass with clean water on the main walking routes
Soft Furnishings, Bedding And “Pet Smells”
For throws, blankets, and bedding, a regular, weekly wash keeps the whole house smelling cleaner without needing lots of air fresheners.
For accidents:
- blot first (don’t rub)
- use an enzyme cleaner suited to pet mess
- let it fully dry before letting pets back onto the area
If you want a quick refresh between washes, bicarbonate of soda can help deodorise rugs – sprinkle, leave for a bit, then vacuum thoroughly. Again, keep four-legged friends away to avoid an impromptu tasting session.
Habits That Prevent Most Problems
- Shut pets out while you clean (and during drying time)
- Open windows or use extractor fans to minimise smells or fumes
- Never mix cleaning products
- Rinse low surfaces if there’s any chance of residue
- Store everything out of reach, especially pods and tablets
- Don’t leave cloths, sponges, or buckets where pets can investigate them (because they will – usually the second you turn your back)
What to Do If You Think Your Pet Has Been Exposed
Spotted your pup drooling, vomiting, or coughing? Do they seem unusually quiet, or have red and irritated paws after cleaning? Always move them to fresh air and contact your vet straight away. Keep the product packaging to hand so you can share what was used and where.
Ready to give your cleaning cupboard a pet-friendly overhaul? Browse our selection of affordable cleaning products at YTC.
