Pet Friendly Dust Bunnies
When we’re meeting new clients, one of the most frequent questions concerns four legged family members. We are both pet owners ourselves, and our pups are part of the family, so we completely understand. Most of our staff have pets as well: we are all animal lovers at Dust Bunnies! No need to be concerned that your home has too much cat hair, or if we’ll be bothered by your friendly dog. Almost all of our clients have a pet… or two, or three. They can be concerned about us adjusting to their pet, and also about the pet adjusting to our cleaning products. Since we get these questions often, we want to share some safe cleaning tips for homes with pets.
We hear a lot of concern about chemicals and how they affect pets in the home. Well, pets can be affected by strong chemicals and so can people! So, when you can, it never hurts to try a natural cleaner first. Baking soda is a safe and natural solution for absorbing odors in your home. It’s perfect for carpeting and pet bedding. Sprinkle some in to absorb that puppy or kitty smell before you vacuum. Add a little water and it makes a great paste for scrubbing sinks, countertops and the grime out of dirty pet food or water bowls. White vinegar makes a great all purpose cleaner. Just dilute 1/2 cup with a gallon of water. White vinegar also is perfect for treating pet stains in carpets.
There may be times when you’d prefer a commercial cleaning product, and there’s no need to be afraid of harming your pets. But household chemicals do need to be handled correctly to keep pets and people safe. Make sure you read the labels clearly. Never mix chemicals. Pay attention to your ventilation. Follow recommended dilution instructions, more of a good thing is not always better. Keep your pets out of range of your cleaning until you are finished. For example, when you are mopping your floor keep pets in another area of your home until the floor is completely dry. The floor will have very minimal residue/fumes to harm your pet once it has dried. If you’re still concerned, follow with a clean water rinse.
Sometimes pets are the ones making the messes, right? Don’t forget to clean crates and carriers. Once or twice a month, take out all bedding and give it a good laundering. If your pet has sensitive skin or allergies, be thoughtful of the detergent you use. Consider skipping the fabric softeners and fragrances. Make it easier on yourself and buy a pet bed with removable covers. Have more than one cover for the bed so one is always available while the dirty one is in the laundry. Wash crates down with warm water and a mild dish soap. If you really feel like you need a disinfectant, make sure you rinse it thoroughly and give it plenty of time to air out before your pet is allowed back in. Haven’t been on this plan? If you can’t remember the last time your pet’s bed has been washed, consider having it replaced during your spring cleaning this year. Pet bedding holds onto a lot of dander, dirt, debris, and parasites. Keeping their bed clean is an easy way to keep them clean and healthy.
Don’t forget the pet dishes and toys. Most can go in the dishwasher. If you prefer not to do that you can soak them in hot water with dish soap. For the tougher cases a few minutes in a gallon of water with a tablespoon of bleach with disinfect them. Just make sure to keep them away from kids and pets while they soak. Rinse well and allow to air dry before returning to your pet.
We hope these cleaning tips will help you and your pets stay safe and clean! If it all sounds great, but maybe a little too much for you to keep up with, just give us a call for an appointment instead!
Need any more help with your furry family members? Give our friends at Critter Sitters a try! www.crittersittersandmore.com
