Pet-Safe Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Floors Sparkling
From muddy pawprints to the smell of cat urine, pet ownership isn’t always smooth sailing. While we’d never trade our four-legged friends for the world, removing stains and odors is an understandable priority.
Natural pet stain removal products aren’t just safer for our dogs and cats – they can also be unbelievably effective. From hardwood to tile to carpet flooring, Puracy’s got you covered.
Potentially Harmful Chemicals Found in Floor Cleaners
It’s not hard to see why natural floor cleaners are a wise option: From taking a snooze on rugs to licking up fallen food, pets spend the bulk of their lives at ground level.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of harmful chemicals in cleaning products that can cause serious damage if an animal is exposed to them:
Sulfates
Sulfates (e.g. SLS, SLES, ALS) are surfactants that effectively remove dirt and oil from a wide variety of surfaces. Concentrations in cleaning products might be between 1-30%, but anything greater than 2% has been linked to skin irritation in humans and animals. Sulfate exposure can also cause eye and respiratory irritation.
Phthalates
Phthalates are used for a wide variety of purposes, including personal care products, food containers, children’s toys, and household cleaners. Pets are most often exposed to phthalates through inhaling vapors and licking objects cleaned with these substances.
Phthalate toxicity in animals has been noted for decades (especially with regard to reproductive issues) and recent studies have focused on phthalate’s potential carcinogenic effects.
Hydrochloric Acid
Often found in toilet, tile, and porcelain cleaners, upon contact, hydrochloric acid is extremely corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. When inhaled, it can cause respiratory inflammation in animals and humans. If swallowed, hydrochloric acid can result in gastric burns and scarring.
Ammonia
A common ingredient in all types of household cleaners, ammonia has been linked to skin burns as well as coughing and throat irritation that can lead to respiratory failure in animals. If mixed with the next ingredient, the results can be deadly.
Bleach
Found in a wide array of cleaning products, bleach can be extremely harmful if pets drink from the bucket or lick a wet floor. Even if the floor dries, that doesn’t mean that bleach residue is safe either! Exposure can cause painful lesions – both external and internal – as well as eye irritation, shortness of breath, and vomiting.
Mixing Bleach with Substances
it’s important to remember that mixing bleach with substances like ammonia, acids, and alcohol can cause extremely serious – sometimes fatal – results.
What DIY Cleaning Solutions are Pet-Friendly?
If you're in a pinch and can only clean a mess with what's available in your cupboards, be sure you're using a solution that won't harm your four-legged friend.
Vinegar and Water
This simple solution can do a decent hob on grease and grime, and it's also pet friendly. (Unfiltered apple cider vinegar is the safest for pets.) But note that you shouldn't use vinegar to clean wood, marble, or granite since the acid could damage those surfaces.
Lemon Juice and Water
This DIY solution is another pet-friendly option, and it can be used on glass surfaces. The ideal ratio is 5 tablespoons of lemon juice to 2 liters of water, as too much lemon juice can result in unwanted streaks as you clean.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is known as an odor-eating cleaner, and it does not contain any harmful chemicals for pets. However, be careful when storing it – if your dog ingests a large amount of baking soda, it can, in fact, be dangerous.
Putting a Pet-Friendly Cleaning Routine in Place
Once you have your safe, natural cleaners ready to go, you can start cleaning floors using a routine that will keep your animals out of harm's way. Be sure to keep pets out of the way when you're cleaning floors until they're fully dry. If you're using a stronger cleaning solution, be sure to fully rinse the floor after cleaning to ensure your pet's safety.
If you suspect your pet has ingested a dangerous cleaning product, call your local ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center. They will consult you on whether your pet should immediately be taken to a vet.
Cleaning Pet Stains from Flooring
Remember: Frequent care is easy care. No matter the type of flooring, prevent stains by staying on top of vacuuming and targeting regular places that accumulate hair and stains. This will make spot cleaning much easier.
How to Clean Hardwood & Laminate Floors
We love how effective microfiber mops are on most floor surfaces, from wood to vinyl, linoleum, and tile. We also appreciate that the washable pads are machine-washable, which saves money and prevents unnecessary waste.
First, fill a bucket with warm water and add one squirt of Puracy Natural Dish Soap. Soak your mop, then wring it out as much as possible (oversaturation can warp floors). Working from one corner outwards, pay extra attention to any marks or spills. Be sure to rinse and wring your mop as needed and consider refilling the bucket if you’re dealing with a big accident.
Pro tip: Don’t use water-based cleaners on oil-treated hardwood flooring.
How to Clean Pet Stains out of Carpet
Having a pet and carpeting? That takes next-level confidence – or an incredible pet stain remover.
1. Remove the Mess
If it’s a fresh stain, it’s important to lift it out of the carpet as soon as possible. Use a spoon or spatula to avoid squishing it into the carpet fibers.
2. Saturate the Stain
Cover the entire area with 1 part Puracy Pet Stain & Odor Remover to 4 parts warm water.
3. Put Pressure on It
Place a heavy object (e.g. skillet, encyclopedia, brick) in a clear plastic bag and place it on top of the stain to help your stain remover soak in. Choose a higher-quality bag so it doesn’t puncture or transfer color to the carpeting.
4. Let Your Pet Stain Remover Work
This is the easiest part: Leave the area alone for at least 8 hours. For deeper stains, overnight is better.
5a. Rinse with a Carpet Cleaning Machine...
If you own pets or have children, carpets get dirty – fast. Investing a small amount of money in a great carpet cleaner will make your cleaning routine far easier.
Use your machine to remove all of the product and particles using warm water. There’s no need to add carpet shampoo: Puracy Natural Pet Stain Remover contains all of the active ingredients you’ll need.
5b. ...If You Don’t Have a Carpet Cleaner
Though it takes longer, you can absolutely clean carpets by hand (but we recommend using disposable gloves because stain particles can be gross):
- Fill a small bucket with warm water.
- Saturate and ring out a clean microfiber towel until it’s slightly dripping.
- Press the towel into the affected area and gently rock it back and forth (don’t scrub!). You want to inject fresh water while soaking up remaining waste.
- Repeat the process as many times as needed until you’ve soaked up the excess liquid (you may need to use an extra towel).
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How to Clean Tiled Floors
If your pet made a mess on your brand new tiles or in your bathroom, there's no need to fret. First, take your vacuum or a broom and clear the area of stray dirt or other debris. Spray the floor with our Everyday Surface Cleaner (made with coconut-based cleansers, so it's pet-safe!).
Then take a microfiber cloth mop to thoroughly mop through the floor. As mentioned before, these mops are the best option when you want super-absorbency and low-waste.
How to Clean Delicate or Antique Rugs
If your pet has made a mess on a family heirloom that can't be put in the washing machine, follow these steps for targeting stains.
- Target the affected area with our Natural Stain Remover, and let it sit for up to 15 minutes.
- Take a bowl and fill it with warm water. Then use a clean cloth and saturate it with the water.
- Wring the cloth and then gently press it onto the stain, blotting with light pressure.
- Rinse the cloth and repeat this until all the Natural Stain Remover is rinsed from the rug's surface.
- You can then neutralize any lingering odor using our Pet Stain & Odor Remover.
Why Puracy Pet Stain Remover Is Effective
The 99.96% natural formula of our Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover uses 5 plant-based enzymes. It doesn’t matter whether it’s urine, feces, hairballs, vomit, or “unknown”, these plant-based enzymes completely destroy stain- and odor-causing particles at their source, helping to deter bad behaviors:
- Protease - Protein stains (e.g. blood, urine, vomit, drool)
- Amylase - Starch stains
- Cellulase - General stains (e.g. mud, dust)
- Mannanase - Food stains
- Lipase - Oil stains
This product is 30x more concentrated than its biggest competitors’ products. Less scrubbing, fewer sprays: Our Natural Pet Stain Remover is low-foam (for fast drying), delicately scented with essential oils, and safe for all of your fabrics.
