8 Eco & Pet friendly Natural Cleaning tips

If you want some ideas on how to make your own eco & pet friendly cleaning products, take a look at some recipes that I have tried and tested! I also regularly use baking soda and white vinegar in my grooming salon, kitchen sink and bathroom drains to keep them fresh and blockage free!

You too can make your own cleaning products and save some money, as well as helping the environment by reducing plastic waste and by reducing the amount of harsh chemicals entering both the environment, and ourselves and our pets bodies!

General household cleaner formula

This is a general cleaner (like a disinfectant), suitable for everything but windows and mirrors, it's great for counters, tables and chairs, sticky and smelly messes, as well as bathroom cleaning. Excellent for carpet and upholstery, but always do a patch test in a hidden area before using.

• 1 cup white vinegar

• 1 cup hot tap water

• 2 tsp of baking soda

• 2 drops of washing-up liquid

Mix together the vinegar and water. Add the baking soda slowly as it will fizz. Add the washing-up liquid. Shake.

Window and mirror miracle formula

Best used with a reusable microfibre window cloth.

• 1 cup white vinegar

• 1 cup hot tap water

• 3 drops of blue dishwashing liquid

Mix together vinegar and hot tap water then add the dishwashing liquid.

Tip: The hotter the water the better. But do not use boiling water as it will melt your bottle.

or,

A simple mixture of lemon juice and water will do the trick.

• 5 tablespoons of lemon juice to 2 litres of water.

Wipe the surfaces clean with a microfibre window cloth.

Floor cleaner

This is a tried-and-true method to clean ceramic, hardwood and laminate floors without needing a gas mask and worrying about toxic residue for pets and children.

• 1 cup white vinegar

• Bucket of hot water (hotter the better, not boiling)

• 10 drops of washing-up liquid

Allow the mop to sit in the bucket of solution for two minutes before cleaning so the product penetrates the fibres. Wring the mop out very well before using as you do not want standing water on hardwood or laminate. It is the heat, not the ingredients, that makes this effective. The vinegar acts as a disinfectant. If the floor is very dirty you may need to wash on your hands and knees with a microfiber cloth. If you are cleaning a large floor area, make sure your water stays hot. Make another batch if it cools.

Carpet deodorizer

This is an easy way to refresh your carpets, neutralize pet odour and leave the room smelling fresh and clean.

• 1 or 2 cups of baking soda

• Several drops of lavender oil or patchouli mix

Mix well and sprinkle on carpet. Leave sit for an hour and then vacuum up. Avoid having your pets walk through the area unless you want tiny white footprints around your house. You can also just use the baking soda on its own to remove the odour, without the fresh smell.

Great grout cleaner and mould remover

This cleaner is tough on that orange and pink mould that builds up on bathroom grout.

• ½ cup baking soda

• 3 drops dishwashing liquid

• 3 drops rosemary oil

• ½ cup white vinegar

• ¼ cup salt

• Water, enough to make a paste

Scrub the grout and around the bathtub with a toothbrush and let sit for a couple of hours. Rinse with hot water. If it’s black mould, you’ll need something more heavy-duty. Spray hydrogen peroxide 3% on the grout and let it sit for a few hours. Scrub with an old toothbrush.

 Aromatic Clean Laundry

• Lemon essential oil

If your dog or cat loves napping on a favourite blanket, pillow, sweater, or bed sheet it’s a good idea to use a pet friendly laundry detergent or research on how to make your own. If you want your clean clothes to have a fresh scent after they are washed, instead of using the Lenor scented balls or tumble dryer sheets, place a few drops of lemon essential oil onto one of your garments, like a sock.

Urine, Vomit and Poop Stains

• baking soda

• 0.5 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide

• 1 teaspoon washing up liquid

This mixture is particularly beneficial for use in treating urine stains because it helps to break down uric crystals. When combined with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide can be used to create a powerful and all-natural deodorizing carpet cleaner. Start by blotting the stain with paper towel then sprinkle a good amount of baking soda over it. Next, combine the hydrogen peroxide with washing-up liquid and slowly pour the solution over the stain and baking soda. Using a clean cloth or scrub brush, scrub at the stain then let it sit for 10 minutes before vacuuming the area thoroughly.

Safe Cleaning Tips:

• Do NOT use bleach when a pet soils your carpet or floors. The ammonia in the urine will react with bleach and give off harmful fumes.

• Avoid using any ammonia-based products, as the ammonia smell may encourage your pet to ‘mark’ the area.

Shower screen spray

To keep your shower and tub clean and smelling great between washes, try this simple spray. Squeegee the tiles and shower door after each time you shower and keep the door open between uses to decrease mildew build up.

• Rosemary essential oil, several drops

• Water to mix

Spray a solution of the essential oil and water over the interior of the bath or shower each time it’s used, and let dry. Rosemary essential oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.