As a cat owner, one of your primary responsibilities is to ensure that you are using cleaning products that are safe for the animals. From harsh bleaches that could hurt their paws to dangerous chemicals that could cause respiratory distress and more, there are some cleaners that you shouldn’t use around pets. Of course, there are also some essentials to make sure that you have on hand in place of these off-limits products.
You might be surprised at just how much you can do without harsh chemicals when it comes to cleaning up after your cat. Take the time to consider the options below and make sure that you’re prepared for any mess that comes your way.
The Cat Cleanup Essentials
If you’re making a list for your toolkit, these are the items that you’ll want to keep on hand. You may need different cleaners and supplies from time to time, but you’ll be able to find pet-safe alternatives to everything if you take the time to look. For now, make sure that you’ve got the following items with you for safe, easy cleanup no matter who made the mess or how many pets you have.
Paper Towels
Reusable dishcloths and towels should not be used to clean up various cat messes. Not only will this make it more difficult to clean, but it can usually ruin a lot of good linens for no reason. If you don’t want to worry about constantly washing up after cleaning up, invest in quality paper towels that you can keep on hand in case of emergencies. Consider the higher-end brands that have a premium quality for easy cleanup, or even the shop-grade paper towels that are available.
General Purpose Cleaner
A basic multipurpose cleaner is a must. These cleaners can be good for small, simple messes. You might just need to sop up the big mess, wipe it with a cleaner, and be done. It won’t always solve the problem but it’s a must-have. Most people have these in their homes already, but if you don’t, you will want to pick one up.
Dish Soap
Dish soap is great to clean up all types of pet messes. The soap includes grease-cutting agents and odor removers, as well as disinfectants to make sure that the surface gets properly cleaned. Regular Dawn dish soap (blue) can even be handy to keep around in case you run into flea problems and are out of medication or don’t want to use chemical flea treatments.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is great at absorbing odors and deodorizing carpets and upholstery. You can buy pre-mixed carpet cleaners, but those often have chemicals and heavy scents. A sprinkle of regular baking soda can be used instead and create a fresh feeling without the heavy scent. It can also be mixed with water to create a paste that can clean stubborn messes on various surfaces.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a great natural cleaner. It can be diluted with water and used as a deodorizer and cleaner on most surfaces. If you don’t want to use chemical cleaners and put your pet at risk, you don’t have to spend a fortune on pet-safe products because this is one cheap cleaning solution that everyone probably already has on hand.
Enzymatic Urine Cleaner
If you’re a cat person, you’ve no doubt had at least one cat in your life that couldn’t break the habit of going to the bathroom on the floor. It might have started as an accident, but since the smell was never removed, they continue to go there, perpetuating the smell and creating further damage. No matter how hard you scrub, you will not be able to eliminate the urine odor without an enzymatic formula designed to break down the odor molecules and eliminate the mess once and for all.
These cleaners can also be used for other cat messes, so don’t let the focus on breaking down the urine enzymes distract you from putting this cleaner to work in any way that you need.
Chemicals to Avoid
Generally speaking, you’ll want to avoid exposing your cat to any unnecessary harsh chemicals and cleaning products. However, there are some that you should explicitly avoid letting your cat breathe or touch:
- Bleach
- Most detergents
- Antifreeze
- Fertilizers and herbicides
- De-icing salt (pet-safe products are available)
Some of these aren’t designed for cleaning, but they’re still important to note because they can be dangerous to your cat. Part of owning a cat is learning how to properly care for them and keep them safe. If you are using any of these products without their safety in mind, you’re not doing them justice. Always make sure that you are cautious with these products and anything else that could be a danger to your pets.
Approved Cleaners
Aside from the list of items above that are mostly household products, several companies are now creating pet-safe cleaning products and household cleaners so that you don’t have to worry. You can visit your local pet store or search for brands online, and you’ll find a wide selection of pet-safe options for cleaning every area of your home. After all, you have to clean up after more than your cat, so you’ll need a variety of cleaners on hand. Consider natural and organic brands, both for their well-being and yours.
Some of the top brands of pet-safe products include:
- Mrs. Meyer’s
- SpotAway
- Clean + Green
- Seventh Generation
- Common Good
- Simply Green
- Nature’s Miracle
If You’re Not Sure, Ask
If you are uncertain about which products to use or how to best clean up with a cat in the house, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Talk to your vet, connect with other cat owners, and read up online about what the experts are saying. Make sure that you are prepared to change your routines, if need be, to accommodate the safety and wellbeing of your pets. Typically, you can find plenty of home solutions like those listed above, though, so it will be easy to take care of everyone.