Buyer's Guide: The Best Pet-Safe Cleaning Products

Everyone knows that having a pet comes with a host of responsibilities. Unfortunately, many learn the hard way that one of those responsibilities includes replacing harsh cleaning products with pet-safe products. 

Similar to baby-proofing a home and making necessary changes and adjustments to ensure a safe environment for the child, pets also need to be protected from harmful chemicals and products.

Apart from falling ill and developing long term health issues, ingesting certain cleaning chemicals can also prove fatal among some dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals. Therefore, as a pet parent, it is your responsibility to keep your beloved furry, four-legged family member safe from all kinds of potential danger.

With that, it brings us to the question - what are the best pet-safe cleaning products for your home? Well, in this comprehensive buyer’s guide from MaidForYou, one can switch out their entire supply of cleaning products with pet-safe alternatives for the whole house! We understand how important family pets are, and therefore, do our due diligence in researching the safest, tried and tested cleaning solutions to use around dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, etc. 

Cleaning Ingredients That are Unsafe for Pets

Before we proceed with the best pet-safe cleaning products you can purchase, it is important to discuss the many different products that are commonly used to make DIY house cleaning solutions but deemed unsafe for pets. 

These include the following:

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Chlorine
• Bleach
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Ammonia

You may also find some chemicals mentioned on the product label that are harmful to pets including Phthalates, Phenols, and Formaldehyde. As far as natural ingredients are concerned, baking soda and white vinegar, if ingested, can also cause problems like vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs and cats. In fact, even perfumed cleaning products or ingredients such as essential oils can trigger allergies or cause irritation.

With that said, the aforementioned ingredients can be used to clean, albeit cautiously, to ensure that they do not harm your pet. This can be achieved by keeping pets in a separate room while cleaning, and ensuring that floors and surfaces are thoroughly rinsed or wiped with a damp cloth to remove traces of the product. 

MaidForYou’s Top 5 Picks for Best Pet-Safe Cleaning Products

Whether you are looking for a floor cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, or carpet cleaner that is safe for your pet, we’ve got you covered! Cleaning and ridding certain areas (both indoor and outdoor) of pet smells can be challenging, especially if you are using everyday cleaning solutions. 

So, before we jump into the product reviews of our top 9 pet-safe cleaning products, here is a brief look at our 5 favourites.

Best Pet-Safe Floor Cleaner: Enzyme Wizard No Rinse Floor Cleaner

As the name suggests, there is no worry or added work of having to rinse the floor after using the product. This cuts down on your cleaning time while the power-packed combination of pet-safe ingredients ensures a thorough clean.

PROS:

• Suitable for tiles, concrete, linoleum, and bathroom floors
• Can be used in floor cleaning machines including foaming machines
• Effective in removing strong pet odours from hard floors
• Suited for both home and commercial cleaning
• Highly concentrated so you don’t run out of product too quickly

Best Pet-Safe Carpet Cleaner: Nature's Miracle Carpet Shampoo

Unlike hard floors, pet ‘accidents’ can really penetrate carpets and leave an unwanted, lasting stain or odour. For this, finding a trusted brand that is committed to pet safety when formulating their products is the most reassuring thing to do. Needless to say, Nature’s Miracle fits the bill perfectly!

PROS:

• The product can be used by itself (following the product’s dilution rates) or with a steam cleaner/carpet cleaning machine
• Uses a bio-enzymatic formula to abolish odour-causing molecules and tough stains
• Does not foam up too much making cleaning a lot less messy
• Suitable for carpets, area rugs, and upholstery

Best Pet-Safe Hardwood Cleaner: Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Finding a really good cleaning solution for hardwood floors is hard enough without the added criteria of one that is safe for pets. Well, Bona’s Hardwood Floor Cleaner delivers on both quality and pet safety with this ready-to-use formula. While it is best suited to use with the Bona Spray Mop, you can also use the product in a regular spray bottle.

PROS:

• It is not only safe for pets but environmentally-friendly too
• Dries quickly due to its water-based formula
• Suitable for both waxed or unwaxed hardwood floors
• Offers superior cleaning results without stripping wooden floors of their existing finish

Best Pet-Safe All-Purpose Cleaner: ECOS Parsley All-Purpose Cleaner

For those quick cleanups that merely require a few spritz and a wipe, having a pet-safe all-purpose cleaner is extremely useful. With this cleaning spray from ECOS, you can rest assured that you are getting a truly ‘clean’ product thanks to the elimination of chemicals and toxic ingredients.

PROS: 

• Colourless cleaning solution which can be used on any water-safe household surface
• Great for spot-treatment to remove dirt and stains
• Does not have a strong or overbearing scent
• 100% eco-friendly and pet-safe

Best Pet-Safe Cleaner for Pet Toilets: Wee Care Enzyme Cleaning Solution

Whether you have a litter box or a pet toilet with synthetic grass/artificial turf, it needs to be cleaned routinely. For this, you require a reliable product that will clean the area but not leave it smelling foreign to your dog or cat (thus discouraging them to use it in the future). The Wee Care Enzyme Cleaning Solution is made specifically for this, making it a great product to have if your pets use a pet toilet.

PROS:

• Removes pet stains and odours, eliminating bacteria in the process
• Enzymatic formula ensures efficacy in breaking down stubborn pet mess
• 100% eco friendly and safe to use around pets and people
• It can be used to clean various surfaces including carpet, upholstery, concrete, litter boxes, and other indoor/outdoor pet toilet areas

9 Best Pet-Safe Cleaning Products You Can Use in Your Home

Now that you have a better understanding of what you should be looking for, let’s dive into the details of the most effective pet-safe cleaning products on the market today. 

From specific products to clean up pet mess or remove pet stains and odours, to regular cleaning products that are carefully formulated to keep pets safe in your home, we’ve compiled a list of 9 such products that you can trust to get the job done!

DISCLAIMER: While the products listed below are created using pet-safe ingredients, some dogs or cats may react differently due to pre-existing health conditions or allergies. It is best to seek advice from your vet regarding the best cleaning products for your pet upon examination. 

1) Enzyme Wizard No Rinse Floor Cleaner

The magic of this product lies in the fact the enzymes in the formula continue to work on breaking down dirt, bacteria, and organic matter even after you are done mopping the floor. This helps to get rid of odours and tough stains due to the enzymes reducing them to elements such as hydrogen and carbon. 

Specially made for hard floors, the cleaning solution does a great job at tackling dirt and grime between the grout lines while also increasing the floor’s friction. It can be used on all water-resistant surfaces for both heavy duty or light cleaning. 

The label on the product provides detailed instructions on dilution rates, and how to use the Enzyme Wizard No Rinse Floor Cleaner for best results. Once you have made the cleaning solution with the concentrated product, you can fill it into a steam mop, floor cleaning machine, or simply use a regular mop and bucket to clean your floor.

2) Nature's Miracle Carpet Shampoo

This carpet shampoo certainly lives up to the brand name. Using odour-locking technology, it effectively rids your carpet of foul smells left by dog mess or cat urine. It is equally great at removing carpet stains, especially when used with a carpet cleaning machine. The low-foam carpet cleanser can remove old or fresh carpet stains, making it a very reliable product to have in households with pets.

With its bio-enzymatic technology, and a combination of cleaning agents, the shampoo penetrates the carpet, and breaks down dirt and stains that are deep into the fibres. If you would like to use the product manually, simply make a cleaning solution following the recommended dilution rates, and apply it to the affected area of the carpet using a spray bottle or clean cloth. The fresh scent it leaves behind is mild, and proven to not irritate pets. 

3) Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Whether your hardwood flooring has a polyurethane finish, is unoiled, or unwaxed, the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is safe to use, and extremely effective in cleaning up fine debris, dirt, and stains. Considering the fact that it is a water-based solution, the drying time is a lot shorter than most hardwood cleaners. Even better, it does not leave any residue behind which makes the wood feel and look different.

The Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is typically sold as a refill pack for the brand’s spray mop, and therefore, does not need to be diluted or mixed before using. If you do not have a spray mop or electric machine to use the cleaner, simply pour it into a spray bottle, spritz the floor, and mop it clean! If you’ve got lingering odours left by pet accidents, this pet-safe hardwood floor cleaner will take care of them.

4) ECOS Parsley All-Purpose Cleaner

The company itself is committed to using 100% renewable energy to create their eco-friendly, pet-safe cleaning products. This multi-surface product, in particular, does not contain phosphates, parabens, or artificial colouring, and is 100% vegan.

Using plant-powered ingredients, the ECOS Parsley All-Purpose Cleaner does an amazing job at cleaning all water-resistant areas in the home, including kitchen and bathroom surfaces. You don’t have to worry about rinsing off the solution owing to its non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning formula. In terms of fragrance, it has a fresh, plant-based scent that keeps your home smelling natural and pleasant.

5) Wee Care Enzyme Cleaning Solution

If you are toilet training a pup or kitten, you will soon learn that they generally pee or poop in the same spot. This makes it tougher to remove the smell which, in turn, leads to more pet accidents in your home. Similarly, if you have a pet toilet, litter box, or an outdoor area where your pets generally relieve themselves, it won’t be long until it needs cleaning to remove stains and odours.

For this, ordinary cleaners are rarely effective; therefore, one must turn to a product like Wee Care Enzyme Cleaning Solution for best results. With its concentrated, enzyme-based technology, bacteria, residue, and stubborn stains will wash away easily after the solution has broken down the remnants of the organic matter. It is 100% biodegradable, non-toxic, and safe for pets and the environment. Simply follow the instructions on the label, and use it to clean all kinds of dog and cat toilets, hard floors, and outdoor areas. 

6) Aunt Fannie's Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash Concentrate

As a dedicated pet-friendly manufacturer of cleaning products, you can rest assured that the company goes out of their way to create quality, pet-safe cleaners for household and commercial use. With their Vinegar Wash Concentrate, the core ingredient dissipates quickly while breaking down nasty grime from the floor. It is suitable for most floor types including sealed hardwood, concrete, tile, bamboo, sealed stone, and linoleum. 

Suitable for steam mops, floor cleaning machines, and mop buckets, this all-natural, pet-safe cleaning solution is not only versatile, but very effective when it comes to cleaning pet urine, and getting rid of foul odours from your floor. It gets the job done without leaving residue or buildup on the surface, bringing back the floor’s cleanliness and shine. You can also expect great value for money with this product owing to its strong concentration.

7) F10 SC Veterinary Disinfectant

If you have a sick dog or cat, and therefore need to sterilise surfaces to avoid cross contamination, it’s best to use products that veterinarians use in their clinics or animal hospitals. These are 100% effective and safe to use around pets and people. The F10 SC Veterinary Disinfectant can be used to disinfect litter boxes, cages, equipment, counters, floors, and many different household surfaces.

The concentrated solution kills bacteria and viruses, as well as fungi, keeping other pets and household members safe from contracting potential diseases. While there are some veterinary disinfectants on the market that contain harsh chemicals, this product is ecologically friendly and biodegradable. For best results, we recommend strictly following the manufacturer’s steps to dilute and use the product which is provided on the label. 

8) Nature’s Miracle Cage Cleaner (For Small Animal Cages)

When you have small pets that live in cages, it is important to have a special cage cleaner that is formulated to effectively remove dirt and bacteria while ensuring that no overbearing smells are left behind. Considering the fact that this is your pet’s living environment for most of its life, the wrong cleaning solution can irritate or cause problems in the animal’s respiratory system, as well as affect their skin/fur.

With Nature’s Miracle Cage Cleaner for small animals like hamsters and guinea pigs, you get the benefit of a safe, bio-enzymatic formula that rids the cage of stubborn debris, stains, and odours. The company promises excellent results, and even offers a money-back guarantee in compliance with the terms and conditions mentioned on the label of the product. While you can also use the cleaning solution to clean bird cages, the brand has a specially made bird cage cleaner that is recommended above this product. 

9) PetLab Healthy Habitat PLUS™ Disinfectant

This is another great, pet-safe cleaning product you can purchase online with the assurance of efficacy, safety, and value for money. It offers a 3-in-1 benefit in the form of cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorising. Available in two quantities, the smaller of which is 300ml yet makes up to 6 litres of powerful cleaning solution, it makes for a great, long-lasting product even if used regularly. 

If you are looking for an eco-friendly disinfectant, you’ll be happy to know that this is a plant-based product which is safe for pets and people. Aside from this, one of the best advantages of PetLab’s Healthy Habitat PLUS™ Disinfectant is its versatility. Use it to clean dog beds and cat bedding, upholstery, litter boxes, hard surfaces, and even pet food bowls. It is chemical-free so you never have to worry about rinsing off the cleaner when mopping or wiping household surfaces. 

Caring for a pet means keeping them safe from chemicals, substances, and other dangers that are often found in one’s household. This, of course, includes cleaning products which contain ingredients that are harmful to cats, dogs, and other pets. If ingested, these unsafe cleaning solutions can cause vomiting, loose motions, skin allergies, and other problems in pets. It is therefore, critically important to replace chemical household cleaners with pet-safe cleaning solutions. 

In this article, you will find 9 of the best pet-safe cleaning products to keep your whole house clean and free of dangerous chemicals that affect your precious pet’s health. Be reminded, however, that in some rare cases, pets may react differently to any given product; therefore, it is recommended to ask your vet to examine your pet and conclude what the best pet-safe cleaning products are for them. We provide eco-friendly cleaning products that are safe for your family and pets for all of our regular cleaning services at no extra cost.