Using Eco-Friendly Pet Stain Cleaners
January 23, 2009 by Paris and John
Filed under Cleaning Tips, Tips
Sooner or later, all dog families have to deal with pet stains (and, if you have a puppy, count on it being sooner as well as later). Even older, well trained dogs have the occasional accident if they get sick or eat something that upsets their systems.
Cleaning up stains brings up two important issues: (1) you want the stain to go away and (2) you don’t want to use anything that can harm your dog and you want a product that’s safe for the environment. How do you find an earth-friendly dog product
to effectively clean pet stains?
Read the Label. The label will tell you whether the packaging is “green”, and if the ingredients are earth-friendly. Be on the lookout for:
Plant-Based ingredients. Many safe cleaners are made from corn, coconuts, oranges or lemons. If it’s a fruit or vegetable, it’s probably safe (unless you, your dog or a family member is allergic to it). Avoid petrochemicals, and anything that says “petroleum-based” since these chemicals do not biodegrade and leave toxic residues that can, at minimum, irritate your dog’s eyes, skin and respiratory system.
Look for Natural Enzymes. Eco-friendly natural enzymes are organic additives that actually “eat” stains and odors. They sometimes need re-application, and may take a little longer to get rid of the stain and odor completely–a small price to pay for the good it does the environment and your dog’s health.
Check for Non-Toxic Ingredients. As it sounds, “non-toxic” means the ingredients are not poisonous. You’re probably using the cleaner on an area that your dog walks on, and could easily lick. Some dogs (and some toddlers) lick any surfaces they come across (as well as their feet once they walk across them) so you want to make sure the cleaner you use won’t be harmful to your family or your dog.
Recyclable or Biodegradable Packaging. “Eco-friendly” should apply not only to the contents but also to the container. Make sure the package won’t add to the millions of plastic containers already overflowing our landfills. And remember that if the container is recyclable, it still needs your help getting into the recycle bin.
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[...] Choose Eco-Friendly Stain Cleaners Sooner or later, every dog family needs to clean up stains. By looking for plant-based ingredients, natural enzymes and non-toxic ingredients, you can make your cleaning choices eco-friendly in terms of the environment and dog-friendly in terms of safety. Share Share and Enjoy: [...]
Why pay $$ for stain removal products? You can use diluted vinegar and baking soda to remove any pet stain (and odor). Dilute a few tablespoons of vinegar in a spray bottle of water. Mist the spot, cover with a heavy layer of baking soda. You’ll see the stain come to the surface. It takes about 24 hours for the baking soda to dry completely. Once dry, vacuum it up. This stain fighting concoction costs pennies, it’s safe and all natural. Best of all, it WORKS!