Using Cornstarch, Baking Soda as a Carpet Cleaner

We’re always looking for pet-friendly cleaning solutions that are both easy on the environment AND easy on our budget, especially as we start our spring cleaning here. In your pantry, you’ll probably find two products that both make inexpensive carpet cleaners: cornstarch and baking soda. Ordinary kitchen cornstarch makes a safe, effective carpet cleaner. Just Read the Rest…

Storing Your Dog’s Winter Clothes

Cleaning out the closets is a twice a year job around here–and not just for our clothes but for our dogs’ clothes as well. Since we live in a fairly warm climate, we don’t have lots of coats for the dogs but we do have a few ranging from sweaters to faux sheepskin coats (and Read the Rest…

Living with Pets & Allergies

Do you have allergies? About 40 million Americans do (count us in!) and dog and cat dander can be a real trigger according to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. For most people, though, working to keep down the allergens is a small price to pay to enjoy your life with your furry family Read the Rest…

Removing Pet Hair

Today’s tip is one of our favorites…and one of the simplest, cheapest tips for pet families. This time of year, our pets, both the dogs and the cats, are shedding like crazy and even daily brushing can’t stop the accumulation of hair that takes place on all our upholstered furniture. The solution? We use old Read the Rest…

Cleaning with Vinegar

Let’s face it: pets mean pet messes. We have both dogs and cats so we’ve got a multitude of messes to clean up, from muddy pawprints (from the dogs…the cats live indoors) to hairballs. To reduce our impact on the environment, we’ve been using vinegar as a cleanser as much as possible. White distilled vinegar Read the Rest…

Around the House: Reader Tips

Recently we asked for reader tips on raising your dog–and you responded with some great tips on all aspects of life with your dog. Today we look at some of our favorite tips on life around the house with your dog. Begin early to teach your dog to eat only from his dish. More dogs Read the Rest…

Cleaning Dog Stains from Your Carpet

Sooner or later, it will happen: you will get a dog stain on your carpet. Whether it’s a puppy accident or a senior moment (or, let’s face it, you walk it in on your own feet), you will have a dog stain to clean off your carpet or rug. What to do? Don’t reach for Read the Rest…

Using Eco-Friendly Pet Stain Cleaners

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: Read the Rest…