10 Pet Safe Cleaners for the Tidy Pet Parent

We all know that keeping a clean house isn’t always easy—especially if you have pets. But did you know that some commonly used chemical cleaning agents can be very toxic to dogs and cats? Cleansers that contain bleach, formaldehyde, isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, and phenols are especially dangerous if ingested by animals.

It’s essential to store cleaning products — even pet-safe cleaners — properly and out of your pet’s reach when not in use. Whether they’re kept in a linen closet or safely under the sink, access should be controlled regardless of their pet-safe nature. Additionally, try to block your pet from entering an area during cleaning to avoid accidental licking, chewing, or swallowing.

What makes a cleaning product pet-safe vs. not pet-safe? The answer is on the label. Certain ingredients are potentially harmful to pets in cleaning products. Pet-safe cleaners use alternative ingredients to make it less toxic.

For instance, many aerosol sprays, disinfectants, and air fresheners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when in use and even in storage. The EPA says that these emitted gases can have short- and long-term health effects, for animals and humans.

Fortunately, there are pet-safe alternatives for nearly every home cleaning use—from laundry detergents and stain removers to carpet and surface cleaners! Here are 10 pet-safe, home cleaning products you’ll want to try.

1. Puracy Pet Stain & Odor Remover

Plant-based Puracy cleaners are made from biodegradable ingredients that have been carefully chosen to be safe for both pets and children. Puracy is hypoallergenic and free from harsh chemicals and fumes. Puracy is safe and effective for rugs, and fabric and they also offer a range of non-toxic products for other surfaces.

2. Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent

Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent uses a combination of plant-based cleansers and triple enzymes that are tough on stains but gentle on you, your pets, and the environment. Contains no dyes, optical brighteners, or synthetic fragrances, and is clinically tested to be hypoallergenic and effective at all temperatures.

3. Common Good Pet-Safe Laundry Detergent

Made from plant-derived enzymes—one that breaks down starches and another that dissolves fats—Common Good is safe for children, pets, and the environment. Fully biodegradable and hypoallergenic, Common Good contains no optical brighteners, synthetic fragrances, or harsh chemicals.

4. Nature’s Miracle Deep Cleaning Carpet Shampoo

If you have pets, you’ve probably heard of Nature’s Miracle—but did you know they make a deep-cleaning carpet shampoo that’s totally pet-safe? This low-foam, phosphate-free formula uses bio-enzymatic odor-locking technology to penetrate deep into carpet fibers and upholstery to remove stubborn stains.

5. Clean + Green Fabric Refresher

Clean + Green spray-on fabric cleaner fights tough stains and odors naturally. These cat-safe cleaning products are perfect for those strong odors that linger on the sofa, drapes, cushions, and bedding.

6. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner

Mrs. Meyer’s combines garden-inspired scents, essential oils, and plant-derived cleaning ingredients in an easy-to-use spray-on cleaner that tackles tough messes wherever they happen. Pet-safe, and effective on all non-porous surfaces.

7. METHOD Dog House Friendly Mint Glass Cleaner

If you're under the impression that in order to attain a gleaming, streak-free shine on your glass surfaces you must use ammonia, you're in for a surprise. This METHOD alternative uses plant-based cleaning power to remove dirt, dust, and pesky pawprints.

8. Angry Orange Natural Cleaning Products for Pets

Angry Orange is a natural, non-toxic, pet-safe disinfectant derived from orange peel oil. Its strong deodorizing formula destroys serious animal stains and smells on carpet, tile, furniture, and more.

9. Simple Green Bio Dog Stain & Odor Remover

Simple Green’s non-toxic, biodegradable formula uses enzymatic bacteria and proprietary Fresh Bond® technology to remove stains, eliminate odors, and discourage re-soiling or remarking. Also, their dog-safe cleaning products are great for cleaning litter pans, kennels, tile, finished wood, and laminate flooring.

10. Baking Soda & Vinegar

If your cleaning budget is tight and you want to go old-school, try traditional baking soda and white vinegar. Effective as a thorough scrub or quick wipe-down for kitchen and bathroom surfaces, these two standards team up for a cleaning combination that’s both effective and pet-safe.

Editor's Note: The cleaning products mentioned in the article may be safe for typical, recommended use around pets. The article does not discuss ingestion or off-label uses. (For example, your pet chews the product container.) As always, we recommend discussing pet-safe cleaners and product use with your veterinarian. In the case of product ingestion, you should contact your veterinarian or pet poison control immediately. 

We hope these pet-friendly cleaning products help make spring cleaning easier on you—and your pets! 

Cecily Kellogg is a pet lover who definitely has crazy cat lady leanings. Her pets are all shelter rescues, including the dog, who is scared of the cats. She spent eight years working as a Veterinary Technician before becoming a writer. Today she writes all over the web, including here at Figo.