Using Natural Earth Friendly Products
After years of using the most popular cleaning products on the market, I would love to say that I felt better going a more natural route. That would not be the truth. Actually, one of my sweet fur babies has a fungal illness in his lungs. Even on medications he has difficulties breathing and everything from changes in the weather to cleaning products can send him into coughing fits.
So, while in my home this information applies to my pets, maybe in your home your children or your spouse suffers from allergies. With a bit of a tweak these tips can help you too.
Keeping Up With Pet Fur And Pet Dirt
- Brush your dogs every day. The less fur and dirt floating around your home, the less heavy cleaning you will need to do. Most dogs love the attention they get while being brushed and it counts as individual time spent with them.
- Use doormats outside the door and washable throw rugs inside. Dog paws are magnets for dirt and mud.
- Cover your furniture with sheets. They take up less space in your washer than conventional furniture covers and dry faster. When you have unexpected guests arrive they can be whisked right off and no one needs sit on dog fur.
- Use a Swiffer sweeper with the dry cloth every day. It does a much better job than a broom at grabbing and holding dirt and fur than an ordinary broom and it has a better reach under the furniture.
- A lint roller is a handy item for any upholstered furniture.
- A long handled duster is wonderful for not only those high hard to reach places, but for getting behind and beneath your furniture.
- Don't forget baking soda sprinkled lightly on your carpet. When you vacuum it you get better pick-up of dirt and fur. The air in the room will smell cleaner and so will your vacuum.
- If you have pet beds without removable covers, take them outside and sprinkle with baking soda. The longer you can leave the soda sit the better. When you are ready brush the excess off into a trash can. Bring bed inside and vacuum off.
Washing The Laundry And Floors
- For those washable pet items, I recommend a mix of 1 cup baking soda and baby soap to the wash cycle and 1 cup of white vinegar added to the rinse cycle.
- Keep a spray bottle of 1 to 1 mix of white vinegar and water. This can be used for those accidents that pets will occasionally have. On your carpet or other fabrics, spray and blot. Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.
- Wash your floor with 1 cup baking soda to 1 gallon warm water. Rinse after as it will leave a cloudy residue on the floor.
So there you have it. The method I use and the products. If you have any other suggestions or just want to say Hi, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you.