The world is a pet's playground, and your home is no exception. They romp on floors, pull countertop stunts, perch on windowsills, groom themselves, and, of course, lick whatever catches their fancy. So, ensuring your place is pet-safe is a top priority.

Using the right cleaning products becomes crucial. However, you don't need expensive products, as you can whip up pet-friendly cleaners using everyday household items. Do you want to know how? Discover some of the most effective pet-friendly cleaning solutions here!

Best for most chores: vinegar and warm water

Vinegar is an excellent alternative for cleaning vinyl and tile floors (not so much for wood!) because it breaks down stains on your floors thanks to its acidity while getting rid of bad odors. The best thing is that you can use it to make an effective cleaning solution from the comfort of your home.

Mix one cup of white vinegar with a ¼ gallon of warm water in a bucket and swirl to fully combine them. Once done, you can mop your floors as if you were using any other common cleaner. Finally, rinse the area with clean, warm water.

What if you have wooden floors?

While relatively safe, vinegar can damage your wooden floors if left for too long. So, to avoid the risk of harming your beautiful wood surfaces, try the following solution instead.

Mix in a bucket one gallon of warm water, ¾ cup of olive oil, and half a cup of lemon juice to give it a nice smell. Mop your mops as always, and rinse thoroughly after finishing.

Scrubbing aid for stains: baking soda

Baking soda's abrasive and odor-absorbing properties make it work as an effective stain remover that deodorizes at the same time. Besides, its chemical composition makes it a powerful weapon against grease—like the one in the kitchen!

Make a thick paste by mixing three parts of baking soda and one part water. The goal is to achieve a toothpaste-like consistency (so add more water or baking soda as needed) to make it manageable while keeping its abrasiveness.

Spread the paste over the stained spot and wait for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.

Disinfectant powerhouse: hydrogen peroxide and water

In this time and age, disinfecting surfaces has taken a crucial spot in our daily lives. However, having pets in your home makes this practice a bit complex, as traditional alcohol-based disinfectants can harm them.

To make an effective disinfectant that you can safely use around your pets (not on them!), mix water and hydrogen peroxide in equal parts. After it's ready, you can use this disinfectant all around your home!

Note: Although hydrogen peroxide is a relatively tame compound, diluting it further reduces the harm it could cause to your pets—just let it act for at least ten minutes for it to take effect before wiping it dry!

Pet-stain remover: hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and water

Among the different types of stains, those pets' little accidents can be a headache to remove. Luckily, hydrogen peroxide can break them down and leave the area as clean as before. Also, don't worry about the odors; baking soda will take care of that!

First, spray the area with hydrogen peroxide and let it rest for five minutes. Then, mix in another spray bottle, equal parts baking soda, and cold water, to spray the area again. Let it pass about two minutes, and scrub the area before rinsing and drying it.

Glass cleaner: hydrogen peroxide, warm water, and vinegar

This glass cleaner can take out stains from your windows and mirrors without leaving any streaks!

For glass surfaces in your common spaces and bedrooms, mix in a spray bottle two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, a trickle of dish soap, and warm water. Then, spray the area you want to clean and quickly swipe with a clean cloth.

Your windows and mirrors in bathrooms can gather limescale, and your DIY cleaner may struggle with those white spots. First, pre-clean the mirror by spraying vinegar on it and waiting for over five minutes. After that, you can wipe and use your homemade cleaner as usual!

Air freshener: baking soda and essential oils

Baking soda's great odor-absorbing capabilities, coupled with natural essential oils, can make your home smell fresher in a natural and safe way for your pets!

Before you begin, you must know not all scents are completely safe for pets. Check this list of scents you can use. When you've decided on your preferred essential oil, mix in a spray bottle 20 drops of it with one tablespoon of baking soda and water.

Once done, you can spray any room in your home whenever you want. This powerful freshener will trap bad-smelling particles in the air and replace them with fresh scents!

Pro-tip: you can also use leaves (instead of the drops) for your air freshener.

Are store-bought cleaning products safe for pets?

Although the previous DIY cleaners have been tried and proven to work, it is normal for you to have doubts about them. So, if you prefer (and don't mind spending some extra cash), you can still get cleaning products safe for pets at the store.

However, while safe, those cleaning products can still pose a risk if not used or stored properly. Keep these things in mind:

• Always follow the instructions on the label. Excessive quantities can still harm your pets.
• Store cleaners in a hard-to-get place for your pets. Although the smell might deter them from drinking the liquid, it never hurts to prevent it.
• Rinse your floors after mopping. It's not really a big deal, but it works as an extra layer of prevention so chemicals won't cling to your pet's fur.

Avoid cleaners with these ingredients

You may think that cleaning products that aren't labeled as pet-safe don't present a problem if your pets aren't exposed to them. While that's partly right, you can never skip a beat when your pet's health is involved.

Down below, there's a list of chemicals you can find on various cleaners that can be dangerous for your pet. You might even discover some pet-safe products contain them, so look out!

• Isopropyl alcohol ( found in rubbing alcohol)
• Chlorine (found in bleach)
• Ammonia
• Formaldehyde (AKA formalin, methanol, methylene oxide)
• Perchloroethylene (found in carpet and rug cleaners)
• Phenols (you can find them in cleaners with "sol" in the name)
• Phosphates
• Glycol ethers
• Phthalates (normally found in air fresheners)
• Glycol ether benzoic acid
• Ethanol
• Quaternary ammonium compounds
• Sulfates
• Triclosan

Keep learning more cleaning tips with Rain City Maids!

Knowing what to use to clean your home is half of the battle. The other half is knowing how to do it! Maximize your cleaning effectiveness and get better results by checking out the wonderful cleaning advice we have for you. Check out our blog for more!