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Having lived with dogs all of my life, I wouldn’t want it any other way! Living with dogs comes with some cleaning challenges: nose prints, slobber, muddy paws, doggy smell, and lots of pet hair. However, having dogs isn’t incompatible with having a nice home, so I’m sharing some of my cleaning tips.
There are hundreds of cleaners in the store, some potentially toxic, and many are bad for the environment. Additionally, many of the leading brands test on animals, which is cruel and unnecessary. I am sharing a few of my favorite cleaning tips, and I would love to hear your tips in the comments! I love using these DIY cleaners with Scotch-Brite® Scrubbing Dish Cloths because they work and are better for the environment as well as our health.
My mom taught me that if you are organized before you start a task, it saves a lot of time in the long run. As soon as I saw this mint green caddy, I knew it would be perfect for my cleaning needs. I prefer glass containers to plastic, but if you have toddlers or an overly helpful dog, plastic containers might be a safer choice. My Scotch Brite dishcloths are versatile workhorses, with two different textures, making them perfect for many jobs. One side has powerful non-scratch scrubbing dots, while the other has the standard wiping and drying functions.
Vinegar Spray:
White vinegar diluted with water is an excellent cleaning solution. I usually use two parts water to one part vinegar, but some people use equal parts. You can add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance if you like. This is often touted as an all-purpose cleaner, but the geologist in me says, don’t risk using it on your marble table!
Always label your homemade cleaning supplies!
Scouring Powder
Sometimes you need a little muscle, and this scouring powder is perfect for cleaning the sink or getting the scum off of a dog bowl.
To make my scouring powder, I combine one cup of salt with one cup of baking soda. Shake before using.
This scouring powder is perfect for cleaning off the slimy stuff on dog bowls. Simply add some powder and approximately the same amount of water to make a paste. We found this great bowl from Barkley & Wagz on EtsyBarkley & Wagz on Etsy.
For this job, the scrubbing dots give you the extra oomph you need for scrubbing but will not scratch. (However, the salt in this formula might scratch delicate surfaces.)
Make sure to rinse thoroughly!
Air Freshener
Many DIY air fresheners call for alcohol in the formula because it will dry quickly in the air. However, alcohol is toxic to dogs, so I mix 1 cup of water with 20-30 drops of essential oils. You can experiment to see what scent combinations you like best. I like to use a blend of orange and lemongrass in the living areas and use lavender in the bedrooms.
My secret trick for getting ready for company is to spray my dishcloth with my homemade air freshener and wipe down the door jambs. That way, the first impression is a clean-smelling house. I chose a blue bottle to help keep the essential oils away from light.
Dishcloths are also great for removing dog hair from furniture. Just get it damp and lightly wipe upholstered furniture. The hair rolls right up.
After you get your house ready for spring, you should check out 11 Tips for Creating a Dog-Friendly Yard.
About Alice G Patterson Photography: Based in Syracuse, New York, Alice is a lifestyle photographer dedicated to helping women succeed in their small business dreams, and she also specializes in dog photography. Alice is taking her pet and commercial photography on the road this year, so be sure to sign up for her email list or send her an inquiry about your business and pet portrait needs.
Great tips!
I love dishcloths too! That bowl is fantastic, where did you find it?
The bowl is from Barkley and Wagz (https://www.barkleyandwagz.com/). They have a lot of really cute stuff!
Cleaning up after my slobbery mess of a dog is such work! I swear his drool is indestructible once it caked up somewhere. haha. Ill have to dry this!
Drool is a tough one to clean up! We used to have a Bullmastiff and she was a big drooler!
I use a cloth called “Streak Free”. You simple wet it, wring it as dry as you can and wipe down the ” smoot” marks on the patio doors. Works great and doesn’t require wiping dry. Just clean and walk away!
Do you know if it has chemicals on it?
I will be trying that scouring powder for sure! My doberman’s water bowl is so gross, and nothing seems to help it. Thank you!!!
YES TO ALL OF THESE! You have literally changed my life! It’s been really hard lately staying on top of cleaning stuff for our pup but I plan to use some of these. Thanks for sharing!
Great tips! I need to try this cleaning hack on the couch for the dog hair. Always an ongoing problem, haha.
I loved these tips!! I don’t have a dog — but my cats dish gets the SAME way so this tip can work for BOTH pets!!!!
great post. I don’t have pets, but can definitly tell if some does when I walk into their house which makes me not want one. But after reading these tips I might change my mind!
It’s true if someone doesn’t care properly for their home and have pets you know it! I have 2 cats and a dog, I have learned you have to tidy up a few time a week
Dishcloths are great for getting dust and hair however I never tried that scent on the door jam trick. that’s very clever. I’ll have to give that one a try.
We use vinegar spray all the time for cleaning. We also use it undiluted as a weed killer!
I’ll have to try it with the weeds, thanks for the tip!
I love using white vinegar to clean and prefer to add Lemon and Wild Orange to my cleaning solutions. It smells so fresh and clean!
I’ve been using natural cleaning products more and more lately, and I love it. I also make an all purpose cleaner with water and dish soap.
Oh, that sounds like another good cleaner, I bet that would be safe for marble!
These are great DIY cleaning tips. I’ve used the vinegar and water before, but like your scouring powder idea a lot.
I was really amazed at how quickly it got the scum off my dogs’ food dishes.
Love this! It can be hard to find cleaners that won’t be toxic to pets. Cats are especially sensitive to chemicals. I will have to try the baking soda scrub sometime! I have a few things in my home that could use a good scrubbing. The Scotch Brite towels sound like a great idea too. 🙂
We use vinegar spray to clean especially for dog stuff. Mr. N really is not that dirty though. His toys are everywhere though!
Definitely team dishcloth! I can’t stand the way sponges smell after one use. These are wonderful cleaning tips, vinegar and water is one of my go to cleaners.
Mom is team dish cloth all the way! She likes your tips…I’m loving your “thirsty” dog bowl.
Thanks so much!
Thank you for shining the spotlight on cleaning with a green attitude. We are all about that. I am going to enter the sweepstakes, too. See you and Alice soon!
We are looking forward to meeting you, Darlene, and of course, Dexter!
Great tips, I try to keep all chemicals out of the house wherever possible, thanks for these ideas
What about spirs on carpet? What is best?
I have hardwood flooring mostly, I don’t really know what works best on carpets.
Great tips! It’s not only safe for my dog but also works well.