Low maintenance and non-toxic cleaning tips for pet owners

There are plenty of efficient and non-toxic ways to combat built up pet mess and instil freshness around your home, and experts at Clear It Waste have put together some essential hacks to save time and ensure safety.

1. Rubber Gloves for Removing Fur 
An affordable and highly effective way to remove fur on furniture and upholstery is by using rubber gloves. 

Simply rub the area with your gloved hand in one direction and watch fur pile into easy to hoover clumps. This is also a great way to remove excess fur off items before the washing to avoid fur build up within the machine.

2. Cotton Wool Air Fresheners 
Although high street air freshener brands are great for masking scents, repeatedly purchasing devices and bottles of spray is not a necessary cost, and the ingredients can be harmful and irritating to our four legged friends.

A simple way to freshen up your home is by using cotton balls soaked in pet-safe essential oils such as peppermint, lemon or lavender and tucking them around areas your pets like to hang. 

3. Vinegar and Baking Soda 
The classic combination of vinegar and baking soda is the ultimate non-toxic method to eliminating stains and odours, and as standalone products they also excel.

Sprinkle baking powder over areas that need a freshen up and wait for at least half an hour (although the longer the better) for moisture and odour causing particles to be absorbed, then go over with a hoover. Additionally, a white vinegar spray is an easy way to neutralise odours thanks to its acidic properties, and it can be bought for pennies.

4. Dust Repelling solution
Another nifty method to stop pet fur and dust settling in all places imaginable, is by creating an oil based concoction. Simply mixing vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of soap creates a repelling product that will keep hard surfaces shining for longer, cutting dusting efforts in half. 

​​5. Water Bowl Planter

Cleaning up slobbery water trails around your pets dining area can get tiring, but creating a water bowl planter is an aesthetically pleasing way to eliminate this task. Placing water bowls into planter trays, surrounded by low maintenance, pet friendly plants creates a biophilic haven for catching drips, with flourishing results.

6. Masking Scratches
Easily disguise scratches and scuffs on wooden furniture and framings by using stains and varnishes. This quick fix can instantly refurbish damaged areas without the need for replacement. A great non-toxic product for this is the Furniture Clinic wood stain, which comes in a range of shades to match up to all wood types.

Josh Clarke, Manager at Clear It Waste said: "Maintaining a clean home is essential for your comfort and the health of your pets. Using simple, pet-friendly cleaning solutions can make a big difference. By making your own products you’ll find things go a much longer way, for a fraction of the price, and you won’t have the worries of using harsh chemicals around the home, all whilst reducing the carbon footprint of your cleaning processes.”