Eco-friendly Pet Stain Cleaners

Let’s face it. If you have a dog, you will have to deal with pet stains sooner or later. Puppies create stains on a regular basis. But even older, well trained dogs can soil their surroundings if they get sick or eat something that upsets their systems.

Regular household cleaners just don’t do a good job of cleaning these kinds of stains or ensuring that the odor goes away permanently. And many of them are not safe for your dog to be around, or safe for the environment. So how do you find an eco-friendly pet stain cleaner? How do you find one that will do a good job, and be safe for the environment and your dog?

The most important thing you can do is read the labels of any products you are considering. They will tell you whether the packaging is “green”, and if the ingredients are earth-friendly. Here are some things you should look for.

First, look for plant based ingredients. Many safe cleaners are made from corn, coconuts, oranges or lemons. If it’s a fruit or vegetable, it’s probably safe (unless you, your dog or a family member is allergic to it). Avoid petrochemicals, and anything that says “petroleum-based”. These chemicals do not biodegrade, and they leave toxic residues that can, at minimum, irritate your dog’s eyes, skin and respiratory system. At worst, they could poison him. (And they have the same potential danger to humans.)

Natural enzymes are eco-friendly. These are organic additives that actually “eat” stains and odors. They sometimes need re-application, and may take a little longer to get rid of the stain and odor completely. But if you care about the environment and your dog’s health, it’s worth the extra effort.

“Non-toxic” is an important term to look for. This means the ingredients are not poisonous. You’re probably using the cleaner on an area that your dog walks on, and could easily lick. Some dogs are famous for licking and eating just about anything within their reach. (And some toddlers are the same way.) So you want to make sure the cleaner you use won’t be harmful to your family or your dog.

Last, look for recyclable or biodegradable packaging. Eco-friendly does not only apply to the contents. It applies to the containers, too. Make sure the package won’t add to the millions of plastic containers already overflowing our landfills. And remember that if the container is recyclable, it still needs your help getting into the recycle bin.