How to Keep Your Home Clean and Your Pets Safe

When it comes to our beloved pets, only the best will do—and that includes the products we use to clean our (read: their) space. Finding products up to these standards hasn’t always been easy. With a keen eye, some common household ingredients, and Blueland’s certified clean cleaning products designed to be safe to use around pets when used as directed, you can keep your home spotless while reducing unnecessary exposure for your furry friends.

Understanding the Risks of Conventional Cleaners

We don’t always realize it, but everyday cleaning routines may include products that can be harmful to pets. Harsh ingredients like chlorine bleach, ammonia, and phenols can pose risks to dogs and cats, especially through direct contact, inhalation, or residue left behind on floors and surfaces.

Bonus: Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid at Home

Cats are especially vulnerable because they groom themselves frequently and come into contact with more surfaces than just the floor. Being mindful of which cleaning products to avoid can help lower potential exposure. Simple steps like ventilating your space while cleaning and allowing surfaces to dry fully before pets return can also help create a safer home environment.

Selecting Cleaning Products to Use Safely Around Pets

Choosing cleaning products for a home with pets often means thinking beyond cleaning performance alone. Products marketed as pet safe cleaning supplies are typically selected for gentler ingredient profiles, fewer harsh chemicals, and formulas that are less likely to leave residue on surfaces pets regularly touch. In practice, this is often what pet owners are looking for when choosing cleaning products to use safely around pets.

Rather than promising zero risk, these products tend to prioritize simplified ingredient lists, minimal fragrance, and everyday usability in spaces shared with dogs and cats—especially floors, fabrics, and furniture. For many households, this consideration naturally extends to laundry products as well.

For pet owners searching for cat or dog friendly detergent, detergents used on pet bedding, blankets, or clothing pets frequently touch are often chosen for being fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and free from dyes or harsh additives that may irritate skin or paws.

Certifications like EPA Safer Choice or Leaping Bunny can help guide these decisions by verifying that products meet recognized environmental and health standards. While certifications don’t guarantee a product is risk-free, they can help reduce unnecessary exposure to harsher chemicals and support more eco-conscious cleaning choices.

1. Common At-Home Options

Many pet owners also look for natural or eco-friendly pet-safe cleaners. While some eco-friendly products are designed to be used safely around pets, “natural” doesn’t always mean risk-free. Reviewing ingredient lists, avoiding strong fragrances, and following usage directions carefully are key when choosing these options for homes with pets.

Some common household ingredients can be used for light cleaning tasks in place of conventional cleaners:

• Vinegar: commonly used to help remove odors and mineral buildup.

• Lemon Juice: often used for its natural acidity in certain cleaning applications.

• Baking Soda: known for absorbing odors and helping lift stains.

When using these ingredients, pets should be kept out of the area during cleaning and until surfaces are dry. These DIY options are best suited for light cleaning rather than heavy disinfecting.

2. Keep It Hypoallergenic

Hypoallergenic laundry products and household cleaning products can be a good option for homes with pets, especially those with sensitive skin or allergies. These products are formulated to reduce potential irritants while still cleaning effectively.

Look for products labeled “hypoallergenic,” and avoid cleaners formulated with harsh chemicals, dyes, or strong fragrances. Choosing products with sensitivities in mind can help create a more comfortable home for both people and pets.

3. Avoid Artificial Fragrance

Artificial fragrances can contribute to irritation or allergic reactions in pets, and strong scents can be overwhelming for sensitive noses. Fragrance-free or lightly scented cleaners are often easier to use around pets and help minimize lingering residue in the home.

4. Check for Certification

Products certified by trusted third-party organizations can help guide your choices when cleaning around pets. EPA Safer Choice certification indicates that a product meets specific environmental and human health criteria, while USDA BioPreferred certification highlights the use of bio-based ingredients. Blueland’s collection of certified clean cleaning products is formulated to meet higher ingredient standards and is designed to be safe to use around pets when used as directed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Blueland products pet-safe?

Blueland products are designed to be safe to use around pets when used as directed. We avoid harsh chemicals and unnecessary additives, and we recommend always following label instructions and allowing surfaces to dry fully before pets return to the area.

Are Blueland products hypoallergenic?

Blueland's Powder Dish Soap, Foaming Hand Soap Tablets, and Laundry Tablets are hypoallergenic and formulated without added dyes.