A cleaning expert has explained how some cleaning methods can do more harm than good
Spring cleaning season is here, but whilst it is a great time to blitz your home, experts are issuing a warning to pet owners. There are several cleaning mistakes that dog and cat owners make, with some cleaning products being harmful to your pets.
With over half of pet owners concerned about persistent pet odours in their homes, many go to extreme lengths to keep their spaces fresh and clean. However, not all cleaning solutions are suitable for homes with pets, and some popular methods could be doing more harm than good.
Professional cleaner and waste management expert, Evie Graham, has shared the most common cleaning myths and solutions for pet owners looking to create a fresher home this spring.
Not all ‘pet-safe' cleaners are actually safe
Think your go-to pet-friendly cleaner is doing the trick? It might not be as harmless as you think. “Those ‘pet-safe' cleaning products can be tricky,” explains Evie. “Through working in hundreds of pet homes, I've found that residue stays active in porcelain tile grout for days.
“A client's cat developed unusual paw irritation three days after they cleaned because the residue reactivated with morning dew. Now, I use completely different methods for pet areas versus walking zones.”
Ditch the chemicals for your pet's bowls
If you’re using harsh chemicals to clean your pets food and water bowls, you might be doing more harm than good.
“Most people also clean pet bowls wrong,” Graham notes. “Through extensive testing, I've found that UV sanitising outperforms chemical cleaning for eliminating that invisible biofilm that builds up in microscopic scratches.
“This method preserves the bowl's surface while providing better long-term hygiene.”
Do not over-wash your pet's bed
Most pet owners think washing their pet’s bed frequently is the best way to keep odours at bay. But too much washing can actually make the smell worse.
“The real secret about pet bedding might surprise you. Over-washing actually makes odour problems worse by killing beneficial bacteria that naturally control pet smells. I've developed a rotation between steam refreshing and full washing to maintain the right bacterial balance,” says Graham.
Your walls hold onto pet smells
No matter how much scrubbing and washing you do, pet stains can still linger.
“A client couldn't solve their persistent dog smell until we discovered oils were absorbing into their wallpaper at dog-height, especially around corners,” Evie said. “We now treat vertical surfaces at pet-height with specific enzyme solutions.”
