10 Nontoxic Pet-Friendly Cleaning Products

Opting to use the best nontoxic cleaning products throughout your home benefits every member of the family—including pets. Dogs and cats can be just as sensitive to potential toxins and artificial fragrances as their human companions. That’s why it’s worth considering your pets’ well-being when making decisions about how to keep your floors, countertops, and other surfaces sparkling. Keep reading to get the scoop on some of the most popular pet-friendly cleaning supplies on ThriveMarket.com—all made without potentially harmful ingredients.

Why Use Nontoxic Cleaning Products

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), bleach exposure may cause some uncomfortable symptoms in pets if accidentally swallowed, including drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or severe burns. Dogs in particular are extra sensitive to fragrance (a dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 times more powerful than a human’s!) so even if they don’t experience stomach upset, artificially scented cleaning supplies may still affect them [1]. With the well-being of your family pet at risk, switching to more eco-friendly options is an easy choice to help keep their environment a healthy one. And you don’t have to sacrifice a solid clean to do it. These days, plant-based sprays, gels, and other household cleaners are just as effective as their chemical-based counterparts, and feature ingredients such as essential oils and herbal extracts that leave your home both looking and smelling fresh.

Toxic Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid

Beware of any bottles that list these ingredients—they’re potentially hazardous to both animals and humans.

• Ammonia: A popular degreaser for stainless steel and ovens, ammonia burns mucous membranes and may contribute to asthma, according to some studies.
• Chlorine: It helps clean toilets, dishes, and pools, but chlorine has been associated with dizziness and vomiting, among other symptoms [2]. The American Kennel Club notes that most canines have more sensitive ears and eyes that humans do, which makes dogs more susceptible to discomfort.
• Glycol ethers: This chemical is commonly found in glass cleaners, spot removers, and carpet cleaners, but the EPA shares that “animal studies have reported reproductive and developmental effects from inhalation and oral exposure to the glycol ethers.” In other words, steer clear.
• Formaldehyde: Used in soaps and some pet shampoos, formaldehyde has been classified as a “probable human carcinogen” by the EPA. For pets, studies show formaldehyde can irritate skin and eyes and may compromise the respiratory tract [3].

10 Best Pet-Friendly Household Cleaning Products

Enough talk about what to avoid—let’s take a look at some of the best pet-friendly cleaning products to use throughout the home.

Boulder Clean Granite and Stainless Steel Cleaner

Shopping for new eco-friendly pet cleaning products? Grab this bottle from Boulder Clean to give countertops and appliances a shiny finish. The formula is chlorine-free and leaves a lavender-vanilla scent behind.

Aunt Fannie’s Floor Cleaner, Lavender

Aunt Fannie’s makes it easy to clean your floors without dye, color, or alcohol. White distilled vinegar and a soothing essential oil blend does the trick!

Rosey Toilet Cleaner

Rosey’s plant-based formula decalcifies your toilet bowl and freshens your bathroom without harsh chemicals—and leaves a refreshing eucalyptus scent behind.

Thrive Market Peppermint Laundry Powder

Instead of brighteners and artificial fragrances, our eco-friendly laundry detergent powder cleans your clothes with essential oils and natural enzymes. Every bag is good for up to 70 loads.

Mrs. Meyer’s Lemon Verbena All-Purpose Cleaner

This all-purpose cleaner works on countertops, wood surfaces, and tile. The formula is 98 percent naturally derived and deep cleans using plant-based extracts.

Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner

Plant-based surfactants and spruce essential oil help make this cleaner tough on grime, yet gentle enough for everyday use around the home. If you need pet-friendly cleaning products for floors, give this one a try.

Planet, Inc. 2x HE Ultra Laundry Liquid Detergent

Biodegradable and free of chemicals and synthetic preservatives, this super-concentrated laundry detergent can clean up to 32 loads.

Biokleen Hand Moisturizing Dish Soap

Dry hands are common after a long session of dish washing. Biokleen’s dish soap relies on a plant-based formula to not only cut through grime on your pots and pans, but moisturize your skin, too.

Better Life Lemon Mint Dish Soap

Better Life’s minty fresh dish soap (with a hint of lemon essential oil) is ideal for bakeware, cookware, and cutlery. The formula is biodegradable, alcohol-free, and dye-free.

Thrive Market Citrus Dishwasher Packs

Our biodegradable and easy-to-use dishwasher packs are filled with plant- and mineral-based ingredients that are kind to the earth yet effective at cleaning your dishes, too.