While we love our dogs to the moon and back, there are times when they are real stinkers – literally.
And after living with your dogs, you may have become “nose blind,” but the smell is still there, lurking in dog beds and human beds and on carpets and hardwood floors. If you have dogs that wear t-shirts and sweaters to keep warm, by spring there’s undoubtedly a musty “aroma” wafting from their dresser drawer.
Or maybe your dog is getting older, and her bladder control isn’t what it used to be. Or there’s some change in the household that’s creating anxiety, and your four-legged man of the house has started marking his territory. Whatever the reason, it’s no fun to live with the smell and the stains from our dogs – no matter how much we love them.
Deep cleaning will discourage your dog from marking in that spot, and dog-friendly washing loads will freshen up your dog’s apparel. But be careful; don’t raid the under-the-sink cabinet and get scrubbing because the majority of household cleaning products are highly toxic to dogs.
Our dogs live much closer to the floor than we do, and the typical household cleaning products we use to mop up messes ultimately create a toxic environment. Even the products we use to clean surfaces above our dogs’ level, like counters and sinks, rise into the air and fall to the ground.
Common household cleaners contain extremely toxic ingredients, including ammonia, bleach, phthalates, glycol ethers, dioxane, formaldehyde, phenol and isopropyl alcohol and other impossible-to-pronounce ingredients. These chemicals contaminate both surfaces in your home and increase the air pollution level inside, which can be two to five times higher than the pollution outside, according to the EPA.
Luckily, science, technology, nature (and desperation) have collaborated to invent revolutionary stain-removing, odor blasting products — and they’re pet safe! There are a ton of these products on the market, but which ones do the best job at cleaning and disinfecting while being the safest for Fido and Fifi?
Related: Do You Really Need to Worry About Cleaning Your Dog’s Bowl?
We’ve dug deep and gone shopping to find the very best cleaners — and companies — on the market today. These products are safe for your dog, yet strong enough to effectively remove nasty stains and odors.
Fox + Hound’s makes cleaning up a cinch. Formulated with professional strength, bio-enzymatic ingredients, the formula can get out even the most stubborn stains. The ingredients are very limited, with only five in the powerful formula. It comes in two heavenly scents: almond or ginger.
What we love: The company is all about giving back. Proceeds from every product of Fox + Hound sold are donated back to K9 Units and Georgia Police K9 Foundation.
Skout’s Honor is a next-generation, enzyme-free, cleaning powerhouse. It removes stains and odors from dog accidents, as well as vomit, blood, mud, and grease. The cleaner is vegetable based, using their own formula called BioKore™, which works by osmosis to absorb and break the stain down. The natural fragrance is made from citrus pulp, and it’s totally pet-safe (some essential oil fragrances can actually be toxic).
What we love: The company goes the extra step. If you are having trouble removing a stain completely, just give them a call, and they will develop a plan to remove it. They also partner with RescueBank.org: for every bottle sold, they provide a day’s worth of food for an animal in need.
Just like our clothes and bedding, our dog’s things get dirty. But traditional laundry detergent can be toxic to dogs, especially if they chew on their toys, blankets, and beds. Which is why we are in love with Fox + Hound’s natural pet laundry detergent. The Missouri-based company spent two years working with a chemist to find a natural yet effective solution for our pups.
What we love: The company is all about giving back. Proceeds from every product of Fox + Hound sold are donated back to K9 Units and Georgia Police K9 Foundation.
Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator is an enzyme-based cleaner that uses a stain-activated bacteria, which actually feeds on the substances in poop and pee to remove both the stain and odor completely. It’s been Certified Safe for all carpets, and it contains no chlorine, bleach or other toxic chemicals. It can be used on everything in your home and car, from carpet to clothing, and it works on any organic stain your dog can produce.
What we love: The family business was named after a Labradoodle named Rocco and rescue tabby cat named Roxie. Between the two of them, they provide enough samples to thoroughly test their products.
Only Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover is formulated to remove the stain and smell of the worst your dog can do using only non-toxic ingredients. It contains a blend of organic enzymes and plant-sourced cleaning agents to break down the stain and odor and remove it completely. It tackles all stains and odors, including mildew, blood and food. Not only that, but instead of that weird enzyme odor, it leaves behind a natural scent of mandarin orange and green tea.
What we love: The company is dedicated to providing pet-safe, species-specific products that use human quality natural ingredients. It is also the first pet food and treat company in North America to become a Certified B Corporation. “B Corporations are leaders of the global movement of people using business as a force for good™.” These companies are legally mandated to consider the impact of their decisions not only on the bottom line, but on the workers, community, customers, suppliers and the environment.
Common Good laundry detergent will take the stink and stains out of your dogs’ clothes, blankets and beds. The cleanser is super concentrated, so a little goes a long way. It contains enzymes to eat away stains and plant-based ingredients for biodegradable safety. All fragrance comes from essential oils, or you can get the unscented version. Its products are also cruelty-free and refillable.
What we love: The company was founded originally as a small initiative aimed at reducing the amount of single-use plastic that household use; it has refill stations in stores worldwide. Then the company went the extra step to get Leaping Bunny certification and invested in eco-friendly, biodegradable and pet-friendly formulas.
Puracy’s Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover uses active plant-based enzymes to remove the odor and stains of pet accidents, as well as freshen fabrics and carpet. It works on urine, poop, vomit, hairballs, drool and that wet dog odor. It’s hypoallergenic, free of parabens and sulfates, and is safe for use on all surfaces, including carpet, rugs, mattresses, sheets, upholstery, towels and countertops.
What we love: Puracy began as two best friends who set out to make non-toxic, plant-based cleaning and personal care products that were safe for their newborn daughters. They worked with a team of doctors and chemists to create products that were safe for the family and the environment but worked better than cleansers with harsh chemicals. Their products are also cruelty-free.
Clean+Green’s Carpet Stain + Odor Remover and Cleaner For Dogs is a professional strength yet natural stain and odor remover for carpets and rugs. It works on just about everything your dog can dish out (or drop), permanently eliminating the stink and the stain.
What we love: Clean+Green products were created by a “Mother, Grandmother, Pet Lover and CEO/Founder” to work easily and effectively for busy moms (and dads) of both humans and pets. The products are non-toxic and environmentally-friendly, and they were ranked highly by one of the most demanding environmental review committees, EWG (Environmental Working Group).
Related: The 5 Best Water Purifiers to Protect Your Dog From Toxic Chemicals Coming From Your Faucets
Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator Spray and Enzyme Stain Cleaner uses orange peel oil and natural enzymatic bacteria to remove the toughest stains and odors and leave behind a fresh and gentle citrus scent. It’s a non-toxic disinfectant that’s safe for pets and people. It can be used on carpet, furniture, kennels, tile, wood floors and even grass.
What we love: Angry Orange products were originally created to eliminate the serious stink of barns, stables, and animal shelters. It safe for all animals and humans, yet it smells heavenly.
Related: The Tricks Every Dog Owner Should Know on How to Reduce Shedding
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