Keeping your floors clean can be a challenge, particularly if you have pets at home.
Aside from regular sweeping and vacuuming, many times, we need to use some kind of cleaner in order to get our floor completely free from dirt, mud and fur.
Of course, we want to select a product that’s going to get the job done, but did you know that many common household supplies contain ingredients that are harmful, or even toxic to dogs?
Some top brand floor cleaners, like Mr. Clean and Pinesol, actually contain chemicals that can cause adverse health effects to animals, both short term and long term.
This includes, but isn’t limited to:
- dermatitis
- itchy eyes
- respiratory difficulty
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- lethargy
- certain kinds of cancer
- organ damage
This is why it’s so important to read the labels, so you can make good, informed choices, both for you and your furry friends.
Below are the best floor cleaners for homes with pets.
| Editor’s Pick | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner | Check Here |
| Best Budget | Eco Me Natural Floor Cleaner | Check Here |
| Best Splurge | Better Life Concentrated Floor Cleaner | Check Here |
The 8 Best Floor Cleaners for Pets (And Kids!)
1. Better Life Concentrated Floor Cleaner
Suitable for ceramic, hardwood, vinyl, linoleum and other sealed floors, this is a perfect choice for everyday cleaning while keeping your pet’s safety in mind.
Using natural fruit and plant extracts, it’s VOC and petroleum-free, yet it still manages to restore shine and leave behind a pleasant, non-overpowering fresh citrus mint scent.
Though a bit pricey, you get a lot of value for your money, as one bottle of concentrate makes up to twenty 32-ounce containers of cleaner. There’s no rinsing or residue to contend with either, simply spray on the floor and wipe clean.
2. Black Diamond Floor Cleaner
This biodegradable floor cleaner is meant to quickly and effectively clean hardwood and laminate floors while locking in shine.
It has a no-rinse formula for maximum convenience — just spray on the floor and wipe it up. That’s it! You don’t have to worry about residue being leftover or annoying streaks.
Made in the USA, it contains pet-friendly ingredients and uses a water-based formula to remove dirt and spots from the floor. As it doesn’t use harsh chemicals, it won’t dry out or damage the wood either.
3. Bona Free and Simple Floor Cleaner
Designed for cleaning hardwood floors, this floor cleaner is totally safe to use around pets and children, and it even has the added advantage of being certified as asthma and allergy-friendly.
Free from any artificial dyes and fragrances, not only is the formula itself hypoallergenic, but it also removes over 93% of allergens from the surfaces it cleans.
This is a huge bonus for any household with pets, as dander can easily build up over time!
On top of that, it’s very effective at removing dirt and dust, and it dries quickly without leaving a messy residue or damaging the wood.
4. Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner
Made in the USA, this floor cleaner works best on hardwood and sealed floors, and can also effectively remove new and old stains from concrete and ceramic tiles.
It’s specifically planned with the pet-friendly household in mind, so not only are all of the ingredients non-toxic and harmless, but the bio-enzymatic formula itself is geared towards treating stains left behind from urine (i.e., puppy accidents), feces and other organic matter.
Additionally, it helps to disinfect and protect the surfaces of your floors and leaves a streak-free shine. However, if you’re not entirely happy, the product has a money-back guarantee.
5. Truce All Purpose Cleaner
A little of this antiseptic concentrated, all-purpose cleaner goes a long way, so you more than get your money’s worth.
Simply follow the instructions and mix the concentrate with water in the spray bottle that’s provided, and you have everything you need to safely clean a multitude of surfaces, including floors, countertops, windows, mirrors, and shower walls.
Made in the USA with just a few simple ingredients, it’s hypoallergenic and 100% pet and children safe, being free from dyes and other harsh chemicals.
Although there’s no added fragrance, it does have a nice yet muted peppermint oil scent that isn’t too powerful or irritating.
6. Weiman Hardwood Floor Cleaner
This professional strength formula has the ‘Safer Choice’ seal of approval, which means it’s not only eco-friendly, but it’s perfectly safe to use with pets in the house as well.
Specifically meant to be used on hardwood floors, it’s ideal for getting rid of grease and other dirt without leaving streaks or sticky residue behind, only amazing shine.
Likewise, the plant-based ingredients won’t cause potentially dangerous vapors, so once the surface it’s used on has dried, your dog is free to walk or lay on it.
Fortunately, it only has a mild citrus scent, and shouldn’t cause irritation in people and pets who are sensitive to strong smells.
7. Puracy Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
Touted by the New York Times as the best all-purpose cleaner, it works on just about every hard surface in your home, including hardwood floors, tiles, countertops, furniture and much much more.
Simply spray the area down and wipe away to remove everything from dirt and oil to pet accidents and other messes.
It’s biodegradable/recyclable and made with green tea and lime extracts amongst other all-natural ingredients, makeing it safe to use if you have dogs or kids running around.
Just keep in mind that the 16oz bottle can make up to 1 gallon of cleaner and you have to dilute it according to label directions. Otherwise, it will leave your floor sticky.
8. Eco Me Natural Floor Cleaner
This concentrated solution is safe for use on all kinds of floors, from tile to sealed wood and even concrete. It works wonders to remove tough stains and grease, and once it dries, it leaves the floor with a natural shine.
Made from essential oils and food-grade ingredients (like vinegar), it has natural antimicrobial properties, so it able to deep cleanse without any of the potentially harmful residue or toxic fumes.
It’s also fragrance and dye-free, which makes it a good choice for anyone with allergies. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly and won’t cause any damage when flushed down the drain.
I should mention that after dilution you still get a bit of “vinegary smell”, but it normally goes away after a while.
What Are Some Toxic Ingredients to Watch Out For?
As a general rule, you want to steer clear of any household cleaners that contains any of the following:
Ammonia: Contributes to respiratory problems and burns mucous membranes. If ammonia is mixed with bleach, it creates a toxic gas that can be dangerous if breathed in.
Benzoic Acid: A common preservative that’s known to produce toxic reactions, especially in cats.
Chlorine (Bleach): Can lead to swelling in the throat along with dizziness, disorientation and vomiting.
Ethanol: Basically alcohol, which is poisonous to dogs and cats, and can cause severe central nervous system depression and acidosis.
Formaldehyde: Sometimes called formalin, this is a known carcinogenic chemical. In addition, it has been linked with aggravating respiratory difficulties.
Glycol Ether: Studies have shown that it causes damage to the liver and kidneys, both in humans and animals.
Isopropyl Alcohol: Also known as rubbing alcohol, this chemical is easily absorbed into your dog’s skin, and can be poisonous in large enough doses.
Phthalates: These are commonly used to carry chemical fragrances. However, they’re linked with problems with the liver, kidneys and reproductive system.
Triclosan: This antimicrobial ingredient was found to alter hormone regulation and interfere with immune systems.
How to Keep Your Pet Safe From Floor Cleaners?
The best way is to buy pet-friendly products. Ideally, you want to look for floor cleaners that are specifically marketed as non-toxic for pets.
You can even make your own cleaner at home, using natural yet effective cleaning ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda or castile soap.
Remember that no matter how well you scrub and try to remove all of the cleaner’s residue, some products release dangerous vapors that can linger in the air.
Also, since our pets tend to lay on our floors, it means they’re in very close contact with any kind of cleaner that’s been used there. Even if you think you’ve gotten all the product safely mopped up, trace amounts can remain and collect in their fur or on their paws.
So, thoroughly wash and wipe away any residue on floors, and open all windows and doorways to ensure proper ventilation so vapors don’t linger.
When you’re done cleaning, be sure to tightly close containers and store well out of reach.
