The days are getting longer, the grass is growing greener, and the air is filled with warm breezes. New beginnings are all around us as the spring season approaches, and so it’s the perfect time for a fresh start! Many of us have participated in spring cleaning rituals with the humans in our household. We go through old clothes, children’s toys, and home decor items to give our house a thorough cleaning. However, an easily ignored sector of spring cleaning is pet-related.
Just as you accumulate material goods and your dresser collects dust, so too does your pet have quite the overwhelming toy collection–and is surrounded by items that could use a good deep clean. The purpose of today’s blog post is to provide pet-friendly tips to kickstart your spring cleaning.
Decluttering
It’s important to go through the items we’ve purchased or been gifted on behalf of our pets in an effort to declutter. Start simple: any toys that your pet no longer shows interest in and are in bad condition, just throw away! Your pet will not miss that ratty, tattered duck that’s missing half of its stuffing sitting at the bottom of his toy basket. Next in the throw away category are old/expired prescriptions and treats. Maybe you purchased a bag of treats months ago that your cat just didn’t like. There is no need to take up room on your shelf with them when you can easily throw them away.
Now, what about items that are still in good condition, but you know need to go? Perhaps your dog has a fun rope toy that he’s just never enjoyed playing with. Or your cat has an adorable Halloween costume that she’s grown out of. There are two excellent decluttering options.
Option #1: Donate
Before boxing everything up and dropping it at a big thrift store, try contacting your local animal shelter to see if they have a need for any toys, food bowls, blankets, etc. Once you’ve donated what you can to a shelter, what remains can be donated to a thrift shop.
Option #2: Give Away
Most towns have a “Buy Nothing” Facebook group in which you can post items you would like to give away to someone who could use them. Take a few pictures of the items you’re hoping to declutter, post them either on social media or even in a family/co-worker group chat, then hope that your trash could become someone else’s treasure!
Pet-Friendly Cleaning Products:
Now that you’ve parsed through the clutter, it’s time to start cleaning! Before you begin, check the labels of the products you plan to use. When looking for pet-friendly cleaning products, it’s important to choose those that are non-toxic, safe for animals, and free from harmful chemicals. If you’re looking for a few brands that can give you pet-friendly options, check out:
- Seventh Generation: Offers a variety of cleaning products that are free from harsh chemicals, fragrances, and dyes.
- ECOS: Plant-based and free of toxic chemicals, making them a safe choice for pets.
- Puracy: Created a line of plant-based, pet-safe cleaners
- Biokleen: Use plant-based ingredients and offers a range of products that are safe for pets and the environment.
Deep Cleaning:
Spring is the perfect time to deep clean some of your pet’s everyday items.
Item #1: Linens
Take some time to gather up any blankets or pillows your pets often lounge on to begin your laundry load. Next, tackle your pet’s sleep area. Start by vacuuming any loose hair and dirt particles up. After that, give their bedding a good shake outside to dislodge any other small pieces that might be clinging on. Then, look for a tag that details the bedding’s wash instructions. Most pet beds have an outer shell that can be unzipped and washed, while the inner bedding part should not be washed. Instead, while the outer shell is in the washer, if the weather allows, take the inner bedding portion to air out in the spring breeze.
Item #2: Accessories
Your pet’s leash, collar, and harness are likely all machine washable and could do with a deep clean. You might be shocked at how vibrant they appear after a good wash. Additionally, if your pet regularly wears any clothing accessories like a winter coat or booties, these can be cleaned as well. Please note, though most pet accessories can be washed in a standard washer, they should be hung to dry rather than run through the dryer to stay in top-notch condition! In addition to the accessories your pet wears, consider their favorite fabric toys as an extension of themselves. Just as we humans need to clean out our purses and backpacks from time-to-time, that cute little duck your dog carries around everywhere is also in need of a good wash.
Item #3: Crates & Carriers
Most crates and carriers are metal with a plastic tray insert and very easy to clean. Simply remove the plastic tray insert and clean it either outside with a hose or inside with a soapy rag. Then wipe down the metallic bars of the crate to finish. Before you clean your pet’s crate, be certain the cleaning product you’re using is pet-friendly!
Organization
The final step to your spring cleaning routine. You’ve decluttered the unnecessary items and cleaned what remains, so now all that’s left is to organize it in a way that is logical and accessible for your lifestyle. Here are a few tips to get your pet’s area in order.
1. Utilize baskets and bins to store loose items like toys and clothing.
2. Over-the-door hooks or a wall mounted peg-board are great for creating a “Go Station” that houses the items your pet may need for a walk.
3. Invest in a large, airtight container to store dry food. This helps keep the food fresh and prevents pests.
4. Keep pet treats organized in jars or labeled bags. In my experience, 4 ounce Mason Jars are excellent treat storage as they’re air-tight, transparent, and made with shatter-resistant glass.
Pro tip: Instead of keeping all the treats in one location, consider placing a few small jars or bags of treats in areas where you know you will often reach for them. For example, you could keep one jar of treats in your family room ottoman, a bag of treats near your dog’s harness for walks, etc.
Share this post with your pet-loving family and friends to motivate one other to get to cleaning. And comment below with your own tips for pet-friendly cleaning and organizing. Shake off those winter blues and declutter your home for a fresh, clean start. Get started on your spring cleaning today!
