I used to love the fresh scent of detergent after a thorough spring clean. But after Luna had a severe allergic reaction that resulted in an expensive vet bill, I became much more careful about the products I use in our home.
Living in a studio apartment means spring cleaning isn’t done room by room. Instead, I treat the entire apartment as one shared space.
I clean everything they come into contact with, including the floors, bed, couch, garden, and low surfaces they can reach. I also give extra attention to Luna and Taner’s belongings, such as their beds, bowls, toys, and grooming supplies.
Finally, I deep clean the spaces that are mostly mine, like the kitchen and bathroom, to make sure every corner of our home is fresh, safe, and ready for the season.
Choose Pet-Safe Cleaning Products
Not every cleaning product is safe to use around our dogs. Even products labelled as “natural” can pose a risk if they’re inhaled, licked off surfaces, or absorbed through your dog’s paw pads. With that said, you don’t need to sacrifice a clean home to keep your pets safe. Choose the right products and use them correctly during your spring clean.
Products I Recommend
White Vinegar
Diluted white vinegar is an affordable, pet-friendly option for everyday cleaning and odour control. It’s great for wiping down hard surfaces and removing mild odours. While it isn’t toxic, drinking large amounts can upset your dog’s stomach, so always dilute it and allow surfaces to dry before your dog has access.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is excellent for deodorising carpets, rugs, mattresses, and upholstery before vacuuming. Although small amounts are generally harmless, consuming large quantities can cause stomach upset, so store it out of reach and vacuum thoroughly after use.
Enzymatic Cleaners
These are one of the best cleaning products for dog owners. They’re specially formulated to break down urine, vomit, and other organic messes, eliminating odours instead of simply covering them up. Most pet-specific enzymatic cleaners are very safe when used according to the instructions.
Plant-Based Cleaners
Plant-based doesn’t always mean pet-safe. Some products still contain essential oils or strong fragrances that can irritate dogs. Choose fragrance-free or products specifically labelled as pet-safe, and always allow cleaned surfaces to dry completely before your dog returns.
Products to Avoid or Use Carefully
Bleach
Bleach is highly effective at disinfecting, but it can burn your dog’s skin and paw pads, irritate the eyes and lungs, and is toxic if swallowed. If you choose to use bleach, dilute it correctly, ensure good ventilation, rinse any surfaces your dog may touch, and keep pets away until everything is completely dry. Never mix bleach with other cleaning products.
Ammonia-Based Cleaners
Ammonia can irritate your dog’s respiratory system and has a smell similar to urine, which may encourage some dogs to mark the same area. For pet accidents, an enzymatic cleaner is a much better choice.
Essential Oils
Many essential oils are toxic to dogs. Tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, pine, cinnamon, wintergreen, and many citrus oils can cause poisoning if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Avoid using essential oils in diffusers, sprays, or homemade cleaning solutions in areas where your dogs spend time.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can irritate the skin and digestive tract and may slow wound healing. It should only be used under your veterinarian’s guidance and is generally not recommended as a routine household cleaner around pets.
Disinfectant Sprays and Phenol-Based Cleaners
Many household disinfectants contain chemicals that can irritate a dog’s skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Always read the label carefully, use only as directed, and keep your dog away until treated surfaces are fully dry.
No matter which cleaning product you choose, always read the manufacturer’s instructions, clean in a well-ventilated area, and allow all floors and surfaces to dry completely before your dogs are allowed back into the room. Store cleaning products securely out of reach, and never mix different cleaners, as this can create dangerous fumes. A little extra care during cleaning helps keep both your home and your dogs safe.
How I Spring Clean My Apartment
How to Clean Tile Floors Safely
If you’ve read my weekly cleaning routine, you’ll know I always clean from the ground up. I use the same method for spring cleaning because it’s simply efficient.
For my tiled floors, I mix ½ cup of white vinegar per 1 litre of warm water and mop in small sections. I keep the room well ventilated and make sure Luna and Taner stay outside until the floors are completely dry. I then give the floors a final mop with clean warm water to remove any residue.
I use white vinegar because it’s affordable, natural, and effective. Its acetic acid helps clean everyday bacteria and odours without leaving behind harsh chemical residue that my dogs can absorb through their paws or lick from the floor.
If your budget allows, a veterinary disinfectant is a worthwhile upgrade from white vinegar. These medical-grade, biodegradable formulas are non-toxic, non-corrosive, and designed to eliminate pet pathogens safely without damaging tile or grout. Just follow the label instructions, as most aren’t used like regular floor cleaners.
Deep Cleaning the Mattress
In our studio apartment, the bed is the next biggest surface, and Luna and Taner are always welcome to share it. After the floors, it’s the next thing I tackle during my spring clean.
I already wash my bedding every week, so my spring cleaning focuses on the mattress. I sprinkle baking soda over the surface, leave it for about 90 minutes, then vacuum it thoroughly.
I use baking soda because it naturally absorbs moisture, neutralises stubborn pet odours, and freshens the fabric without harsh chemicals that could irritate my dogs.
Related Post – How I Clean My Mattress
Cleaning My Dogs’ Bed
Luna and Taner share one giant bed, and it’s where they retreat when they want a little alone time, or apparently a break from me too. Sad, I know!
I clean their bed every week by giving it a good shake (which usually uncovers a collection of stones, sticks, and the occasional missing sock), then vacuuming away the hair and dirt.
During my spring clean, I take it a step further. I remove the covers and soak them in a diluted white vinegar solution before washing them. I then steam-clean the inner cushion to disinfect it, lightly mist it with a vinegar-and-water solution to help neutralise odours, and leave it to air dry completely before putting everything back together.
Refreshing the Sofa and Upholstery
I follow the same process for my sofa as I do for my dogs’ bed. I start by brushing or vacuuming away loose hair and dirt, then remove the covers and soak them in a fresh vinegar-and-water solution before washing them. Next, I steam-clean the seat cushions to help eliminate bacteria.
If I have the time, I’ll also sprinkle baking soda over the foam, let it sit for a while, and vacuum it off to freshen it up and remove lingering odours.
Cleaning carpets
I have an area rug, which is much easier to clean than a wall-to-wall carpet; with regular cleaning, the spring clean is much easier. I clean my rug using a rubber brush to lift stubborn pet hair, then vacuum both sides thoroughly. For my spring clean, I spot-treat any stains with a pet-safe enzymatic cleaner or a vinegar-and-water solution, then deep clean the rug according to the manufacturer’s care instructions. I always let it dry completely in a well-ventilated area before putting it back to prevent damp odours and mildew.
Cleaning Dog Accessories
How to Clean Dog Toys
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to inspect all of Luna and Taner’s toys. I throw away anything that’s broken, falling apart, or too dirty to clean. A damaged toy isn’t worth the risk of an expensive vet visit.
Most of my dogs’ toys are hard rubber, except for Luna’s beloved tennis balls. I soak them in a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water, give them a good scrub, rinse them thoroughly, and leave them to air dry before they’re back in rotation.
Thankfully, we’ve moved on from soft toys because they never lasted long. If your dog has fabric toys, check if they’re still in good enough condition to clean. Many can be machine washed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, but if they’re badly worn or impossible to clean, it’s best to replace them.
Cleaning Harnesses and Leads
Luna and Taner have very different tastes in harnesses. Luna wears a simple nylon harness and lead, while Taner has a padded harness with soft plush webbing and a breathable chest plate. It attracts plenty of fur, but it’s the only harness he’ll happily wear, so it’s worth the extra cleaning.
For both harnesses and leads, I prefer hand washing. I soak them in warm water with their hypoallergenic shampoo for about 15 minutes, then use an old toothbrush to scrub around the chest plate, straps, and buckles where dirt builds up.
After a thorough rinse, I hang everything up to air dry completely. I avoid the tumble dryer, as heat can damage the nylon and warp the plastic buckles.
When Taner’s harness is dry, I run my lint roller and sometimes use sellotape to remove fur that’s left behind.
