Pet Safe Floor Cleaner: 7 Best Non-Toxic Options
by Cheryl Lock
Updated on July 23, 2024
Our pets are masters at bringing the outdoors inside, so between the dirt and mud and their own fur and drool, keeping the floor clean can feel like a Herculean task. With all the scrubbing that pet owners are bound to do, it’s important to make sure to choose a pet-safe floor cleaner to keep your floors spick and span.
“There’s a common phrase in medicine, ‘The solution to pollution is dilution,’” says Dr. Marcy McKeithen, The Motor City Pet Doc. What that means is that when products are used as directed—and properly diluted—most are safe for pets.
That says, there are some things you can be on the lookout for if you’re in the market for pet-safe floor cleaners, ones that are specifically targeted as being safe to use around animals. Here are some things to consider.
Pet-safe floor cleaners are cleaning products that are formulated without ingredients and chemicals that are harmful to dogs and cats. Some of these harmful substances include bleach, ammonia, and hydrochloric acid. When we mention “pet safe floor cleaners” we are referring to both dog safe floor cleaner and cat safe floor cleaner in this article.
“As an emergency veterinarian, I’ve seen dogs and cats after direct exposure—like licking or walking over—to chemicals such as ammonia, bleach, detergents, shampoo, and toilet bowl cleaners,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC’s Chief Veterinary Officer. “These cases exhibited ulceration of the lips, tongue, mouth, eyes, paws, or after ingestion of a caustic detergent or cleaning agent, causing erosion and burns to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.”
Klein says most issues happen following direct exposure to a toxic cleaner that had not been properly diluted or didn’t have enough time to dry.
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Our Picks
- Best Multi-Surface Pet Safe Floor Cleaner: Eco-me Concentrated Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner
- Best Scented Pet Friendly Floor Cleaner: Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner
- Best Vinegar Wash Concentrate Safe Floor Cleaner for Pets: Aunt Fannie’s Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash
- Best Pet-Safe Probiotic + Enzyme Powered Deep Cleaner: Calyptus Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator
- Best Pet-Safe Floor Cleaner for Hardwood Floors: Aunt Fannie’s Hardwood Floor Cleaner
- Best Citrus Scented Wood Floor Cleaner for Pets: Begley’s Best Earth Responsible Natural Plant-Based Hardwood Floor Cleaner
- Best Pet Safe Carpet Cleaner: Rocco & Roxie Carpet Cleaner Solution for Pets
Best Pet Safe Floor Cleaners
Whether you are looking for pet safe hardwood floor cleaners, cat safe floor cleaner, or general non-toxic floor cleaner for dogs and cats, there is something for you on our list. You can always consult with your veterinarian or a cleaning expert if you’re not sure whether a specific ingredient listed in your cleaning supply is safe for your dogs and cats.
Consider each of these options depending on your floor type and needs.
Best Multi-Surface Pet-Safe Floor Cleaner
Our Pick: Eco-me Concentrated Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner
This plant-based formula is safe on vinyl, sealed wood, stone, tile, linoleum, and laminated surfaces. Made in the USA cruelty-free, this pet-safe floor cleaner is residue-free and fragrance-free do pet parents can feel good using this products around cats and dogs. Because it contains acetic acid in the form of vinegar, it will remove dirt, odor, and bacteria on various surfaces. It is greywater and septic safe and contains a natural plant-based cleaning system with essential plant oils.
Highlights
- Made in the USA
- Fragrance-free formula
- Nicely priced for all budgets
- Contains both food-grade and plant-based ingredients
- Cruelty-free, with no animal testing or byproducts
- Free from harsh chemicals, toxic fumes, and synthetic fragrances
- Contains no colorants, dyes, phthalates, BPA, or harmful preservatives
Things to Consider
- Must be diluted with water before use
- Best to test a spot area first before using
Best Scented Pet Friendly Floor Cleaner
Our Pick: Better Life Naturally Dirt-Destroying Floor Cleaner
Another hard-working, multi-surface option, this pet-safe floor cleaner can be used on a variety different surface areas including hardwoods, vinyl, laminate and more. Because it contains no added alcohol, parabens, SLS, SLES, or other harmful ingredients, it is much gentler to the eyes, nose, and skin. In terms of ease of use, simply squirt Better Life directly onto any floor type, and a little goes a long way. Mop with a damp head with no rinsing required, and that’s all you need to do! The citrus mint scent is made with 100 percent natural products while the formula itself contains corn and coconut as cleaning agents.
Highlights
- Ideal for a variety of different floor types
- Earth-friendly pet-safe floor care product to clean floors and providing a stellar shine without streaking or hazing
- Can be sprayed directly onto the floor
- Non-toxic formula is available in a generous 32-ounce container
- Made in the USA
- Cruelty-free product that never tests on animals
- No added parabens, alcohol, SLS, SLES, petroleum solvents, dyes, or bleach
Things to Consider
- Liquid may appear clear or amber-tinted
- Not everyone may care for the citrus mint scent
- Some users noted a residue or stickiness after use
- As always, consider testing on a small spot first
Best Vinegar Wash Concentrate Safe Floor Cleaner for Pets
Our Pick: Aunt Fannie’s Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash
One of the most simplistic options out there, this floor cleaner lets vinegar do the hard work. But don’t let the vinegar scare you—this stuff is available in a variety of scents and it smells great! Choose from one of three scents from this plant-based floor cleaner that is safe around dogs and cats. One bottle makes 16 gallons of formula so you can confidently mop your floors for weeks and months to come with no rinsing required. As a bonus, the vinegar will dissipate and the fresh plant-based scent will linger.
Highlights
- Comes in multiple scents — including lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon
- Works on any sealed floor, including hardwood, tile, concentrate, linoleum, bamboo, vinyl, laminate, and more
- A little goes a long way when diluted with water
- All Aunt Fannie ingredients are vetted through third-party standards and testing
- Aunt Fannies partners with the Environmental Working Group to produce high quality products
- Cruelty-free formula
- Made in the USA
- Made without harsh chemicals
- Works nicely in a spray bottle, too
Things to Consider
- Must be diluted to use
- Suggest to test first in a discrete spot
Best Pet-Safe Probiotic + Enzyme Powered Deep Cleaner
Our Pick: Calyptus Pet Stain and Odor Eliminator
Calyptus does something very few stain and odor deep cleaners do—they use high-density probiotic cleaners to reach the source of stain and odor. Going one step further, they use plant-based surfactants and orange oil to break down grease and oily surfaces. It works best on stubborn odors and is safe to use around pets. The generous 128-ounce size means you’ll be able to clean to your heart’s content.
Highlights
- Proprietary embrittling agent helps makes clean up a breeze
- Made with plant-based cleaning agents
- Bio-enzymatic probiotic-powered formula breaks down odors and stains
- Ideal for carpet, linoleum, artificial turf, tile, wood, mattresses, concrete and more
- Infused with orange oil to break down oily surfaces and and grease
- Made in the USA
Things to Consider
- Takes longer to work than others, must wait 8 to 12 hours and then recheck
- As odors are neutralized, the contaminants are pulled to the surface, so you may want to circulate air in the area
Best Pet-Safe Floor Cleaners for Hardwood Floors
Our Pick: Aunt Fannie’s Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Like the brand’s multi-surface cleaner, Aunt Fannie’s hardwood version is just as safe and effective at cleaning wood floors. The types of hardwood floors it can be used on include solid, engineered, bamboo, manufactured, and laminate types. Just 1/2 cup of the solution diluted in two gallons of water gets the job done. Both dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic, this formula can be used in buckets, spray bottles, and even floor cleaning machines. When you are all finished, Aunt Fannie’s hardwood cat safe floor cleaner (and dog safe, of course) leaves behind a clean neutral scent of fresh lemon from 100 percent essential oil blends.
Highlights
- Breaks down dirt, food, grease, and grime without using chemicals
- Made in the USA
- Leaves no residue behind
- Requires no rinsing
- Never tested on animals
- Customers report being pleased by the long-lasting formula
Things to Consider:
- Must be diluted before use
- Does have a light scent that some may not enjoy
Best Citrus Scented Wood Floor Cleaner for Pets
Our Pick: Begley’s Best Earth Responsible Natural Plant-Based Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Promises to provide streak-free cleaning to hardwood floors with no waxy film or residue, all while leaving the harsh chemicals behind. It contains a plant-derived fresh citrus scent in a biodegradable, USDA-certified, biobased solution. Designed to eliminate grease and dirt from hardwood floors while reducing fingerprints and smudges, the name Begley’s may sound familiar. Founded by Ed Begley, actor, author, and activist, Ed has been a proponent of the ‘green’ movement for many years.
Highlights
- Shake well and spray directly onto your floor
- Made in the USA
- Comes in different size packaging options
- Comes in a recyclable bottle that helps lead to lower carbon emissions
- Cruelty-free formula with no animal testing
- Ideal for all wood or engineered flooring finishes
Things to Consider:
- Certain versions come without a spray nozzle
- Like other natural options, there may a slight residue after use
Best Pet-Safe Floor Cleaners for Carpets
Best Pet Safe Carpet Cleaner
Our Pick: Rocco & Roxie Carpet Cleaner Solution for Pets
When it comes time to clean your carpets, consider Rocco & Roxie’s pet-safe floor cleaner for carpets. Made for any carpet shampoor machine, this solution gets right to work on everyday pet odor and and stains. Both chlorine-free and color-safe, this formula earned the Seal of Approval from the trusted Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI.) Unlike chemically-based products, Rocco & Roxie’s formula is safe to use around dogs and cats. Using oxygen molecule power, each pass of the shampooer will help remove tough stains and odors. It leaves behind no residue, so paws can walk safely on the carpeting.
Highlights
- Made in the USA
- Works with all carpeting cleaning machines
- Non-caustic, earth-friendly, and bio-degradable formula
- Nicely priced for all budgets
- Customers love how it removes cat urine stains and odors from carpeting
- Can be used on upholstery
- Uses encapsulation technology to remove stains without any leftover residue
Things to Consider:
- Has a light lemon scent
- Test for color fastness in an inconspicuous spot before using on the entire carpet
- The company recommends pet parents pre-treat difficult pet stains and odors (especially urine) with Rocco & Roxie’s bio-enzymatic Stain & Odor Eliminator before shampooing
Pet-Safe Floor Cleaner Buying Guide
Our dogs and cats spend most of their time close to the ground and with access to many low-lying areas. They may like to lick their paws, or the floor, and exposure to harmful chemicals can occur from either direct contact or through ingestion.Depending on the size of your pet, smaller animals may require ingestion or contact with less of a particular substance to cause possible toxicity issues, as well.
If you are trying to find products targeted as safe for pets, remember that when it comes to cleaning supplies, “natural” does not always equal “safe.” “Many plants in nature can be toxic, and even deadly,” says Dr. Klein. “Essential oils can also be toxic if ingested, not properly diluted, or if your pet comes in direct contact with it,” he says.
When possible, he suggests choosing a fragrance-free option, along with keeping the above chemical considerations in mind.
Dr. McKeithen also recommends trying to find products that leave little to no residue, since leftover product can be harmful when licked or walked on.
Pet-Safe Floor Cleaner For Wood Floors
For pet parents who prefer a pet-safe wood floor cleaner, there are basic elements to look for. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a pet-safe hardwood floor cleaner or wood for cleaner that is safe for both dogs and cats:
Ingredients
Look for non-toxic and more natural ingredients that are effective but safe to use around pets. Wood floor cleaners that contain things like bleach, formaldehyde, phthalates, phenols, or ammonia can be harmful to use around cats and dogs. Generally, a non-toxic wood floor cleaner is labeled as such and will indicate safe to use around children and pets.
Effectiveness
The ingredients should be pet-safe and effective enough to get the job done. Look for products, including those on our list, that clean wood floors without leaving residue behind. You never want a product that contains ingredients that potentially damage your beautiful wood floors.
Safe Ingredients
Reading labels are essential for using a product around your cats and dogs, whether its pet-safe wood floor cleaner or any other cleaning agent. If your pets are going to walk on a surface, it is imperative to use safe ingredients. Things that are water-based, plant-based, and/or contain zero sulfates, VOCs, and petrochemicals are important to look for. Companies will often label products as non-toxic or made with biodegradable ingredients.
Ease of Use
No one wants to scrub or get down on their hands and knees to use a product on wood floors. Look for pet-safe cleaners that are ready-to-use, don’t require multiple ingredients mixed together, and are either spray or no rinse solutions.
Pet-Friendly Floor Cleaning Tips
Using a chemical-free cleaning solution is a good start, but there are some other steps to take for maximum safety when it comes to your pet and floor cleaning.
- Keep pets out of the rooms that are being cleaned until the floors are completely dry and, if using chemicals, Dr. Klein suggests rinsing the area with clean water afterwards.
- Open any doors or windows to provide for extra ventilation when you’re cleaning. Just make sure doors and windows are secure, so pets don’t escape.
- Read all labels thoroughly. “Look to labels for advice, and if you have products in your house that say they are corrosive or harmful if ingested, keep them away from your dog or cat,” says Dr. Klein.
- Follow the directions. “Disinfecting cleaning products will often be designed for diluting before use,” Klein adds. “In their concentrated form, any strong type of disinfectant, bleach, etc., may be harmful if your pet comes into direct contact with it.”
- Store all your cleaning products carefully. “Keep cleaning products safely locked away in closed cabinets or on high shelves that your dog has no way of accessing,” says Dr. Klein. He also suggests installing child-proof latches on cabinets, since some pets are adept at opening them or chewing through them.
- Properly dispose of your cleaning supplies and keep bins securely covered so that your dogs and cats cannot get into them.
Never induce vomiting when a solution is ingested and contact the ASPCA poison hotline (888-426-4435) or your veterinarian right away.
Remember, “every single pet is different,” Dr. McKeithen adds. “Some products may cause irritation to specific pets, and that should never be ignored, even if something is not labeled ‘toxic.’”