The struggle to keep your home space clean when you have a dog who loves to get dirty is real! So, what’s a dog mom to do? Cleaning with vinegar is the answer! This magic liquid is well-known for its ability to clean and disinfect. Plus, vinegar is a dog-safe household cleaner (unlike these household cleaners, which are toxic to dogs).

The 6 Benefits of Cleaning with Vinegar:

1. Cleaning with vinegar is eco-friendly

You can safely use vinegar on its own or add it to your current products and cleaning routine to give them a boost. All vinegars are biodegradable, safe, and chemical free.

2. Vinegar helps clean your dog’s ears

Vinegar clears wax, helps eliminate bacteria, and restores normal pH balance necessary to keep away fungal infections. Acid leads the charge with a follow-up punch by the antiseptic properties.

3. Vinegar cleans pet urine from carpet

Due to its acidic nature, vinegar can neutralize the ammonia from dog urine, helping to eliminate the smell. You may need to repeat cleaning or add additional treatments like baking soda or even a commercial urine cleaner.

4. Cleaning with vinegar neutralizes odors

Spray it in the air, around areas your pup sleeps or hangs out in, or simmer it in a pot on the stove. Or, add it to your laundry detergent or carpet cleaning solution. When the vinegar smell dissolves, so will the stink!

5. Vinegar cleans mineral buildup

Sometimes the water bowl has that white buildup of lime and other minerals. The acid in vinegar helps break down that tough-to-remove substance. You can even add vinegar to your current dish detergent, and let the dishwasher do all the work.

6. Vinegar cleans glass

The acidic nature of vinegar helps break down grease and dirt to clean glass doors and car windows. Pair with a squeegee, and you’re almost guaranteed a streak-free finish.

Helpful vinegar recipes for dog owners:

1. Ease itchy skin: The antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties of apple cider vinegar — or ACV — works especially well on itchy spots caused by fleas and ticks. It is also a natural repellent for those nasty little creatures.
2. Make an all-purpose cleaner: Mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle. For the toughest jobs, use a one-to-one ratio. The easier the job, the less vinegar needed in the solution.
3. Make a steam clean solution: Substitute vinegar for your store-bought carpet cleaning solution. Add vinegar or a vinegar/water mix to the tank in replace of your machine’s recommended amount of water.
4. Remove dog smell from blankets: Throw smelly blankets into a warm-water wash using your detergent like normal. Add 1 ⁄2 cup of washing soda (not baking soda). Add 1 ⁄4 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Fill the softener dispenser with 1 ⁄2 cup of vinegar.
5. Clean pet urine from carpet: Pour vinegar directly onto the stain until it is soaked. Add a small amount of baking soda. Allow to dry for a day or two. Sweep up and vacuum.
6. Clean your dog’s ears: Mix equal parts vinegar (white or apple cider). Use a dropper to place in your dog’s ears. Rub ears and allow him to shake his head. Wipe excess solution using a cotton ball.

A note on apple cider vinegar for dogs:

Apple cider vinegar is made from apples, while white vinegar starts as grain or ethyl alcohol. The acidity in both makes them mostly interchangeable for cleaning. ACV’s color can cause staining on some surfaces, so test it first. ACV contains antioxidants, so it’s a better choice for a healthy solution.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!

April is Spring Cleaning month here at Dogster! Stay tuned for a few articles every week on all things spring cleaning and dog — whether that’s dog-safe ways to clean your home, spring-cleaning your dog’s grooming routine with advice on brushing and bathing — and much more.

Read more about cleaning with dogs on Dogster.com:

• 14 Ways to Deal With Muddy and Dirty Paws
• How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Dog and in Your Home
• 10 Tips for Keeping Your House Clean, Even If You Have a Dog

Featured Image Credit: Willeecole/Thinkstock.