Ever since she was a puppy, our dog Fin has loved to bask on the carpet in any sunny spot she can find. It's really cute, but keeping the carpet clean is always a chore.
To keep our place smelling fresh, we like to employ carpet refresher. We used to buy the commercial stuff in powder form, but found out that it can contain chemicals that aren't good for the environment--but more importantly, not good for our beloved canine. Just in time for spring cleaning, here are a few recipes for homemade, all-natural carpet refresher.
I've heard baking soda does strange things to your vacuum and that coarser borax is better. (That said, I've used baking soda in the past and nothing awful happened. Yet.)
view whytephoenix's profile
Does the new comment policy allow for a post that is nothing more than SQUEE omg that puppy face and giant paw are killing me with eye-watering adorableness!?
view Jezebella's profile
omg!!is that your puppy?? for a sec i thought i was looking at my dogs pic! adorable:)
view daiz's profile
Borax works to control fleas, but only works if you leave it on the area for 24 hours before vacuuming and even then inhalation poses a significant lung risk for both humans and animals (remember, our animals are down at carpet level full time). If you use borax or diatomaceous earth for flea control, both of which should only be used in crevices where animals cannot reach, you Really need to make certain you take extra precautions and that you have a spectacularly effective vacuum with a super filter designed to filter particulates at that level (so they don't come back into the room and distribute everywhere).
I prefer to stick with the baking soda option myself.
Beauuutiful dog!
view Rucy's profile
I have used borax sprinkled in a line *outside* windows and doors to prevent ants & fleas from coming in. This works particularly well with what we call "sugar ants" here in the South.
view Jezebella's profile
Please, watch out for suggesting something's "pet-safe" when it's just "dog-safe"*!
Cats (unlike most animals) are deficient in hepatic glucuronidation, meaning roughly that they can't eliminate plant hydrocarbons (like those inhaled from essential oils) efficiently. The toxic metabolites of these can build up and have negative effects on your cat's lifespan.
Please, re-nest, be careful about pet advice! There's a lot of bad advice out there about cats oils, and you can harm your reader's precious pets by continuing it! Already this is on Lifehacker and spreading further.
(*Also, even for dogs, I'd be careful with the oils. For the "carpet mister" idea, note that oil doesn't dilute in water, and that a tiny droplet of full-strength oil can and will do damage to your pup if it gets in contact with eyes or skin.)
view pwl's profile
your dog is gorgeous
i use baking soda, leave it on for a half hour or so and vac it up.
view jln3681's profile
I have used salt to control fleas.... sprinkling salt on the carpet, leaving it for a few hours, then vacuuming. I don't want to use Borax because of child and cats, who roll on the floor. It seemed to work. We haven't had an issue since.
view theskyisfalling's profile
Course, that could have just been the vacuuming.
view theskyisfalling's profile