Keeping your home smelling fresh and clean is important, but it’s also important to consider the safety of both you and your pets when choosing the products you use. Pet-safe candles are one way to ensure that your home smells great without risking your pet’s health. These candles are made with natural ingredients and do not contain any added fragrances that can be harmful to pets. However, candles are not the only option for keeping your home smelling good. There are other ways to freshen up your home that are pet-friendly, such as using essential oils, air purifiers, and room sprays. Additionally, regular cleaning and good ventilation can also help keep your home smelling fresh. In this article, we will explore different options for keeping your home smelling good while also taking into consideration the safety of your pets.
Here is what Dr. Beckers has to say about candles and plugins.
Candles
There are some types of pet-safe candles out there that are safe to burn around your cat or dog. One of my favorite types of candles are made from Soy. Although natural beeswax or any other 100% plant or vegetable waxes are also safe.
- 100% beeswax or other plant/vegetable waxes for example soy.
- Made with a cotton or paper wick
- Use safe essential oils for the scent.
You will find that most of the time candles that fit this criterion are more expensive than their toxic counterparts. This is especially true of 100% beeswax candles which are my favorite to use. These types of candles do not use any petroleum sludge which brings down the cost of the traditional candles. My favorite place to buy candles is Pet House Candles all of their products are safe for your pets.
However, candles made from 100% beeswax have a much longer burn time on average compared to traditional candles which helps to balance out the cost difference. Plus you cannot put a dollar amount on having a healthy pet in my opinion. They do not contain any added fragrances that can be harmful to pets, emit a subtle, natural scent that is not overpowering and won’t cause any adverse reactions in your pets.
Have a good cleaning regime in place
- I use a steam cleaner on my laminate floors weekly.
- I will sweep the floors daily
- Wash the dogs’ beds bi-weekly (I put blankets on the beds and wash those easier than taking the bed apart)
- I have covers on the furniture which I take off and wash bi-weekly
- Clean counters
- Vacuum area rugs or carpets if you have them every other day
- Rug shampooer on my area carpet once a month.
- Dust weekly
- Open windows to allow fresh air in.
I always add between ½ — 1 cup white vinegar when I wash the dog beds and furniture covers which seems to help a lot with odor control.
This list gives you an idea, it may be a lot different for you depending on the number of pets you have, their size, etc.
Use an Air Purifier
I love my air purifier. It has been a lifesaver for me on more than one occasion, usually when I am cooking something like fish or cutting onions. When I need to use it like after cooking it usually takes about 30 minutes to clean the room of whatever smell I am trying to get rid of. The time will vary depending on the size of your room and the power of your air purifier. I suggest turning it on before the smell starts if you can. That will keep the smell in check. The one I use is able to get rid of odors, mold, dust, and other allergens. It also has a UV-C light that says it reduces the spread of germs. I got mine from Costco a few years ago.
Essential Oils/Reed Disfuser
Another option for freshening up your home that is pet-friendly is using essential oils. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that can be used for various purposes such as aromatherapy, cleaning, and more. Essential oils such as lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint are known for their natural and refreshing scent. They can be used in diffusers, oil burners, or added to cleaning products. However, it is important to use caution when using essential oils as some oils are toxic to pets. Always research which oils are safe for pets before using them, and avoid using them in areas where your pets have access
Fabric Spray
I like to make my own. I use a small spray bottle with water, baking soda or vinegar. If you want to add a scent you can add a safe essential oil. I usually mix 3/4 water to 1/4 vinegar unless it is a particularly bad smell/cleanup then I do 50/50 mix.
If you would like to do more research on the dangers of scented candles here are a few links to get you started.
EPA study done in 2001 and updated in 2005
EPA study about scented products done in 2011
In conclusion, there are a variety of options for keeping your home smelling good while also taking into consideration the safety of your pets. Pet-safe candles, essential oils, good cleaning regimes, and fabric sprays are all great options that can help freshen up your home without posing a risk to your pets. However, it is always important to research and use caution when using any products around pets to ensure their safety.
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